14 Best Photo Spots of Mt. Fuji, Yamanashi, Kanagawa, Shizuoka, Japan

           Mount Fuji is considered a symbol of Japan, with a symmetrical and beautiful shape of the mountains surrounded by abundant nature including lakes, forests and large mountains, these all merge into a beautiful and unique landscape of Fuji. When visiting Japan, who likes to shoot beautiful scenery that is unique to Japan, cannot miss the collection of images of Mount Fuji at all. Palanla.com has compiled 14 beautiful locations of shooting around Mount Fuji for photography lovers.

1. Oshino Hakkai

           Oshino Hakkai is an old traditional japan village, located in Fuji 5 lakes region. The Village is famous for unique scene of Mt. Fuji and old style Japanese house which can only see here. You can find eight holy ponds in the village’s area. Every drop in these ponds comes from snow melt form Mt. Fuji and nearby area. That’s why the quality of water here is very pure and clear.

           In clear day, Mt. Fuji can be seen from every angle of the village. You can capture beautiful photo of Mt. Fuji with the old house and Mt. Fuji reflection on each holy pond.

Recommended time : 06.00 – 09.00 in the morning and 04.00 - 06.30 in evening. Which you can find less tourist and capture beautiful light from sunrise and sunset time.

GPS Coordinates : 35°27’37.7”N 138°49’58.3”E

2. Oshino Hakkai 2

          Oshino Hakkai is one of the best spots for taking in and capturing the beauty of Mount Fuji. In addition to the popular shooting location of Oshino Hakkai as mentioned earlier; there is another location in the village that provides beautiful pictures Of Mount Fuji with a scene in front of a sacred pond and small traditional Japanese style houses lined up beautifully as a backdrop. Tourists must buy a 300 yen pass for entrance to the inner side of village.

Recommended time : 06.00 – 09.00 in the morning and 04.00 - 06.30 in evening. Which you can find less tourist and capture beautiful light from sunrise and sunset time.

GPS Coordinates : 35°27'35.9"N 138°49'56.7"E

3. Motosuko Lake (1,000 yen Banknote spot)

           Motosuko lake is one of the five lakes around Mt. Fuji, located next from Shojiko lake. It’s not a famous lake like Kawaguchiko lake or Yamanakako lake. But here, you can find the same scene as appeared on 1,000 Yen Japanese Banknote.

           The nearby area around Motosuko lake still remains undeveloped. You can found less hotel and tourist spot than other lakes. But Motosuko lake is popular for camping and outdoor activities such as fishing and trekking.

Recommended time : 06.00 – 09.00 in the morning and 04.00 - 06.30 in evening. Which you can capture beautiful light from sunrise and sunset time.

Tip : You can’t access to the spot that appeared on 1,000 Yen Japanese Banknote by public transportation. You should use personal car or rental car only.

GPS Coordinates : 35°28’27.2”N 138°34’32.5”E

4. Saiko Lake

           Saiko lake is located next to Kawakuchiko lake, the most famous lake in Mt. Fuji area. But the lake are surrounded by other mountains. So, there’s only one spot that you can see Mt. Fuji at the lake's western end (Bus Stop No.67 – Nenba Minshuku)

           Another interesting photography spot in Saiko lake area is “Iyashi no Sato” an open air museum where you can find Japanese traditional village with thatched roof farmhouses. In this village, you can capture Mt. Fuji with old Japanese houses in different ways from the “Oshino Hakkai”

Recommended time : 06.00 – 09.00 in the morning and 04.00 - 06.30 in evening. Which you can capture beautiful light from sunrise and sunset time.

GPS Coordinates : 35°30'03.1"N 138°39'52.6"E

5. Kachi Kachi Ropeway, Lake Kawaguchiko

           Kachi Kachi Ropeway is one of the most popular tourist spots at Lake Kawaguchiko, where you can enjoy the panoramic view of Mt.Fuji from the peak of mount Tenjo. On this mountain, you can find the Tanuki and rabbit sculpture from Japanese folk tale and the shrine where you can pray for love and health. In clear day, you can also see the view of Japan Alpine from this spot.

Recommended time : 09.30 – 11.00 in the morning. Taking photo after 12 am from this spot, you will get the silhouette photo. 

GPS Coordinates : 35°30’12.9”N 138°46’36.5”E

6. Oishi Park, Lake Kawaguchiko

           Oishi Park located at the northern of Lake Kawaguchiko, near the Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center where you can learn about nature and buy some agricultural products from locals. You can find many beautiful flowers in this park for all year round and the view of Mt.Fuji in front of you.

           Peak time for taking photo at Oishi Park is in summertime, between June to July. It’s time that Lavender flowers in the park are in bloom and you can capture the gorgeous photo of violet flowers field with Mt. Fuji.

Recommended time : You can take photo from this spot all day long.

GPS Coordinates : 35°31'21.0"N 138°44'45.3"E

7. Autumn at Lake Kawaguchiko

           Apart from the magnificent scene of Sakura flower blooming and Mt.Fuji scene in springtime. Lake Kawaguchiko also famous for colorful autumn scene around the lake. You can start taking photo from the area in the lakeshore at Kawaguchiko Museum Of Art and continue walking to one of the most popular spot is “Momiji Kairo” or “Cave of Autumn” where you can see the cave from many maple trees that turn into red with the illumination in the night.

Recommended time : Autumn at Lake Kawaguchiko starting from mid-September to mid-November every year.

GPS Coordinates : 35°31'05.5"N 138°46'12.9"E

8. Chureito Pagoda

           You can say that this is the No.1 photography spot for photographers around the world in Fuji five lakes area. From this spot, you can capture all symbols of Japan in one shot. The Japanese traditional style pagoda, blooming sakura tree around the pagoda and elegant Mt.Fuji in the background

Recommended time : Sakura blooming in springtime from mid to end of April. Taking photo after 12 am from this spot, you will get the silhouette photo.

Tip : You can drive or take taxi to the top of Chureito Pagoda without walking up the 400 ladder from foothill.

GPS Coordinates : 35°30'05.0"N 138°48'05.4"E

9. Autumn scene at Nagaike Water Park, Lake Yamanakako

           Lake Yamanakako is the second most popular lake in Fuji five lakes area. From this lake, you can get the nearest view of Mt. Fuji than any other lake. Becaue Yamanakako lake is located very close to the vocalno. In the autumn, you can capture the maple, ginkgo and some other trees that turn into colorful scene around the lake

Recommended time : Autumn at Lake Yamanakako starting from mid-September to mid-November every year.

GPS Coordinates : 35°25'37.4"N 138°52'17.4"E

10. The swan and Lake Yamanakako

           The swan and lake Yamanakako is the unique scene that you can’t find at any other lakes in Fuji five lakes Area. And that’s why the second name of this lake is “Swan Lake”. Not only the real swan that living in this lake, you can also take the "Swan Lake"-Excursion Ship to see and capture charming scene of Mt. Fuji from the bottom of the lake.

Recommended time : 06.00 – 09.00 in the morning and 04.00 - 06.30 in evening. Which  you can capture beautiful light from sunrise and sunset time.

GPS Coordinates : 35°24'29.9"N 138°52'35.3"E

11. Autumn Scene at Lake Shojiko

           Lake Shojiko is the smallest lake in Fuji five lakes area. The unique scene of this lake is the spot that you can see “Omuro Mountain” that overlap with Mt. Fuji completely. And this spot will be more beautiful in the autumn, where the area around the lake turn into different color and you can use the maple or other trees as foreground when capture the photos.

Recommended time : Autumn at Lake Shojiko starting from the mid-September to mid-November every year.

GPS Coordinates : 35°29'28.0"N 138°36'15.8"E

12. Fujimatsu View Restaurant

           Fujimatsu View Restaurant is a famous restaurant in Gotemba. In addition to serving delicious Japanese food, this restaurant also has a viewpoint where tourists can take pictures of the beautiful scenery of Mount Fuji clearly without obstruction. Especially on the bright sky, taking photos of Mount Fuji from here, you will definitely not be disappointed with the beauty and impressiveness of Fujisan.

Recommended time : 06.00 - 09.00 in the morning and 04.00 – 06.00 in the evening. Which you can find less tourist and capture beautiful light from sunrise and sunset time.

GPS Coordinates : 35°17'21.6"N 138°57'54.0"E

13. Hakone Ropeway

           Hakone Ropeway is an aerial lift station, a popular way to visit Hakone which tourists can take in and enjoy Hakone's scenic panorama. Located at the pier where you can cruise the Ashi Lake. Hakone Ropeway is the link between Ubako Station and Togendai Station. At the pier, tourists can buy tickets to the aerial lift, bus and boat for Ashi Lake. Hakone Ropeway area is another point that you can perfectly capture images of Mount Fuji. Especially on clear days the pictures will come out beautifully and impressively.

Recommended time : 06.00 - 09.00 in the morning and 04.00 – 06.00 in the evening. Which you can find less tourist and capture beautiful light from sunrise and sunset time.

GPS Coordinates : 35°14'36.1"N 139°01'10.5"E

14. Ashi Lake

           Ashi Lake is located in Hakone within Kanagawa Prefecture, another important landmark of Hakone, which the symbol is The Red Torii Gates in the lake. And there is a beautiful backdrop of Mount Fuji. From this spot, you will be able to see Mount Fuji clearly in the morning and near the evening of each day, especially during the winter.

Recommended time : 06.00 - 09.00 in the morning and 04.00 – 06.00 in the evening. Which you can find less tourist and capture beautiful light from sunrise and sunset time.

GPS Coordinates : 35°11'59.3"N 139°01'47.1"E

Useful Information : Weather Forecast https://www.accuweather.com/

                        Japan National Tourism Organization https://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/

                        Lake Kawaguchiko Travel Information https://en.kawaguchiko.net/

                        Kawaguchiko Town Official http://www.town.fujikawaguchiko.lg.jp/ 

                        Yamanashi Prefecture Travel Official http://www.yamanashi-kankou.jp/english/

                        Currency : Yen (JPY)

                        Currency Rates https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/