Encountering Japan’s Icon in Winter: Mount Fuji
Contents
- Encountering Japan’s Icon in Winter: Mount Fuji
- Winter Is the Best Time to See Mount Fuji
- An Unexpected View of Mount Fuji During Your Journey
- If You Reach Central Shizuoka, Visit Ikedaya Shizuoka Store
Encountering Japan’s Icon in Winter: Mount Fuji
Many international visitors to Japan say that they want to see Mount Fuji at least once. As a symbol of Japan, Mount Fuji remains a special and widely recognized landscape.
Winter Is the Best Time to See Mount Fuji
When people think of Mount Fuji, many imagine a scene with its summit covered in white snow. However, the period when you can clearly see a snow-capped Mount Fuji is actually quite limited.
In recent years, depending on location and weather conditions, the best time to see Mount Fuji with a clear snow cap is roughly from late December to late February. As spring approaches, pollen and yellow dust tend to make the air hazy, reducing visibility. For this reason, winter is considered the most suitable season for viewing Mount Fuji.
This photo was taken several years ago in October, in Shimizu Ward. The mountain is clearly visible, but it has not yet been covered with snow. This image shows that even when Mount Fuji can be seen, it does not always match the image that many people have in mind.
This second photo was taken in February 2025 from the Nihondaira Mount Fuji Viewpoint. On clear winter days, when the air is crisp and clean, Mount Fuji can appear this sharp and well defined.
As these examples show, the appearance of Mount Fuji changes greatly depending on the season and atmospheric conditions. The “classic” image of Mount Fuji that many international travelers imagine is most likely to be seen in winter. That said, days when Mount Fuji is completely visible without a single cloud, like in this photo, are actually quite rare.
An Unexpected View of Mount Fuji During Your Journey
There are many well-known sightseeing spots famous for views of Mount Fuji. At the same time, within Shizuoka Prefecture, it is not unusual to catch an unexpected view of Mount Fuji from places that are not tourist destinations.
For example, travelers arriving in Japan by cruise ship may see a beautiful view of Mount Fuji from Shimizu Port. However, that is not the only opportunity.
If you travel from Shimizu Port to central Shizuoka City using the Shizuoka Railway, try looking out the window on the right-hand side in the direction of travel. You may catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji appearing between buildings and residential areas.
In particular, the area between the Prefectural General Sports Ground and Furujo offers a more open view. On a clear winter day, and under the right conditions, you may be rewarded with an impressive sight of Mount Fuji.
If You Reach Central Shizuoka, Visit Ikedaya Shizuoka Store
If you arrive in central Shizuoka by train, we recommend stopping by the Ikedaya Shizuoka store. Inside the store, you will find Ikedaya-exclusive clips shaped like Mount Fuji, as well as Koshu Inden leather items.
