Standing at an impressive 3,776m, Mount Fuji (富士山 Fuji-san) holds not only the title of Japan’s tallest active volcano, but is also a symbolic icon representing the nation’s identity. Designated as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, Mount Fuji is celebrated for its roles as an “object of faith” and a “source of artistic inspiration”.
A revered site since ancient times, Mount Fuji has long been a destination for pilgrims practicing Shugendo (修験道), a blend of Japan’s ancient mountain worship and Buddhism, later followed by the Fuji-ko (富士講) religion in the 17th century.
Today, during the summer climbing season, the mountain still attracts throngs of people who aspire to reach the summit and witness the gorgeous sunrise from its peak.
Transcending its role as a place of worship, Mount Fuji’s grandeur and beauty have become a profound source of artistic inspiration.
Since the Asuka Period (538–710), it has been depicted in paintings, literature, poetry, and songs, having been featured in the Manyoshu (万葉集), Japan’s oldest anthology of waka poems from the 8th century, as well as in classical works like “The Tale of Ise” (伊勢物語).
From the Heian Period (794–1185), Mount Fuji began to make its appearance in paintings, reaching a zenith in the Edo Period (1608–1868) with the rise of ukiyo-e (浮世絵) paintings.
With Mount Fuji Day (23 February) just around the corner, let’s take a moment to appreciate this sacred site through its embodiment and perception in art, particularly in the period art form of ukiyo-e.
Mount Fuji and Ukiyo-e
Ukiyo-e refers to Japanese woodblock prints that gained popularity during the Edo Period, representing key aspects of the prevalent popular culture at that time. When translated directly, ukiyo-e literally means “paintings of the floating world”, highlighting themes of impermanence and life’s transient nature.
These prints often depicted fantastical and exaggerated scenes from everyday life, featuring prominent figures from the entertainment industry, such as kabuki (歌舞伎) actors and geisha (芸者), as well as historical and mythical characters reimagined in contemporary settings.
Many of the ukiyo-e prints featuring Mount Fuji are known as meisho-e (名所絵), a genre of ukiyo-e which illustrates famous locations and scenic views across Japan, akin to travel guide maps. Landscapes thus became a central theme of meisho-e, gaining widespread popularity through Katsushika Hokusai (北斎葛飾)’s “Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji” (富嶽三十六景) and Hiroshige Utagawa (歌川広重)’s “The Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido” (東海道五十三次).
The adoption of screen printing and later, woodblock printing as a medium allowed for these ukiyo-e paintings to be mass-produced and affordable. This played a significant role in sparking curiosity among the people of Edo during an era when travel was uncommon, allowing common people to feel closer to Mount Fuji in their daily lives. As a result, ukiyo-e left a lasting legacy in Japanese culture that endures to this day.
Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji (富嶽三十六景)
Hokusai stands as one of the most esteemed ukiyo-e artists, renowned for his iconic series, “Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji”, created between 1823 and 1835. The popularity of this series at the time was partly fueled by the mountain worship group Fuji-ko, yet its success is undoubtedly attributed to Hokusai’s exceptional talent and widespread acclaim.
In this series, Hokusai explored various compositions, striving to depict his own unique interpretation of Mount Fuji.
Among the 36 prints in the series, “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” (神奈川沖浪裏) stands out as one of the most famous and is considered a masterpiece, symbolising Japanese art even in the Western world.
Another notable work in the series is “Fine Wind, Clear Morning” (凱風快晴), also known as “Red Fuji” (赤富士), distinguished by its bold depiction of the mountain bathed in bright red, capturing the gentle early summer wind blowing from the south, adding a dramatic touch to the sacred mountain.
Driven by a strong desire to portray Mount Fuji in various contexts, Hokusai explored a wide range of possibilities, establishing Mount Fuji as a popular and creative motif in the Japanese art scene.
5 Views of Mount Fuji
Ukiyo-e, as a genre, has thus not only vividly captured the iconic Mount Fuji, but has also reflected the complex relationship between the Japanese people and nature, through faith and art.
Let’s now dive deeper into the world of ukiyo-e with five locations around Mount Fuji that inspired some of these artworks in the Edo Period.
1. Fujinokuni Tagonoura Minato Park, Shizuoka
Regrettably, many of the landscapes depicted in Hokusai’s “Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji” series have been altered by modernisation today, but one particular scene has remarkably retained its original appearance as depicted by Hokusai.
Located in Shizuoka (静岡), Fujinokuni Tagonoura Minato Park (ふじのくに田子の浦みなと公園) is a picturesque destination nestled along the coast of Tagonoura (田子の浦). It boasts a striking vista of Mount Fuji framed by a northern pine forest and offers sweeping views of Suruga Bay (駿河湾) to the south.
In addition to Yamabe no Akahito (山部赤人)’s Manyo Poetry Monument (万葉歌碑), the park features attractions such as the Mount Fuji Dragon Tower (富士山ドラゴンタワー).
As night falls, visitors can expect to be captivated by the stunning sight of factory lights illuminating Mount Fuji viewed from the park’s observation deck.
Fujinokuni Tagonoura Minato Park (ふじのくに田子の浦みなと公園)
Address: Maeda, Fuji, Shizuoka 416-0937
Access: 8-minute drive or 45-minute walk from Yoshiwara Station (吉原駅) / 8-minute drive or 45-minute walk from Shin-Fuji Station (新富士駅)
2. Inamuragasaki Seaside Park, Kamakura
Another spot featured in the “Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji”, Inamuragasaki Seaside Park (稲村ケ崎海浜公園) holds historical significance as the site where military commander Yoshisada Nitta (新田 義貞) launched an attack on Kamakura (鎌倉) during the late Kamakura Period (1185–1333), leading to the downfall of the Kamakura Shogunate (鎌倉幕府).
Recognised as one of Japan’s Top 100 Historical Parks, it commemorates this legendary event with a stone monument erected within its grounds.
Celebrated for its breathtaking vista of Mount Fuji with Enoshima (江ノ島) in the foreground, Inamuragasaki Seaside Park has also been recognised as one of Kanagawa Prefecture’s Top 50 Scenic Spots and is included among Kanto’s 100 Views of Mount Fuji.
Prepare to be entranced by the surreal beauty of Mount Fuji at sunset, when the sky turns a purplish-pink hue, casting a veil of mystery over the landscape.
Inamuragasaki Seaside Park (稲村ケ崎海浜公園)
Address: 1-19 Inamuragasaki, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0024
Access: 5-minute walk from Inamuragasaki Station (稲村ケ崎駅)
3. Nagaike Water Park, Yamanashi
For a close-up encounter with Mount Fuji, consider visiting Nagaike Water Park (長池親水公園). Situated on the northern shore of Lake Yamanaka (山中湖), this park offers an expansive, unobstructed panoramic view of the mountain. A lakeside promenade allows visitors to admire Mount Fuji in its entirety, with the lake’s reflection creating a mesmerising illusion of the mountain floating on water, creating the famous “Inverted Fuji”.
If you’re lucky, you must just witness the spectacular phenomenon known as “Double Diamond Fuji” which occurs when the setting sun casts a picturesque reflection of Mount Fuji on the tranquil lake, making Nagaike Water Park a beloved destination for the appreciation of the beauty of Mount Fuji.
Nagaike Water Park (長池親水公園)
Address: Hirano, Yamanakako-mura, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi 401-0502
Access: From Kawaguchiko Station (河口湖駅), after boarding the Kawaguchiko Station Loop Shuttle (Right), it is a 1-minute walk from Nagaike-shinsui-koen-mae Bus Stop (長池親水公園前バス停)
4. Takabotchi Highlands, Nagano
Takabotchi Highlands (高ボッチ高原) in Nagano Prefecture (長野県) offers yet another stunning vista renowned for its panoramic views of Lake Suwa (諏訪湖), the Japanese Alps (日本アルプス), and the distant Mount Fuji. The highlands feature five observation decks, including one atop Mount Takabotchi (高ボッチ山), allowing visitors to enjoy different perspectives of the surrounding scenery.
Below Mount Takabotchi stretches Lake Suwa (諏訪湖), the largest lake in the Shinshu Region (信州), with Mount Fuji majestically overlooking the lake and the town below. In the evening, as the sun sets behind Mount Fuji, the street lights along the shores of Lake Suwa illuminate the town below, highlighting the silhouette of this majestic mountain.
From mid-October to December, there is a high chance of witnessing the surrounding mountains and Lake Suwa enveloped in a sea of clouds, creating a scenery straight out of a ukiyo-e painting.
Takabotchi Highlands (高ボッチ高原)
Address: Shiojiri, Nagano 399-0723, Japan
Access: 40-minute drive from Shiojiri Station (塩尻駅)
5. Arakurayama Sengen Park
Last but not least, Arakurayama Sengen Park (新倉山浅間公園) is renowned as the premier spot for viewing Mount Fuji in the Fuji Five Lakes (富士五湖) area. Here, visitors can behold the majestic Mount Fuji alongside the iconic five-storied Chureito pagoda (忠霊塔), creating a breathtaking scene that embodies the essence of Japan, captivating the hearts of both locals and foreigners.
Situated halfway up Mount Arakura (新倉山), the ascent of 398 steps is rewarded with spectacular views, particularly enchanting during spring when approximately 650 cherry blossom trees blanket the park in vibrant pink hues.
With a history spanning 1,300 years, the esteemed Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine (新倉富士浅間神社), situated within its grounds, venerates deities associated with Mount Fuji and is revered as a spiritual site believed to have been visited by heroes of the Sengoku Period (戦国時代).
Arakurayama Sengen Park (新倉山浅間公園)
Address: 2-4-1 Asama, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi 403-0031
Access: 10-minute walk from Shimoyoshida Station (下吉田駅)
Finding Your Very Own Views of Mount Fuji
In exploring the enduring allure of Mount Fuji through the lens of ukiyo-e paintings, one discovers a journey marked by artistic innovation and cultural reverence. With each evocative landscape, each print captures a distinct facet of Japan’s sacred mountain, and as you traverse these scenic spots, you’ll find yourself deeply immersed in a world shaped by centuries of artistic interpretation.
To view these woodblock prints up-close, a visit to the The Sumida Hokusai Museum in Tokyo, dedicated to the master of the iconic “Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji”, offers a deeper understanding of how Hokusai’s views of Fuji continue to inspire and captivate.
As you embark on your own exploration, may you discover not only the majesty of Japan’s highest peak but also your own personal “Views of Fuji”.
Enjoy A Sweet Escape with JAPAN RAIL CLUB
One of the most iconic places to view Mount Fuji—and often depicted in ukiyo-e—is the Izu Peninsula. This Mount Fuji Day, why not savour a taste of the region with a special snack box, filled with local treats that capture the essence of Fuji’s home?
Similar to last year’s collaboration with JR East Yokohama Branch Office, the “Sweet Escapes” Omiyage Snack Box features not only chocolatey treats from all over Japan like Strawberry Choco Marshmallows and Petit Chocolate Rusk, but also yummy souvenirs from the featured area of Izu Peninsula, such as the Dried Bonito Potato Chips (Wasabi Flavour) and Izu Sankai Rice Crackers that make use of the region’s local ingredients!
Embark on your subscription journey with JAPAN RAIL CLUB by 28 February and enjoy 14% off when you subscribe to a quarterly (3-month) or bi-annually (6-month) plan with us—use promo code “VALENTINE14“. Happy Mount Fuji Day!
