See a Cotton Candy Mount Fuji at Hakone-Mototsumiya Shrine
or anyone travelling to Japan, Mount Fuji is a must-see. With its iconic blue slopes and white peaks, it is the symbol of Japan’s heart, and its cultural and artistic significance is perfectly captured in numerous scenic photos. The question is, what is the best photogenic place to see Mount Fuji?
For anyone travelling to Japan, Mount Fuji is a must-see. With its iconic blue slopes and white peaks, it is the symbol of Japan’s heart, and its cultural and artistic significance is perfectly captured in numerous scenic photos.
The question is, where is the best place to see Mount Fuji?
I often thought about this myself. However, I’m not after not any average-looking iPhone photo. I wanted a one-of-a-kind experience with this giant mountain. And I found it, a beautiful moment with Mount Fuji floating amongst the clouds in a changing blue and purple sunset near a traditional mountain shrine.
Want to know where? Come with me on a quest to reconnect with nature and spiritual wonder as I reveal where I took my cotton candy-coloured photo of Japan’s most iconic mountain.
A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY
Hakone-Mototsumiya Shrine is the original Hakone Shrine located at the peak of Mount Komagatake; a sacred place for mountain worshipping since ancient times.
The site is a power spot because it is said to be between the boundary of the spiritual world where the gods dwell and the world where humans live.
The legend says the area was visited by a god who descended upon a white horse. The rock wrapped in rope in front of the shrine (called “Bakouseki”) has imprints of the hooves of where the horse was said to have landed.
Shrines in Japan consist of multiple buildings within a complex but the shrine layout at Hakone-Mototsumiya Shrine is different. The only building you see on the summit is the Haiden, the hall for worshipping and people venture to Hakone-Mototsumiya Shrine to seek love and wish fulfillments from the gods.
When to go for the best view
elieve it or not, a view of Mount Fuji isn’t as easy as you might think.
To ensure your trip is worth it, there are a few things to consider
about seeing Mount Fuji before heading off to the Hakone region:
SEASON
Depending on when you visit the different seasons will also affect what Mount Fuji will look like in the distance. For me, Mount Fuji looks the best with its snow cap so winter, autumn, and early spring are the best time as summertime is way too hot for the snow to form.
I took these photos in late December and the winter climate had the perfect conditions for the perfect view. The skies in Japan are much clearer during the wintertime and the sunset’s glow also casts beautiful pastel colours onto the mountain.
WEATHER
Another factor to consider is the weather. Mount Fuji tends to hide in any cloud cover or haze probably caused by the city during the day. Going on a clear day that has
measured cloud cover under 10% is ideal for optimal visibility. Check the hourly weather forecast of the Hakone area to help prepare when to go.
TIME
Mount Fuji also can only be seen during the early morning and late afternoons. The sweet spot to go to Hakone-Mototsumiya Shrine to see the sunset is between around
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM in winter. Try to get there a little earlier as the cable car to go to the top can be crowded.
Summer View
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Spring View
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Winter View
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Autumn View
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Other Places of Interest
lthough Hakone-Mototsumiya Shrine is the original shrine, it is, in fact, one of three shrines that collectively make “Hakone Shrine.”
The two other spiritual places located at the base of Mount Komagatake are Kuzuryu Shrine and the “newer” Hakone Shrine.
The newer Hakone Shrine is instantly recognizable because of its popular waterfront
tori gate built in Lake Ashi. It is said to worship a 9-headed dragon god that lives at the bottom of the lake where the tori gate stands. The water that surrounds Mount Hakone is also said to have cleansing properties and the shrine sells bottles of the clean water to take home called 龍神水 or Dragon God Water.
The other shrine, Kuzuryu Shrine, is a good luck shrine for money and business but it is also popular for women as a shrine for marriage success.
How to Get To Hakone Mototsumiya Shrine
Use the Hakone Komagatake Ropeway
箱根駒ヶ岳ロープウェー
Adult: Round-trip 1080 yen One-way 640 yen
Child: Round-trip 540 yen One-way 330 yen
Starts at 9:10AM (both directions). Ends at 4:30PM (ascent) and 4:50PM (descent).
The ropeway operates every 20 minutes (during busy times every 10 minutes).
If you want to know how to get to the other shrines mentioned, you can use our handy interactive map below.
Hike to the Top
If you are feeling adventurous and want to hike up Mount Komagatake, here is a map of the walking trail from nearby Owakudani Valley and the scenic spots you can see on the way.
- Get affordable unlimited 4G WiFi for Japan for less than AUD$11
- Unlimited travel ride pass on eight types of transportation in Hakone area using the Hakone Free Pass (2 Days, 3 Days)
- Visit the major tourist spots of the Hakone area on a Mount Fuji, Owakudani Valley and Lake Ashi Day Tour
Need a place to stay in Hakone? Use our handy widget to find the perfect stay:
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Mount Fuji is such a beautiful and therapeutic place! It’s a must-visit on my bucket list.
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Thanks Mariyam! Yes I totally agree as well :)
Xx
Siree
Such an iconic sight! would love to see it some day. x
Kate Louise Blogs
Thanks for stopping by Kate!
I hope you get to see Mt Fuji for yourself one day it’s very beautiful :)
Xx
Siree
Wow look at these views! Absolutely incredible!
https://www.missymayification.co.uk
Thanks Missy May! :)
Xx
Siree
Loved all these pictures. When it comes to nature and its’ many beautiful landscapes, I am a complete sucker for it.
https://www.mysecretluxury.com/
Thanks! Yes I’m a sucker as well especially sunrise and sunset shots :)
Xx
Siree
Japan is really an amazing country, full of natural charms, onsens and very fresh and healthy farm produce as my wife and I had experienced first-handed.
Thanks for stopping by Ruth!
I’m glad to hear you and your wife had an unforgettable time in Japan :D
Xx
Siree
Wow the place and the view is magical, I will definitely bookmarked this place in my travel Wishlist. Thanking for sharing it. Happy November gorge doll.
Best Wishes Ashon
https://ashonfashionary.com/versatile-wardrobe-pieces-worth-investing-this-fall/
Thanks Ashon! I hope you get to see this amazing view for yourself some day soon :)
Xx
Siree
Oh wow, your photos are incredible. I like the different colours captured of Mt. Fuji. That must be an exhilarating experience.
http://www.busyandfab.com
Thank you Mercy! :)
Xx
Siree
These photos are stunning! Mt Fuji is gorgeous, thanks for the travel inspo! I love this post!
XOXO,
Vanessa
http://www.WhatWouldVWear.com
Thanks Vanessa! :)
Xx
Siree
Wow what a beautiful place. Your photos are breathtaking! :)
http://www.lifeofardor.com
Thank you Yana :D
Xx
Siree
Looks amazing!
Mira Audrey’s
Thanks Mira! :)
Xx
Siree
Thank you so much for sharing and taking us along on this quest to reconnect with nature and spiritual wonder. So amazing. I will bookmark this for future travels. Have an awesome day.
Xx
Nikki
http://www.nikkilivinglife.com
Thanks Nikki! I’m glad you love the post :)
Xx
Siree
This place looks mesmerising. i have to convince my husband to take me there for our next holidays.
Thanks Sonam! :D
Xx
Siree
Wow this is such an incredible experience and so amazing that you got to do this! It is one of the things I want to do in my life and I can only imagine how majestic it is in person! Thanks for sharing your adventure with us and providing so much detail!
Christine | http://dailykongfidence.com/
Thanks Christine!
I hope you can also experience this for yourself some time soon :D
Xx
Siree
Those photos are stunning! :)
xx Alyssa | STYLE VANITY
Thanks Alyssa! :D
Xx
Siree
The winter/autumn view is more stunning in my opinion too! I love your dreamy shots!
http://www.jeannieinabottleblog.com
Thanks Jeanne! I know right! :D
Xx
Siree
Wow just an amazing view!! Can’t believe how gorgeous these shots are!
xo,
H
http://firsttimethings.com
Thanks Hillory! :D
Xx
Siree
thank you so much for the tips! I really wanna go there and your pictures are so beautiful ❤
xx
Selina | Selina’s Inspiration
Thanks Selina! :)
Xx
Siree
[…] Looking for other places to visit in the Mount Fuji region? Check out our other travel guides: The Best View of Mount Fuji and […]