Mount Fuji is 3,776 meters high and the tallest mountain in Japan. Since ancient times, it has been an object of faith and worship for the Japanese people and has inspired countless paintings and poems—in short, it is dear to an entire nation. Given this background, it was registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 2013.

Mount Fuji is in the south-south-west direction of Tokyo, sitting right at the border of Tokyo’s neighboring prefectures, Yamanashi and Shizuoka. The mountain’s closest station is Fujisan Station on the Fujikyuko Line.

From Tokyo, first, go from Shinjuku Station to Ōtsuki Station via JR Chūō Main Line (Express), then transfer to the Fujikyuko Line to Fujisan Station. There’s also an express bus from Shinjuku Station, and both routes take about two hours. One-way train fare is around 4,000 yen while the bus costs about 2,200 yen.

About 10 minutes away from Fujisan Station is Lake Kawaguchi, a famous scenic spot known for its stunning contrast between the clear lake and Mount Fuji.

If you want to see Mount Fuji from Tokyo, you need to know that the mountain’s appearance varies significantly by season. It is visible from Tokyo on many days between November and February, while very rarely between April and August. The chances of seeing the mountain are also relatively low in September and its typhoon season. Hence, Mount Fuji is best visible from autumn to winter.

The following graph by Fuji City shows the ratio of the number of days on which Mount Fuji was visible at 8 AM. The data is as of 2023 and illustrates that the chances are best throughout winter, making it the prime Fuji spotting season.

December offers the best chance to see Mount Fuji, with a 68% likelihood of the entire mountain being visible. Partial visibility is also high at 19%, and the number of days when the mountain is completely hidden is very small.

October shows similarly favorable conditions, with full visibility for 61% of the month and partial visibility at 29%, surpassing December in some aspects.

However, visibility can vary depending on weather and climate. Some years see better visibility in December, while others favor January. This is why winter, particularly December and January, is regarded as the best season to view Mount Fuji. During this time, the mountain is breathtakingly beautiful, covered in pure white snow and easily visible from great distances due to the dry air.

February also retains the winter chill, with a decent 50% chance of full visibility, while November transitions from autumn to winter with a 57% likelihood of seeing the mountain. Both months still provide favorable opportunities to admire Mount Fuji.

June offers the lowest chances of seeing Mount Fuji, with only a 10% likelihood of seeing the entire mountain and a high 67% chance of not seeing it at all. Similarly, May has low visibility, with just a 32% chance of seeing the full mountain, 19% partial visibility, and a 48% chance of not seeing it at all.

August mirrors May’s conditions, with only a 19% chance of full visibility, 48% partial visibility, and a 32% chance of the mountain being entirely hidden. July also fares poorly, with more than 60% of days providing no view of the mountain. During warm weather, Mount Fuji is often not visible or at its best.

Historical data shows that in some years, visibility of Mount Fuji in July and August drops to 0%, making it rare to see the mountain during these months. If you’re visiting Japan in the summer, it’s wise to lower expectations about spotting the iconic peak. However, catching a glimpse of Mount Fuji in the summer can be considered a stroke of luck.

The data clearly highlights that the visibility of Mount Fuji is highly seasonal. If seeing Mount Fuji is a priority for your trip, plan your visit at a time when the chances of clear views are higher.

The best time to see Mount Fuji is in the morning. According to Fuji City’s data collected at 8 AM, noon, and 4 PM, the mountain is most likely to be fully visible at 8 AM. Visibility decreases as the day progresses into the afternoon.

However, the difference is very small on days on which Mount Fuji cannot be seen at all (with 10% even in years with big differences). There are considerable differences regarding the time of day as to how well the full mountain can be seen.

It’s clear that Mount Fuji is not visible during cloudy or rainy weather. However, sunny weather in flat areas like Tokyo does not always ensure a clear view of the mountain.

According to Fuji City’s observations on "the relationship between ground-level weather and Mount Fuji’s visibility," there is little difference between the number of sunny days and the number of days when the entire mountain is visible from January to April and October to December.

However, from May to September, even on clear days, Mount Fuji is often obscured by haze or clouds, leading to a significant difference during this period.

Additionally, when Mount Fuji is surrounded by clouds (except those that are above the summit), it often is a precursor to rain. People living in the flatland around Mount Fuji use this as one staple method to predict the weather.

There are various spots all around Tokyo from which you can get a nice view on Mount Fuji, with the prime choices being observation platforms such as the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Observation Deck, Tokyo Tower, Roppongi Hills, and Tokyo Skytree.

But there are also other places that are not extremely high up. If you walk north towards Ebisu Station from Meguro Station, go towards Ebisu Garden Place and descend westward from Fujimisaka (between Meguro-ku Meguro 1-Chome and Shinagawa-ku Kamiōsaki 2-chome). There, you’ll see Mount Fuji right in front of you.

Another good spot is Mount Takao, although it is about an hour by train from Shinjuku Station. From the nature-rich spot, you’ll often get to see Mount Fuji. On top of that, Mount Takao is a wonderful natural getaway if you need a break from Tokyo’s hustle and bustle.

Mount Fuji can also be seen well from the observation deck on the 5th floor of Haneda Airport’s International Terminal. This is also the only spot that is open 24 hours, so if you happen to have a flight early in the morning, make sure to stop by that observation deck. It’s very likely that you’ll be able to see Mount Fuji in the soft glow of the early morning.

When going from Tokyo west, sit on the far right side in (Window Seats D & E) and you will have a perfect view of Mt. Fuji around Shin-Fuji Station, about 50 minutes into the trip.

Likewise, going from Kansai to Tokyo, try to sit on the left side of the direction of travel (Window Seats D & E). The mountain can be seen from Shizuoka Station, about 1 hour and 40 minutes into the journey from Shin-Osaka Station.

Mount Fuji becomes visible in the second section of the route from Tokyo Station, specifically between Shin-Yokohama Station and Shizuoka Station. Another great spot to view the mountain is Atami Station, about 35 minutes from Tokyo. The stretch between Atami, Mishima, and Shin-Fuji stations also offers excellent views.

Keep in mind that only the “Kodama” Shinkansen stops at Shin-Fuji Station.

If you're traveling from Osaka on the Tokaido Shinkansen’s “Hikari,” have your camera ready starting from Shizuoka Station, which is about 1 hour and 40–50 minutes from Shin-Osaka Station.

The fastest Shinkansen, “Nozomi,” does not stop at Atami, Mishima, Shin-Fuji, or Shizuoka stations. As a general guide, when traveling from Tokyo, start paying attention around 30 minutes after departure, just after Atami Station. From Shin-Osaka, be ready about 1 hour and 40 minutes into the journey, right after Shizuoka Station.

Mount Fuji is a symbol of Japan and a must-see destination for nearly every tourist and traveler.

Understanding the best and worst times for Mount Fuji’s visibility can greatly improve your chances of enjoying an unforgettable experience with this iconic mountain.

If you’re visiting Japan during the summer, it’s wise to focus on the many other exciting experiences that a Japanese summer offers, as Mount Fuji’s visibility is often limited.

In contrast, winter provides breathtaking views of the mountain, making it a sight you won’t want to miss during the colder months.

We hope that our little guide will help you make the most out of your trip!