Kamiyoshida

Kamiyoshida sits at the northern base of Mount Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture, offering one of the most iconic views of the mountain anywhere in Japan. The classic shot here frames Fuji-san rising above the Chureito Pagoda, a five-story structure reached by climbing roughly 400 stone steps from Arakurayama Sengen Park. For the best composition, position yourself on the viewing platform just above the pagoda so the tower sits in the foreground with the mountain centered behind it. Spring cherry blossoms in late March to mid-April add layers of pink to the frame, while winter gives you cleaner skies and snow-capped slopes. Early morning is ideal before haze builds up, and a telephoto lens in the 70-200mm range helps compress the distance and fill the frame with both pagoda and summit. Arrive before sunrise to secure a good spot, as this location draws crowds. (Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi, Japan)