Mount Fuji: Views from the Shinkansen

Fujisan (or Mount Fuji) is undoubtedly one of Japan’s most iconic attractions and the reason many visit the country. It’s a truly wondrous sight and an absolute must see when in Asia. There are a number of ways to see Mount Fuji, most popularly from one of the lakes surrounding the mountain, from the 5th base station or while speeding past on the Shinkansen.

While we highly recommend at least a day trip to view Mount Fuji (separate blog post on our trip to Kawaguchiko to follow), it’s not always suitable for everyone’s schedule. So often, viewing Fuji from the Shinkansen while travelling to/from Tokyo is sometimes the only option. Not only is the journey punctual, smooth and comfortable, you’ll also get some incredible views.

While you can use the Bullet Train to visit Fuji, we viewed Fuji on the journey from Tokyo to Kyoto. So, here’s our top tips for catching a glimpse at Japan’s tallest mountain from the comfort of the bullet train:

Sit on the correct side. If travelling from Tokyo to Kyoto, sit on the right or if travelling toward Tokyo, sit on the left. When you make your reservation, ask to sit on the left or right hand side depending on your direction or simply ask for the mountain view. It’s always best to make a reservation to guarantee a seat.
Fuji comes into view approximately 40-42 minutes into the journey (on the Nozomi Bullet Train) however, times will differ depending on what Bullet Train you travel on. You can see Mount Fuji for approximately 5-10 minutes from the Shinkansen. If you’re super keen like me, you can follow your location on Google Maps as you travel and see Fuji first come into view as you pass Susono on the map and approximately 42 minutes into the journey (see screenshots below).
Time it right. Fuji can often be masked by clouds so if you’re set on seeing it, then time your trip right. Visibility of Fuji is better in the winter months, typically from October through to February, while visibility drastically drops throughout the summer months. Even if you luck out in Summer with great visibility, the iconic snow cap melts. For the best visibility, your best bet is early morning.
Enjoy the view with your eyes. While it’s so tempting to take lots of photos or videos, you’ll only see the mountain for a few minutes so it’s best to just enjoy with your eyes. Any photos or videos you take will have a lot of buildings and electric lines in the foreground anyway.