Japan is a country with distinct four seasons. What is the best time to go to Mount Fuji for visibility and weather? Nothing can be more frustrating than to plan a trip to see Mt Fuji only to be thwarted by clouds and low visibility.
Here are some tips to increase your chances of a fruitful viewing
Spring (March – May)
March to May is still generally cool. Springtime haze often occurs which diminishes visibility.
Summer (June – August)
The worst times to attempt to view Mount Fuji would be the summer months between June and August. Rainy months of June and July as well as typhoon peak seasons in August and September often contribute to poor visibility.
Autumn (September – November)
The later you choose the better you get. The cooler seasons have higher atmospheric visibility.
Winter (December – February)
The best months to see Mount Fuji would be somewhere between October and February, with December and January being the highest in terms of visibility.
Other tips for viewing Mount Fuji
The ‘cool’ element also comes into play in terms of time of day. Early mornings are usually best to catch unobstructed views of Mount Fuji.
Choosing the right day is not easy. Unfortunately weather forecasts specific to the Fuji area are often inaccurate and makes decision on viewing and travelling to the mountain difficult in advance and flexibility in rescheduling a day trip to Mt Fuji or for viewing the mountain is advised.
1. Weather Forecasts
Weather forecasts for most areas in Japan, with the exception of Fuji, are remarkably accurate.
Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA):
http://www.jma.go.jp/en/yoho/210.html
Specific forecast to help climbers intending to scale Mount Fuji:
http://www.myweather2.com/City-Town/Japan/Fuji-Mountain.aspx
2. Live Reports
Live web cams update very 30z or 1min are freely available online. The images on the day give a good idea of whether to set out to the viewing spot.
Here are three sites which have links to numerous live webcam feeds from various viewing points:
http://www.fujigoko.tv/english/
https://www.yamanashi-kankou.jp/fujisanwatcher/live/index.html
http://www.pref.shizuoka.jp/~live/english/index.html
When to go to Mount Fuji for tourist activities and events
The weather pattern varies from year to year. It is impossible to time your visit for perfect weather. You can also plan your trip for the following seasonal activities and events.
Spring (March – May)
In spring, the combination of cherry blossom (桜) and Mt. Fuji is simply gorgeous. The Fuji Five Lake region offers views of the lake and mountain in combination with cheery blooms around mid April.
Fuji Shibazakura Festival is held between mid April to early June near Lake Motosuko. The Festival is one of the best places to see pink moss (shibazakura). The flowers usually look best around the first three weeks of May.
Summer (June – August)
If you plan to climb the mountain then you should schedule your visit during the official climbing season from early July to mid September.
During this period the mountain is usually free of snow, the weather is relatively mild, access by public transport is easy and the mountain huts are operating. Anyone without much hiking experience is advised to tackle the mountain during this official season.
Autumn (September – November)
In autumn, you can enjoy view of Mt. Fuji in combination with autumn foliage (紅葉) at the Fuji Five Lake region. The autumn colours usually occur around mid November.
Winter (December – February)
During the colder winter months visibility tends to be best. The mountain’s famous snow-cap is typically visible from November to May.
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Next time, I will be talking about whether you should climb or view from afar!
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