It's possible to climb Mount Fuji. However, when you're on the mountain you can't see it. From the climb Fuji-san looks like this.
From a distance Mount Fuji looks more like this.
There are several excellent spots to view Japan's great volcano.
1. Lake Kawaguchiko
Lake Kawaguchiko was featured in the 36 Views of Mount Fuji (Japan's best known work of art). In the right light Fuji-san's reflection can be seen in the lake.
Lake Kawaguchiko is part of the Fuji Five Lakes region. The four other lakes in the area also have excellent views of Mount Fuji but are less developed. Kawaguchiko is an onsen town with many excellent ryokan, restaurants and attractions. What better way to view Fuji-san than from a onsen bath?
2. Hakone
Hakone is a resort town on the edge of Mount Fuji that's known for its many onsen and ryokan. It's a weekend getaway spot for Tokyoites. Hakone is also a popular Tokyo side trip amongst international tourists.
3. Kamakura
Kamakura is a coastal town an hour south of Tokyo known for its Giant Buddha, temples, shrines, historical attractions and surfing beaches. There's a good view of Mount Fuji from Kamakura's beaches.
4. Fuji Shibazakura Festival
The Fuji Shibazakura Festival is held from late April to late May at Fuji Motosuko Resort in Fujikawaguchiko. The festival features 80,000 blooming Shibazakura (mountain phlox flowers) that fill 6 acres of gently sloping hills with brilliant red, pink and white flowers.
The festival represents a great opportunity to photograph Mount Fuji.
5. Enoshima
Enoshima is an island in Sagami Bay. It's a popular summer beach destination about an hour and a half from Tokyo near Kamakura.
Enoshima's view of Mount Fuji is often spectacular.
6. Iyashi no Sato
Iyashi no Sato is an open air museum that recreates a traditional Japanese village. From here it's possible to imagine what Fuji-san looked like in the Edo-era.
7. Gotemba
Gotemba is a town near Mount Fuji that's best known for its large outlet shopping mall (Gotemba Premium Outlets). The mall features around 200 shops, 50 restaurants and a ferris wheel.
8. Fuji Q Highlands
Fuji Q is a large amusement park that features some of Japan's fastest, tallest, longest and steepest roller coasters. What better way to view Fuji than from a roller coaster that's dropping at 172 km/h (106 mph).
9. Tokyo Sky Tree
Your best chance of seeing Mount Fuji from Tokyo is Japan's tallest structure: Tokyo Sky Tree. On a clear day you can get a reasonably good view of Fuji-san from Tokyo. Keep in mind that Tokyo is about 100 kilometers (62 miles) from the mountain.
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