Mt Fuji, Japan
In October 2023, I was fortunate enough to visit Japan for the second time. I had previously been in 2015, but the nature of that trip did not facilitate my photography. I fell in love with the country when I first set foot there; the culture, the food, the people - all awe inspiring in equal measures.
For those whom have been lucky enough to share in experiencing this beautiful nation, you will understand my fascination. Following my original trip to ‘the land of the rising sun’, I vowed to return armed with my camera and personal agenda, visiting iconic locations I was not able to experience the first time around. Within this blog, I touch on my incomparable adventure to the beautiful town of Fujikawaguchiko with one objective: photographing the illusive Mt Fuji.
According to the various weather studies, the chances of being gifted a clear view of Mt Fuji in October range from 20% - 50%, making my goal all the more ambitious.
I have always aspired to visit the famous geological wonder of Mt Fuji, and having the opportunity to photograph this iconic figure in the Japanese landscape was a personal pilgrimage of sorts. When planning the itinerary for my trip, I ensured to programme a short weekend at Fujikawaguchiko to celebrate my birthday. Not only was the comfy hotel bed a welcome break for my weary travellers back, but I was gifted the best birthday present I could have possibly asked for. This breath-taking sunset in the skies of Japan imposed the grandiose silhouette of Fuji-san right in front of me, facilitating the capture of this image from the roof of the very hotel I was staying in.
The above photo of Mt Fuji (featuring on both my Landscape portfolio and Japan collection) stands out in my mind as one of the most sentimental shots of my photography career to date.
Whilst I reflected over that beautiful sunset later the same evening, I planned my early morning movements, with the aim to see the geological behemoth one more time - but this time at sunrise. I felt almost greedy, understanding the odds of seeing the mountain again were low, yet on I soldiered. I needed to shoot it just one more time - but what were the chances of seeing her twice in once weekend?
Well, on the morning of the 11th of October 2023, I awoke at 4:30am with one objective in mind: experiencing sunrise from the iconic Arakurayama Sengen Park Observation Deck (see the cover photo of this blog). I had hired a bike from the hotel I was staying in - this was comically small as I stand approximately 11 inches taller than the average Japanese male - with the intention of cycling the 7km from my hotel to the bottom of the viewpoint. After stopping for a petrol station coffee (again those of you whom have been to Japan will know they make great coffee) and a frantic session of peddling, driven by the fear of missing the sunrise and finding a bear (or perhaps a bear finding me), I arrived at the stairs which led to the observation deck. I was tired and sweaty from the ride, now faced with the small task of 398 stone steps which would take me to my desired destination.
Needless to say, the journey was rewarded with a beautiful sunrise over Fuji-san from a post-card perspective. It was here that I captured the images which produced the photo seen on the cover of this blog.
Photos are more than just composition and settings to me, they’re a moment in time that will never be relived again. Photographs are a visual aid in reliving our memories, and the shots seen above came with a little story of their own. I will cherish this memory forever; the journey I undertook, the people I shared it with, and the images I captured.