Osawa KuzureD-4
There is a gouged slope on the west side of Mt. Fuji called “Osawa Kuzure.” The powerful appearance can be viewed from a distance. The huge valley has reached around the fifth station starting from just below the summit, and it still continues falling little by little every day at present. The falling started more than a thousand years ago, and it is the evidence that Mt. Fuji is still growing.
Fantastic Mt. Fuji through the morning mist.
Mt. Fuji stretching arms in the sky and the green highland.
The sun, the moon and stars that rise on the head of Mt. Fuji and travel around the sky.
And, a history of violent eruptions engraved on the mountain....
If you slowly travel the road in Westside which runs across Shizuoka Prefecture and Yamanashi Prefecture, you will notice Mt. Fuji that seems a perfect cone-shape from a distance is in fact not the same shape any time, any days, or from any angle.
Even if not climbing to the summit, the breathing of the godly sacred mountain was near at hand. That was Mt. Fuji from Westside.
Diamond Fuji from Lake TanukikoA-4
“Lake Tanukiko” in Asagiri Highland is a nature-rich lake of approximately 3.3 km located at the west of Mt. Fuji. Having a sacred mountain in due east, it is known as the observation point for “Diamond Fuji” which represents Westside. The morning sun rising from the top of Mt. Fuji. This mystic natural phenomenon can only be seen for a week each around April 20 and August 20. It is popular as a spiritual place since there is a high chance of “Double Diamond Fuji” which the image of diamond Fuji reflected in the lake.
Pearl Fuji
As opposed to the sun rising “Diamond Fuji”, the phenomenon which nearly full moon rises on the top of Mt. Fuji is called “Pearl Fuji”. At Seiroku, it can be observed when the moon rises a little before sunset. The best chance is only a few days in a year; however, it is an excellent site for observation since there is nothing to obstruct the view on the Westside road. The phenomenon of overlapping Mt. Fuji melting in the blue evening sky and a shining white moon is just fantastic. It is scenery which you can feel Mt. Fuji and the universe.
Diamond Fuji from Mt. RyugatakeA-2
At Mt. Ryugatake at the elevation of 1,485 m located at the south shore of Lake Motosuko, “Diamond Fuji” can be observed at the first sunrise on year's end to New Year’s Day.
Mt. Fuji designed on 1,000-yen bill (Lake Motosuko)A-2
"Lake Motosuko", the deepest lake among Fuji five lakes has a high transparency and beauty of ultramarine water is the best among five lakes. The “Sakasa Fuji”(Mt. Fuji as reflected in a lake) viewed from the northwest shore of Lake Motosuko is “the lake and Mt. Fuji designed on 1,000-yen bill and old 5,000-yen bill”. You may encounter this rare scene which can only be seen several times a year like a calm day in May if you are lucky.
Motif of 1,000-yen bill, “Mt. Fuji, Kohan no Haru”
by Koyo Okada
“Koyo Okada” is the first Mt. Fuji photographer of the day. One thousand yen bill was designed based on one of his representative work, “Kohan no Haru”. Mt. Fuji that Mr. Koyo had loved can be viewed from the mountain path near the north shore of Lake Motosuko at almost the same composition.
Benifuji and the Moon
“Benifuji” is a natural phenomenon which can be observed only in the season when Mt. Fuji is covered with snow. Afterglow of the morning sun or the evening sun glows on the white surface of the mountain and Mt. Fuji is dyed flaming red. At Westside where the entire Mt. Fuji can be viewed close at hand, it is even more dramatic.
Starry sky and Mt. Fuji
Stars, constellations, meteors, and Milky Way in the sky above the sacred mountain... It is a superb view that is special at Westside with clear air, few artificial lights, and open sky.
Kodaki Fuji of Lake ShojikoB-1
From the northwest shore of “Lake Shojiko” which was praised as “Switzerland in East Asia” by a foreign traveler in the Meiji period, it looks as if Mt. Fuji is holding “Mt. Omuroyama”, a flank volcano in front of Mt. Fuji. It is representative scenery created by Mt. Fuji after several volcanic eruptions.
Fumotoppara no FujiA-3
It is a campground located at the foot of Mt. Fuji that can enjoy full view of Mt. Fuji. Pitching a tent in the extensive grass area, you can enjoy camping and the view of Mt. Fuji all day that changes its face every moment to the fullest.
