Surprise Views of Mount Fuji

Japan's highest peak, the iconic Mount Fuji was designated UNESCO World Heritage in June 2013. You can experience Mount Fuji during the short climbing season in the summer months, but you might spot it on any day of the year.

"Fujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspiration: The beauty of the solitary, often snow-capped, stratovolcano, known around the world as Mount Fuji, rising above villages and tree-fringed sea and lakes has long been the object of pilgrimages and inspired artists and poets." http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1418

Mount Fuji or Fujisan 富士山 imagery and pictures can be found in Japanese art and in all kinds of souvenir. If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend visiting an exhibition of Japanese art. Famous Japanese artists like Hokusai and Hiroshige have depicted Mount Fuji in many scenes and landscapes.

http://ukiyo-e.org/image/mfa/sc130557

When you visit Tokyo, you might see Mount Fuji on any clear day. It is surprising how often the opportunity arises to enjoy an especially Japanese landscape of city, hills, or ocean with Mount Fuji in the background. Sometimes, these landscapes will still resemble the works of the old masters.

Of course you can specifically look for the imposing volcano from one of the city's high buildings and towers, but sometimes you will spot Fujisan all of a sudden. I have seen Mount Fuji when I did not expect it: taking a train across town, crossing a bridge at a station, going up in a glass elevator. Some of these surprise encounters are the views of Mount Fuji that have stayed most prominent in my memory. Keep your eyes open, you might get a good look at this impressive World Heritage site any day.