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Fujiyoshida sits directly at the northern base of Mount Fuji in Japan's Yamanashi Prefecture. Home to about 45,000 residents, this mid-sized city is a massive tourist hub for those who want to view and climb Mount Fuji. It’s easily one of the most photographed towns globally for this reason. So packed that the 2026 cherry blossom festival was actually canceled to combat overtourism. Spoiler: it didn't work.

You've definitely seen its most famous postcard shots: Chureito Pagoda, the Lawson convenience store (aka Fuji Lawson), and the base of Honcho Street. Every single one of these spots is a permanent busy zone with a constant flood of tourists.. The pagoda sees over a million visitors a year, the view outside Lawson is being blocked off to deter crowds, and Honcho Street faces non-stop traffic hiccups from people piling for the view of Mount Fuji.

When I visit popular areas like Fujiyoshida, I try to do my best to dodge these crowded places. Are the views great? Yes of course! They’re popular for a reason. But as a photographer and someone who prides themselves with being creative and thinking outside the box. I feel like it's my job to find something a bit more unique.

When I arrived mid morning in Fujiyoshida from Shinjuku station in Tokyo I immediately went to the street up the road from Honcho Street. Starting out at the Kanadorii Gate, I figured that if I walked up and down the road enough I would eventually discover a good view of Mount Fuji. Wanting to avoid the usual Honcho Street view (and lacking the long focal length required) I began to scout around the area surrounding the gate for my spot..

Sure enough, after moving back I found it! Mount Fuji framed beautifully by the surrounding street lamps, a lovely mix of shadows in the foreground and with the Kana Dorii gate in the background for some location context. What a view!

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View of Mount Fuji and Kanadorii Gate, Fujiyoshida