Mount Fuji at Sunset (April 12, 2026)
Sometimes the sky is just like a painting. It doesn’t seem real.
Sun setting behind Mount Fuji. Total fluke we got to see this.
On our last day in Hakone, we had the most beautiful surprise. We weren’t expecting to see the sunset over Mount Fuji, but it was a spectacular sight as the bright orange contrasted against the pure white snow of the mountain. Such a beautiful sight.
These pictures were taken from the back of a taxi. Will and I went for takeout and bringing home dinner to Elena and Violet. We were awe struck and so grateful to see this magical sight. We took many “failed attempts” to capture the pictures above …
The day began with a 2-mile hike. Doesn’t sound like much, but the elevation was a climb of 2,082 feet with a total elevation of 3,974. It was also on a whim. Walking to the local grocery store, I saw a number of locals dressed in hiking gear with poles headed toward a trail. After I took care of breakfast for the family, I went for it solo.
I knew the family was wiped out from all the walking these past two days and wanted a recovery day. But I was curious. Where did the trail lead that so many locals were headed there? I loved every minute of this hike. The forest. The massively exposed root structures of the trees. The steps. There were SO … MANY … STEPS! And yet, for an unplanned hike, it was perfect. It took just over an hour to get to the top and that’s when I saw such spectacular views. I loved having this perspective. And to think that this trail was just a short walk from our Airbnb (and I almost missed it).
Epic view of Mount Fuji from the peak of my 2-mile mountain hike.
I took so many pictures on my hike. I think the newness of these Japanese hills are what called to me. The forest trees are like none other. They are like perfect telephone poles with foliage only at the tippy top of the tree.
And they are PERFECTLY straight and organized in such a perfect formation, you would swear they were planted that way. It’s such a strangely organized and “proper” forest. There’s usually perfection in the imperfection, but this time everything looked meticulously cared for. Perhaps it has been that way. Perhaps not. Either way, I was in quiet awe as I hike to the peak and back down again.
I didn’t think I’d get another shot at Mount Fuji while I was here. But instead of just one, I got two. This hike would have been satisfaction enough, but the fact that Will and I just happened to be in the back of a taxi when the sun was setting behind Mount Fuji was magical.
