Mount Fuji Photo Zone in Front of Lawson at Lake Kawaguchiko: The Actual Crowds I Found There

In Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture—more precisely, along National Route 137 walking down from Kawaguchiko Station—sits that convenience store. It's the place that went viral…

Yamanashi

In Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture—more precisely, along National Route 137 walking down from Kawaguchiko Station—sits that convenience store. It's the place that went viral on social media worldwide for one perfect shot: Mount Fuji's peak sitting directly above the blue Lawson sign. I'd been traveling mostly through Southeast Asia and had only recently returned to Japan's mountains. Even as I thought of the crowds at Wat Arun in Bangkok, I figured, "Surely it can't be *that* packed just for a convenience store." Five minutes after arriving, I'd changed my mind.

Starting from Kawaguchiko Station

Step off the train and Mount Fuji appears immediately, rising behind the station building. The station building has a triangular roof with a clock built into it, and the mountain's ridge line extends straight up from behind it. The day I went, thick clouds covered most of the peak—only the very top emerged—yet people still stopped on the crosswalk in front of the station and raised their cameras.

The red and yellow buses standing in front of the station are the Kawaguchiko Omnibus (operating red and green lines, among others). Most tourists ride these to circle the lake. However, since the Lawson photo zone is positioned awkwardly on the route, I just walked. Heading south along the main road takes about 20 minutes. The sidewalk is narrow and large tour buses keep passing, so it's not exactly a pleasant stroll. If you have luggage, I'd recommend taking a bus or taxi.

The Town's Character Along the Walk

As you walk, you realize this is a place where people actually live before it's a tourist destination. Next to a building with a kimono shop sign is the Kawaguchiko police box, marked with the letters KOBAN. A foreign cyclist passed by in front of it, having apparently rented a bike. Actually, for this stretch, a bicycle is the most practical option. The road is flat and there aren't many traffic lights.

Partway there, I could also see Mount Fuji well from another convenience store parking lot. An empty lot, three small cars, two bicycles, and the mountain ridge beyond. White, wispy clouds were drifting sideways from near the peak. Honestly, this solitary scene was my favorite moment of the entire day.

When the clouds cleared for a moment, the entire mountain revealed itself. Clouds were rising from the peak like steam, and patches of old snow remained striped across the middle slopes. Power lines and tree branches crossed through the frame, which actually feels closer to what it's really like to see Mount Fuji in this town. Everywhere you look here, electrical wires divide the sky.

A Truly Famous Photo Spot, and Truly Packed with People

You know immediately upon arrival. It's not the convenience store that's the problem—it's the sidewalk across the street. There are really, *really* a lot of people. When I was there, over twenty people were crammed onto the narrow opposite sidewalk, each with a camera in hand, and plenty were stepping halfway onto the road to get their shots. Passenger cars and tour buses continued streaming through between them. Yellow warning signs stood scattered around with illustrations saying "Do not stand in the road" in Korean, Chinese, and English. Those signs themselves tell you how much this town has suffered.

The parking lot in front of the store is a different situation entirely. Photo-takers weave between parking spaces, and people park blue sports cars and occupy prime spots for hours to get their shots with the car and the mountain together. Actual customers trying to make purchases thread their way through the crowd. I watched a customer with a cigarette in their mouth pass by with a scowl on their face—that expression summed up the whole situation.

There's only one spot where the composition works perfectly: the sidewalk across the street. From there, Mount Fuji's peak sits dead center above the Lawson sign. On cloudy days, the mountain's base blends into the sky so the peak looks like it's floating. I crossed back and forth three times, trying different angles, but in the end, all I could do was wait for a moment when the crowd cleared. After standing there for about ten minutes, there was a brief opening.

Things Good to Know Before You Go

• Go early in the morning. During midday when the tour buses are running, there's barely room to stand on the sidewalk. The mountain is also more likely to be clearly visible in the morning.
• The yellow markings on the ground and warning signs aren't decoration. Vehicles really do pass quickly here. It's dangerous because many people step into the road to get their shots.
• The parking lot is for convenience store customers. If you're only coming for photos, don't park a car. I walked there, and on my way out, I bought a drink.
• Clouds are common. Mount Fuji hides its face multiple times a day. Don't be discouraged if you can't see it right away; it's better to allow extra time.
• It's good to check the exact hours and fee information separately. Since the local government has changed traffic control measures depending on the situation, read the on-site signs first.

Honestly, getting a single shot takes only five minutes. But the time spent squeezing between people, dodging cars, and waiting for the clouds to clear is much longer. Still, when you look through the viewfinder and see that moment when the mountain sits perfectly above the sign, you understand why people come all this way. Just remember to also keep in mind that this is the convenience store in front of where people actually live.