Japan Winter 2019 - Part 11 Chureito Pagoda

July 21, 2023

Japan Winter 2019 - Part 11 Chureito Pagoda

If you think about the most famous and most printed pagoda in Japan, it has to be the Chureito pagoda. Not only it is printed on a variety of postcards and tourism ads of Japan, but it also is on the cover of the popular JR Pass! For many years I wanted to see it but our itinerary had never fit.. until this time! I figured since this was a big family trip and we are renting a car for the day, we just had to make the time to see it.

The Chureito pagoda is perched on top of a hill. If you want to see the famous view, there are just under 400 stairsteps to conquer. Opa and Yokoji-san declared defeat in advance so the rest of us including Oma started our ascend.

First step

Up and up we went!

Still a long way to go

On the way up, Mt. Fuji stood behind us. It felt so nice to pause the climb and look back once in a while...

There are rest stops available on the way up, so if you need to catch your breath, it's a good opportunity to sit and snap some shots.

Oma is still going strong

And finally, we reached our destination! If you want to have the famous shot of the Chureito pagoda and Mt. Fuji in a single frame, you will have to take a few more steps up after you've reached the pagoda itself. Benches are available for those who like to take the time and absorb the surroundings.

Past the viewing point, you can go even further up and explore. We went a little bit up and then headed back down.

After Chureito pagoda, we drove over to Oshino Hakkai to see the sunset. This is another popular spot to view Mt. Fuji. However, I felt like it was very crowded and touristy so we didn't spend too much time there.