When people first visit Japan, seeing Mount Fuji is always at the top of their list... And for good reason! It truly IS an impressive sight and essentially the iconic symbol of Japan.

Despite the distinct shape, however, many visitors don't realize that it's actually an active volcano, originating some 100,000 years ago. Fortunately, the last recorded eruption was in the early 1700s, so caution is regularly thrown to the wind every summer as thousands of people climb to its summit. Make no mistake though; At 3,776 meters, (12,388 feet), the journey to the top is NOT to be taken lightly! There is significant elevation gain, steep inclines, and rapidly changing weather conditions. Yet, once you reach the peak, the view..... is..... AMAAAAZING!!!

*January 1st, 2022. I had decided to spend New Year's Eve at a fantastic vantage point from which to shoot Mount Fuji. Knowing photos of Fuji are all over the internet, I wanted my composition to be unique. As cold as it was, the idea of shooting in the middle of the night thrilled me! So I cycled out to the shore of Lake Kawaguchi at approximately 1:00am to take advantage of the evening's surprisingly perfect winter weather. Thankfully, the elements did not disappoint! The snow-capped majestic beauty that Fuji is, silently reflected in peaceful waters below as the night sky smiled from above and I clicked the shutter button.