The first time I saw Mount Fuji

Published on 15 January 2024

Ever since I can remember, I have always been interested, even fascinated, by Japan and its culture.

For someone with a deep appreciation for Japan, witnessing Mount Fuji for the first time was an unforgettable experience.

Let’s travel back to January 15, 2009, exactly fifteen years ago.

I was living in a modest building in a calm area of Yokohama, blessed with access to a rooftop terrace. I frequented this spot nearly every day to soak in the sights, lights, and sounds of my neighborhood. Rooftop access is a rarity in my homeland, I think they are enjoyable and inspiring places.

On a morning a few days after I moved in, I took my coffee up to the rooftop for some relaxation. It was a splendid January day with a clear, sunny, cloudless blue sky.

Upon reaching the terrace, my eyes were instantly drawn to an imposing white peak, cutting a distinctive silhouette against the blue sky. Time seemed to freeze for a few seconds. Seeing Mount Fuji, unexpectedly, was profoundly moving. I spent a long time, perhaps ten minutes, simply absorbing the view and the ambiance of the place. It was a moment of pure enchantment.

Returning to reality, I decided to grab my camera from my room. I hurried back to capture the elegance of this iconic mountain in photographs. The image you see above is one of those very pictures.

This was originally published on a website called Hi.co
I have reviewed and edited some parts of the text.