Mt. Fuji World Heritage Centre
Making a site dedicated to the history and lore of Mt. Fuji would be enough in itself. Yet, the architects of this World Heritage Centre decided to go a step further. The building happens to be a beautiful, modern masterpiece, paying tribute to the adjacent mountain while also providing an excellent viewing platform, unobstructed by skyscrapers or crowds.
The upper floor has the dedicated lookout that you see in the photo above, and the staff take extra care to keep the floor shiny to allow for such a nice reflection to be visible. Outside, the building’s facade was constructed to be an inverted Mt. Fuji shape with interwoven exposed wood. It too has a reflecting pool (this time with water) and the hourglass shape can be seen at certain times of day in just the right light.
Those who are adamant hikers will also notice the red Torii gate, a marker for the Yoshida trail’s entrance. This is one of the spiritual trails leading up to Mt. Fuji’s peak, passing through Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha shrine. Whether you intend to make the long trek to the summit, or are simply looking for a nice viewing point, this Heritage Centre is certainly worth the visit.
Shot on December 8, 2024 - Travel, Japan
Photos taken with the Nikon Z9 and Z 24-70mm f2.8 S lens