Visiting and successfully photographing the majestic and often elusive iconic symbol of Japan, Fujisan, during the rainy season can be frustratingly thwarted by the combination of clouds and rain.
This shot of Mount Fuji was taken at first light yesterday, in which I am leading a “Japan Private Tour/Workshop” of the Fuji region, for a family from the U.S.A. We woke at 02:00 with a quick gear and weather check, then a 15-minute drive to where renowned Japanese photographer Koyo Okada, took his famous shot of Mt. Fuji which is featured on the back of the one thousand yen note. Koyo first visited Mount Fuji in 1916 and stayed in the village of Oshino, where he became enamored with the Holly Fujisan, and embarked up his lifelong passion for photographing the mountain. His book which has inspired me and countless others is entitled Okada Koyo no Fuji Hyaku Geishu (One Hundred Views of Mt. Fuji). My first home in Japan is just under fifty km from Mount Fuji,  I to have become enamored with the sacred mountain. My second home is in the prefecture of Niigata, where Okada Koyo was born in 1895, interestingly and unknowingly until recently, I visit his hometown in the spring with my family to pick mountain vegetables and enjoy photography.