Updated January 27, 2026
TL;DR: Your clearest odds are in winter. November through February deliver the most crystal-clear days, with the north side offering 86-100% clear-peak chances. June's rainy season drops below 20%. Sunrise amplifies whatever month you choose, and our 8-day visibility forecast will pinpoint the exact clear window.
Mt. Fuji Visibility By Month in 2025
The average visibility score ranges from 0 (obscured) to 10 (perfectly visible).
| Month | North Avg | North Clear %* | South Avg | South Clear %* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9.5 | 97% | 8.5 | 76% |
| February | 9.0 | 96% | 8.0 | 85% |
| March | 7.0 | 60% | 6.0 | 50% |
| April | 6.0 | 50% | 5.0 | 40% |
| May | 5.5 | 38% | 4.5 | 30% |
| June (rainy season) | 3.5 | 18% | 2.0 | 8% |
| July | 4.8 | 34% | 2.8 | 13% |
| August | 5.2 | 40% | 2.4 | 6% |
| September | 5.3 | 42% | 3.9 | 25% |
| October | 4.1 | 27% | 3.9 | 23% |
| November | 9.3 | 90% | 8.0 | 70% |
| December | 8.8 | 86% | 7.8 | 75% |
*"Clear-peak" = less than 10% cloud within a 4 km radius of the summit.
Why the north-south difference? The north side (Yamanashi Prefecture, including Lake Kawaguchiko) benefits from drier air flowing off the mountains, while the south side (Shizuoka Prefecture) faces moisture-laden winds from Suruga Bay. This makes the Five Lakes region consistently better for visibility.
Season-by-season breakdown
Winter (Dec-Feb) ★★★★★ Best visibility
- Dry continental winds strip out haze, revealing Fuji in razor-sharp contrast.
- February 2025 recorded 100% clear days on both sides: the best month we have ever tracked.
- Sunrise temps dip to −10°C, so pack down layers and hand warmers.
- Fewer tourists = empty lakeshore photo spots.
Spring (Mar-May) ★★★☆☆ Cherry blossoms vs creeping haze
- Early April gives you sakura framing at Chureito Pagoda if you time it right.
- Afternoon convection builds cloud skirts around noon. Shoot early.
- Golden Week (late Apr-early May) crowds spike, but train frequency does too.
- North side maintains decent odds (38-60%), south side drops faster.
Summer (Jun-Aug) ★★☆☆☆ Rainy season & heat haze
- June-mid-July: monsoon front parks over Honshu. Expect under 20% clear mornings.
- Late July-Aug: typhoon season brings dramatic but unpredictable conditions.
- The south side suffers most: August recorded just 6% clear days in 2025.
- If you are climbing, visibility at the summit can still be decent above the cloud deck. Check our forecast the night before.
Autumn (Sep-Nov) ★★★★☆ Second clear window + foliage
- Typhoons exit by mid-September, skies stabilise.
- October surprised us with lower-than-expected visibility (27% north, 23% south) in 2025.
- November rebounds strongly: 90% clear on the north side with golden larch reflections.
Dawn vs daytime odds
- 06:00-12:00 JST: visibility scores average 12 points higher than midday across all seasons.
- After 12:00, onshore breezes often build cumulus around the mid-slopes.
Pro tip: Set your alarm, then check our live cams at #live-cam-feeds before you head out.
Planning your itinerary
| Goal | Recommended window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Iconic reflection shot (Lake Kawaguchiko, Lake Yamanaka) | Dec-Feb sunrise | Ice-still water + zero haze. Carry spikes for icy docks. |
| Cherry-blossom Fuji | Check our sakura map | Peak bloom shifts yearly. Use our live sakura map for dates. |
| Red-leaf Fuji | Check our koyo map | Peak foliage shifts yearly. Use our live koyo map for dates. |
| Moss-phlox festival (Shibazakura) | Early May | 50/50 visibility. Buy flexible bus ticket in case of fog. |
| Climbing season summit view | Any clear day Jul-early Sep | Bookmark our forecast. Reserve hut for dawn summit. |
Quick FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can I still see Fuji in summer? | Yes, but check the forecast daily and aim for dawn. Afternoons are under 10% clear. |
| North or south side? | North (Five Lakes) wins on visibility. South offers different angles and fewer crowds. |
| How far from Tokyo can I see the peak? | On ultra-clear winter days, you can spot it from 100 km away (even some Haneda flights). |
| Does snow on the cone affect visibility? | Snow cover does not change cloud odds but adds contrast. Oct-May typically snow-capped. |
Useful links
- Live visibility forecast: https://isfujivisible.com/#visibility-forecast
- Visibility by month: https://isfujivisible.com/visibility-by-month
- Real-time camera feeds: https://isfujivisible.com/#live-cam-feeds
- Mount Fuji Tours Partner
Bookmark this guide, watch the cams at dawn, and may your trip line up with a perfect 10-point Fuji day!
Affiliate note: Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.