Chureito Pagoda: the 400 Stairs to a View of Mount Fuji
For the longest time, when I thought of going to Japan, I would have this picture in mind; one of Mount Fuji rising magnificently beyond the curved roof of a vermillion pagoda. It was an image that was often depicted on websites, and I couldn’t get it out of my head.
The unknown identity of that pagoda plagued me, so I got around to discovering it — which turned out to be a relatively simple task since it was so often associated with Mount Fuji.
More importantly, I learned that if I was willing to endure a mass of stairs, I would be able to look upon that view with my own bare eyes. That’s how I ended up at the base of a mountain one chilly autumn morning in November 2019; it was before sunrise, looking at the long line of stairs leading up to Chureito Pagoda.
A little about Chureito Pagoda
Chureito Pagoda was built in 1963 as a peace memorial commemorating the citizens of Fujiyoshida who died in wars from the mid-1800s to WWII. It’s part of the Arakura Sengen Shrine, the grounds are open 24 hours a day and there’s no entry fee.
This 5-story pagoda is also located within Arakuyama Sengen Park and there are plenty of walking paths along the mountainside that you can take if you feel like exploring.
When to go to Chureito Pagoda
Get a view of gorgeous sakura blossoms in spring or the magnificent reds of koyo in autumn. I went in autumn, though to be honest, I think this spot would look gorgeous in any season.
During the day, the best times to visit Chureito Pagoda would be either early morning, to catch the sunrise or late evening to get the sunset. Pray for clear weather and crisp air, and you’ll have a great view of Mount Fuji and a sharp image for your camera lens.
I was up those estimated 400 or so stairs in a decent amount of time, though embarrassingly out of breath compared to the elderly Japanese gentlemen who greeted me along the way.
So there I was doodling with my camera phone, waiting for sunrise, hanging around the pros with their tripods and DLSRs. When the air began filling with the sound of DLSR shutters being fired, I began shooting too. Hey, trust the pros for the right timing.
How to get to Chureito Pagoda
First of all, resign yourself to being friends with stairs. There’s road access to the pagoda by car (is sometimes closed), but not much parking at the top. And there is still a slope to be climbed from the parking spot to get to the pagoda. So, conquering the 400 odd steps is your more likely option.
Getting to the Arakura Sengen Shrine:
· From Kawaguchiko:
o Take the Fujikyu Railway Line to Shimoyoshida Station from Kawaguchiko Station (JR Pass is not valid on this trip).
OR
o Take the Mount Fuji World Heritage Loop Bus to the Chureito Iriguchi bus stop.
The shrine and pagoda are a short walk away and there’s signage to guide you.
· From Tokyo:
o Take the JR Chuo Line from Shinjuku Station to the Otsuki Station (JR Pass can be used here). Then take the Fujikyuko Line to Shimoyoshida Station (JR Pass not applicable).
OR
o Take a bus to Kawaguchiko Station, then use either the Fujikyu Railway or Mount Fuji World Heritage Loop Bus, and walk to the shrine.
Is Chureito Pagoda worth the visit?
Absolutely, as long as you can handle the stairs. There are plenty of beautiful views of Mount Fuji to be found around Kawaguchiko, but this is one of the most iconic. The clarity of the mountain air combined with that awesome vista seems to lift all the negatives that we are often burdened with.
Watching the dawn sunlight crawl from the Mount Fuji to Fujiyoshida city below was personally, a moving experience for me, and I’m so thankful that the weather decided the cooperate that day.
Sources
https://www.jrailpass.com/blog/chureito-pagoda-travel-guide
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6917.html
Note: all images shot with Samsung S10.
