Iconic Mt. Fuji and the Fuji Five lakes is always part of the annual JDS Essence of Autumn Leaves photography tour, and for our annual Essence of Cherry Blossom photo tour, visiting Mt. Fuji is akin to spotting and photographing the Steller’s sea eagle on the annual Hokkaido photography tour.  At Mt. Fuji, our workshop leaders are always happy to introduce their participants to the authentic FujiSan experience, just as our workshop leaders can as locals enjoy the region.  Thankfully, public transportation in the region is very limited so tourist pollution is kept mainly around the Lake Kawaguchi (河口湖, region, which is located in the town of Fujikawaguchiko in southern Yamanashi Prefecture near Mount Fuji).  And this is where over 90% of international tourists arrive by train or bus to view Mt. Fuji.  Strangely, about 50% of tourists only do day trips, in an attempt to capture the essence of Fujisan, which is impossible, as it is a 2hr - 3hr train ride from Tokyo then 2hr - 3hrs back, plus it's next to impossible to get a taxi at the station, and buses are packed, but it's only a 20 minutes walk to Lake Kawaguchi and this is where 99% of those arriving on trains and buses end up, and this is a spot our workshop leaders mainly avoid.   

Thankfully the local government has been wise enough to listen to the locals, and not put more into public transportation as it would lead to tourist pollution all over the Mt. Fuji region.  Today, locals like our JDS workshop leaders can continue to enjoy their favorite spots without the hordes of tourists.  Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Jinja is a shrine that has earned a spot as part of the Mt. Fuji portion of my Essence of Autumn Leaves photo tour and my Cherry Blossom Photo Tour itineraries, but only in the blue hour to shortly after sunrise on cloudy rainy days, on clear days JDS workshop participants would be at one of the lakes photographing the sunrise at Mt. Fuji.  The shrine was founded in 110 AD, and the name of the shrine highlights the links to Japan’s Shinto Buddhist practices.  ‘Sengen’ is an old reading of the word ‘Asama’ which is related to the worship of volcanoes, and Mt. Fuji is still an active volcano, its last major eruption dating back to December, 1707.  The long heavily Japanese cedar, (Cryptomeria japonica),  forested path to enter the shrine is lined with mossy stone lanterns which enhance the spirituality and calm of the shrine and its grounds.  In the spring and autumn, the lush green forests surround JDS participants and our workshop leaders, allowing them to indulge in shinrin-yoku, forest bathing.  In fall, there are plenty of autumn maples trees among other species creating a brilliant patchwork of reds, oranges, and yellows accenting the ancient shrines adding to the authentic Japanese experience.  The main shrine building, the honden, is considered the inner sanctum of the shrine and was built in 1615.  The historic building showcases the architecture of the Momoyama period (1574–1600) and was designated an important cultural asset in March 1953.  The Torii gate, which stands at 18 meters (60 ft) was once a location for worship of Mt. Fuji and is rebuilt every 60 years.  The current gate was completed in 2014, so there is no reconstruction imminent.  From the hillside overlooking Fujiyoshida city, an adventure to Fuji Sengen Shrine allows JDS workshop participants and the workshop leader an uninterrupted view of Mt. Fuji.  From sacred groves to historic Japanese architecture to breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji, this shrine has something for every visiting photographer, and our team is pleased to introduce it to anyone who joins us on a Mt. Fuji photography adventure.