A video showing a mesmerizing view of Mount Fuji from above has gone viral on Instagram.
The incredible aerial shot of Japan's tallest mountain was captured by plane in a video shared by ᴀʏᴜᴍɪ - ᴛʀᴀᴠᴇʟᴇʀ - (@ooooooayumioooooo) on Instagram. The clip has had 1.8 million views since it was shared five days ago.
A message overlaid on the clip says: "Mt. Fuji from above the sky." The footage shows a close view of the snow-capped mountain through a plane window as the aircraft floats just above it.
Standing 12,388 feet high, Mount Fuji sits near the Pacific Ocean coast on the island of Honshu, Japan's largest and most populous island.
The stratovolcano is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as home to 25 sites that "reflect the essence of Fujisan's sacred and artistic landscape," according to UNESCO.
The viral post comes as air travel continues to see strong growth, after coming to a halt following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In November 2023, global traffic was reported to be at 99.1 percent of November 2019 (pre-pandemic) levels, according to the latest report from the International Air Transport Association.
Where To Go for Best Views of Mount Fuji
The UNESCO site is visited by millions of tourists annually, in addition to around 300,000 climbers every summer, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO).
Below are some spots in Japan from where visitors can catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji, as outlined by the JNTO.
From one of the many skyscrapers in the Japanese capital Tokyo or Yokohama, the country's second-most populous city.
From the shinkansen (the bullet train) or a car when traveling between Tokyo and Kansai. From Tokyo, passengers should sit on the right side, while from Kansai, they should sit on the left, the JNTO advises.
From nearly anywhere in the Fuji Five Lakes area in the Yamanashi prefecture. They include Lake Kawaguchi, Lake Motosu, Lake Sai, Lake Shōji and Lake Yamanaka.
From various destinations in the Shizuoka prefecture, such as the Izu Peninsula.
From coastal regions including Chiba, Kanagawa and the Izu Islands south of Tokyo.
Best Times To See Mount Fuji
Mt. Fuji is usually obscured by clouds during the rainy season from early June to mid-July, advises the JNTO.
Early morning or late afternoon times are best for up-close views of the mountain. When glimpsing it from afar, "crisp, clear winter days" offer the best viewing conditions, the tourism organization says.
Diamond Fuji, when the rising or setting sun aligns with the peak of Mount Fuji, takes place from late October to late February, the JNTO notes.
'Million Dollar View'
Users on Instagram were blown away by the captivating view of Mount Fuji in the viral clip.
bemproduzido wrote: "Very exclusive view. Beautiful footage!"
kimono_joyandsol said it was a "million dollar view..."
theddeva said "Insane," and julias_life_to_go wrote: "WoW, so Amazing."
wapang_w_n_i noted: "It looks like acrylic painting."
alexis_ckk said: "Woo.. so close and so cool."
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A stock image of an aerial view of Mount Fuji in Japan. A video showing a spectacular view of Mount Fuji from a plane has gone viral on Instagram. A stock image of an aerial view of Mount Fuji in Japan. A video showing a spectacular view of Mount Fuji from a plane has gone viral on Instagram. iStock / Getty Images Plus
