The shoot goes ahead, the locations are beautiful with or without the mountain, and the Mt. Fuji Special Retouch restores Fuji to your favourite 10 photos free of charge.
The worry we hear most often about a Mt. Fuji photoshoot is a simple one: "What if we come all this way and the mountain is hidden?" It is a fair question. Mt. Fuji is famously shy, and nobody can promise a clear summit on a given date. This guide explains when clouds are most likely, what we do on a cloudy day, and how the Mt. Fuji Special Retouch included in every tour takes the weather out of the equation.
Clouds are most likely in summer and in the afternoon
Fuji City has recorded the mountain's visibility at 8 a.m. every day for decades. The whole mountain was visible on about 62% of days in December, but on only about 10% of days in July. In summer, moist air from the sea meets the mountain and builds cloud, so there are few days when the summit stays clear. Spring haze and the typhoon season in September also reduce visibility.
The same record shows that mornings are clearer than afternoons: as the air warms during the day, cloud tends to form. Our tour schedule is built around this, and we watch the sky throughout the day. For a season-by-season comparison, see When to take Mt. Fuji pre-wedding photos.
| Month | Days with the whole mountain visible (8 a.m.) |
|---|---|
| December | about 62% |
| January | about 60% |
| June | about 12% |
| July | about 10% |
| August | about 15% |
What happens on the day if Fuji is hidden
The shoot goes ahead as planned. On the shore of Lake Yamanaka we watch the clouds move and wait for the moments when the summit shows; it often does, even on a grey day. And the locations on our tour were chosen partly because they photograph beautifully with or without the mountain: the boardwalk over the lake, the willow path with light falling through the leaves, the wide lawn and the seasonal flower fields. Your photographer switches spots and compositions according to how much of Fuji is visible, and you still go home with 200 edited photos.
The Mt. Fuji Special Retouch
Every Mt. Fuji tour includes this service. If the weather on your day was not kind, you choose your favourite 10 photos after delivery, and we retouch them so the mountain appears as it would have on a clear day. The clouds that hid the ridge are lifted and Fuji is restored to the frame, with your position and the sky left as they were.
It also works the other way round: couples who shoot in summer and would love a snow-capped Fuji can have it. Summer greenery with a snow-covered summit is a combination that never happens in nature, but we can create it for you.
- The 10 photos are chosen after you receive your files.
- There is no extra charge.
- If you would like more than 10 retouched, ask us.
How it works: 1) We shoot as planned, whatever the weather. 2) Your edited photos arrive about 3 weeks after the shoot. 3) You choose your favourite 10. 4) We retouch them so Mt. Fuji is clearly visible and send them to you.
Photos that work without the mountain
Even when Fuji is behind cloud, the two locations are full of backdrops that stand on their own.
| Spot | What you get |
|---|---|
| Flower fields at Hana no Miyako Park | Colourful photos surrounded by seasonal flowers |
| The willow path | A calm, green tunnel with dappled light |
| The open lawn and garden terrace | Relaxed, natural photos sitting or walking together |
| The boardwalk and woods at Lake Yamanaka | Depth and atmosphere with the lake and trees behind you |
All seven spots are shown with photos on the locations page.
What about rain?
Rain is treated differently from cloud. If it rains on your shooting day, you can reschedule free of charge, as many times as needed. Please let us know by noon on the day before. If your travel dates make a new date impossible, talk to us: light rain can still give soft, atmospheric photos, and the Special Retouch applies as usual.
Questions about cloudy days
Is the shoot cancelled if Mt. Fuji is not visible?
No. We shoot as planned and watch for the moments when the summit appears. The Special Retouch restores the mountain to your favourite 10 photos afterwards.
How many photos can be retouched?
Ten photos are included free of charge. If you would like more, ask us.
Can a summer photo be given a snow-capped Mt. Fuji?
Yes. That is one of the most popular uses of the Special Retouch.
What if it rains?
Reschedule for free by contacting us before noon the day before. There is no limit on the number of times.
When is Mt. Fuji most likely to be visible?
December to February, and in the morning rather than the afternoon.
Ask us about your Mt. Fuji photoshoot
Send your travel dates and the look you have in mind. We reply in English by email, with no obligation.
