Places in Japan: Chureito Pagoda (忠霊塔)

BASIC INFORMATION

• Name: Chureito Pagoda (忠霊塔)
• Where: Fujiyoshida, Japan
• Hours: Open 24 hours
• Cost: Free
• More Information: Japan Railpass website

Directions

Getting to Fujiyoshida is pretty easy by rail by taking the Fujikyu Railway line from Tokyo to Shimo-Yoshida Station and walking up to the pagoda.  Fujiyoshida is also easily accessed by car by taking the Chuo expressway west from Tokyo. More information about travel to Fujiyoshida can be found at this link.

Parking

There is a small parking area near the Chureito Pagoda (忠霊塔) for anyone visiting during non-busy times.  It can be a bit tricky to get to because you have to drive through narrow streets to access it.  The parking is free though and right next to Arakurayama Sengen Park where the pagoda is located.  If visiting Chureito Pagoda during the busy cherry blossom season, parking is located on the large dirt play area of the Shimoyoshida Elementary School.  There are signs all over the area directing drivers to the parking lot.  From there people have to them walk through town to the pagoda.

Narrative

One of the most famous photographs from Japan that brings together many of Japan’s iconic elements can be found at Chureito Pagoda.  This pagoda all in one photograph can shows Japan’s cultural and natural beauty to include the iconic Mt. Fuji.  The pagoda is located in Arakurayama Sengen Park (新倉山浅間公園) in the city of Fujiyoshida which is a less than two hour trip from central Tokyo.  Getting to the park from the train station or the designated parking area are all short walks that lead to this staircase:

Since the Chureito Pagoda is located on a hill overlooking the city, that means a long staircase hike is required to access it:

Fortunately nice views of Mt. Fuji are available throughout the walk up the staircase:

After the first section of stairs it is worth stopping to check out the Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine:

According to the Fujiyoshida website the shrine was found in 705.  Notably during the Mt. Fuji eruption in 807 the emperor dispatched an envoy to the shrine to perform a ritual to stop the eruption.  Later during the warring states period the warlord Takeda Nobutura set up camp at the shrine before defeating the rival Hojo clan in battle.  He dedicated his sword to the shrine.  Readers may remember the Hojo clan from my prior posting when I visited their home base at Odawara Castle.  Today people visit the Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine to ward off evil spirits and pray for safe childbirths.

After checking out the shrine the staircase continues its steep ascent up the hill:

At the top of the hill is where the beautiful Chureito Pagoda can be seen with its many visitors jockeying for position to get photos of the famous structure:

Considering how old the Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine is you would think the Chureito Pagoda would be old as well, but it isn’t.  This five storied pagoda was built back in 1963 just above the park’s cherry blossom trees. The shrine was built as a peace memorial to all the citizens of Fujiyoshida that were killed in recent wars.  However, it instead became a haven for people looking to take iconic pictures of Mt. Fuji.  Travelers from not only Japan, but from all around the world visit Chureito Pagoda each day.  One of the visitors to the shrine was the mayor from my former home town of Colorado Springs, Colorado which is a sister city to Fujiyoshida:

To take the iconic picture of Mt. Fuji from behind the pagoda, it required my son and I to stand in line for about an hour.  At least we had a great view of Mt. Fuji while we waited:

We also had a nice view looking towards the pagoda as well while we waited:

The platform fits about 30 people at a time and guides are there to ensure it does not become too packed so people can easily take their photos:

If you want to avoid the long line get there early in the morning.  I arrived there one time at 6:30 and there was no line and I was able to spend plenty of time taking in the views:

Here is that iconic view of Chureito Pagoda that people from across the world travel to Japan to see:

Here is the view from the opposite side that it not often seen in photographs:

Here is a view from directly behind the pagoda:

Here is one final close up shot of Chureito Pagoda and Mt. Fuji:

Conclusion

If visiting the Mt. Fuji area a visit to the Chureito Pagoda is a must, especially during the April cherry blossom season.  The view is one of the most iconic in Japan and should not be missed.  For the more energetic visitors to the temple, there is also a trailhead to various hikes in the mountains behind the pagoda that is worth checking out as well.