Mount Fuji: Where the Spirits Dwell (Photos)

Culture Lifestyle

Japan’s iconic mountain is at the heart of the country’s spiritual traditions. Ōyama Yukio has spent almost 40 years photographing Mount Fuji. Here he presents a selection of images that capture the spiritual side of the mountain. The photographs continue from our previous post on his work from January 2012, "Mount Fuji Through the Lens of Ōyama Yukio."　
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Ōyama Yukio has dedicated his life to Mount Fuji. He has walked its ancient forests, descended into the volcano’s crater, and explored the mountain’s caves and crevices.

Ōyama’s familiarity with Mount Fuji extends to its most hidden corners, as this selection of photographs attests. His images convey a vivid sense of the area’s natural beauty. It is easy to see why so much of Japan’s spiritual culture evolved from these surroundings.

As Ōyama delved deeper and deeper into Fuji’s heart, he began to believe that perhaps mysterious spirits really do live in its forests and caves.

He says he would love to meet them.

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Mount Fuji Through the Lens of Ōyama Yukio (Photos)

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Mount Fuji’s Servant: Ōyama Yukio

The beautiful lake of Yamanakako.
The beautiful lake of Yamanakako.

Shiraitonotaki—waterfalls thread white water through the forest.
Shiraitonotaki—waterfalls thread white water through the forest.

Ōsawa Iwadoi.
Ōsawa Iwadoi.

The third station on the Subashiri trail to the summit.
The third station on the Subashiri trail to the summit.

Holes formed by lava in the Aokigahara Forest. As lava flowed down the volcano, it incinerated trees, leaving tubular-shaped caves.
Holes formed by lava in the Aokigahara Forest. As lava flowed down the volcano, it incinerated trees, leaving tubular-shaped caves.

A forest view at Kōriike.
A forest view at Kōriike.

A fallen tree on Ōmuroyama.
A fallen tree on Ōmuroyama.

The cool green mist of Aokigahara Forest.
The cool green mist of Aokigahara Forest.

Viewing the mountain from Akatsuka.
Viewing the mountain from Akatsuka.

Another view of Aoikigahara Forest.
Another view of Aoikigahara Forest.

The gloom of Motosu Wind Cave.
The gloom of Motosu Wind Cave.

At the Gotenniwa slope.
At the Gotenniwa slope.

Near the fifth station on the Subashiri route to the summit.
Near the fifth station on the Subashiri route to the summit.

The crater of Mt. Fuji.
The crater of Mt. Fuji.

The fifth station on the Subashiri route to the summit.
The fifth station on the Subashiri route to the summit.

A fallen tree on Ōmuroyama.
A fallen tree on Ōmuroyama.

The second station on the Subashiri route to the summit.
The second station on the Subashiri route to the summit.

Mount Fuji as seen from Mount Akaishi in the Southern Alps.
Mount Fuji as seen from Mount Akaishi in the Southern Alps.

tourism Yamanashi Mount Fuji Ohyama Yukio mountain photography forest photos lake