Photography Guide

Golden Hour at Mount Fuji

Shizuoka, Japan — Symmetrical volcanic cone and Japan's highest peak.

Golden hour at Mount Fuji varies from 39 minutes in the morning to 39 minutes in the evening during peak months (December, January, June). Sunrise ranges from 06:53 in January to 06:46 in December. Symmetrical volcanic cone and Japan's highest peak. This guide shows computed sunrise, sunset, and golden hour times for every month of the year, with compass bearings to help you plan your composition. Milky Way core visibility data is included for astrophotography planning. All times are calculated with a precision astronomical engine. Use Heliora to see terrain-adjusted times from any exact vantage point.

Monthly Sun Times & Golden Hour

MonthSunriseSunsetGold AMGold PMSunrise °Sunset °
Jan06:5316:5538m38m115° ESE244° WSW
Feb06:3017:2635m35m105° ESE255° WSW
Mar05:5517:5234m34m92° E268° W
Apr05:1218:1734m34m77° ENE283° WNW
May04:4018:4236m36m66° ENE294° WNW
Jun04:2919:0138m38m60° ENE300° WNW
Jul04:4119:0037m37m63° ENE297° WNW
Aug05:0418:3435m35m72° ENE288° WNW
Sep05:2817:5234m34m86° E274° W
Oct05:5117:1034m34m100° E260° W
Nov06:2016:3937m37m112° ESE248° WSW
Dec06:4616:3339m39m118° ESE242° WSW

Best months for golden hour: December, January, June. Times shown for the 15th of each month.

Explore Mount Fuji in Heliora →

See the sun's path with real terrain horizon for any date

Milky Way Visibility at Mount Fuji

Hours of Milky Way core visibility per month (galactic center above horizon during astronomical darkness). Peak: March

MonthDark Sky Hours with MW Core
Jan
Feb
Mar
2h
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Frequently Asked Questions

When is golden hour at Mount Fuji?
Golden hour at Mount Fuji varies by season. The longest golden hour sessions are in December, January, June. Morning golden hour lasts 39m and evening 39m during the peak month.
What time is sunrise at Mount Fuji?
Sunrise ranges from 06:53 in January to 06:46 in December.
What direction does the sun rise and set at Mount Fuji?
Sunrise bearing shifts from 118° ESE in winter to 60° ENE in summer. Sunset shifts from 242° WSW to 300° WNW.
What is the best time of year to photograph Mount Fuji?
For golden hour photography, the best months are December, January, June when golden hour is longest. For Milky Way photography, the best months are March.
What time should I arrive to photograph sunrise at Mount Fuji?
Arrive 30-45 minutes before sunrise to catch blue hour and set up. In January, that means arriving by 06:13. Use Heliora to check terrain-adjusted sunrise, as mountains may delay the actual moment the sun appears.
Does the terrain affect sunrise or sunset times at Mount Fuji?
Yes. Mountains, ridges, and buildings can delay sunrise or bring sunset earlier than flat-earth calculations show. Use Heliora to see the real terrain horizon from any exact viewpoint and get terrain-adjusted sun times.
Can you see the Milky Way from Mount Fuji?
Yes, the Milky Way core is visible from Mount Fuji during March. Best visibility requires clear skies and minimal light pollution. Use Heliora to check exact times for your visit date.
Is Mount Fuji good for astrophotography?
Mount Fuji has up to 2 hours of dark sky with the Milky Way core visible during peak months (March). Check local light pollution conditions and plan around the new moon for best results.

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