Top 6 most beautiful mountains in Asia2026 ranking

Whether you see it from afar or from the bottom, Mount Fuji is always impressive. You can really feel a unique atmosphere there, at once calm, soothing, and melancholic. I spent a long time observing it from the surrounding area, without necessarily making the trek all the way to the top. But that was enough to create a memory for me that I think will stay etched in my mind for a long time.

It is hard to miss the majestic Mount Fuji! Climbing it is one of my goals, but I have not had the chance to do it yet. On the flip side, I was able to admire it from the beautiful Lake Ashi (you can take a ride on a pirate ship) in Hakone, and also from the Owakudani viewpoint, which is known for its black eggs cooked in sulfur. But the highlight for me was the private onsen with a view of Mount Fuji in Gotemba! In short, there are so many activities around it, and if the visibility is good, you will not regret it! It is a view you never get tired of!

I had already seen signs in Japan warning about wild monkeys. But I hadn't seen any up close yet. I really appreciated the fact that the monkeys are semi-free in their natural environment. You are free to fully admire their antics. You have to walk a bit (20 minutes) to get there, but the hike is easy and pleasant!

With this place, you get away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Kyoto. And that is not a bad thing! You are in a relaxing atmosphere that really encourages peace and meditation. I really liked the paths lined with stone lanterns with the light filtering through the trees. I had a lot of fun exploring this vast complex!

I had the chance to discover the Pinatubo volcano during a trail run, and it was an unforgettable experience. The site is simply exceptional, but you have to earn the access, as effort and perseverance are necessary to get there. Reaching the finish line at the edge of the crater offered an incredible panorama, perfect for beautiful photos. The icing on the cake was that we were able to enjoy delicious mangoes provided by the organizers.

I admit it, I didn't try the climb. But I still recommend coming to see dear Fuji-san up close! I also recommend visiting the nearby shrines, especially the Hongu Senden. You find the same kind of vibe there as in Nikko, between red and white, pure and sacred... Just magical!

If you are not used to mountain hiking, be careful because this climb is pretty grueling, with a lot of high stone "steps." But you can opt to take the ropeway up and walk down if your knees can handle it. There are several trails you can take to tackle this mountain, which is very popular with Japanese people who love hiking it.

Fuji-san is the emblem of Japan for tourists and for Japanese people too. Revered and loved, this mountain is also a beautiful (and tough) hike, if you are trained and careful (plan on bringing small oxygen bottles, by the way). A moment out of time: at night, from Kawaguchiko for example, being totally wowed by watching the climbers from afar forming a little chain of light (yes, there are a lot of people ;))

For this hike, I recommend taking the cable car up and walking down. The walk isn't difficult and is really worth it (there are even benches to rest on at certain points). First off, for the views. With the pine trees and the sea, you would think you were in a Mediterranean landscape. Then, you will find temples and Buddhist statues tucked away in nature. Just enchanting! Be careful: you might run into snakes (mamushi) there, but I didn't see any personally.

An unforgettable experience! While the station and the gallery remind me of a Disneyland park, once you are in the cable car cabin, you get swept away by the splendor of the landscapes, between rice paddies and mountains. A heads up, if you are afraid of heights, it moves a bit and it is very impressive. At the summit, you can admire a series of beautiful traditional temples and a phenomenal Buddha statue. From the terrace, the panoramic view at over 3,000 meters is striking. Plan on a good half day for the visit including transportation.