By Alex
Thanks to policies such as the depreciation of the Japanese yen and relaxed visa requirements, the number of inbound tourists has surged in recent years. Places that Japanese people never thought would become popular have been “discovered” by foreign tourists, turning them into travel and photography hotspots — one of which is Shin Kurage Fuji Sengen Shrine in Yoshida City, Yamanashi Prefecture.
▲ Shin Kurage Fuji Sengen Shrine has become a popular tourist destination due to its combination of Mount Fuji, cherry blossoms, and traditional Japanese architectural elements. (Photo by nekojiru3453 @Twitter)
The shrine is located on a small hill, offering a panoramic view of Yoshida City and Mount Fuji right in front — a truly breathtaking sight. What’s even more special is the red five-story pagoda (Chureito Pagoda) within the shrine grounds, which serves as an iconic backdrop for photographing Mount Fuji. In spring, when cherry blossoms are in full bloom, a single frame can capture three quintessentially Japanese elements, making this stunning view almost unparalleled for photography.
▲ (Photo by yoshiki_fujiwara @IG)
Interestingly, in the eyes of many Japanese, old Japanese architecture and cherry blossoms are hallmarks of the ancient cities of Kyoto and Nara. However, these two locations are quite far from Mount Fuji, making it generally impossible to see the mountain from there. As a result, Japanese people initially felt that pairing the shrine with Mount Fuji seemed somewhat out of place.
▲ (Photo by hashimuki @Twitter)
But foreign tourists don’t have these “stereotypical notions.” They feel that taking photos at the shrine allows them to capture multiple iconic Japanese elements in one go, offering great “value for money,” which is why it has become so popular. It’s said that about five years ago, a Thai visitor described the site as a place where you can “see both Mount Fuji and something reminiscent of Kyoto,” sparking discussions on social media that gradually led to its fame. Today, the shrine has become a renowned attraction for both domestic and international tourists.
▲ The photo spot is very narrow, and during peak times, visitors have to line up and wait their turn. (Photo by take515shi @Twitter)
This article also introduces several other spots that were originally overlooked by locals but were later discovered by foreign tourists, eventually becoming world-famous tourist destinations.
▲ The staircase leading to the five-story pagoda and the photo spot. (Photo by oliveoil_pie @IG)
▲ Shin Kurage Fuji Sengen Shrine (Photo by s.h_9323 @IG)
▲ The torii gate in front of the shrine (Photo by toshimasa0724 @IG)
▲ The five-story pagoda (Photo by tsukuru5 @IG)
▲ (Photo by archi_kobayashi @IG)
▲ (Photo by kohki @IG)
▲ Shin Kurage Sengen Shrine in midsummer (Photo by tourinjapancom @IG)
▲ (Photo by yoshiki_fujiwara @IG)
▲ (Photo by yoshito_tokunaga_ @IG)
Source: Stepping into Japan