Photographing Mt Fuji at Lake Kawaguchi | Nikon Z7ii, Z 24-120MM F4 S | Landscape Photography

It's a freezing foggy morning at Lake Kawaguchi as I drive around the entire lake for landscape photography with my trusty Nikon Z7ii and the Z 24-120mm F4 S lens that Nikon Singapore loaned to me for this trip. Along the way, I photograph some rustic old piers, take photos of reflections in the lake and try my best to get a glimpse of Mt Fuji.

Kawaguchi-ko shrouded in a thick layer of fog.

It starts near my hotel by the lake. Kawaguchi-ko is beautifully calm and peaceful, but the weather advisory states that there’s a thick layer of fog. I drive around hoping to get a glimpse of Fuji-san but it’s in vain as the fog is simply too thick. I decided to explore the entire lake and take photographs of the scenery reflected in the lake’s still waters.

Sadly, Mt Fuji was hidden behind the fog.

Before sunset, I climb up the 400 steps of Arakurayama Sengen Park for that iconic sunset view of Mt Fuji in the background with the shrine in front. Fortunately, the fog clears and Mt Fuji appears just before sunset!

Unfortunately it’s Golden Week in Japan and the area is crowded with tourists. I can’t get a good angle on the view as there’re large crowds in the foreground, and have to settle for a less-than-optimal angle for my sunset photo. I would have liked to get the image from a lower angle, so that the shrine and Mt Fuji is more balanced in height but I’m glad to have a shot at least. The Nikon Z 24-120mm F4 S lens lived up to its “S” designation here by providing really sharp images at an excellent focal range.

Check out the gallery below for high res images!

Zachary LaiComment