Cloudy Forecast? Reserve an E Seat Anyway — Mount Fuji Appeared Above the Clouds

The photos in this article were taken from the Tokaido Shinkansen on May 27, 2026.

Many visitors to Japan hope to see Mount Fuji from the Tokaido Shinkansen.

When checking the weather forecast before my trip, I saw that the Fuji area was expected to be cloudy. I assumed there was little chance of seeing the mountain and almost gave up.

Fortunately, I had reserved an E seat.

As the train approached the Fuji area, Mount Fuji appeared clearly above a layer of clouds. Instead of hiding the mountain, the clouds seemed to form a white blanket around its base.

Mount Fuji rising above a layer of clouds as seen from a Shinkansen train, with green fields and rural scenery in the foreground.

The view was even more beautiful than I expected.

The snow-capped summit rose above the clouds, creating a scene that looked almost unreal. Far below, rice fields, green countryside, and small towns passed by the train window.

What surprised me most was that Mount Fuji did not appear for just a moment.

It stayed in view for quite a while as the Shinkansen sped through the region. The scenery changed, but the mountain remained there, standing above the clouds.

If I had decided that a cloudy forecast meant “no chance of seeing Mount Fuji,” I might have missed this unforgettable experience.

Snow-capped Mount Fuji above the clouds viewed from the Tokaido Shinkansen on a cloudy day in Japan.

My Advice: Always Choose an E Seat

When traveling from Tokyo toward Kyoto, Osaka, or Hiroshima, Mount Fuji is usually visible from the right side of the train.

On this trip, however, I was traveling from Hiroshima toward Tokyo, so Mount Fuji appeared on the left side.

One advantage of traveling toward Tokyo is that there are no Shinkansen trains passing between your train and Mount Fuji. This gave me plenty of opportunities to enjoy the view and take photos along the way.

As the train approached the Fuji area, Mount Fuji appeared clearly above a layer of clouds. Instead of hiding the mountain, the clouds seemed to form a white blanket around its base.

That means the E seat offers the best chance to enjoy the view.

Even if the weather forecast predicts clouds, don’t give up.

A cloudy day does not necessarily mean Mount Fuji will be hidden.

Sometimes, the mountain rises above the clouds and creates a view you will never forget.

So whenever possible, reserve an E seat.

You may be rewarded with one of the most beautiful sights in Japan.

Mount Fuji above a blanket of clouds with rice fields and Japanese countryside seen from a Shinkansen E seat.

I hope you enjoy your journey through Japan.

This article is based on personal experience and photos, with some AI assistance to improve readability.