Arakurayama Sengen Park I caught my breath, looked up—and there was Mount Fuji

I started up the steps from the grounds of Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine toward the observation deck. I’d heard there were 398 steps and pictured the view waiting at the top. I wanted to see both the cherry blossoms and Mount Fuji, so first things first: I had to climb.

Whenever the cherry blossoms caught my eye on the climb, I wanted to look up. My gaze went to the steps ahead, to the flowers nearby, and then back up the stairs. Even before I reached the observation deck, I kept finding more things I wanted to stop and take in.

At the top, I stopped with both hands on my knees and caught my breath. I’d planned to take a photo as soon as I arrived, but first I needed a moment to get my breathing under control. Then I lifted my head a little and saw Mount Fuji, and suddenly resting didn’t feel like an option.

Beyond the cherry blossoms stood the five-story Chureito Pagoda, with Mount Fuji rising behind it. I’d seen this view in photos, but seeing it after making the climb myself made me gasp. If my driving friend had seen me staring with my hands still on my knees, she’d have laughed.

Once I’d caught my breath, I straightened up and took another look. After looking at the flowers nearby and then Mount Fuji, I noticed the town spread out between them. I’d been focused on the blossoms, pagoda, and mountain, but now there was even more I wanted to see from here.

Even after I’d finished taking photos and put my phone away, I couldn’t bring myself to set off right away. I wanted to remember the climb along with the view, so I stayed a little longer to look at the cherry blossoms. When I show my friend the photos, I want to tell her how I meant to catch my breath but got completely absorbed in the scenery.