The first time I saw Mount Yotei, I thought it looked a lot like Mount Fuji. Its summit is gently rounded and symmetrical, and the entire mountain rises alone from the land, creating a familiar sense of déjà vu when viewed from a distance.
Mount Yotei is also known as “Ezo Fuji.” Like Mount Fuji, it has a beautiful shape, but the surrounding scenery is completely different. There are no Tokyo skyscrapers or city noise—just endless fields and a vast sky, making the mountain’s outline stand out even more.
As we traveled along and viewed it from different angles, we could always see Mount Yotei standing quietly in the distance. When white clouds drifted over the summit, they added even more depth to the view. I never knew Hokkaido had a mountain that looked so much like Mount Fuji. After seeing it in person, I finally understood why it is called “Ezo Fuji.”
