As the highest mountain in Japan, Mt. Fuji isn’t just one of the most popular destinations for locals and foreigners alike; it has also become an icon of the country, making itself widely known through references in things like literature and art. In fact, images of Mt. Fuji — whether in photographs or works of art — are so often used in connection to Japan that the snow-capped volcano has become familiar to many people living near and far.

But what isn’t as familiar are the many faces that Mt. Fuji actually possesses. Capturing images of the often unseen beauty of the iconic mountain is Japanese photographer Akira Tsutsui (@fuji3776m). While he has previously captured the mountain standing tall amidst fireworks and cherry blossom trees, he recently shared photographs of Mt. Fuji taken at dawn, revealing a surreal, majestic side to it that most of the world has not seen before.

Tsutsui says that these photos were taken around five in the morning from Mt. Kokushigatake in Nagano Prefecture. It’s almost as if Mt. Fuji is surrounded in a soft teal sea which spreads out until it reaches the city lights at the foot of another mountain. This serene illusion of a beautiful stretch of water is caused by the morning fog blending with the feeble sunlight falling from the sky.

You can enjoy more of Tsutsui’s photographs of Mt. Fuji on his Twitter, Facebook, and his website.