After living in Japan for over 2 years, we finally made our way to the icon of Japan, almighty Fuji-san. Mount Fuji is truly an incredible volcano. It is barely surrounded by other mountains and its perfect shape with a snow cap will take your breath away. It can be seen from wide and far and the first word to pop into my mind was “majestic”! We spend a couple of days exploring the area of Mt. Fuji and here are some of my favourite places that we visited during our stay.
About Mt. Fuji
Firstly, let’s introduce Mount Fuji a little bit more. Mount Fuji, or Fuji-san, is not only the tallest mountain of Japan but also a cultural icon that has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2013. Fuji is 3776 metres tall and it’s still an active volcano that last erupted from 1707 to 1708. Its perfectly shaped peak is covered in snow approximately 5 months of a year. It doesn’t come as a surprise that Fuji has been worshipped as a scared mountain and the first person to ever climb to the top was a monk, who climbed it as early as in 663.
Climbing
Mt. Fuji is the most climbed mountain in the world, with over 300 000 climbers who reach the peak every year. The four hiking trails to the top are officially open only during 2 months of the year in summer, so the number is pretty impressive and Fuji itself gets very crowded. Fun fact – even though men were able to climb Fuji since the first ascent in the 7th century, women couldn’t climb until the Meiji Era in the late 19th century. The first non-Japanese person who conquered the peak was Sir Rutherford Alcock, the first British diplomat who lived in Japan.
Five Lakes of Fuji
If you want to enjoy Mt. Fuji at a more leisurely pace, you should visit the northern area where the five lakes of Fuji (Fujigoko) lay. The official name is Fuji Five Lake Region and it spreads in about 1000 meters above the sea level height around the lakes Kawaguchiko, Saiko, Yamanakako, Shojiko and Motosuko. Some of the most beautiful views at Fuji-san can be seen from these lakes and the area is full of hiking possibilities, museums, hot springs, hotels, great restaurants, small towns and so on. We also spent the most time in this region.
Arakurayama Sengen Park
Situated on a mountainside in the city of Fujiyoshida, Arakurayama Sengen Park hides the most popular view at Fuji-san. The observation platform is situated above Chureito Pagoda and there are hundreds of cherry blossom trees underneath. I am sure you’ve seen this iconic view before. To reach the pagoda, you have to conquer almost 400 steps but the view is worth it. Be aware though that this place gets very crowded, especially in spring and autumn.
Unfortunately, during our visit, the pagoda and the viewing platform were under construction, but this gave us the reason to explore more of the surroundings. The park itself is large and it has many other spots with unobstructed view at Mt. Fuji, so if you’d love to see something less stereotypical than Chureito Pagoda, wander around!
Opening hours
The park is open 24/7, but the pagoda with the famous viewing platform is open only from 8:30 am to 5 pm.
Tenku no Torii
If you have looked at the pictures of Mount Fuji on Instagram, you probably have come across Tenku no Torii – a vermilion torii gate with an epic view at Fujisan. Besides being the current popular “Insta-place”, it is most of all a place of worship, so keep that in mind when visiting. Taking pictures is allowed, but you are asked to be respectful towards the environment and not to step behind fences. If you want to take pictures only with your phone, you don’t have to pay any fee. However, if you want to use a camera, you have to pay 500 yen for a membership, that lasts 4 months. You will get a card and you can come and go as you please during the duration of the membership.
How to get there
Tenku no Torii is located on a hill and there’s no public transport going up there. You can hike through a cedar forest from Kawaguchi Asama Shrine. The hike should take about 30 minutes, but it can be quite steep, so wear good shoes. If you are visiting Mt. Fuji by car, you are in luck, because there’s a small parking lot right under the torii gate. You can drive up and from there it is less than 5-minute walk.
Opening hours
Kawaguchi Asama Shrine is quite small and it is open 24/7, however, Tenku no Torii has opening hours. During our visit, the opening hours were from 9 am to 4 pm, but recent update on Google Maps says they open only from 10 am to 3 pm. Make sure you check this before your visit, so you don’t get disappointed! You can find their official website here.
Oishi Park at Lake Kawaguchi
Oishi Park is located on the shores of Lake Kawaguchi and it has incredible views over Fujisan rising above the lake. All along the coast, there are flower fields, cafes, walking trails and also Kawaguchiko Natural Living Centre, where you can learn how to make jam from local berries. We visited Mt. Fuji in December so there weren’t any flowers in bloom and the park looked a bit dull, so we didn’t stay long. But the view at Fuji was truly incredible. Oishi Park is a very popular places among photographers because every nook is picture-perfect! The park is open 24/7 and there are no entrance fees.
Fuji Panoramic Ropeway to the Kawaguchiko Tenjozan Park
Another scenic place to visit around Mt. Fuji is Kawaguchiko Tenjozan Park, a hillside park with views over the Lake Kawaguchi and, of course Fujisan. You can get to this spectacular viewing platform with Fuji Panoramic Ropeway. The station to the cable car is right on the shores of the lake in the Fujikawaguchi town. The forest park hides few walking trails in the surrounding hills. There are benches and picnic tables for you to relax.
Tickets and opening hours
The ropeway is in operation every day, with the first ride leaving at 9:30 and the last at 4:20pm (on the way up). Round way ticket costs 900 yen for an adult. If you wish to go only up and hike on the way down, you will pay 500 yen. For more information about the ropeway and hiking trails that you can do in this area, visit their official website here.
Oshino Hakkai
Oshino Hakkai is a picturesque village located half-way between Lake Kawaguchi and Lake Yamanakako. The town is frequented by tourists because of its traditional houses surrounded by 8 ponds, that are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ponds are fed with water from melted snow of Mount Fuji. The water is so clear that you can see fish and unique plants at the bottom of the ponds.
Oshino Hakkai has a very charming atmosphere, there are many shops, restaurants and street food stalls to accommodate its visitors. It is one of few traditional villages in Japan that kept their historical appearance. If you want to explore more traditional towns and villages in Japan, check out my article here that is dedicated to towns with traditional Japanese architecture.
Hannokibayashiminzoku Museum
Oshino Hakkai is home to the open-air Hannokibayashiminizoku Museum with more traditional houses. Many pictures that you see online from this village are actually from the museum. I, unfortunately, didn’t know that so I missed this place (because it was already closed), but I really recommend you to visit because it looks very nice!
Opening hours and entrance fees
The museum is open every day except of Thursday, from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm. The admission fee is just 300 yen for adults. You can read more about this place on their official website here.
Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba
Iyashi-no-Sato village is located on the shores of Lake Saiko, one of the five lakes of Mount Fuji. It stands at the place of former farming village that was completely destroyed in a landslide that was caused by a typhoon in 1966. Several decades after the original village was ruined, new houses with thatched roofs were built, the village was resurrected, and the whole place was open as an open-air museum for visitors.
What to expect when visiting Iyashi-no-Sato Village
Even though the village is newly built, it has a very rustic charm, and to be honest I had no idea that these houses are not the original ones. They did a great job reconstructing the place. The houses are built on a gentle slope so you can see Mt. Fuji from almost every street. All of the 20 houses are open and turned into museums, galleries, cafes or shops with traditional crafts and arts. You can visit workshops or rent traditional kimono to take pictures in.
It is truly a special place and I greatly enjoyed our visit. We stopped in a café for a hot cup of matcha and then bought souvenirs to take home with us. Near the parking lot, there are some restaurants and street food stalls if you crave some propre meal.
Opening hours and entrance fees
Iyashi-no-Sato village is open from 9 am to 5 pm from March to November and from 9:30 to 4:30 from December to February. There are no closing days. The entrance fee is 350 yen per person. For more information you can visit their official website in English here.
Fuji-Q Highland
If you are a thrill seeker, you should definitely visit Fuji Q Highland! This amusement park is located in the Fujiyoshida city and it features several record-breaking roller coasters. It is one of Japan’s most popular amusement parks, right at the foot of Mount Fuji, so views from any of the attractions are guaranteed. The park constantly opens new rides, some of them have been listed in the Guinness World Record books.
The park has also several anime-themed attractions, traditional, less-thrilling rides, areas for children such as Thomas Land, and seasonal attractions like ice skating ring in winter. There are shops, restaurants and hotels with onsens within the park. I personally haven’t visited Fuji Q Highland, because we didn’t have enough time, but I wish we did! It sounds like a great day.
For more information about Fuji Q Highland, you can visit their official website here. It is also available in English. For info about tickets and opening hours, click here.
Hakone
Hakone is a small town sent on a mountainside of Mt. Hakone on the shores of Lake Ashi. It has a very artsy vibe because of its many museums and art galleries, but there are plenty of hiking tracks as well. I wrote a separate article about the best things to do in Hakone so don’t miss it out!
Lake Shoji
Lake Shoji is the smallest of the five lakes of Mount Fuji. It feels very serene, especially because this region is less developed than the other lakes, so the surroundings are quaint, almost sleepy but the views at Fujisan make up for the lack of infrastructure. It is a perfect place for all outdoors enthusiasts. There’re beaches, campgrounds, and boat and kayak rentals on the shores of the lake. The forests around are hiding plenty of hiking trails leading to various lookouts in the mountains. Lake Shoji is also a popular destination for fishing and other outdoor activities, such as water skiing and jet skiing.
We actually stayed at Lake Shoji and I loved this place. The only downside is, that you might need a car as there are not many restaurants and hotels around, and the bus schedule is not so frequent either. But I can totally see myself coming here in summer and camp near Tatego-Hama Beach. The view from there is simply incredible. Fuji appears somehow closer and even more majestic.
Getting around
By Bus
Two main transportation hubs in the Mt. Fuji Five Lakes region are Kawaguchiko Station and Fujisan Station. You can take a bus from both of them to any direction. The bus connections are quite good and they provide access to all five lakes. There are several bus companies that are targeted on tourists, such as: Omni buses, Fujikko Bus or Mount Fuji World Heritage Loop Bus. All of them will take you to all the main attractions around the lakes. Besides tourist buses, there’s also a regular network which can be useful to get to more remote areas, such as Lake Shoji for example.
By Car
The best way to get around Mt. Fuji is by car. It gives you freedom to explore more remote areas and you don’t have to depend on bus schedule. We used a rental car and it was the best decision. There are several car-rental companies near the main stations – Kawaguchiko and Fujisan station, or in bigger cities – Fujiyoshida, Fujinomiya and Fujikawaguchi.
To drive in Japan, you will need an international driver’s licence, passport, driver’s licence from your country and a credit card. The conditions for car rental can vary from country to country so check the requirements beforehand. In Japan, you drive on the left-hand side. Driving in the cities can be hectic and not always convenient, but the towns around Mount Fuji are very big and the roads are not busy. For detailed information about driving in Japan, check this article on Japan Guide here.
Where to stay
Even though many travellers come only for one day from Tokyo, I would really encourage you to stay at least over-night! I understand that our schedule not always allows us to take extra time, but the Mt. Fuji Five Lakes Region is really incredible.
If you are travelling around Japan with public transport, I would recommend you to stay in a bigger city, such as Fujikawaguchi or Fujiyoshida, where the two main train stations are. There are all sorts of hotels, hostels and ryokans available.
Our experience
We stayed in Yamadaya Hotel during our trip, at the shores of Lake Shoji. The hotel is quite old and outdated, but I greatly enjoyed our stay. Staff was very helpful and they spoke some English. All the rooms face Mount Fuji so awesome views are guaranteed. Rooms have private bathrooms and they are quite large. We slept in a traditional tatami room and their futons were by far the most comfortable I’ve ever slept on. Yamadaya Hotel has also private onsens on the roof. You can check at the reception when they are free and sign yourself up for sunset or sunrise, or basically any time that you’d like. I cannot even describe how amazing it was to watch sunrise over Fujisan from a hot spring. True bucket list experience!
Where to eat
There are many great restaurants to go to in the Mount Fuji area. To my suprise, there are many western, especially Italian places, so if you are craving pizza, you are in luck.
When we were in Hakone, we tried the famous spicy miso ramen at the Owakudani Valley. Owakudani is known for its volcanic activity and for their black eggs. The ramen had black charcoal noodles and it was delicious, even though it was quite spicy for me. The cafe is quite basic but it has 5* views at Fujisan and the valley.
In Fujikawaguchiko city, we tried 2 restaurants and both of them exceeded our expectations.
Engawa 1441
The best beef I’ve eaten in my life was here! Engawa 1441 is a laid-back restaurant with modern interior specializing in beef and shaved ice. Honetsly, their beef was out of this world! You can choose which type of beef you would like. They have cheaper wagyu, but also A5 quality meat. Tomas ordered steak while I got beef skillet with cheese. Both of them were absolutely delicious! For dessert we didn’t try their famous shaved ice, because it was winter. Instead, we went for their brulee cheesecake. I have to honestly say, that it was the second best cheesecake I ate. The first one was in Tokyo Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur and this one came close second. Very creamy texture that melted in your mouth. I would love to come back to to Engawa 1441.
Moose Hills Burger
It is not easy to find a really good burger, but Moose Hills Burger restaurant delivered. The restaurant is built in Canadian style and for a while I completely forgot that I am in Japan and not somewhere in the Rocky Moutains.
So here are all the places worth visiting around Mount Fuji. Of course there are many other spots to discover, but for a fun weekend away, you don’t want to plan to much. You need to sit back, relax and enjoy the absolute stunning beauty of this magnificent mountain.
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