Things to Do in Mount Fuji: 19 of Mt Fuji's Top Attractions

Mt. Fuji is one of the iconic symbols of Japan. Many make trips to Japan just to get a glimpse of the mountain, while others who are more adventurous make an attempt to climb it. 

Other than trekking up the slopes, there are lots of things to do around Mt. Fuji — from soaking in a hot spring to touring a sake brewery, trying not to slip in an ice cave, strolling along Lake Kawaguchiko, dining at restaurants around Mt. Fuji and much more. You can tailor your itinerary to your own interests. 

On a clear day, you’ll be able to see a beautiful reflection of Mt. Fuji in the waters of Lake Kawaguchiko. It is the second largest lake in the Fuji Five Lakes region, which is a registered World Heritage site. 

It also ranks among the best places to see Mt. Fuji. Several parks around the lake provide stunning views of the mountain, the most popular being Oishi Park on the north side of the lake. 

What also makes Kawaguchiko worth a visit is the surrounding area. The Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum is located nearby, which is popular among tourists and which has music boxes that are not found anywhere else in the world. 

If you are able to make the trip in fall, the Lake Kawaguchiko Maple Corridor is a beautiful place to soak in the vibrant colors of the changing leaves. 

The premier Mt. Fuji attraction is of course, climbing Japan’s tallest peak. It isn’t a climb for beginners, but if you want to experience being on top of Japan, climbing Mt. Fuji is an unmissable experience. You’ll be rewarded with absolutely stunning views from the top.

The journey takes approximately 4-8 hours to complete (one way), and it can only be done for a limited period during the Japanese summer (between July and September). If you can do it, it is one of the best things to do in the Mt. Fuji area.

From ramen to sushi, Japan is a country renowned for its delicious and unique food. A food tour is one of the best things to do around Mt. Fuji is one of the best ways to experience the area, especially if you aren’t planning to do anything too strenuous like attempting to climb the mountain. A food tour is also good for a Mt. Fuji area day trip. 

The Flavors of Mt. Fuji Food Tour with Shinkansen Bullet Train is a six to seven hour experience that includes a tour of Fujinomiya and the broader Shizuoka area with a local guide. You’ll feast on regional dishes and specialties from six local shops and restaurants, including a soba-noodle lunch at an 80-year-old restaurant.  

If you are doing a Mt. Fuji area trip, don’t forget to check out some of the caves nearby. Narusawa Ice Cave is located within the Aokigahara forest and has mesmerizing ice pillars and an ice wall that is visible throughout the year. Carefully walking through the cave is also a peaceful and beautiful experience itself. 

A short walk up the road takes you to Fugaku Wind Cave. It also houses spectacular ice pillars and rock formations. Make sure to bundle up because the cave sits at just 3° celsius year round. 

If you are into photography or a fan of natural views, visiting a tea plantation is a great thing to do around Mt. Fuji, with many featuring beautiful views of the mountain. Imamiya City in Shizuoka has several of these tea plantations. 

If you want to get the best possible view, it’s best to visit between April and early May, before the Japanese summer starts setting in—as there will still be snow on Mt. Fuji at this time. 

In this guided tea plantation tour in Shizuoka, you’ll learn about tea production with an experience that changes based on the season. In the spring, summer or fall, help pick tea leaves that you’ll use to make fresh tea and delicious fried tempura.

In the winter, you can help farmers plant tea while learning the sustainable practices that the local farmers use to protect biodiversity in the area. 

Fuji Q-Highland is a popular Mt. Fuji attraction known for its intense roller coasters. Takabisha, the second steepest roller coaster in the world and Fujiyama the third longest steel roller coaster, will satisfy even the craziest adrenaline junkies. Fuji-Q Highland is worth a visit for thrill-seekers and will give you an experience that you will never forget. 

The park also has the Haunted Hospital, the largest haunted attraction in the world and not a place for the fearful. While walking through the 900-meter maze, try to keep your wits about you as you hear terrifying sounds and echoes! 

The Ide Shuzo Sake Brewery is close to Kawaguchiko Station and gives you the opportunity to try sake made using water from Mt Fuji. While at the brewery, you can learn more about how this special sake is made. An English tour is offered twice a day, at 9:30 am and 3 pm.

Glamping is a great opportunity to soak in the sights and sounds around Mt. Fuji. If you want to fully immerse yourself in Mt. Fuji, you can go glamping and enjoy eco-tours, a local food experience, and experience local food in the Fujinomiya region. Fujinomiya is a 40-minute drive from Shin-Fuji station. 

The tour will allow you to meet local residents and harvest local vegetables in addition to trying sake. You can also enjoy a locally produced yakiniku meal and soak up the natural environment on a morning walking trip to Shira-ito Waterfall, which is protected as a Japanese Natural Monument. 

During the evening, feast on a delicious outdoor yakiniku barbeque with views of Mt. Fuji before settling into your cozy glamping tent. 

Mt. Fuji is a cultural icon of Japan and has been featured prominently in artwork throughout Japanese history. The Fujiyama Museum near Fuji-Q Highland houses many historical paintings of Mt. Fuji, giving you a deeper understanding of the mountain’s significance to Japan

Wondering what to do in the Mt. Fuji area that won’t require much energy? Lake Yamanaka (or Yamanakako) is popular for cruises on the giant Swan Boat. Sit back, relax and enjoy the views as you embark on a ride around the lake with stunning views of Mt. Fuji. The ride is just under 30 minutes and you may get a chance to see real swans. 

Just like Mt. Fuji, onsen (hot springs) also hold great significance in Japan. Sitting in an onsen while gazing at the mountain on a clear day is one of the most enjoyable and relaxing things that you can do. 

One of the most popular hot springs near Mt. Fuji is the Hottarakashi Hot Spring which sits in the hills of Kofu with a beautiful view of Mt. Fuji and the valley below. Other popular onsen include Fujikawaguchiko Onsen, Yamanakako Onsen and Hakone Onsen. 

In addition to providing beautiful views of Mt. Fuji, each onsen also has its own unique baths and water characteristics, making it a fun journey to experience them all. 

Known for its appearance on the old ¥1,000 bill, this lake is a great spot for camping, hiking and fishing. It was formed in the 9th century after an eruption from Mt. Fuji split a larger body of water into three smaller lakes: Motosuko, Saiko and Shojiko. Like the other lakes in the area, Lake Motosuko also has picturesque views of Mt. Fuji.

Hoto noodles are one of the famous foods from Yamanashi Prefecture. It is believed to have been a much-loved food of Japanese daimyo (feudal lord) Takeda Shingen. The dish consists of miso soup and noodles. 

Hoto can be found at restaurants throughout the Fujigoko (Fuji Five Lakes) region. Though sometimes believed to be udon, it is not considered by locals to be udon because it is prepared in a similar way to dumplings rather than noodles. 

What better way to experience the local food culture than by learning how to make hoto noodles. In this Yamanashi cooking class, you’ll make the hearty soup, characterized by its chewy noodles, from scratch. 

When your hand-made hoto noodles are finished, enjoy your meal alongside torimotsu (chicken offal) or mochi. Make sure to come hungry!

The Kachi Kachi Ropeway cable car will take you near the peak of Mt. Tenjo and will offer unique views of Lake Kawaguchiko and Mt. Fuji. It is advisable to get there early, before the long line to use the ropeway starts to form. 

The ride to the top is a mere three minutes. Afterwards, you can get ice cream and enjoy the restaurants while soaking in the sights from the top.

If you are looking to do some shopping around Mt. Fuji, the Gotemba Premium Outlets is a great place to find deals while enjoying a view of the mountain. Located in Gotemba City near Mt. Fuji, this complex is made up of over 200 stores. A variety of shops and restaurants can be found, often with discounted prices.  

It also has a 50-meter-high Ferris wheel and a public onsen. If you are looking for a place to do shopping for a day, this is a good mall to visit.

If you are looking for things to do around Mt. Fuji in the spring, there are a wealth of great spots to soak in the views of the blooming cherry blossoms around the mountain. 

The most famous cherry blossom viewing spot near Mt. Fuji is Arakurayama Sengen Park. It offers the perfect photo spot with the cherry blossoms, Mt. Fuji and a five-story pagoda all in view. 

Bonus: If you are looking for different flower viewing opportunities, the popular Fuji Shibazakura Festival, which showcases the bright pink groundcover moss phlox, takes place once a year from mid-April to mid-May and paints the area in different beautiful shades of purple. 

The Minami Alps contain Japan’s second, fourth, and seventh-highest mountains in Kita-dake, Aino-dake, and Akaishi-dake. 

Climbing to the peak of any of these mountains does require advanced hiking skills. Should you be an experienced hiker, it is worth giving it a go, as you will be rewarded with breathtaking views. 

Hakkai means “Eight Seas” and as the name suggests, the main feature of the small village of Oshino Hakkai is the eight pools of water that can be found within it. It is a great place to visit for family bonding time or if you just want to enjoy views of Mt. Fuji. 

Located between the Yamanakako Lake and Kawaguchiko Lake in Yamanashi Prefecture, the eight pools of water are named Yufu Pond, Bottomless Pond, Choshi Pond, Zhuo Pond, Yong Pond, Mirror Pond, Acorus Pond and Exit Pond. There is a wide variety of fish to be found in the pools and generally, tourists visit Oshino Hakkai after visiting Mt. Fuji.

This is the usual base that climbers begin at before making their ascent up Mt. Fuji. It has shops and restaurants where you can rest and relax. You can also get buses to Tokyo from the station. 

The station is accessible all year round except during heavy snow. The station is also popular among those who are not climbers. At over 2300 m above sea level, it offers a great view of the Fuji Five Lakes. 

To have a great experience, two to four days is ideal! There's so much to do around Mt. Fuji that cramming it all into a day trip is quite difficult. Travelers can find a variety of accommodation types in popular cities and regions on JAPANiCAN. 

Whether you're hitting Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto only or venturing out to areas less traveled by.