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 and fit attempt to climb it.
Other than trekking up the slopes, there are lots of things to do in the Mt. Fuji area — 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 interests and aims.
19 Best Things To Do Around Mt. Fuji
In no particular order, here are some of the must-do activities around Mt. Fuji.
1. Visit Lake Kawaguchiko
On a clear day, you will get 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 ranks among the best places to see Mt. Fuji.
What also makes Kawaguchiko worth a visit is the surrounding aspects. 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.
2. Climb Mt. Fuji
If you want to experience being on top of Japan, give climbing Mt. Fuji a go. This is not a climb for beginners, though.
If you can do it, it is one of the best things to do in the Mt. Fuji area. It will take 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).
3. Join a Food Tour
From ramen to sushi, Japan is a country that is renowned for its delicious and unique food. A food tour around Mt. Fuji is one of the best ways to explore the area, especially if you plan to not do anything too strenuous such as an attempt to climb the mountain. A food tour is also good for a Mt. Fuji area day trip.
One example of a highly-rated tour is the Flavors of Mt. Fuji Food Tour with the Shinkansen Bullet Train. This is three hours long and includes a tour of Fujinomiya and broader Shizuoka with a local guide. You will get to feast on regional dishes and specialties from six local shops and restaurants, as well as have a soba-noodle lunch at an 80-year-old restaurant.
4. Go to the Narusawa Ice Cave
If you are doing a Mt. Fuji area trip, don’t forget to see the Narusawa Ice Cave. It is located within the Aokigahara forest and has mesmerizing ice pillars and an ice wall that is visible throughout the year. Walking (carefully!) in the cave is also a peaceful and beautiful experience itself.
5. Visit the Imamiya Tea Plantation
If you are into photography or a fan of natural views, visiting a tea plantation nearby is one of the best places to see Mt. Fuji. There are a few such plantations in Imamiya City, Shizuoka Prefecture.
If you want to get the best possible view, it is probably 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.
Love tea? Explore tea farm experiences in Japan.
6. Get Spooked at the Fuji-Q Highland Haunted House
This is rated as one of the scariest haunted houses in the world and is not a place for the fearful. The Fuji-Q Highland theme park is worth a visit for thrill-seekers and will give you a 50-minute experience that you will never forget. While walking through the 900-meter maze, you will hear terrifying sounds and echoes!
7. Visit the Ide Shuzo Sake Brewery
The Ide Shuzo Sake Brewery is close to Kawaguchiko Station. An interesting fact about this brewery is that the beverages are made using water from Mt Fuji. When 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.
8. Go Glamping Near 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. This Mt. Fuji glamping tour, hosted by the friendly Masa, is one of the best glamping eco tours with Mt. Fuji views.
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.
9. Check out the Fujiyama Museum
Mt. Fuji is a highlight of Japan and thus there is a lot of history associated with the area. The Fujiyama Museum contains many paintings of Mt. Fuji done throughout the years.
10. Relax at Lake Yamanakako
Wondering what to do in the Mt. Fuji area that won’t require much energy? Lake Yamanaka (or Yamanakako) is popular for cruises such as the giant Swan Boat. By going on the Swan Boat, you can sit back, relax and enjoy the views as you embark on a Mt. Fuji area trip. The ride is just under 30 minutes and you will get a chance to see real swans.
11. Soak in a Local Onsen (Hot Spring)
Just like Mt. Fuji, onsen or hot springs are also one of the main symbols of Japan. Sitting in an onsen while gazing at the mountain is one of the most enjoyable things that you can do.
One of the popular hot springs near Mt. Fuji is the Hottarakashi Hot Spring. Other onsen that you can visit are Fujikawaguchiko Onsen, Yamanakako Onsen, or Hakone Onsen.
In addition to providing beautiful views of Mt. Fuji, each onsen also has its unique characteristics.
12. Wander Around Lake Motosuko
Known for its appearance on the 1000-yen bill, this lake offers a great location 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.
13. Try Hoto Noodles
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 and not noodles.
Learn how to make hoto noodles from scratch!
14. Go on the Kachi Kachi Ropeway
This is a cable car that 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. The ride to the top is a mere three minutes. Afterwards, you can get ice cream and enjoy the restaurants.
15. Shop Till You Drop at Gotemba Premium Outlets
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.
16. Delight in Cherry Blossom and Flower Viewing
If you find yourself in the area around the cherry blossom season, Mt. Fuji is one of the best places in Japan where you can do viewings.
Bonus: 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 is a popular flower-viewing event.
17. Visit the Minami Alps National Park
The Minami Alps contain Japan’s second, fourth, and seventh-highest mountains in Kita-dake, Aino-dake, and Akaishi-dake.
The climb of the peaks does require advanced hiking skills. Should you be an experienced hiker, it is worth giving it a go, as you will be rewarded with unique views and a refreshing touch to your spirit.
18. See Oshino Hakkai
Hakkai means “Eight Seas” and as the name suggests, the main feature 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 watch and 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.
19. Stop Off at Fuji Subaru 5th Station
This is the usual base before climbing Mt. Fuji, which has nearby shops and restaurants where you can rest. It is also the place from where you can get a bus to Tokyo.
The station is accessible all year round except when there is 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.
How many days do you need in the Mt. Fuji area?
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 difficult, to say the least. 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.
