Whether you’re an avid hiker ready to tackle the challenging trails of Mt. Fuji, a budding photographer looking for your next great shot, or simply an enthusiastic traveler seeking the experience of a lifetime, there is certainly a lot to explore and discover in Fuji. With the sheer of amount of activities that visitors can participate in, it can get a bit confusing at times. Plan your itinerary quickly, efficiently and easily with our pick of 15 things to do in Fuji.
1. Pick Blueberries at the Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center
Home to Herb Festival every June, the Kawaguchiki Natural Living Center is a blueberry cultural center that just so happens to have a drop dead gorgeous direct view of Mt. Fuji. Visitors to the center can relax in the tranquility of beautiful blueberry and lavender fields or even participate in a blueberry, rhubarb or raspberry jam making class. Insider tip? If you visit in between July to mid-August, you can pick your blueberries yourself!
Information
- Name: Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center
- Address: 2585 Oishi, Fuji Kawaguchiko-machi, Minami Tusuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture
- Price: Free admission
- Opening hour: 09:00 – 18:00
- Holiday: Closed on Fridays
- Website: http://www.seikatsukan.jp
2. Learn Traditional Craftsmanship at Saiko Iyashino-Sato Nenba
Meander a village full of thatched-roof houses at Saiko Inyashino-Sato Nenba. Some houses at the village are home to traditional crafts that visitors can learn and practice on their own while others are filled with old archives and galleries ripe for exploration. For avid shoppers, vendors in the village sell locally made goods and crafts. Don’t forget to stop by one of the village’s restaurants or cafes to enjoy a delicious meal.
Information
- Name: Saiko Iyashino-Sato Nenba
- Address: 2710 Saiko Nemba, Fuji Kawaguchiko-machi, Minami Tsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture
- Price: ¥350
- Opening hour: 09:00 – 17:00 (Mar – Nov), 09:30 – 16:30 (Dec – Feb)
- Holiday: Closed Wednesdays (December to February)
- Website: http://www.fujisan.ne.jp/iyashi/
3. Admire the Scenery at the Fuji Shibazakura Festival
A truly breathtaking sight to behold, visitors coming to Mount Fuji in between late April to May must absolutely make sure to stop by Fujikawaguchico for the Fuji Shibazakura Festival. During this time, 6 aces of lovely rolling hills come to life in vibrant shades of pink as over 80,000 Shibazakura, or mountain phlox flowers, bloom. Make sure to bring a camera, too, because the photo opportunities at the festival are gloriously endless.
Information
- Name: Shibazakura Festival
- Address: Fuji Motosuko Resort, 212 Motosu, Fuji Kawaguchiko-machi, Minami Tsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture
- Price: ¥520
- Website: http://www.shibazakura.jp/index.html
4. View the Works at the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum
Immerse yourself in Japanese art and craftsmanship at the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum. Dedicated to the work of Itchiku Kubota, a master of the Itchiku Tsujigahana dyeing technique, the museum features pieces by him along with a tonbo-dama or glass bead exhibit and a gallery of Okinawa shells. After admiring the collection in the museum, spend some time at the teahouse enjoying a relaxing cup of tea or stroll around the gardens to see the majestic Mt. Fuji.
Information
- Name: Itchiku Kubota Art Museum
- Address: 2255 Kawagushi, Fuji Kawaguchiko-machi, Minami Tsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture
- Price: ¥1,300
- Opening hour: 10:00 – 16:30 (Dec – Mar), 09:30 – 17:30 (Apr to Nov)
- Holiday: Closed Tuesdays (Dec to Sep)
5. Tour Lake Kawaguchiko
There’s way more relaxing to enjoy the view of Mount Fuji than to relax at one of the ryokan or onsen baths of Lake Kawaguchiko. Lake Kawaguchiko on its own is a popular tourist destination as the most developed lake of the Fuji Five Lakes region. Spend an entire afternoon enjoying the comfort an onsen or ryokan has to offer with the spectacular landscape of Mount Fuji as your backdrop.
Information
- Name: Lake Kawaguchiko
- Address: Fuji Kawaguchiko-machi, Minami Tsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture
- Access: Take a train to the Kawaguchiko Station
6. Explore the Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum
Music enthusiasts, meet your wonderland. The Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum features dozens of music boxes for the listening pleasure of all guests and also boasts one of the world’s largest displays of dance organs. Visitors can even see an orchestrion that was originally intended for the famous doomed ship, the Titanic. For a beautiful and illuminating light show, visit between November to February.
Information
- Name: Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum
- Address: 3077-20 Kawaguchi, Fuji Kawaguchiko-machi, Minami Tsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture
- Price: ¥1,500
- Opening hour: 09:00 – 17:30
- Website: http://www.kawaguchikomusicforest.jp
7. Climb to the Mt. Fuji 5th Trail Station
Experience life on Mt. Fuji at the Fuji Subaru Trail 5th Station, a popular tourist destination and the halfway point of the mountain’s Yoshida Trail. Although the station can get crowded with people seeking refuge from the cold, the experience of standing halfway up on the mountain will definitely be unforgettable. Relish the in the cool mountain weather and enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Mt. Fuji’s snow covered peak. Make sure to bring sunscreen though as being at such a high altitude also means being closer to the scorching sun.
Information
- Name: Mt. Fuji Fifth Trail Station
- Price: ¥2,100
- Website: http://www.yamanashi-kankou.jp/foreign/english/english002.html
8. See the Fujiyoshida Sengen Shrine
The Fujiyoshida Sengen Shrine is an ethereal and tranquil stop along Yoshida Trail to Mt. Fuji and a must-visit destination for temple lovers visiting Japan. Dedicated to the Shinto deity associated with Mount Fuji, Princess Konohanasakuya, the shrine is beautifully constructed and features many charming little photo worthy details. Whether you’re challenging the Yoshida Trail or not, be sure to stop by this beautiful and ancient structure circa 20 A.D.
Information
- Name: Fujiyoshida Sengen Shrine
- Address: Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi Prefecture
- Access: Take a bus from Kawaguchiko
9. Try an Onsen in Hakone
When searching for the perfect detour to your visit to Tokyo, do as the locals do and spend day or two in utter relaxation at the resort town of Hakone. Situated on the edge of Mount Fuji, Hakone is a favorite weekend getaway destination for Tokyo’s hardworking citizens thanks in large part to its dozens of incredible onsens and ryokans. This is the perfect place to take a breather amidst your busy travels and adventures.
Information
- Name: Hakone
- Access: Take a train to the Hakone-Yumoto Station
10. Hike to the Chureito Pagoda
Built in 1963 as a peace memorial, the Chureito Pagoda is a hefty 400 step climb up the mountain side from the Arakura Sengen Shrine’s main buildings. While the pagoda already boasts a spectacular view of Mt. Fuji on any given day, the landscape is especially stunning in mid-April, when sakura trees are in full bloom, and in November, when Autumn rolls around. Photography enthusiasts are bound to get marvelous shots at this location.
Information
- Name: Chureito Pagoda
- Access: 10-minute walk from Shimo-Yoshida Station
11. Eat at Fudo Chaya
Just walking by Fudo Chaya will give you a whiff of the umami-filled dishes that this small Japanese house-turned-restaurants serves. Delight in a leisurely meal by the home’s sunken hearth or scarf down a quick bowl of udon or soba if you need to. Just remember to belt out a thankful “Itadakimasu!” before you dig in and to admire the traditional thatched roof of Fudo Chaya on your way out.
Information
- Name: Fudo Chaya
- Address: 1222 Kodachi, Fuji Kawaguchiko-machi, Minami Tsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture
- Opening hour: 11:00 – 16:00 (Call ahead if arriving near closing time)
- Website: http://www.houtou-fudou.jp/past/pg/fchaya.html
12. Set Sail on the Kawaguchiko ‘En Soleil’ Excursion Ship
Take a relaxing cruise around the Kawaguchiko Lake on a beautiful Excursion Ship with the Kawaguchiko En Soleil. Explore the three general areas of the ship and drop by the guest cabins on the ship before making your way to the second floor deck to take in a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view of the surrounding landscape and the magnificent Mt. Fuji.
Information
- Name: En Soleil Excursion Ship
- Price: ¥930
- Opening hour: 09:00 – 16:30 (Mar – Jul); (Aug – Nov)
- Website: http://www.fujikyu.co.jp/en/leisure/leisure15.html
13. Enjoy Thrill Rides at Fuji-Q Highland
Get ready to scream your head off at one of Japan’s most famous amusement parks, Fuji-Q Highland. There’s no shortage of thrilling rides and hair raising drops at the park with features like the Fujiyama King of Coasters, the 172 kilometer per hour Dodonpa Coaster, and the Eejanaika, a roller coaster with the largest total number of spins in the entire world. Other attractions at family friendly amusement park include the Super Scary Labyrinth of Fear, the Adventure Land of Kaiketsu Zorori, and the Ultimate Fort.
Information
- Name: Fuji-Q Highland
- Address: 5-6-1 Shin-Nishihara Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi Prefecture
- Price: ¥1500 (Adult/Students), ¥900 (Children)
- Access: Accessible via Chuo Highway Bus Fujigoko Line
- Website: https://www.fujiq.jp/en/attraction/
14. Relax By Lake Yamanaka
Spend time at the lake with the highest altitude and largest area amongst the five lakes of Mt. Fuji, Lake Yamanaka. A popular destination during the summer, Lake Yamanaka boasts many ryokans and summer houses for rend along its shoreline. Water sport activities like fishing for bass or sailing are also in high demand. Don’t forget to soak up that gorgeous view of Mt. Fuji.
Information
- Name: Lake Yamanaka
- Address: Lake Yamanaka, Yamanakako-mura, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture
- Access: 25 minutes taxi ride from the Fujikyuko Kawaguchiko Like Fujisan Station
15. Eat A Traditional Meal
You don’t need to travel back in time a few hundred years to enjoy an authentic and traditional Japanese meal. Sanrokuen, a famous traditional restaurant in Fuji Kawaguchiko, gives guests the chance to enjoy cooking their own meals on authentic irori stoves. The restaurant offers up to five different courses with the method of cooking largely dependent on roasting skewered meat, vegetables, seafood and other items above the fire of the irori.
Information
- Name: Sanrokuen
- Address: 3370-1 Funatsu, Fuji Kawaguchiko-machi, Minami Tsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture
- Phone: 0555-20-4677
- Price: Starts at ¥2,160
- Access: 15 minute walk from the Kawaguchiko Station
- Opening hours: 10:00 – 21:00
- Holidays: Closed on Thursdays
With all of the amazing sights to see and enjoyable activities to join, we have no doubt that your visit to Fuji will a memorable one. So, with your camera, sunblock and adventurous heart in tow, we wish you a life changing vacation at Japan’s highest and most recognizable mountain, Mt. Fuji.
Have a good trip and travel!
