If Japan had a profile image, it will positively be Mt Fuji in its snow-covered glory. Here’s the information to exploring the perfect of Japan’s most well-known mountain.
Mount Fuji wants no introduction. While mountaineering to the height of Mt Fuji is a bucket listing expertise for a lot of, our latest week-long Japan journey introduced us by means of a few of the hidden gems surrounding the Fuji space. Here’s the chilliness highway journey information to exploring the perfect of Fuji and its surrounds on a highway journey from Tokyo.
Car rental: If you’re coming into Japan from Tokyo, it’s greatest to hire a automobile and drive down as public transport to many of those locations are both rare or non-existent. Don’t overlook to gather your pre-booked 4G SIM card from the airport as you’ll be needing it for navigation!
Mt Fuji Road Trip Route and Budget Breakdown
Transport: S$146.16 (excl. flight)
Accommodation: S$181.40
Activities: S$74.85
Food: S$105 (~¥3,500/day)
Misc: S$56.65
TOTAL: S$564.06
(1SGD = 100JPY)
(detailed breakdown for one pax right here)
*Note: Flights have been excluded from the price range as airfares fluctuate fairly a bit throughout the 12 months.
Day 1: Fuji-Q Highland
Photo credit score: FujiQ
Fuji-Q Highland is, a rollercoaster lover’s haven. It has not only one however 5 Guinness World Record titles below its belt.
After a 2.5-hour drive from Tokyo, we have been able to tackle Japan’s most thrilling amusement park.
Admission to the park is free, and rides value between ¥400–¥2000 per experience. If you’re planning to spend the day right here, get the FujiQ One Day Pass for limitless entry to all of the rides.
Here are those you shouldn’t miss:
Fujiyama — The King of Coasters with 5 Guinness World Records such because the tallest and quickest curler coaster
Takabisha — World’s second steepest coaster with a 121° drop (0.5° distinction from the primary place Shellraiser in America)
Eejanaika — Fastest 4D rollercoaster with 14 inversions, probably the most on the earth!
My private favorite is Fujiyama due to its insane 70m drop, plus a number of twists and turns with Mt Fuji as a backdrop.
There are free lockers offered across the park so that you’ll need to drop them off earlier than the rides.
After an adrenaline-filled journey, we headed to the newly opened 55m-tall Fujiyama Tower, which presents a hen’s eye view of Mt Fuji and the occasional Fujiyama coaster zooming previous.
*Pro-tip: Pay a further ¥1,000 to slip down the Fujiyama Slider for a enjoyable approach all the way down to the bottom flooring.
We then visited Naruto Village the place we posed with life-sized Naruto characters and even visited Naruto’s favorite Ichiraku Ramen Shop!
Entrance charge: One Day Pass from ~S$62 through Klook
Opening hours: 9AM – 6PM
Address: 5 Chome-6-1 Shinnishihara, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi 403-0017, Japan
Read additionally: The Best Roller Coasters in Japan Most Tourists Miss — Fuji Q Highland Guide
Arakura Fuji Sengen Jinja Shrine
The Chureito Pagoda is one in all Fuji’s, if not Japan’s, most symbolic sights! After climbing a whopping 396 flights of stairs, we have been rewarded with a sweeping panorama view of Fujiyoshida metropolis towards Mt Fuji.
Entrance charge: Free (¥1,000 parking charge through the annual cherry blossom competition)
Opening hours: 24hrs
Address: 3353-1 Arakura, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi Prefecture 403-0011, Japan
*Pro-tip: Visit throughout Spring (early April) to catch a sea of cherry blossoms or in Autumn (October to November) for the orange maple leaves.
Dinner at Sanrokuren
Ending our day with dinner at Sanrokuren — a standard charcoal grill-eating home serving a few of the freshest Kushiyaki (grilled skewers) — it was good for chilly wet days, and winter evenings!
Set in a 150-year-old gassho-zukuri-style home (constructed with wood beams and a steep thatched roof), the world is warmed by scorching coal persistently shovelled into the charcoal pit by the employees.
We ordered the Singen set (¥3,800) which comes with a wealthy assortment of recent seafood and flavourful meats on skewers. Plus, a bowl of piping scorching Hoto noodles — a Yamanashi area specialty consisting of thick and flat udon served in miso soup and seasonal greens.
My favorite skewer within the set was the rainbow trout freshly caught from a small pond outdoors the restaurant due to its naturally candy and delicate meat.
Cost: From ¥2,200 – ¥4,400/set
Opening hours: 11AM – 9PM (Last entry 7PM), closed on Thu
Address: 3370-1 Funatsu, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0301, Japan
*Pro-tip: Arrive no less than an hour earlier than the final entry as queues could be fairly lengthy!
Accommodation — Fuji View Hotel
Photo credit score: @bulaiern through Instagram
Fuji View Hotel’s specialty is that a few of the rooms supply an excellent view of Mt Fuji overlooking the Lake Kawaguchi. Sadly for us, it was cloudy whereas we have been there however the conventional tatami-style room was cosy and entry to its out of doors onsen nonetheless made the keep an pleasing one!
*Note: While most public onsens don’t permit tattooed people to enter, this one does.
Cost: ~S$364/night time for the Japanese Style Mount Fuji View Room incl. breakfast)
Address: 511 Katsuyama, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0310, Japan
Day 2: Fuji Five Lakes and Fujiyoshida
Visiting the Fuji Five Lakes is a should for each Mt Fuji itinerary as they’ve probably the most scenic views of the long-lasting mountain. If you’re quick on time, listed below are three of them to take a look at!
Read extra: 9 Best Mt Fuji Viewing Spots — Must-visits and Lesser Known Guide to the Best Photo Spots
Lake Kawaguchi
Photo credit score: tokyocheapo.com
Lake Kawaguchi was the closest to our lodging (a few 13-minute drive away), however the principle spotlight right here is Oishi Park, which has flowers blooming in profusion each season!
Address: Kodachi, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0302, Japan
Lake Motosu
Photo credit score: animetourism88.com
Fun truth: Lake Motosu is definitely printed on the again of the ¥1,000 notice! So you possibly can actually camp right here whereas gazing at a ¥1,000 view 😉.
Being the clearest lake out of the 5, it’s additionally a preferred spot for water actions comparable to windsurfing, canoeing, and even diving.
Address: 2926 Nakanokura, Minobu, Minamikoma District, Yamanashi 409-3104, Japan
Lake Yamanaka
Photo credit score: MYSTAYS.com
Lake Yamanaka is the closest to Mt Fuji out of the 5 lakes and can also be unofficially referred to as “Swan Lake” — given the massive flock of swans there.
It’s inaccessible by public transport, which could clarify why there weren’t as many individuals within the space. So we just about had the entire place to ourselves!
Address: Yamanakako, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi, Japan
Honcho Street
Honcho avenue is a 20-minute drive away from Lake Kawaguchi and is among the most picturesque spots to shoot Mt Fuji — that includes idyllic store rows and utility poles in a retro city setting.
In the world, we popped by Cafe Gekkou for a espresso break. Furnished with 80s-inspired decor, the espresso was scrumptious and so have been the muffins!
Latte (¥550), and the wealthy and nutty Chestnut cake (¥580)
Honcho Street
Address: 3 Chome-12-295 Shimoyoshida, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi 403-0004, Japan
Cafe Gekkou
Opening hours: 12PM – 6PM
Address: 318 Shimoyoshida, Fujiyoshida Yamanashi Prefecture
Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine
Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine was the start line for followers of the Fujiko religion earlier than they started their ascent up Mt Fuji. Today, it’s a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage web site. The shrine entrance is bordered by moss-covered stone lanterns and has an infinite 18m–tall torii gate.
The sacred bushes surrounding the world are over 1,000 years previous and you could find occasional clergymen making their rounds round the principle shrine giving the area a mysterious vibe.
Opening hours: 8:30AM – 5:30PM
Address: 5558 Kamiyoshida, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi 403-0005, Japan
Hotokura Funari Kawaguchiko
Photo credit score: Yamanashi Tourism Organisation
For a meal with a view, Hotokura Funari Kawaguchiko is legendary for its superb Mt Fuji backdrop.
Plus, we’re additionally right here for an additional spherical of scrumptious Hoto — we simply can’t get sufficient!
I liked the Golden Hoto with Pork (¥1,320) with its springy noodles and flavourful seasonal greens. Also attempt the naturally candy and milky Hokkaido butter croquette (¥385/piece) — crisp on the skin, fluffy on the within! 😋
Cost: From ¥1,320/bowl
Opening hours: 11AM – 9PM
Address: 6931 Funatsu, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0301, Japan
*Pro-tip: Use the digital camera operate on Google Translate to decipher the complete Japanese menu.
Accommodation — CITIO Hotel Shizuoka
Hotel CITIO Shizuoka is a 5-minute stroll from sights like Sunpu Castle, in addition to eating places like Ichiran ramen! The lodge has clear comfortable beds and a comparatively massive lavatory for a calming keep.
*Note: There’s no lodge parking so we parked at a 24hr automobile park (¥1,500/night time) close to the lodge.
Cost: Twin Room from ~S$102/night time
Address: 1-2 Tenmacho, Aoi Ward, Shizuoka, 420-0858, Japan
Day 3: Shizuoka
Miho no Matsubara
Photo credit score: zekkeijapan.com
Set out early to catch the dawn at Miho no Matsubara — a seaside lined with pine bushes alongside the shoreline, towards a shocking view of Mt Fuji.
Fun truth: This view impressed a well-known Ukiyo-e grasp, Utagawa Hiroshige, a lot that he turned it right into a well-known print within the Edo interval — referred to as the Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji.
Address: Miho, Shimizu Ward, Shizuoka, 424-0901, Japan
Shiraito Falls
Photo credit score: GaijinPot Travels
Shiraito Falls is one in all Japan’s most prized waterfalls — holding not solely a UNESCO World Heritage title, but in addition a spot within the One Hundred Waterfalls of Japan (in response to the Japanese authorities).
The 150m-wide light cascade resembles threads of tremendous silk, therefore giving its identify Shiraito or white threads.
The base of the waterfall is well accessible through a brief strolling path and the perfect time to go to is throughout Autumn — when Shiraito Falls is basked in orange foliage.
Address: 273-1 Kamiide, Fujinomiya, Shizuoka 418-0103, Japan
Obuchi Sasaba Tea Plantation
Shizuoka is among the largest producers of inexperienced tea in Japan, so it’s no shock that there are various tea plantations right here.
We headed over to Obuchi Sasaba tea plantation en path to Mishima Sky Walk and had the entire place to ourselves, together with a fairly distinctive view of Mt Fuji 🍵.
Entrance charge: Free
Opening hours: 24hrs
Address: 1445 Obuchi, Fuji, Shizuoka 417-0801, Japan
Mishima Sky Walk
Mishima Skywalk is the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in Japan. At 400m lengthy, it offers a hen’s eye view of Mt Fuji and Surunga Bay, good for our closing cease on this Mt Fuji itinerary.
Photo credit score: Mishima Skywalk
It connects to an journey hub on the opposite finish the place you’ll discover thrilling actions comparable to treetop impediment programs, and an extended zipline that runs beneath the bridge (¥2,000/roundtrip).
We had lunch contained in the Sky Garden and ordered the Golden Tomato black pepper noodles (¥1,100/bowl) from Karumen. It tasted like a peppery and aromatic tomato soup ramen with seasonal greens — however with much more aptitude and spice.
Entrance charge: ¥1,100
Opening hours: 9AM – 5PM
Address: 313 Sasahara Shinden, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-0012, Japan
*Note: Entry to the park requires proof of vaccination.
Useful suggestions on your Mount Fuji itinerary
Getting to see probably the most famed mountain in all of Japan was such a experience. There have been days when Mt Fuji was fully lined by dense clouds and rain, adopted by a transparent sky revealing a snow-capped Mt Fuji the very subsequent day.
To get probably the most out of your highway journey, listed below are some suggestions that will help you out!
1) The Best time to go to Mt. Fuji is saif to be between November and February (autumn and winter seasons) because the probabilities of clear skies are the best. Personally, I’d nonetheless need to go to throughout spring to catch the cherry blossoms there!
2) Use the 24-hour Mt Fuji dwell stream and verify the climate forecast for the day to see if it’s value attempting to find the perfect Mt Fuji photograph spots
3) Be versatile along with your itinerary — if Mt Fuji is just not seen, you may go to different sights first such because the Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine, and return on a greater day.
4) Rent a automobile as most locations aren’t simply accessible through public transport. It’s additionally a really scenic drive from Tokyo, so you possibly can benefit from the seasonal colors of nature in your approach!
5) Download Google Translate, as virtually every part is in Japanese right here.
Also, do try these associated itineraries!
— Japan Self-Driving Guide for First-timers — 15 Things You Need to Know Before Renting the Car
— Guide to Climbing Mount Fuji — Everything You Need To Know About Climbing Japan’s Highest Mountain
— 7D6N Japan Itinerary Under S$1.5k — Road Trip from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji and Beyond
What’s your favorite factor to do round Mt Fuji? Let us know within the feedback!