Mt. Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain, looks completely different depending on where you see it from, the time of day, and the season. You can see it reflected in a lake, look out at it from above on a ropeway, enjoy it during an outdoor activity away from the crowds, and watch it from your room window in the morning and evening. When you make the trip, you can plan your days to enjoy as many of these views as possible.
This article introduces a 3-day, 2-night itinerary based around Lake Kawaguchiko for photographing Mt. Fuji, viewing it from above, experiencing it up close, and looking up at it. It also covers the basics of the sightseeing areas around Mt. Fuji, key sightseeing spots, the best time of day to see Mt. Fuji, local food to try, and recommended hotels, so you can use it as a guide when planning your trip.
This itinerary is ideal for • Families traveling with young children or grandparents who want to enjoy Mt. Fuji at a relaxed pace • Couples who want to spend special time near Mt. Fuji while taking photos and trying outdoor activities • First-time visitors who want to know where to go around Mt. Fuji and how to plan their route
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Top Sightseeing Spots Around Mt. Fuji
At 3,776 m, Mt. Fuji is Japan’s highest mountain and straddles Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures. It is registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site under the name “Fujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspiration.” The sightseeing areas at its base are broadly divided into the Yamanashi side and the Shizuoka side.
The northern foothills on the Yamanashi side are home to the Fuji Five Lakes, including Lake Kawaguchiko, Lake Yamanakako, and Lake Saiko, as well as Oshino Hakkai and the town of Fujiyoshida. In addition to some of the best spots for photographing Mt. Fuji, the area has plenty of attractions, hotels, and restaurants, so it also suits travelers interested in food and shopping.
The western foothills on the Shizuoka side have attractions such as Shiraito Falls, Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine, the wide grasslands of the Asagiri Highland, and Gotemba Premium Outlets, all of which can be reached by car from the Yamanashi side. Choose the areas that match the purpose of your trip.
The following section introduces the main sightseeing spots in Yamanashi around Mt. Fuji. It is also a useful overview if you simply want to know what there is to see in the area.
Arakurayama Sengen Park: Mt. Fuji and a Five-Story Pagoda in One Photo
The view of Mt. Fuji rising behind the red five-story Chureito Pagoda has appeared on the covers of overseas guidebooks and is one of the most iconic views of Japan. A long flight of stairs leads up to the observation deck, so wear comfortable walking shoes. The scenery changes with the seasons, with cherry blossoms in spring and colorful leaves in fall.
Name
Arakurayama Sengen Park (Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine)
Kawaguchiko Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway: View Mt. Fuji from Above
Lake Kawaguchiko has the most attractions of the Fuji Five Lakes and is the center of Mt. Fuji sightseeing. The Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway takes you from the lakeshore to an observation deck at 1,075 m in about three minutes, where you can look down on Lake Kawaguchiko and Mt. Fuji at the same time.
Mt. Tenjo Park at the top is known as the setting of the Japanese folktale “Kachi Kachi Yama.” Rabbit and raccoon dog figures are placed around the park, along with the “Bell of Tenjo,” which faces Mt. Fuji; “kawarake throwing,” in which you make a wish and throw small unglazed clay plates at a target; and the “Kachi Kachi Yama Scenic Swing,” which swings out toward the lake. Both children and adults can enjoy these spots.
Because you can reach the view from 1,075 m without climbing stairs, the ropeway is also a good choice for families traveling with young children or grandparents. On the way back, you can also walk down a hiking trail that takes about 40 minutes.
Oishi Park, on the north shore of the lake, is a popular photo spot where you can capture seasonal flowers, the lake, and Mt. Fuji together.
Oishi Park offers a head-on view of Mt. Fuji across Lake Kawaguchiko from the north shore. Along the flower path, which stretches for about 350 m, more than 90 varieties bloom through the seasons, including tulips in spring, lavender in early summer, and kochia in fall, so you can fit flowers, the lake, and Mt. Fuji into one photo.
Lavender is at its best from late June to mid-July, when the park serves as the main venue for the Kawaguchiko Herb Festival. In fall, red kochia and snowcapped Mt. Fuji appear together, making the park a popular spot for fall colors. Oishi-ya, the shop in the park, sells local vegetables and seasonal fruit, so you can stop by during your walk.
Fujiyoshida: Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine and a Retro Town with Views of Mt. Fuji
Fujiyoshida has prospered since ancient times as a starting point for pilgrimages up Mt. Fuji. Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine, which enshrines the deity of Mt. Fuji, is known for its solemn grounds surrounded by large cedar trees. On Honcho-dori Street in the center of town, you can photograph Mt. Fuji rising at the end of the street. The area also has many restaurants serving the local specialty Yoshida udon.
Fugaku Wind Cave and Narusawa Ice Cave: Lava Caves That Stay Cool Even in Midsummer
Narusawa Ice CaveFugaku Wind Cave
Aokigahara Forest, which spreads over lava from eruptions of Mt. Fuji, has lava caves known as natural refrigerators. The two best known are Fugaku Wind Cave and Narusawa Ice Cave. Both stay cool inside throughout the year, and the average temperature in Narusawa Ice Cave is about 3°C.
Fugaku Wind Cave is almost flat and easy to walk, so it is easy to visit with young children or older family members. Narusawa Ice Cave has many stairs and some sections where you need to crouch, so it suits visitors looking for a sense of exploration.
Oshino Hakkai: Eight Ponds Fed by Mt. Fuji’s Spring Water
Oshino Hakkai is a group of eight ponds formed by snow and rain that fell on Mt. Fuji, flowed underground over many years, and then emerged as springs. It is one of the component parts of the World Heritage site, and the crystal-clear ponds, thatched-roof houses, and Mt. Fuji rising behind them create a scene of traditional rural Japan. Around the ponds, you can also enjoy street food such as kusamochi (mugwort rice cakes) made with the spring water.
Lake Yamanakako: The Closest Lake to Mt. Fuji and Nagaike Shinsui Park, a Diamond Fuji Viewing Spot
Lake Yamanakako is the largest of the Fuji Five Lakes and sits at the highest elevation. As the lake closest to Mt. Fuji, it offers a powerful view of the mountain towering above you. Nagaike Shinsui Park, which looks across the lake to Mt. Fuji, is a spot for photographing “upside-down Fuji” reflected on the water. From fall through winter, it is also well known as a place to see Diamond Fuji, when the sun lines up with the summit.
The Best Time of Day to See Mt. Fuji, and How It Looks in Each Season
Mt. Fuji is not always visible just because you are there. Days when you can see all the way to the summit are limited, and the view changes greatly depending on the time of day and the season. Before deciding on your travel dates, it helps to know the conditions for seeing Mt. Fuji and the highlights of each season.
Early Morning Is the Best Time to See Mt. Fuji
A time-lapse of Mt. Fuji from the previous day, recorded by the live camera at Glamping Village Fuji Kawaguchiko (updated around 6 a.m. each day). It shows how the clouds around the summit change from morning to evening.
Note: the video may stop updating for a while depending on local signal conditions.
Mt. Fuji is easiest to see from sunrise until about 9 a.m. As temperatures rise from midday into the afternoon, clouds tend to form, and it is common for a summit that was clearly visible in the morning to be hidden by clouds by noon.
If you want to photograph a clear view of Mt. Fuji, try to schedule it for the morning.
Three tips for improving your chances of seeing Mt. Fuji • Aim for early morning, from sunrise until about 9 a.m. (clouds tend to form in the afternoon) • In winter (November–February), when the air is clear, Mt. Fuji is visible on more days • Check a live camera before you head out to see the conditions that day
How Mt. Fuji Looks and What to Enjoy in Each Season
Mt. Fuji looks completely different from one season to the next. Before your trip, check how it appears and how to enjoy it at that time of year.
Spring (March–May)
In spring, snow still covers the summit of Mt. Fuji, and you can enjoy it together with the cherry blossoms at its base. Spots where you can capture Mt. Fuji and cherry blossoms in one photo are found throughout the area, such as the five-story pagoda at Arakurayama Sengen Park and the rows of cherry trees along Lake Kawaguchiko. In late spring, you can also see moss phlox (shibazakura) in bloom with Mt. Fuji in the background.
On some spring days, however, haze makes Mt. Fuji look faint. For a clearer view, it is best to go out in the morning while the air is still cool.
Summer (June–August)
In summer, the snow melts and Mt. Fuji shows its bold, bluish slopes. The Mt. Fuji climbing season runs from July to early September. The Fuji Five Lakes area sits at a high elevation and is cooler than central Tokyo, so highland activities such as horseback riding and paragliding are comfortable.
Haze and clouds form easily in summer, and Mt. Fuji is hidden on many days. On late-summer mornings, however, you may see “Aka Fuji,” when the slopes turn red in the morning sun, which makes the sight all the more memorable.
Fall (September–November)
In fall, Mt. Fuji receives its first snow of the season and the air gradually becomes clearer. Around November, you can see the autumn leaves at the Momiji Corridor on Lake Kawaguchiko and around Lake Yamanakako together with snowcapped Mt. Fuji.
Both Lake Kawaguchiko and Lake Yamanakako get crowded during the fall foliage season, so plan to start early in the morning.
For the clearest views of Mt. Fuji, November to February is recommended, when the air is clear. The contrast between the snow-covered summit and the blue sky is striking, and your chances of seeing Mt. Fuji increase significantly.
On calm mornings, you are more likely to see upside-down Fuji reflected on the lakes, and just after sunrise you may see “Beni Fuji,” when the summit turns crimson. At Lake Yamanakako, Diamond Fuji, when the sun lines up with the summit, can also be seen during certain periods. It gets very cold, so dress warmly when you go out.
Must-See Views: Upside-Down Fuji, Diamond Fuji, and Beni Fuji
Mt. Fuji has some special appearances that can be seen only when the time and weather conditions are right.
Upside-down Fuji (Sakasa Fuji) is the reflection of Mt. Fuji on the surface of a lake on a calm, windless day. It can be seen from the north shore of Lake Kawaguchiko and at Lake Yamanakako, and the chances are especially good on clear winter mornings.
Diamond Fuji is the moment when the sun lines up with the summit of Mt. Fuji and sparkles like a diamond. At Lake Yamanakako, it can be seen over a long period from mid-October to around the end of February, which is why the lake is known as a “sacred site for Diamond Fuji.”
Beni Fuji is the sight of the snow-covered slopes turning crimson in the morning or evening sun in midwinter. Aka Fuji is the sight of the snow-free slopes turning red in the morning sun from late summer to early fall, a scene also depicted in Katsushika Hokusai’s “Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji.” Both can be seen around Lake Yamanakako.
The following article explains when and where to see Diamond Fuji, along with the many other faces of Mt. Fuji.
Getting from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji: Why Lake Kawaguchiko Is the Best Base for Sightseeing
Lake Kawaguchiko is the recommended base for exploring the Mt. Fuji area. It is home to Kawaguchiko Station, the last stop on the Fujikyu Railway, and can be reached from Tokyo without transferring by either train or highway bus, making it the most accessible area around Mt. Fuji.
The lakeshore has attractions such as the ropeway and museums, along with restaurants serving hoto and other local dishes, and hotels. Fujiyoshida, Oshino Hakkai, Lake Yamanakako, and Aokigahara Forest are all about 20 to 40 minutes away by car, so it is a convenient base wherever you plan to go around Mt. Fuji.
The following article covers sightseeing spots, food, and souvenirs around Lake Kawaguchiko in detail.
By Train: The Fuji Excursion Limited Express from Shinjuku with No Transfers
The Fuji Excursion limited express takes you from Shinjuku Station to Kawaguchiko Station in about two hours without transferring. You can also transfer to the Fujikyu Railway at Otsuki Station, where sightseeing trains such as the “Fujisan View Express” and the “Fujisan Limited Express” let you see Mt. Fuji from the window. Watching Mt. Fuji grow closer during the journey is one of the pleasures of traveling by train.
By Highway Bus: Direct from Busta Shinjuku and the Airports
By highway bus, it takes about 1 hour 45 minutes from Busta Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko Station. Buses run frequently and fares are reasonable, making them an easy option.
In addition to Shinjuku, buses depart from many stations in Tokyo, including Tokyo, Ueno, Akihabara, and Ikebukuro stations, so it is easy to fit a trip to Mt. Fuji before or after sightseeing in Tokyo. There are also direct buses to Lake Kawaguchiko from Narita Airport and Haneda Airport, so you can travel there without going through central Tokyo.
By Car: Kawaguchiko IC on the Chuo Expressway Is Just Minutes from the Lake
If you are driving, the lakeshore is just a short drive after exiting at Kawaguchiko IC on the Chuo Expressway. This itinerary assumes travel by car, since it visits spots scattered around the lakes and highlands.
If you arrive by train or bus, several rental car companies have offices near Kawaguchiko Station, so renting a car at the station is efficient. Roads can freeze in winter (December–March), so make sure your car has studless winter tires.
If you are only exploring the Lake Kawaguchiko area, the sightseeing buses departing from Kawaguchiko Station are convenient. There are three routes, covering Lake Kawaguchiko, Lake Saiko, and Narusawa as well as the Lake Motosuko area, and a one-day free coupon valid on all three routes costs 1,500 yen for adults. You can visit the main spots around the lakes without a car.
To travel farther to Oshino Hakkai, Lake Yamanakako, or the sites for activities such as horseback riding and paragliding, a rental car makes getting around much easier. Some hotels also offer pick-up service, so you can check with your hotel.
A 3-Day, 2-Night Mt. Fuji Itinerary for Families and Couples
MATSUMURA
Writer at JAPANOPIA Editorial Team
I am a writer with six years of experience. Born in Hyogo, I traveled to the U.S., India, Thailand, and Taiwan during my student years, experiencing and enjoying cultural differences between Japan and other countries. Inspired by Kyoto’s tea caddy maker Kaikado and paper-cutting artist Teppei Hayakawa, whose work helps preserve traditional techniques, I developed a deep interest in Japanese craftsmanship.
Now, I focus on uncovering lesser-known attractions and locally loved establishments in Japan, driven by a passion to share them with more people. My goal is to provide detailed, authentic information through research and interviews.
I believe history, traditional culture, and uniquely Japanese customs become even more fascinating when you understand their background. Every day, I write articles with the hope that readers will feel inspired to visit and experience these places for themselves.
