Mount Fuji Travel Guide

When it comes to Japan, the first thing you think of maybe Mount Fuji. Located on Honshu, the largest island of Japan, Mount Fuji is an active volcano at an elevation of 3776 meters. Mount Fuji is culturally and naturally significant in Japan. It is one of the most iconic features of the country and was included as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013. The breathtaking scenery and colorful culture make the mountain a top tourist destination for visitors from the country and the rest of the world. Your trip around Japan won't be complete without visiting Mount Fuji and enjoying its beauty. To enable you to make the most of your tour to Japan, including what to do to enjoy the scenery, where to stay when traveling there and clear up any questions you might have about Mount Fuji.

Mount Fuji

How to Experience the Beauty of Mt. Fuji

Activities Around Fuji Five Lakes

It is a surprising location to see Mount Fuji surrounded by traditional Japanese cottages and to take photographs of its reflection in the lakes. The lake resort area offers an abundance of outdoor activities, such as hiking, fishing, camping, and wildflower viewing. You can visit the renowned amusement park in Fuji Q Highland to ride the thrilling rollercoasters.

Mount Fuji & Lake Kawaguchiko

Visit Hakone National Park

A pleasant park beneath the majestic Mount Fuji, including the serene Hakone Shrine on the beautiful Lake Ashi. You can take an easy walk along the lake or through the forest and take a photo with the red Torii near the lake. If your Japan tour is in spring, you can also see the vibrant cherry blossoms along the way. Or take a boat ride on the tranquil lake with the magnificent white mountain as a backdrop.

Capture Mt. Fuji in Distance

If you visit Tokyo between November and February, you can capture an image of Mount Fuji in the distance. The city has numerous vantage points from which visitors can observe the mountain. On a clear morning, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office Observatory, Tokyo Tower, the Tokyo Skytree, Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, and Roppongi Hills Mori Tower are all excellent vantage points from which to observe Mount Fuji.

Take the Tokaido Shinkansen

Another comfortable way to view Mount Fuji is quite unexpected. By taking a window seat on the Tokaido Shinkansen, you can take in the magnificent scenery of the giant mountain as you travel to your next destination, such as Kyoto and Osaka. If you have less time to get to the foot of the mountain, the Shinkansen is also highly recommended for a short sightseeing trip.

Shinkansen

Where to Stay When Traveling Around Mount Fuji

• Lake Kawaguchiko area: for a pleasant cruise on the lake with magnificent reflections
• Lake Yamanakako area: for beautifully detailed photos of the mountain sunset
• Fuji City: for the colorful nightlife to enjoy Japanese sake
• Hakone area: enjoy the onsen hot springs and Mt. Fuji in the distance

When is the Best Time to Visit Mount Fuji?

The best time to visit Mount Fuji depends on your preference for spotting views of Mt. Fuji or climbing the mountain.

If you want to spot Mount Fuji in the distance, the autumn and winter give you the best chance to do that. Mount Fuji is fabulously visible during the above spotting seasons. Winter (between December and January) is the best season to have a wonderful glimpse of the snow-covered mountain and its cloud-unobstructed peak, while autumn blesses the surrounding volcano with beautiful shades of red and orange. You can choose spots like Tokyo and Lake Kawaguchi to see picturesque Mount Fuji. There are some years in which December or January provide superb visibility, and the early morning of the day, around 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., gives you the best view of the mountain area. But the actual visibility of mountain views depends on the real-time weather and climate.

The spring between March and May is also good for visiting Mount Fuji, though the occasional mist can restrict visibility. Japan's spring has pleasantly cool temperatures, and it is the time when the country's famous cherry blossoms, or sakura, are in full bloom. You can enjoy the beautiful sight of pink around Mount Fuji during this time. If you intend climbing, the best time to climb the mountain is during the summer months, from July to mid-September. The mountain is open for climbing typically from early July to early September. This period gives quite mild temperatures and makes the mountain peak largely free of snow. You can enjoy the frequently running transportation and beautiful views from the summit during this period. However, this is also the busiest time of the year, especially between mid-July and August, when people in many countries are on summer vacation and the Obon holiday in Japan takes place. So it's advisable to shun summiting during the Obon holiday and try to climb Mt. Fuji on a weekday to avoid large crowds and long lines.

How Do I Get to Mount Fuji From Tokyo?

Mount Fuji is located about 100 kilometers west of Tokyo, and there are several ways to get there, including taking a bus or a train, hiring a private transfer, or self-driving.

By bus:
Taking a direct bus may be the cheapest and most convenient way to Mt. Fuji from Tokyo. You can take a highway bus from Shinjuku straight to the Fifth Station, which is halfway up Mount Fuji, and just start your ascent to the summit from there. Or, you can stop at Kawaguchiko Station (for a scenic sight of the Fuji Five Lakes), Fuji-Q Highland (for thrilling rides in the amusement park), and Lake Yamanakako station. The bus journey always takes between 2 and 2.5 hours and costs between $15 and $22.

By train:
Taking a train is more expensive and time-consuming than taking a bus, but you're able to enjoy the breathtaking views of mountains and lakes along the journey. You can take the Fuji Excursion Limited Express train from Tokyo's Shinjuku Station to Kawaguchiko Station. Train services are available in the mornings, and run twice on weekdays and three times on weekends; they require transfers (plus buses) along the way. It takes more than 3 hours and costs about $40.

By private car:
Self-driving may be an enjoyable way to reach Mt. Fuji in around 3 hours. Many rental car companies in Tokyo offer cars for rent. If you love to be more relaxed, hiring a private driver may be a good idea. You have the potential to stay at Otsuki halfway by car and stop to view old shrines, the river valley, and the twin waterfalls (Taro and Jiro).

Is Mount Fuji Active?

Mount Fuji is still active today. The last confirmed eruption of the volcano can be traced back to December 16, 1707, during the Edo period. However, visitors need not worry about this, as the Mt. Fuji area is always observed and closely monitored, and the latest condition of the volcano is regularly announced.

Why Mount Fuji is the Icon of Japan?

Mount Fuji stands 3776 meters tall and is Japan's highest mountain. It enjoys great fame for its extraordinarily symmetrical cone shape in all directions and stunningly snow-covered mountain cap for about half of the year. The fabulous image and photo of the mountain in different seasons hold mass appeal for flocks of visitors home and abroad, making it a widely popular destination around the world. As such, the current 1000 yen note in Japan features Mt. Fuji on the back, along with a lake and cherry blossoms.

Mount Fuji is also famous for its cultural values. Mt. Fuji-san, together with Mt. Haku and Mt. Tate, is one of Japan's "three sacred mountains" (Sanreizan). The Japanese have strong beliefs in Mt. Fuji, and most of them accept the belief in the immortality of the soul at the summit of Mt. Fuji. In addition, the mountain is considered an extremely sacred place inhabited by Buddha and deities in Buddhism, so it has been an unparalleled shrine for Buddhist believers outside of Japan. The mountain has received great attention since the Edo period. It was frequently depicted in Japanese art by celebrated litterateurs and artists, like Matsuo Bash and Katsushika Hokusai, with the result that Mt. Fuji became more known among Japanese people. And the historic mountain was listed as a cultural site by UNESCO until 2013.

Mount Fuji, the Sacred Mountains

Traveling around Mount Fuji should be at the top of your list. The iconic image of the mountain never fails to impress. Whether you're looking for singular natural views or a variety of fresh activities, Mount Fuji is sure to treat you to the ultimate fun. Its beauty and surrounding culture will leave you with unforgettable memories. We hope that our complete Mt. Fuji guide has brought you something new. If you're planning a trip to Mount Fuji, please contact us. Odynovo specializes in the organization of customized itineraries. We will provide you with preferable experiences of local attractions and activities. We hope you can visit the mountain with Odynovo someday.