Fujiyoshida: 15 Things to Do Near Mt. Fuji, Dining, Access, and Travel Tips

Fujiyoshida: Your Gateway to Mount Fuji

Honcho Street in Fujiyoshida. Photo by Pixta

Home to the base of Mount Fuji's Yoshida Hiking Trail, Fujiyoshida is a city in Yamanashi Prefecture, just a two-and-a-half-hour train ride from Tokyo.

From the breathtaking views of Mount Fuji from the Arakurayama Sengen Park to the thrilling Fuji-Q Highland amusement park and excellent art museums, Fujiyoshida is a popular area to experience the magic of Mt. Fuji and its amazing attractions.

Read on to find a dazzling range of activities and 15 things to do in Fujiyoshida, from Fuji-shaped food to cherry blossom spots and magical scenery!

15 Things to Do in Fujiyoshida

1. Arakurayama Sengen Park and the Chureito Pagoda
2. Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine
3. Join a Mt. Fuji Climbing Tour
4. Fujisan Museum
5. Thrilling Rides at Fuji-Q Highland
6. Taste Yoshida Udon Noodles
7. Visit the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum
8. Photogenic Street with Mt. Fuji Views: Honcho Street
9. Mount Fuji Shaped Souvenirs and Food
10. Fujisan Shimomiya Omuro Sengen Shrine
11. Lake Yamanaka
12. Tenku no Torii: The Torii Gate in the Sky
13. Fujisan Station (Mt. Fuji Station)
14. Oshino Hakkai
15. Stay at a Hot Spring Inn
How to Get to Fujiyoshida and Mount Fuji

1. Arakurayama Sengen Park and the Chureito Pagoda

Arguably Fujiyoshida's most famous attractions, the Chureito Pagoda and Arakurayama Sengen Park, are great places to enjoy spectacular views of the snow-capped Mt. Fuji alongside seasonal flowers and foliage.

From 600 dainty pink cherry blossom trees to deep red autumn leaves framing this famous landmark, guests can enjoy seasonal beauty alongside the large vermilion pagoda, capturing Mt. Fuji from different vantage points on the hill.

Once reaching the top, visitors are treated to the observation deck - a spectacular viewpoint to take photos of Fuji and the pagoda. At the base of the park, visitors can enjoy food and souvenir shopping.

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2. Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine

A beautiful shrine nestled among the pine forest at the foot of Mt. Fuji, Kitaguchi Hongu Sengen Shrine is a tranquil Shinto shrine dedicated to the goddess of Mt. Fuji, Konohanasakuya-hime.

As a Mt. Fuji UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, this shrine is an important part of Fujiyoshida and is often chosen as the starting point for hiking trails up Mt. Fuji.

Throughout the year, festivals take place on these grounds, such as the Yoshida Fire Festival – a parade of fiery torches and expressions of thanks to the deity, marking the official opening of Mt. Fuji. The festivals also feature Noh theater performances and more!

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3. Fujisan Museum

The Fujisan Museum is the number one spot to learn everything about the lifestyles and culture that developed at the base of Mount Fuji. From spirituality and mythology to rock formations, eruptions, and science, the Fujisan Museum offers in-depth education and the history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Inside the museum, colorful displays and features such as a torii gate, digital art, and festival items await visitors. Guests can enjoy the gift shop for Mt. Fuji goods such as postcards, bags, and towels.

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4. Join a Mt. Fuji Climbing Tour

Photo courtesy of Klook
Ready to conquer Japan's highest peak but not sure where to start or want an easy, well-planned journey there and back from Tokyo? Then maybe a Mt. Fuji Climbing Tour is for you!

This Mt. Fuji climbing tour arranges all necessary items, accommodation, and transportation for you, from a bus to and from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji, as well as all necessary rental gear from hiking rods to helmets and shoes.

Visitors can choose from different climbing tours ranging from beginner to intermediate and can enjoy staying overnight on Mt. Fuji at the 8th station hut.

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5. Enjoy Fuji-Q Highland

Photo courtesy of Klook
Fuji-Q Highland is an incredible theme park home to a wide variety of thrilling and record-breaking rides!

From soaring past Mt. Fuji on epic roller coasters such as the 55-meter-high Fujiyama - King of Coasters, to becoming a ninja at Naruto's infamous Konoha Leaf Village and fleeing Titans from Attack on Titan, Fuji-Q is a theme park full of surprises and thrills!

Guests can enjoy a range of interactive rides, from scary to peaceful and colorful, making it a fun day out for people of all ages and adrenaline junkies.

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6. Taste Yoshida Udon Noodles

Photo by Pixta
Yoshida udon noodles, a special dish originating from Fujiyoshida, is a must-try when visiting this incredible area!

This hearty dish consists of mouthwatering ingredients, including its well-known signature chewy udon noodles cooked in Mt. Fuji's spring water and created from barley nourished by the region's fields, a miso broth, cabbage, carrots, and horse meat. A bowl of Yoshida udon costs around 500 yen.

The city boasts around 60 restaurants serving Yoshida Udon, offering a variety of ingredients and flavors from salty to spicy for you to choose from!

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7. Visit the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum

Picture courtesy of Itchiku Kubota Art Museum
Featuring an array of beautiful, vibrant kimonos, the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum is dedicated to the genius textile and kimono artist Itchiku Kubota and his work.

Most famous for his use of a once-vanishing dyeing technique called tsujigahana, the artist and his works showcase a vast collection of intricate designs, colors, and craftsmanship.

The highlight of the museum is Symphony of Light, an ongoing project that expresses the four seasons of Japan's beautiful nature through kimono art.

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8. Photogenic Street with Mt. Fuji Views: Honcho Street

Photo by Pixta
Cutting through the center of Fujiyoshida City is Honcho Street, a well-loved and famous road lined with charming lanterns, Fuji signs, and shops that extend into the distance, with Mt. Fuji as a backdrop.

The street serves as a captivating focal point, creating an illusion of an endless road stretching towards the towering mountain, making it a popular sightseeing and photography spot.

Please note that it is dangerous to take photos on the road and can cause issues for commuters in the area. Instead, please take photos from the sidewalk.

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9. Mount Fuji Shaped Souvenirs and Food

Picture courtesy of PR Times
Brimming with charm, Fujiyoshida is full of incredible souvenirs, crafts, and goods that showcase a wide range of Japan's cultural charm. The town indulges in its spectacular location with pride, as shops and restaurants have created Mt. Fuji-shaped cuisine and goods!

From delicious, spongy Mt. Fuji-shaped chiffon cake at Chiffon Fuji and Mt. Fuji Melon Pan bread at Fujiko Shokupan to Fuji-shaped taiyaki at FUJIYAMA TAIYAKI and Fuji Wagashi sweets at Tokyoya Seika, the city is a haven for Mount Fuji lovers!

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10. Fujisan Shimomiya Omuro Sengen Shrine and the Yabusame Festival

Photo by Pixta
Situated behind Honcho Street lies Fujisan Shimomiya Omuro Sengen Shrine, another spiritual site dedicated to the goddess of cherry blossoms and Mt. Fuji, Konohanasakuya-hime.

In spring, the site flourishes with cherry blossoms, and guests can enjoy seeing horses within the grounds, a fitting tribute to the shrine dedicated to a goddess who is associated with riding a horse.

In autumn, the grounds are adorned with red autumn foliage. Each year in September, the shrine hosts its Yabusame Festival, recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage event, where horses race back and forth. Fortune tellers interpret the hoof prints left behind, believing they signify what the future holds.

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11. Lake Yamanaka

Photo by Pixta
Although many have heard of Lake Kawaguchi, famous for its cherry blossoms and surrounding museums and parks, visitors also have the beautiful opportunity to travel south of Fujiyoshida to Lake Yamanaka.

Popular among flower enthusiasts, visitors can enjoy places such as Hanano Miyako Flower Park along the way to the lake and scenic hiking routes.

The area is popular due to the flock of elegant swans that glide across the lake's peaceful waters. Those who visit the region can capture incredible photos and enjoy meals at restaurants, hotels, flower-viewing spots, as well as boat rides.

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12. Tenku no Torii: The Torii Gate in the Sky

Photo by Pixta
A vermillion gate in the sky, the Tenku no Torii, floating among the clouds, is a hidden gem situated on Kawaguchiko's mountainside.

Visitors can capture mesmerizing views of Lake Kawaguchiko and the captivating Mt. Fuji at eye level. The area is the perfect photo spot to capture the grand scale of this mountain, offering a truly unique vantage point.

The gate and its shrine, Kawaguchi Asama Shrine, have been used since the 9th century to pray to the goddess that resides in Mt. Fuji, Asama no Kami. The area is approximately a 30-minute walk from Kawaguchi Asama Shrine or a 10-minute car ride.

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13. Fujisan Station (Mt. Fuji Station)

Photo by Pixta
Fujisan Station, also known as Mt. Fuji Station, situated along the Fujikyuko Line, serves as a central point for exploring the iconic Mount Fuji.

Welcoming visitors is a striking large red torii gate marking the entrance, with the majestic Mt. Fuji forming a breathtaking backdrop to the station. Beyond being a transportation hub, this station transforms into a bustling shopping destination, featuring four floors brimming with a variety of shops, and a splendid observation deck found on the sixth floor.

The ground floor is dedicated to a vibrant gift area, showcasing an extensive array of Mt. Fuji-themed souvenirs and locally-made goods ranging from delectable sweets to intricate textiles. Just a brief stroll from the station lies the Oshimachi Area, a charming path that leads to the Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Jinja Shrine, offering a cultural and serene experience.

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14. Oshino Hakkai

Photo by Pixta
A quaint Japanese village with impressive views of Mt. Fuji, Oshino Hakkai is a historical and culturally significant spot in the region.

The village is famous for its eight crystal-clear ponds, formed from enriched spring water from Mt. Fuji's melted snow. This sight was a popular spiritual spot for those climbing Mt. Fuji in the Edo period, with many jumping into the ponds to purify themselves before their hike.

In the village, you can enjoy delicious food, souvenirs, thatched-roofed houses, and incredible scenery, including seasonal flowers. Nearby is the Shinnasho River, an area that comes to life in spring with incredible cherry blossom trees.

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15. Stay at a Hot Spring Inn in Fujiyoshida

Photo courtesy of Booking.com

Unwinding in a hot spring bath while gazing at arguably Japan's most Iconic landmark, Mt.Fuji is one of the ultimate and immersive experiences one can have in Japan.

Staying in a traditional-style inn adorned with traditional Japanese charm is a great accommodation option for those looking for an authentic experience.

Inns such as Oshi-KikuYabo Mt. Fuji Historic Inn offer guests an incredible traditional stay, featuring views of Mt. Fuji alongside tatami-paved rooms, dark wooden interiors, a beautiful Japanese garden, fluffy futons, and a deep square onsen bath, just an 11-minute walk from Mt. Fuji Station!

Photo courtesy of Booking.com
For those who perhaps prefer Western-style rooms but enjoy onsens or are traveling with family members who have different accommodation preferences, Kaneyamaen offers the perfect blend of Japanese and Western comforts.

The hotel features hot spring baths with amazing views, rooms with private open-air baths, a delicious Asian breakfast, and more!

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How to Get to Fujiyoshida and Mount Fuji

Photo by Pixta
Traveling from Tokyo to Fujiyoshida offers a range of travel choices for a convenient and picturesque journey.

The simplest way is to take the Fuji Excursion Limited Express, which takes you directly from Tokyo's Shinjuku Station to Shimoyoshida and Mt. Fuji Station.

Another common route includes taking the JR Chuo Line Limited Express Azusa or Kaiji from Shinjuku Station to Otsuki Station, then transferring to the Fujikyu Railway Line to Kawaguchiko Station. From there, travelers can continue to Fujiyoshida via bus or taxi.

Another option is a direct highway bus from Shinjuku Station to Kawaguchiko Station, ensuring a smooth trip lasting approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. Opting to drive typically takes around 2.5 to 3 hours from Tokyo to Fujiyoshida.

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Enjoy Exploring Fujiyoshida

Whether you are seeking a day trip from Tokyo filled with history and picturesque scenery, or you are looking for a mini vacation not far from the capital, Fujiyoshida and its surroundings are a perfect choice!

From its captivating history museums to delightful cuisine and incredible scenic spots, the region is a mesmerizing place to experience the wonders of Japan! For more information on places to visit, check the Official Fujiyoshida Travel Guide.

Main image by Pixta