17 Best Things to do in Mt Fuji if You’re Limited on Time!
I think we can all agree that Mount Fuji is one of Japan’s most iconic landmarks, and we love visiting the area. However, most travelers usually only stay here for a night or two, or even do a day trip from Tokyo. So if you’re wondering how to make the most of your limited time here, you’ve come to the right place!
We’ve traveled extensively all over Japan and we visit Mt Fuji every time we’re in the country. There’s actually quite a bit to do here besides climbing or gazing at the mountain. So in this blog, we’re going to take you through the best things to do in Mt Fuji if you’re short on time.
Things to do in Mt Fuji
1. Try authentic udon noodles at Hotokura Funari Kawaguchiko
I don’t think it gets much more Japanese than slurping down udon noodles while looking at Mt Fuji! Hotokura Funari Kawaguchiko is super popular with Japanese locals and tourists alike, but we were pretty much the only westerners here, other than a few who were with local guides. So, we took that as a good sign that the noodles here were very authentic!
This restaurant is beautiful and spacious, and their specialty is Hoto soup. This is a hearty soup from the Yamanashi prefecture, so it’s a must-try while you’re here. It involves udon noodles, vegetables (especially squash and mushrooms), and meat in a dashi broth. There were no vegetarian options on the menu, as the soup comes with either pork, chicken, or oyster.
As much as we loved the food, the epic views of Mt Fuji are what really earned this restaurant the #1 spot on our list of things to do! Since it’s so popular, there’s usually a short wait involved at peak meal times, but I promise it’s worth it. The restaurant is open from 11 am until 9 pm daily, and you’re looking at around 1,600 JPY ($11 USD) for a bowl of Hoto soup.
2. Explore Oshino Hakkai
Oshino Hakkai is a small town that’s famous for its beautiful ponds, which are home to tons of fish and offer gorgeous views of Mt Fuji in the background. There are eight different springs which are fed by snowmelt from the mountain, so the water is super clear and blue. They’re very still, too, so you can get amazing reflection shots here – it’s a photographer’s dream.
The village’s buildings are very cute, too. They have traditional thatched roofs, which are pretty rare to see in Japan these days! There were tons of vendors here selling coffee, ice cream, and local snacks, such as kusamochi rice cakes, which are definitely worth trying.
We also went into the small museum that’s dedicated to the traditional Japanese farming lifestyle. There were farm tools and samurai weapons on display here, which was pretty cool to see. This is the only part of the village with an entry fee, but it was only 300 JPY ($2 USD).
The village is open all year round, and we drove here. It’s also possible to take the Fujikyuko line train to Fujisan Station, then change to a bus to Oshino Hakkai Iriguchi, which is a 5-minute walk from the entrance.
3. Enjoy the view at Chureito Pagoda
The Chureito Pagoda is a 5-storey pagoda on the top of a hill, and it offers unobstructed views of Mt Fuji. So, I think it’s safe to say that this is a very scenic spot! For this reason, it’s one of the most famous pagodas in Japan and easily made our list of the best viewpoints in Mt Fuji!
Naturally, we had to put this iconic spot high on our list, but there are a few caveats. There are around 400 steps to get to the top for that famous view, so it’s not great for anyone who struggles with a lot of stairs. And on a cloudy day, it’s not worth that trek because the mountain disappears.
Chureito Pagoda also gets very, very busy. The most popular times to visit are sunrise and sunset, but I’ll be honest with you, even if you come outside of those times, you don’t have a hope of avoiding the crowds!
On the plus side, the pagoda is free to enter. And on a clear day, there’s no denying how great the view is!
There are a few different ways to get here. We parked for free at the base of Arakurayama Sengen Park, but Shimoyoshida train station is also a 20-minute walk away. If you’re visiting Mount Fuji on a day trip from Tokyo, you can take the Mt. Fuji 5th Station Line from the Shinjuku Bus Terminal to Chudo Shimoyoshida, and walk to the pagoda from there in around 15 minutes.
Another option from Tokyo is this Mt Fuji tour that has 12,000+ reviews! You’ll have transport from Tokyo, get to see the Chureito Pagoda, ride the Hakone Gondola, take the Lake Ashi Cruise, and ride a bullet train back to Tokyo. We took this exact tour and can see why it’s so popular, it was great! Read all the reviews and book this tour here.
4. Eat the fluffiest Japanese Pancakes with views of Mt Fuji at THE PARK
I don’t know what to rave about first, the pancakes or the views!
Okay, I’ll start with the views. THE PARK sits on the edge of Lake Yamanaka, which is a big lake in front of Mt Fuji. On a clear, calm day you can actually see the volcano reflected in the lake’s surface. So yeah, I’d say it’s pretty spectacular!
THE PARK is known for its souffle-style pancakes, which are light, fluffy, and oh-so-delicious, with lots of different toppings to choose from. Make sure you do order the pancakes because we tried a few other items and weren’t impressed. Stick with the good stuff!
So, it’s probably no surprise to you that this place is popular. There’s always a line out front, although you can write your name down and then go for a walk along the lakeshore while you wait.
THE PARK opens at 10 am daily, so you can also try to arrive 20 minutes beforehand and get in on the first round of orders. This is definitely worth doing, because we just missed the first group seating and had to wait over 40 minutes. The restaurant only stays open until 3 pm on weekdays and 3:30 pm on weekends, so don’t leave it too late in the day to visit, either!
5. See the view of Mt Fuji from Hikawa Clock Shop
Sure, the antique clocks inside the Hiwaka Clock Shop are cool, but the real draw of this place is the view of Mt Fuji from outside on the street! The whole street in Shimoyoshida is really cute and traditional, and you get a head-on view of Mt Fuji between the buildings on either side. And the best place to snap photos is right outside the Clock Shop, so of course, that’s what we did.
This is an amazing spot to take photos, but so many people caught on that there are now traffic controllers around to stop tourists from standing in the road posing all the time. We had to wait for the pedestrian crossing to go green, and then we were able to cross and snap some pictures. As you can see from the photos we got, it is still possible to take great photos without obstructing traffic!
The clock shop is just a short walk from the center of the Shimoyoshida area, and we were able to park nearby. It’s best to visit on a clear day, so that you get the full effect of Mt Fuji!
6. Ride the cable car up Kawaguchiko Tenjoyama Park
The Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway is a cable car that takes visitors to an observation deck on top of Mt Kachi Kachi for epic panoramic views of the iconic volcano. We haven’t been able to do this when we’ve visited, because it closes during the winter. However, it’s definitely on our list!
The cable car station is roughly a 15-minute walk from Kawaguchiko Station, or there’s a free parking lot here. It’s open from 9 am until 4 pm, or 5 pm on weekends and holidays, as long as the weather’s good.
It costs 900 JPY ($6 USD) for a return ticket, or 500 JPY ($3.50 USD) for a one-way. If, like us, you love to hike, you can hike down the mountain during the summer. There’s a clearly marked trail that should only take about 30 minutes.
The ride to the summit takes 3 minutes, and at the top there’s a big observation deck where you can walk around to enjoy the views. You get a panorama of Mount Fuji on one side, and Lake Kawaguchi on the other. There’s also the Tanuki tea house, which serves snacks like dumplings and curry bread.
There’s also a swing set set against the background of Mount Fuji, which has to be one of the most epic photo spots in all of Japan! Swing tickets cost 500 JPY ($3.50 USD) and can be purchased inside the tea house.
7. Walk through Oishi Park
Oishi Park is a beautiful park and garden on the edge of Lake Kawaguchiko. During spring and summer, it would be worth visiting for the colorful flowers alone, but the real draw here is the epic view of Mount Fuji from across the lake!
We were here during the winter and got a gorgeous view of snow-capped Mount Fuji!
Meanwhile, in April and May, the park is covered in mustard blossoms and moss phlox, which basically looks like a bright pink-and-purple carpet. Then, in June and July, the lavender fields bloom, and in the fall, the kochia plants turn a brilliant red.
We loved wandering around this park, and we highly recommend coming at sunset if you can, as it’s insanely beautiful at that time of day. There are lots of shops here and places to get a bite to eat. The Lake Bake Cafe sells yummy pastries and donuts, and we just had to try the soft serve lavender ice cream at the Oishi Park Cafe. It was so good!
8. Go kayaking on Lake Kawaguchiko
We always jump at an excuse to go kayaking, and I’d say gliding across Lake Kawaguchiko with unobstructed views of Mount Fuji is a pretty good excuse, wouldn’t you?
This early morning kayak tour is perfect for beginners. The waters of Lake Kawaguchiko are very calm and no prior experience is necessary! It heads out at 7 am and lasts for 1.5 hours, so you get to see Mount Fuji in the soft morning light.
If you’re lucky, you might spot swans and cormorants out on the water, too! The guides will take awesome photos for you, which you receive after the tour, which I appreciate because then you can just enjoy the experience and not worry too much about snapping away.
Even if you don’t have long to spend in Mount Fuji, I would definitely recommend making time for this tour! It’s definitely one of the coolest kayaking experiences we’ve ever come across. It starts from the town of Fujikawaguchiko, and the launch point is only a 10-minute walk from Kawaguchiko train station, or there’s parking here.
The tour costs $55 USD per person, and you can kayak solo or share. It often books up a few days in advance during the summer, so be sure to reserve your place ahead of time!
Book this kayaking tour here to access FREE cancellation!
9. Stare in awe at the view from Kawaguchi Asama Shrine
We’re going to let you in on a local secret here, so listen up!
The Kawaguchi Asama Shrine is a shrine in Fujikawaguchiko town. The shrine itself doesn’t actually have the best view when you’re up close, so park here instead, near the Tenku No Torii shrine.
We’re so happy that we found out about this spot as the views of Mount Fuji are absolutely incredible and best of all, this viewpoint is actually quiet! As you may have gathered from this blog, finding a tranquil place to gaze at Mount Fuji is pretty difficult, so don’t miss this spot, no matter how short on time you are.
The Kawaguchi Asama Shrine itself is also worth a quick look. It’s surrounded by huge trees, and it’s about a half an hour walk from the viewpoint through the forest. Or, if you don’t have a rental car, you can walk to Kawaguchi Asama Shrine from town, and then continue onto Tenku No Torii. It should take just over an hour each way.
10. Visit the traditional village of Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba
Iyashi-no-Sato was once a farming village in the Yamanashi countryside, but it was destroyed by a typhoon in 1966. Four decades later, about 20 of the traditional thatched homes were restored and the former village was transformed into an open air museum designed to educate visitors about rural Japanese culture and display local crafts. So we were very keen to go and check it out!
We really liked wandering through the old buildings, which now house craft shops, restaurants, and little exhibits. It was like stepping back in time! We also got to see examples of traditional local pottery, weaving, and even incense-making, and some of them offered workshops that visitors could join in on the day for between 600-1,100 JPY ($4-$7.50 USD). You can also pay to dress up in Samurai clothes or a Japanese kimono and take photos.
Entrance to the village itself was 500 JPY ($3.50 USD) each, and it didn’t even take us an hour to fully explore. This is a great thing to do if you’re short on time (or money) in Mt Fuji!
There’s free parking at Iyashi no Sato, or you can take a bus here from Kawaguchiko Station. The green line Omni Bus will get you here in 40-45 minutes.
11. See the view from Fujiyama Twin Terrace
The Fujiyama Twin Terrace has one of the best views of Mount Fuji that we’ve ever seen, but the caveat is that it’s hard to get there. Cars aren’t allowed up the access road, and as much as we love to hike, it’s not a good idea here because there are lots of bears in the area.
We found that the easiest way was to book this shuttle bus. It costs $34.50 USD including tickets for the observation deck, and we got to spend about 30 minutes up there, which was plenty.
Buses run at 9 am and 11:25 am and depart outside a kimono shop in Fujikawaguchiko. From there, it’s about a 25-minute drive to a tourist base part-way up the mountain, where we stopped for refreshments before continuing to the top.
We loved the views at the top and were so glad that we made the journey. We also loved the strawberry sandwiches from the little cafe at the top! These sweet, fluffy sandwiches are really popular in Japan and the ones from here are some of the best we’ve tried.
Once we’d had our fill of the views, we were driven back down the mountain and into town. The whole experience takes about 2.5 hours in total, including transport time. However, if you’re visiting in winter, the bus doesn’t run all the way to the top so you’ll have to hike up from the tourist base. This takes about an hour and we strongly recommend you use crampons.
Book the shuttle bus online to get here easily!
12. Stay in a hotel with a view
We definitely recommend spending a night or two in the Mt Fuji Five Lakes Area if possible. And if you do this, then getting a hotel with a view is a must!
We stayed at Fujikawaguchiko Cresendo in Kawaguchi, which had free parking for our rental car, although the train station is just a short taxi ride away. We got a good rate of around 15,400 JPY ($104 USD) per night when we booked online in advance and absolutely loved our stay.
The owner of the hotel was so nice and played live Japanese music for the guests every night. The hotel also had some great onsens and a hot tub and sauna, so it was nice to come back here and relax after a long day of exploring!
There are plenty of other great choices nearby, though. If you’ve got a bigger budget, La Vista Fujikawaguchiko has beautiful private onsens with views of Mt Fuji. And for something even more luxurious, Fuji View and Spa Resort has gorgeous villas with private saunas, onsens, and infinity pools that look out onto Mt Fuji.
Book the same hotel we stayed at near Mt Fuji here!
13. Visit the Narusawa Ice Cave
The Narusawa Ice Cave (and neighboring Fugaku Wind Cave) are small caves in the Aokigahara Forest at the base of Mt Fuji. They were formed when Mt Nagao, another nearby volcano, erupted in the 9th century. And, as I’m sure you can guess from the name, they are filled with ice! Well, in the winter, anyway, although it’s still possible to see some ice down here in summer, and it makes a nice break from the heat.
We paid 700 JPY ($5 USD) each for entry to both caves, and tickets must be paid for in cash. It only took us about 30 minutes to see everything. To be honest, the caves were okay but nothing spectacular, so I would skip them if you have limited time. I don’t regret going or anything, but the caves definitely aren’t a must-see.
If you do want to check them out, they’re open from 9 am until 5 pm daily. We drove here and there’s free parking, though the lot can get busy. Alternatively, there’s a bus from Kawaguchiko Station, which takes 30 minutes. Get on the bus going towards Motosukokankoannaijo and get off at Hyoketsu, which is a 5-minute walk from the caves’ entrance. They’re open from 9 am until 5 pm daily.
Related Read: Another winter experience we recommend is taking a tour from Tokyo to see snow monkeys!
14. Soak in an Onsen
For us, soaking in an onsen is a must wherever you go in Japan! Lots of the hotels in the Mt Fuji area have onsens for guests to use, some of which even look out onto the volcano. We really liked the one at our hotel, but we also wanted to go and check out the onsen spas around.
One of the best onsens we visited was Fuji Yurari Hot Spring. It has lots of baths and saunas for guests to use, as well as fantastic views of Mt Fuji. I don’t think it gets better than looking out at Mt Fuji while enjoying a relaxing soak, does it? Entry costs 1,400 JPY ($9.50) on weekdays and 1,700 JPY ($11.50) on weekends and public holidays, and there are some different packages available that include food or massages.
We also loved Fujiyama Onsen, which had indoor and outdoor pools, as well as jacuzzis, a sauna, and a cold plunge pool. We loved the traditional indoor pool room with the wooden beams. They also had a hammock room where guests can go and chill out after their soak! This place costs 1,600 JPY ($11 USD) on weekdays or 2,000 JPY ($13.50 USD) on weekends.
The only issue with these onsens is that neither of them allow tattoos. This meant that only Bailey was allowed to bathe and I missed out! Some onsens let you in if you cover your tattoos but that’s not the case here, so bear that in mind.
15. Day trip to Hakone
About 52 kilometers (32 miles) from the Mount Fuji Five Lakes area is Hakone, which is one of the most popular towns in Japan to visit! It’s a traditional hot spring town with an iconic shrine, views of Mt Fuji, authentic tea houses, and really good food! We absolutely loved it here and have a whole guide on what to do in Hakone!
It takes just over an hour to drive to Hakone. We would recommend renting a car for a day trip (we used Discover Cars in Japan), because there’s no direct public transport route between Mount Fuji and Hakone, despite how close together they are.
Once there, there are so many fun things to do! We highly recommend visiting the Amasake Tea House, which is super traditional. The tea was free and the mochi cakes were amazing!
We also booked this tea ceremony while we were in Hakone and got to make and brew traditional green tea. Most tea ceremonies don’t allow tourists to get hands-on and use the utensils yourselves, but this one does. We were so impressed by this experience, because we got to learn so much about Japanese culture and hospitality, and the hosts were so lovely.
You also HAVE to eat some soba noodles while you’re here, as they’re a regional specialty. We tried so many great places while we were there, but Kojiri-Chaya Hakone was a particular standout.
Speaking of food, visiting Owakudani volcanic valley for a black egg is a must. Here, they boil normal chicken eggs in the thermal waters and the minerals in the water change the color of the egg’s shell. Cool, right?
And of course, you can’t visit Hakone without paying a visit to the Hakone Shrine! The red torii gate perched on the edge of Lake Ashinoko, so it’s super scenic. Don’t forget your camera!
16. Climb Mt Fuji
We’ll preface this by saying that we haven’t actually climbed Mt Fuji – yet! We’ve only visited the area during winter and climbing up is only permitted between early July and early September, so it’s quite a narrow window.
If you are here during the summer and wanting to make the trek, there are a few things to know. Climbing Mt Fuji is super popular but recently, it has gotten a bit more complicated, so we’ll break it all down for you below.
The trails
There are four different trails up the mountain:
- Yoshida – Most popular, and best for those who aren’t regular hikers. Lots of huts, snack shops, and some first aid stations on the way up.
- Fujinomiya – Second most popular trail. Steeper than Yoshida but still a good amount of facilities here.
- Gotemba – Quietest trail with few facilities. There are some long, sandy sections.
- Subashiri – A quiet trail with varied terrain.
Whichever trail you choose, expect the return hike to take 8 – 10 hours. Of course, it’s possible to break this up by staying in one of the many mountain huts, which you can do by contacting them directly, although it really helps if you know some Japanese.
Access restrictions
All four trailheads now close between 4 pm and 3 am, except for those staying in the huts. For this reason, hut reservations have become very competitive! So if you can’t snag a spot, we suggest setting out super early in the morning to make sure you get back in time.
There’s also a 2,000 JPY ($13.50 USD) entry fee for the Yoshida Trail, in addition to the recommended voluntary donation of 1,000 JPY. Meanwhile, the number of hikers is now limited to 4,000 per day. 3,000 spots are bookable in advance and then the final 1,000 are first-come first-serve on the day – even more reason to set out early! It’s also worth noting that tour companies aren’t affected by these restrictions.
For the other three trails, there’s no fee or limit on numbers (for now) but you have to register and watch a 7-minute mountain safety video beforehand. You can do this on the day at the trailhead but to save time, I’d recommend registering online in advance. Then, you can just show your QR code to the officials on the day.
Tours
Jin Tours is a reputable, locally-run company offering guided climbs to the top of Mount Fuji. Most of their tours sell out at least a month in advance, but we would recommend booking 2-3 months ahead of time.
Most of the tour options are for private groups, but there are a few shared tours available, too. They do single-day and overnight tours. In fact, the great thing about their 2-day tours is that they handle all of the hut reservations for you, which is the most difficult part of planning the climb!
17. Get the best sushi in town at Shaw’s Sushi Bar & Dining
We loved this sushi restaurant in Fujikawaguchiko! Shaw’s Sushi Bar is an affordable, family-owned restaurant that serves delicious sushi, and the portions are huge. For example, you can get a salmon bowl set for 3,500 JPY ($24 USD), which is super reasonable, especially for such a touristy part of Japan. They’ve also got a vegan and gluten-free sushi bowl set, so everyone is catered for here.
However, it’s not exactly a secret how good this place is. They don’t take reservations, so it’s likely you’ll have to wait a while for a table during peak times. We did, and it was so worth it. This place is a real stand out, and the prices are hard to beat.
If you don’t want to queue, go when they first open for lunch or dinner. Shaw’s opens for lunch at 11:30 am every day except Sunday, when it’s closed, and then again for dinner at 6 pm. There’s no dinner slot on Thursday evenings, so don’t turn up then.
Where to Stay near Mount Fuji
While it’s possible to visit the Mount Fuji area from Tokyo, we highly recommend spending a couple days here to tackle some of the things on our list and have more time to soak up the views!
After staying here ourselves, our top tip is to stay around Lake Kawaguchiko – specifically the north side if you can as that has the best views. All of the hotels below are on the side of the lake we like and fit all budgets!
La Vista Fujikawaguchiko – $$$
For luxury travlers, La Vista Fujikawaguchiko is easily our pick. I mean having a view of Mt Fuji from your own private balcony hot tub sounds pretty VIP to me! If that’s not enough, there are public and private onsens to relax in. You can choose to make this more of an all-inclusive stay and include both a yummy breakfast and dinner in the room rate.
Rooms here start around $350 USD and a bit more if you decide to include meals. Definitely opt for the rooms with the Mt Fuji view! Check availability and book online here.
Fujikawaguchiko Cresendo – $$ (Where we stayed!)
We stayed at Fujikawaguchiko Cresendo and highly recommend it. It’s on the north side of the lake, which has the better views and we could even see Mt Fuji right from our room! There’s private onsens, a hot tub, and a sauna and the owner is so nice and played live music for us in the evenings.
It’s also a mid-range hotel that’s still affordable for the more “premium” side of the lake. We booked rooms for $104 USD a night, which felt like a steal with other nearby properties costing $300-$500 a night. It can book up because it’s more budget-friendly, so reserve a room in advance here!
Orange Cabin Inn – $
If you’re traveling on a budget, then the Orange Cabin Inn is a good pick. With Mt Fuji visible from all the front windows, you can watch the sunrise over Mt Fuji from here! It’s clean and cozy and feels a bit more like a hostel with shared common areas and shared bathrooms, but there’s plenty of space and it’s popular with both single travlers and families.
The best part – it’s only $31 USD/night per person! There are also bike rentals on site and free parking. If you’re taking the train, it’s a 10-minute drive from Kawaguchiko Station, so you’ll need a taxi. Book the Orange Cabin Inn here!
Thanks for reading!
I hope you’re set to soak in ALL the views of Mount Fuji! This is an iconic spot in Japan and definitely one that’s worth visiting while you’re here. My biggest tip would be to stay a few nights in this area or make sure you get a clear day if you’re making a day trip so you get the best views!
For more helpful tips and recommendations, browse through all our blogs about Japan. We share the best restaurants, tours, and tips we wish we knew before visiting this country. Here are a few popular ones below:
