How we spent two days at Mount Fuji
We arrived in the village of Fujikawaguchiko to clouds and drizzle. Not the best conditions for seeing the 7th highest mountain in the world. Mount Fuji was covered by clouds on our first evening and most of our first day in Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi. So we had to find more things to do than simply exploring the different viewpoints.
What is there to do in Fujikawaguchiko (other than see Mount Fuji?)
While the incredible sight of Mount Fuji is part of pretty much every experience in the Fujikawaguchiko area, it’s not the only thing there is to do. These were our highlights:
Oshino Hakkai
We spent an hour or so wandering around the deep, clear ponds at Oshino Hakkai on a cloudy afternoon when mountain visibility wasn’t great. While the view of Fuji would have made the village even more beautiful, it didn’t really affect the experience.
Oshino Hakkai is based on the site where another huge lake used to sit, before it dried up centuries ago. Now, smaller ponds of crystal clear water can still be found around the area. The centre of the village is very touristy and attracts coaches of sightseers. But if you take a walk around the less central ponds it’s much quieter and more peaceful.
Aokigahara Forest
This forest has a bad rep and I don’t intend on adding to that by talking about it here. What should be known about Aokigahara is that it’s beautiful, peaceful, and feels almost ethereal as the light falls through the dense ‘sea of trees’ onto the mossy ground. If you plan to go hiking here, be very aware that you may come across evidence of people who have taken their lives. But don’t let this beautiful place be tarnished by dark tourism. Be respectful, and appreciate the forest for its beauty and not the media attention it’s received.
Note: your compass will work. However, like in many remote areas or dense forests, you might find that you lose phone signal. It also gets cold and dark in the forest much earlier than you might expect due to the thickness of the canopies.
Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine and Chureito Pagoda
One of the best places to get an iconic view of Mt Fuji is at the Chureito Pagoda. We woke up to clear skies in Fujikawaguchiko on our second morning so we headed straight there to beat the afternoon crowds. Even before 10am it was a little busy.
It takes about 15 minutes to walk from the Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine at the bottom of the hill up to the pagoda. We spent about an hour here in total, as there are great views as you make your way back down the steps or slope.
Lake Kawaguchi
From the banks of Lake Kawaguchi you’ll get an impressive view of the mountain. And on windless days its reflection can be seen in the still water. We came here twice, once on a cloudy evening and once on a clear morning. Both times, the view of Mount Fuji and how close it feels was an imposing and amazing presence to take in from the quiet banks of the lake.
Oishi Park
Also on the banks of Lake Kawaguchi is Oishi Park. It’s a garden that’s planted with colourful flowers, making the perfect foreground for your Mount Fuji photos. Like Chuerito Pagoda, this is a popular site and it’s busy with tour groups. But it was still a pretty place to wander and take in the view of the mountain.
Lake Tanuki
On the western side of Mount Fuji is Lake Tanuki. A peaceful spot where you can camp, walk, fish, and view Mount Fuji from either the banks of the lake or the observatory. It’s a beautiful lake, and well worth visiting if you’re looking for lesser-visited angles to view the mountain from.
Can you climb Mount Fuji?
Mount Fuji is open to hikers from July to September (although depending on the weather conditions during those months, paths may be closed). The climb can take 5-10 hours depending on the trail you take and your physical ability and experience. So it’s not an easy trek – but that’s to be expected of a 3,776 m mountain.
Mt Fuji doesn’t have a cable car so you’ll have to complete the whole hike yourself (or with a guide). But there is a scenic ropeway that takes visitors up the nearby Mount Tenjo. The Mt Fuji Panoramic Ropeway is open all year and is one of the best places to view Mount Fuji. There are also hiking trails that can take you to a similar point, 300m up Mt Tenjo, if you’d rather walk.
Where to stay near Mt Fuji
We stayed at the Kawaguchiko Country Cottage Ban for two nights. To the north of Kawaguchiko lake, it has amazing views of Mt Fuji, and with a car it’s easy to get around the area using this site as your base. You can also rent bikes to explore the Five Lakes area. There are cabins which are equipped with a kitchen and either beds or tatami rooms with futons. Or there are glamping pods if that’s your thing.
How long to stay in Fujikawaguchiko
We stayed for two nights at Kawaguchiko Country Cottage Ban. So we had an evening, a full day, and then another mostly-full day before moving on to Hakone which is an hour drive away. When we arrived in Fujikawaguchiko it was cloudy with a bit of drizzle. And the next day was the same until about 5pm. So we were glad to have factored in more than one night in the area so we had more of a chance to take in the mountain views. On our final day in Fujikawaguchiko we woke up to clear skies and were able to spend the day properly exploring the five lakes area.
From here, we went on to Hakone and spent two nights at an onsen, and one day completing the Hakone Circuit Loop.
Find out more about our full one month in Japan itinerary here.