11 Things to Do and Visit Around Mt. Fuji

1.Lake Kawaguchi (河口湖)

PIXTA

Out of all the tourist spots in the surrounding area, Lake Kawaguchi has the best access, and it has a spot from which you can enjoy a spectacular view of Mt. Fuji. You can also enjoy taking a stroll along the banks of the lake.

https://www.yamanashi-kankou.jp/english/uncover/lake-kawaguchiko.html

2.Itchiku Kubota Art Museum (久保田一竹美術館)

Itchiku Kubota is a writer who revived the ancient Tsujigahana dying technique from the Muromachi Period. Not only are the kimono on display beautiful, but the building and gardens are spectacular as well. Here you can enjoy a calm and peaceful moment on your journey back home.

http://www.itchiku-museum.com/en.pdf

2255 Kawaguchi, Kawaguchiko-cho,  Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi

3. Mt. Kachikachi Ropeway (カチカチ山ロープウェイ)

The Mr. Kachikachi ropeway will take you to an observation deck on Tenjo-yama at an altitude of 1,075m in 3 minutes, giving you a fantastic view of both Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi. There is also a hiking course that takes you back to Kawaguchi-ko Station in about 40 minutes which we recommend if you still have the energy left after climbing Mt. Fuji.

http://www.kachikachiyama-ropeway.com/

4. Oshino Hakkai (忍野八海)

PIXTA

Oshino Hakkai is the name given to a number of ponds where water from the thawed snow of Mt. Fuji gushes out. Located between Lake Kawaguchi and Lake Yamanaka in a place which used to be a lake, the crystal clear water filtered over decades of flowing through the mountain is a spectacular sight to see!

Shibokusa, Oshino-mura, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi

Oshino-mura Tourist Information　http://www.vill.oshino.yamanashi.jp/8lake.html

5. Aokigahara and the Surrounding Area (青木ヶ原樹海)

Aokigahara is a deep forest located at an altitude of 1,000 meters that developed on the lava flow from the eruption of Mt. Fuji 1,200 years ago. There is a walking path through the forest, and some very unique scenery, such as wind wholes, ice caves and bat caves in the surrounding area formed by the lava flow.

6. Shiraito no Taki (白糸の滝), Shizuoka

Shiraito no Taki is a 20m high and 150m wide waterfall formed by the underground water flows of Mt. Fuji. The name, literally “White Thread Falls” in English, comes from the white color of the falling water. Nearby is the 25m high Otodome no Taki, and visitors come from all over Japan to see these impressive sites.

Kamiide, Fujinomiya, Shizuoka Prefecture

7. Fuji-Q Highland (富士急ハイランド)

Fuji-Q Highland is an amusement park located near Mt. Fuji. Its 4 roller coasters make this a must visit place for roller coaster fans. For those who don’t really enjoy roller coasters, there are a lot of other non-frightening attractions as well which you can enjoy while taking in the spectacular view of Mt. Fuji.

http://www.fujiq.jp/en/

8. Ko no Hana Museum (木ノ花美術館)

Have you ever heard of the picture book “Dayan the Cat”? It is story about the strange world of cats that has become popular around the world and has even been translated into English. At the Ko no Hana Museum, the original pictures drawn by the author Akiko Ikeda are on display. The museum also has a restaurant/cafe where you can relax, making it an ideal stop for cat-lovers or people with children on their way back from Mt. Fuji. To get there, take the bus from Kawaguchi-ko Station and get off at the Kawaguchi-ko Ko no Hana Bijutsukan and Sarumawashi Gekijo stop. It takes about 10 minutes by bus.

http://www.konohana-muse.com/ (Only in Japanese)

3026-1 Kakaguchi, Fuji Kawaguchiko-cho, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture

9. Kawaguchi-ko Sarumawashi Gekijo (河口湖猿まわし劇場)

This place is perfect for people with young children. Here, adorable monkeys perfom with humans in an entertaining show with a history spanning back more than 1,000 years. While they do offer English, Korean and Chinese translations, you can enjoy it without even understanding what is being said. You can play with the monkeys after the show, which children are sure to enjoy. You can get there by bus from Kawaguchi-ko Station and getting off at the Kawaguchi-ko Ki no Hana Bijutsukan and Sarumawashi Gekijo stop.

http://www.fuji-osaru.com/ (Only in Japanese)

10. Fuji Chobo no Yu Yurari (富士眺望の湯　ゆらり)

http://www.fuji-yurari.jp/ (Only in Japanese)

8532-5 Narusawa, Narusawa-mura, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture

11. Sengen Shrine (浅間神社)

For its awe-inspiring presence and beautiful  natural formations created by its volcanic activity, Mt. Fuji has been viewed as a focal point of religious beliefs since ancient times. The current main building of the Sengen Shrine was first build in 788. In the old days, people would start the ascent of Mt. Fuji from here, and it would supposedly take approximately 2 days to reach the peak and return. The wooden torii, or gate to the shrine, by the main building are all that is left of the original shrine. You can reach the Sengen Shrine on foot in about 20 minutes from Mt. Fuji Station of the Fuji Express Line.

http://sengenjinja.jp/english/index.html

5558 Kami Yoshida, Fuji Kami Yoshida City, Yamanashi Prefecture