It’s a bit difficult to visit Mt. Fuji if you’re not prepared to make the trek through the wilderness. Luckily, there are lots of other spots in Japan where you can enjoy the view of Japan’s most iconic landmark. Here’s what you need to know and where you want to go if you want to see Mt. Fuji. When to View Mt. Fuji Close up, Mt. Fuji is most visible from autumn to winter (September to February). If you want to view it from Tokyo, it is best viewed between November and February. Rarely is it seen from the capital from April to August. Keep this in mind when deciding to fly to Japan for a vacation. Once you’re in Japan and ready to visit Mt. Fuji, take note that the best time to do so is in the morning, around 8:00 AM. The later it is in the day, the less likely you’ll see the mountain. In the afternoon, it’s more likely you’ll only see its silhouette. 10 Great Spots for Viewing Fuji
1. The Fuji Five Lakes
Location: Chūbu Region, Yamanashi Prefecture Closest train station: Kawaguchiko Station (Fujikyu Railway)
Five Fuji Lakes is the name of the general area at the base of Mt. Fuji. As the name implies, this area has five lakes – all made from Mt. Fuji’s previous eruptions.
The five likes are Lake Kawaguchi, Lake Motosu, Lake Sai, Lake Shōji, and Lake Yamanaka. All of these lakes have a lovely view of Mt. Fuji. Lake Kawaguchi is the most famous of the five, with multiple hotels built next to it.
2. Oshino Hakkai
Location: Chūbu Region, Yamanashi Prefecture Closest train station: Kawaguchiko Station (Fujikyu Railway)
Located in between Lake Kawaguchiko and Lake Yamanakako, Oshino Hakkai is a tourist destination with eight ponds made entirely out of melted snow. The water trickles down from the nearby slopes of Mt. Fuji, which is visible from the site.
Apart from the ponds, tourists can also enjoy the rest of the area, which is designed like a traditional Japanese village. The place is also known for its cherry blossoms, which bloom in April.
Check our 4 Days Tokyo Do It Yourself tour at Php14,200 per person with an optional Mt. Fuji day tour.
3. Iyashi no Sato Museum
Copyright © 2014 by Yoshihide Urushihara
Location: Chūbu Region, Yamanashi Prefecture Closest train station: Kawaguchiko Station (Fujikyu Railway)
Close to Lake Saiko is an outdoor museum that features a traditional Japanese scene of thatched-roof houses, water wheels, and other nostalgic structures. This all comes with a stunning view of Mt. Fuji close by.
The place also offers traditional arts and crafts activities, art galleries and exhibits, and restaurants where you can purchase local goods.
4. Fuji-Q Highlands Amusement Park
Location: Chūbu Region, Yamanashi Prefecture Closest train station: Fujikyu-Highland Station (Fujikyu Railway)
This amusement park boasts of seven different roller coasters and other great rides. One of the roller coasters, Takabisha, is a record-holder for the steepest roller coaster in the world.
In the background of all these rides stands a view of Mt. Fuji. What better way to enjoy the view of Mt. Fuji than from the top of an amusement park ride?
5. Fuji Motosuko Resort
Source: Japan National Tourism Organization
Location: Chūbu Region, Yamanashi Prefecture Closest train station: Kawaguchiko Station (Fujikyu Railway)
This resort is special because it holds the Fuji Shibazakura Festival yearly from late April to late May. This festival celebrates the shibazakura plants (moss phlox flowers) when they bloom. Here, visitors can enjoy hills of red, pink, and white.
This is the only place where tourists can enjoy the shibazakura plants in bloom and see Mt. Fuji in the background.
6. Imamiya and Obuchi Sasaba Tea Plantations
Location: Chūbu Region, Shizuoka Prefecture Closest train station: Fuji Station (JR East)
It’s recommended that tourists visit this area in May, right before the tea is harvested. That’s when the top of Mt. Fuji is still covered in snow, creating a contrast between the blue, white, and the greens of the plantation.
Note that these tea plantations are privately-owned lands, so make sure to ask for permission before entering. The locals are used to having photographers enter the area, so it should be easy to gain access.
7. Izunokuni Panorama Park
Source: commons.wikimedia.org Copyright © 2006 by Darklanlan Made available under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license
Location: Chūbu Region, Shizuoka Prefecture Closest train station: Fuji Station (JR East)
This attraction is an aerial lift that carries tourists from the ground up onto Mt. Katsuragi. Here, there is a fantastic view of Mt. Fuji.
There is also a Sky Garden with different attractions, including multiple sky walkways, view decks, and foot spas. If you ever get hungry, there are also many restaurants and cafes to choose from.
8. The beaches of Kamakura
Location: Kantō Region, Kanagawa Prefecture Closest train station: Yuigahama Station (Enoden) or Kamakura Station (JR East)
The sandy beaches of Kamakura are approximately one kilometer in length. They’re a popular destination for those who want to escape the city quickly. It also has a fantastic view of Mt. Fuji.
People who visit these beaches can swim, sunbathe, and surf. It’s also known for its temples, shrines, and other historical sites.
9. Enoshima Island
Location: Kantō Region, Kanagawa Prefecture Closest train station: Enoshima Station (Enoden), Katase Enoshima Station (Odakyu Railways), and Shonan Enoshima Station (Shonan Monorail)
Just west of Kamakura is Enoshima Island, connected to the mainland by a bridge. Tourists can enjoy the Enoshima Shrine, the Enoshima Aquariums, and other attraction with Mt. Fuji clearly visible in the background.
Notable also is the southern coast of the island, where tourists can explore the Iwaya Caves and marvel at the rocky shoreline.
10. Tokyo Skytree
Location: Kantō Region, Tokyo Metropolis Closest train station: Tokyo Skytree Station (Tobu Railway) and Oshiage Station (Tokyo Metro)
The Tokyo Skytree is a tower that acts as a broadcasting station, a restaurant, and an observation deck. Make sure to go up the tower on a clear day! This is your best chance at spying Mt. Fuji all the way from Tokyo.
The Tokyo Skytree is the tallest tower in Japan and in the world, but only the second tallest structure (next to the Burj Khalifa).
And those are ten places where you can view Japan’s most iconic landmark. Whether in Tokyo or at the foot of the volcano, Mt. Fuji is impossible to miss. Just make sure to fly to Japan at the right time!
Need some help for your visit to Japan? Check out this article: 10 Must-Have Mobile Apps When Traveling Japan.