20 Best Things to Do Around Mount Fuji (2026 Guide)

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Mount Fuji (Fujisan) is not just Japan's highest peak; it is a sacred cultural icon and a UNESCO World Heritage site. While climbing the mountain is a bucket-list item for many, the surrounding Fuji Five Lakes (Fujigoko) and Hakone regions offer a wealth of experiences ranging from spiritual shrines to adrenaline-pumping theme parks.

Iconic Viewpoints & Photography

For many first-time visitors, seeing the mountain is the primary goal. These spots offer the most famous vistas:

  1. Chureito Pagoda: The quintessential "post-card" shot of a red five-story pagoda overlooking the mountain.

  2. Oishi Park: Located on the north shore of Lake Kawaguchi, famous for seasonal flowers like lavender and kochia.

  3. Tenku no Torii (Torii in the Sky): A relatively new photography spot at Kawaguchi Asama Shrine that frames Fuji through a traditional gate.

  4. Lake Tanuki: Known for the "Diamond Fuji" phenomenon, where the sun aligns perfectly with the peak.

  5. Ubuyagasaki Peninsula: A prime location for "Sakura-Fuji" photos during the spring cherry blossom season.

Nature & Outdoor Adventure

The volcanic landscape has created unique natural features perfect for exploration:

  1. Climbing Mount Fuji: The official season runs from July to early September. The Yoshida Trail is the most popular route for beginners.

  2. Aokigahara Forest: A lush, dense forest formed on ancient lava flows; guided tours offer insight into its unique ecology.

  3. Fugaku Wind Cave & Narusawa Ice Cave: Natural lava tubes that remain freezing cold even in the height of summer.

  4. Shiraito Falls: A 150-meter-wide waterfall fed by the mountain's volcanic spring water.

  5. Cycling the Five Lakes: Renting an e-bike to circle Lake Kawaguchi or Lake Yamanaka is a popular way to find "hidden" viewpoints.

  6. Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway: Ascend Mount Tenjo for an aerial view of the lake and the mountain summit.

Culture, Spirituality & Shopping

Fuji has been a site of pilgrimage for centuries. Today, that spiritual heritage sits alongside modern luxury.

  1. Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha: The traditional starting point for Fuji pilgrims and the head shrine of over 1,300 Sengen shrines.

  2. Oshino Hakkai: A touristy but beautiful set of eight crystal-clear ponds fed by melted snow from Mount Fuji.

  3. Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba: A reconstructed thatched-roof village that functions as an open-air museum for traditional crafts.

  4. Itchiku Kubota Art Museum: Features incredible kimonos that depict Mount Fuji and the seasons, housed in unique Gaudi-esque architecture.

  5. Gotemba Premium Outlets: One of Japan’s largest shopping malls, where you can browse designer brands with Fuji as your backdrop.

Leisure & Thrills

  1. Fuji-Q Highland: An amusement park famous for record-breaking roller coasters like Fujiyama and Takabisha.

  2. Onsen with a View: Staying at a ryokan (traditional inn) in the Hakone or Kawaguchiko area to soak in hot springs while viewing the peak.

  3. Lake Ashi Cruise: Located in Hakone, these "pirate ships" offer a classic view of the mountain reflected in the water.

  4. Hakone Owakudani: A volcanic valley where you can eat "black eggs" boiled in sulfurous water, said to extend your life by seven years.

Pro-Tips for 2026


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