Standing at 3,776m above sea level, the almost perfectly symmetrical Mount Fuji (富士山 Fujisan) is Japan’s highest mountain, and has become a symbol of the country, recognised worldwide for its beauty. Considered sacred and a source of many artistic and spiritual inspiration, Mount Fuji was gazetted a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013.
Did you know that there is a Mount Fuji Day (富士山の日)? Observed on 23 February, this date was chosen as “Fujisan” can be interpreted as “2-2-3”. While not a national holiday, it is a day to learn about, think about, and reminisce about Mount Fuji, and bring awareness to conserving it for future generations. In Yamanashi Prefecture (山梨県) and Shizuoka Prefecture (静岡県), the two prefectures where Mount Fuji is located in, Mount Fuji Day is a school holiday for elementary, middle, and prefectural high schools.
In this article, we’ll take a look at five of the best ways to enjoy Mount Fuji in all its glory. From viewpoints to relaxing hot springs, Mount Fuji is a sight to behold, captivating the hearts of many visitors worldwide, and what better day to think about Mount Fuji and plan your visit than on Mount Fuji Day?
① See Mount Fuji from Various Viewpoints
There are countless options of attractions, scenic parks, ropeways, and pleasure cruises that offer breathtaking views of Mount Fuji, coupled with convenient access. With crisp, dry air and cool temperatures, winter is one of the best seasons to get a clear view of Mount Fuji.
Winter view of Mount Fuji and Chureito Pagoda from Arakurayama Sengen Park. | Photo by photoAC
The Lake Kawaguchi (河口湖 Kawaguchiko) area is home to many such options, and our top picks are the Arakurayama Sengen Park (新倉山浅間公園), where you can enjoy a classic view of Mount Fuji with the bright red Chureito Pagoda, and the Mt. FUJI PANORAMIC ROPEWAY (富士山パノラマロープウェイ), which takes you to the top of Mount Tenjo, where you can enjoy panoramic vistas of the natural beauty of Mount Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi, and their surroundings.
Mishima Skywalk. | Photo by photoAC
Did you know that some attractions around Mount Fuji offer discounts on admission on Mount Fuji Day! Last year, Mishima Skywalk (三島スカイウォーク) in Shizuoka Prefecture, which offers thrilling views of Mount Fuji from a 400m-long pedestrian suspension bridge, offered free admission to the first 2,230 visitors on Mount Fuji Day.
The Kawaguchiko Museum of Art (河口湖美術館) in Yamanashi Prefecture, which exhibits a large collection of Mount Fuji-related paintings and photos, offered free admission for all. Shizuoka Prefecture’s Mount Fuji World Heritage Center (静岡県富士山世界遺産センター) also offered free admission for all. There’s no better way to spend Mount Fuji Day than to learn more about and appreciate Mount Fuji!
② Enjoy Mount Fuji from A Relaxing Onsen Bath
Relax at a hot spring while enjoying a view of Mount Fuji. | Photo by photoAC
Enjoy an amazing view of Mount Fuji right from the comfort of your bath—that’s what a stay at a hot spring resort around Mount Fuji can give you. In addition to being relaxing, rejuvenating, and refreshing, getting to bask in an unobstructed, fantastic view of Japan’s highest mountain while soaking in warm waters, doesn’t that sound wonderful?
Spoilt for hot spring choices. | Photo by photoAC
Mount Fuji is an active volcano, and it makes sense that the areas surrounding are home to geothermal hot springs. Popular hot spring resort areas with great views of Mount Fuji include the Hakone (箱根) and the Fuji Five Lakes (富士五湖 Fujigoko) area, with one of the most well-loved and accessible being Lake Kawaguchiko. With endless options ranging from open-air outdoor baths (露天風呂 rotenburo), to traditional wooden baths, to private en-suite baths, you can take your pick and choose your preferred bath-time view of Mount Fuji.
③ See Mount Fuji from A Roller Coaster Ride
When thinking of theme parks in Japan, you may have heard of Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea, and Universal Studios Japan, but do you know of Fuji-Q Highland (富士急ハイランド)? Located at the foot of Mount Fuji, this is the place to go if you enjoy thrilling rollercoasters.
Fuji-Q Highland, a theme park offering views of Mount Fuji. | Photo by Carissa Loh
Fuji-Q Highland has a number of blood-pumping and heart-stopping rollercoasters, some of which hold Guinness World Records for things like having the world’s steepest drop―Takabisha (高飛車) at 121˚, the highest total number of inversions in the world―Eejanaika (ええじゃないか) with 14, and the world’s fastest launch acceleration―Dodonpa (ドドンパ), which goes from 0 to 180km/h in 1.56 seconds.
FUJIYAMA and a view of Mount Fuji while queuing for the ride. | Photo by Carissa Loh.
At Fuji-Q Highland, the ride with the longest queue is more often than not the King of Coasters FUJIYAMA (Fujiyama is another way of reading the characters “富士山”). The highlight of this rollercoaster is being able to bask in gorgeous, open-air views of Mount Fuji as you go up and down and all around. Leisurely enjoy the majestic sight of Mount Fuji as the ride climbs up 79m, and for a brief moment you might forget you are on a rollercoaster…until you quickly start dropping down and going up, again and again. This ride will leave you feeling a rollercoaster of mixed emotions: was the Mount Fuji view worth the thrilling ride? Ask many riders and their answers will be a resounding “Yes!”.
④ Climb Mount Fuji
Prior to COVID-19, close to 300,000 people climbed Mount Fuji each year, making it one of the most-climbed mountains in the world. With trailheads starting at around 2,300m, the climb is doable for beginners, with many families bringing their elementary school children along for family hikes.
Sunrise from the top of Mount Fuji. | Photo by Pixabay
The official climbing season is in summer, between July and early September, so although you can’t climb Mount Fuji on Mount Fuji Day, you can spend the day thinking about it and start planning for your summer climb (Mountain Day or Yama-no-Hi falls on every 11 August)!
Mount Fuji can get very crowded on weekends. | Photo by photoAC
There are four routes to get to the peak of Mount Fuji, with the most popular being the yellow Yoshida (Kawaguchiko) Route starting in Yamanashi Prefecture, followed by the blue Fujinomiya (Subaru) Route starting in Shizuoka Prefecture. Mountain huts on these routes get booked up pretty quickly, so we recommend you to plan your route and which hut you want to stay at, and make the reservations as soon as you can.
⑤ Frolic with Mount Fuji in Fields of Flowers
Not a climber? Don’t worry, many people feel the same way. There is a Japanese saying regarding climbing Mount Fuji: “富士山に一度も登らぬばかに、二度登るばか”, which translates to "He who climbs Mount Fuji once is a wise man; he who climbs twice is a fool".
Indeed, Mount Fuji’s beauty is best enjoyed from afar. Why not spend this Mount Fuji Day contemplating which views you’d like to see, and start planning your trips? There are so many beautiful spots around Mount Fuji, with spring and summer being the most enchanting seasons to witness colourful floral blooms of various colours.
Moss phlox and lavender with a view of Mount Fuji. | Photo by Carissa Loh
Feeling like a perky pink? Check out the Mount Fuji Shibazakura Festival (富士芝桜まつり) in late April to early May, where fields of vivid pink moss phlox blanket the area around Lake Motosu (本栖湖 Motosuko). How about a lazy day with lavender? Then check out the Kawaguchiko Herb Festival (河口湖ハーブフェスティバル) in late May to June, where blooming lavenders fill the air with their soothing scents.
Flowers galore at Hananomiyako Park. | Photo by photoAC
Undecided? Then check out Lake Yamanaka’s (山中湖) Hananomiyako Park (花の都公園), a sprawling 300,000-square-metre floral paradise where you can enjoy terrific tulips in May, pretty poppies in July, cheery yellow sunflowers in August, dainty white soba flowers in September, and more―there’s something to see all throughout spring to autumn.
Bonus: Eat Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji Curry. | Photo by photoAC
A visit to view Mount Fuji isn’t complete without Mount Fuji-themed food and souvenirs. One of the most popular dishes to try out in the Mount Fuji area is Mount Fuji Curry (富士山カレー)―warm, fluffy rice piled into a conical shape resembling Mount Fuji, paired with a generous helping of hearty Japanese curry. There are take home packs for you to bring home to your family and friends, and there is even a special blue curry, where the curry sauce is blue to make your dish further resemble Mount Fuji!
Cute cookies in the shape of Mount Fuji. | Photo by photoAC
For something that can’t go wrong, how about Mount Fuji-shaped cookies or chocolate to commemorate your visit? Coming in a variety of flavours and colours like chocolate (brown), green tea (green), strawberry (pink) and more, you can treat your friends to a variety of cute confectioneries.
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