There’s more than just the Fuji Five Lakes for IG-worthy Mt Fuji viewing spots.
Mt Fuji is no doubt the most iconic mountain in Japan — both tourists and locals alike will make the trip down to see it at least once in their life.
It also holds a reputation for being elusive thanks to the unpredictable weather — it took me two attempts to finally see her in the flesh but it was so worth it. Mt Fuji literally looks photoshopped in real life, with the pristine snow cap and perfectly conical shape.
If you plan on visiting one of the most photogenic mountains in the world, here are some must-visit Mt Fuji viewing spots you have to drop by.
*Pro-tip: Check the 24/7 Mt Fuji live stream in advance as the weather can be unpredictable.
Click any of the links below to jump straight in:
1) Honcho Street
2) Arakura Fuji Sengen Jinja Shrine
3) Lake Yamanaka
4) Fuji View Hotel
5) Fuji-Q Highland
6) Hotokura Funari Kawaguchiko
7) Obuchi Sasaba Tea Plantation
8) Mishima Skywalk
9) Tenku no torii
1) Honcho Street
Honcho street went viral on TikTok thanks to the incredible view of Mt Fuji peeking from a shopping street. The telephone wires add an extra dose of 1980s Japanese small-town nostalgia so we had to drop by for an Insta-shoot.
Finding the location was a challenge as the street does not come up on Google Maps, so we recommend looking for Koike Optical building’s address instead!
*Note: Don’t obstruct traffic when taking pictures as there are cars passing through.
Address: 3-chōme-12 Shimoyoshida, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi 403-0004, Japan
2) Arakura Fuji Sengen Jinja Shrine
The name Arakura Fuji Sengen Jinja Shrine might not ring a bell, but you’ve probably seen a picture of it when Googling “Japan”.
It’s a 15-minute climb to the viewing deck, where you’ll find a postcard-perfect view of Mt Fuji and the iconic red Chureito Pagoda in Fujiyoshida. The spot is particularly popular during spring in mid-April, as the mountain will be framed by cherry blossom trees!
Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: 9AM – 4PM
Address: 2-chome-4-1 Asama, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi 403-0031, Japan
3) Lake Yamanaka
Skip the entire Fuji Five Lakes pilgrimage and just head to the closest one near Mt Fuji — Lake Yamanaka!
It’s our favourite viewing spot because unlike Lake Kawaguchi and Lake Motosuko, there are no other mountains obstructing the view and it’s also less crowded as it’s located further from the towns.
Photo credit: MYSTAYS
Fun fact: Lake Yamanaka is also affectionately known as Swan Lake amongst locals, thanks to the swans frolicking by the bank. For a closer view, cruise along the lake on a giant swan pleasure boat!
Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: 24hrs
Address: 2645-2 Hirano, Yamanakako, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0502, Japan
4) Fuji View Hotel
Photo credit: @bulaiern via Instagram
Ever woken up to a view of Mt Fuji? — neither have we.
The truth is, there’s only a 20-30% chance of seeing it but if you’re a risk taker, an affordable but luxurious resort with a view of the sneaky mountain is the Fuji View Hotel. The resort also offers activities like lake kayaking and golf too.
We stayed in the Japanese Style Mount Fuji View Room — where you sleep on futons on a tatami mat. Unfortunately, it was cloudy the morning we woke up. Hope you guys get better luck!
Cost: From ~S$193/night
Address: 511 Katsuyama, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0310, Japan
Read also: 7 Hotels in Japan with a Breathtaking View of Mount Fuji
5) Fuji-Q Highland
An epic way to enjoy the view of Mt Fuji is to spend the day at Fuji-Q Highland, one of Japan’s most exhilarating amusement parks 🎢.
Not only is this park home to several Guinness World Record-breaking rollercoasters, but you’ll also get Mt Fuji as a backdrop — super trippy when you’re suspended upside down!
After you’re done with the rides, head up the Fujiyama Tower Sky Deck for a panoramic view of the park. Located at the entrance of the park, the 55-m-tall tower is a new observation deck that opened in 2021.
Entrance fee: One Day Pass from ~S$62 via Klook
Opening hours: 9AM – 6PM
Address: 5 Chome-6-1 Shinnishihara, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi 403-0017,
Japan
Read also: The Best Roller Coasters in Japan Most Tourists Miss — Fuji Q Highland Guide
6) Hotokura Funari Kawaguchiko
Photo credit: @hotou_funari via Instagram
If you want a feast for both the eyes and stomach, head to Hotokura Funari Kawaguchiko. The restaurant’s high ceilings and wooden furnishings perfectly frame Mt Fuji for a great photo-op.
Hotokura Funari mainly serves Hōtō, a flat udon served in a pot of miso soup, stewed with pumpkin, vegetables, and meat. It’s a dish that originates from the Yamanashi region and has a hearty broth — best enjoyed on chilly days.
Cost: From ~¥1,320/bowl
Opening hours: 11AM – 9PM
Address: 6931 Funatsu, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0301, Japan
7) Obuchi Sasaba Tea Plantation
Fun fact: Shizuoka Prefecture is not only known as the home of Mt Fuji, but also 40% of Japan’s green tea production.
Ochuchi Sasaba tea plantation is one of the few plantations where you can roam freely along rows of tea leaves, right in front of Mt Fuji. It’s an open plantation so just walk in and take photos to your heart’s content!
We recommend dropping by early to beat the crowd — we reached at 9AM and got the entire place to ourselves!
Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: 24hrs
Address: 1445 Obuchi, Fuji, Shizuoka 417-0801, Japan
8) Mishima Skywalk
Mishima Skywalk is the longest suspension bridge in Japan at 400m long, overlooking both Mt Fuji and Surunga Bay!
The bridge is connected to an adventure hub known as the North Area — where you can swing past Mt Fuji via a zipline that runs beneath the bridge (¥2,000/roundtrip).
Entrance fee: ¥1,100/pax
Opening hours: 9AM – 5PM
Address: 313 Sasahara Shinden, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-0012, Japan
9) Tenku no torii
Photo credit: @kyoko1903 via Instagram
Tenku no torii is aptly named as Torii Gate in the Sky, with an unobstructed view of Mt Fuji high above the clouds ⛩️.
It’s located atop a hill within Kawaguchi Asama Shrine, right above Kawaguchiko town. You can either get there via a 10-minute drive from the foot of the hill or hike up for 30 minutes.
Our failed attempt to catch Mt Fuji 🙁
It was storming on the day we visited but we wanted to try our luck anyways — safe to say, you should only make the trip down if the weather is good. December and January are the best months to see Mt Fuji!
*Note: There is a ¥500 camera license fee if you intend to use a camera, whereas it is free for smartphone users.
Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: 9AM – 4PM
Address: 1119-2 Kawaguchi, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0304, Japan
Travelling Around Mt Fuji Viewing Spots
Self-driving
Public transport is quite infrequent in smaller towns and certain spots are harder to access without a car. So we opted to drive instead to save on travel time.
We rented a Toyota Aqua through Klook and picked it up in Tokyo — the total cost amounted to ~S$247 for three days including insurance!
Read also: Driving in Japan — 15 Things First-Timers Should Know Before Planning that Road Trip
Private charter
For the non-drivers, you can opt a private car charter from Tokyo to Mt Fuji. Unlike packaged tours, you’ll get full jurisdiction over your itinerary to check out lesser-known spots like Tenku no torii and Lake Yamanaka!
The best part is you can relax and travel in comfort with a local expert in the area 😉.
Planning a trip to Mt Fuji? Check out these guides and itineraries in and around Fuji:
– 3D2N Mt Fuji Itinerary Under S$570 — Road Trip From Tokyo
– 7 Hotels in Japan with a Breathtaking View of Mount Fuji
– 7D6N Japan Itinerary Under S$1.5k — Road Trip from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji and Beyond
– Guide to Climbing Mount Fuji — Everything You Need To Know About Climbing Japan’s Highest Mountain
What is your favourite Mt Fuji viewing spot? Let us know in the comments!