Mt. Fuji Travel Expert

Mount Fuji in Autumn

This is on every traveler’s bucket list. Mount Fuji (Fujisan) is Japan's iconic, sacred, and highest mountain, an active stratovolcano known for its nearly perfect conical shape, inspiring art and worship for centuries, with its last eruption in 1707-1708, attracting hikers and visitors for its spiritual significance, stunning views from its 3,776m peak, and cultural importance, located on Honshu island (the main island of Japan). Mount Fuji is also made up of three successive, overlapping volcanoes: Komitake (the oldest at the base), Ko-Fuji (Old Fuji), and Shin-Fuji (New Fuji), which is the most recent and forms the visible peak we know today. So, while it looks like one mountain, it's a composite of these three distinct volcanic cones built on top of each other. 

Long ago, when Fujisan was a place of frequent volcanic activity, people would look up at its peak from the foothills and worship it from afar. As the eruptions subsided, it became a center for the "Shugen-do" sect, which combined traditional Japanese mountain worship with the non-native religion of Buddhism. Many Shugen-do believers came to worship as they climbed Fujisan towards its peak. Years later, ordinary persons called "Doja" would come to be guided to the mountain's peak by the Shugen-do practitioners. Beginning from the 17th century, the Fujisan worship known as "Fuji-ko" began to grow in popularity, and large numbers of Fuji-ko worshippers made pilgrimages to sacred sites located among the foothills. "Oshi" Lodging Houses and other facilities to support the climbers were also created.At the present during the summer climbing season, the mountain sees large numbers of visitors who climb to its peak, with some worshipping the "Goraiko" sunrise and performing the ritual "Ohachimeguri" walk around the crater rim.

The official climbing season (July-Sept), prepare for cold, variable weather even in summer (layers, rain gear, headlamp), understand you'll need cash for huts, book mountain huts early if staying overnight, and be prepared for altitude sickness by hydrating and pacing yourself, using the official app for navigation, and know that trails are closed and dangerous off-season.

There are a few different places you can go to enjoy a view of Mount Fuji, as it’s visible from multiple prefectures and I have two to recommend: The first way you can experience Mount Fuji is in the Fuji Five Lakes area, which is in Yamanashi, just a bit north of Mount Fuji. This are is known for the five lakes that surrounds Mount Fuji. This is a great are for adventure-driven travelers with activities like hiking, fishing, boating, and camping.For the more discerned traveler, you can even enjoy a glamping experience with a view of Mount Fuji. Fun fact, Yamanashi is also wine country. It is comparable to the Napa Valley. Yamanashi produces over 40% of the wine in Japan and the wines are known for their sweetness and fragrance from the local kosher grapes used. So this is a great area to visit the wineries and orchards to enjoy an elegant tasting of local wines.

The second area most people commonly visit for a view of Mount Fuji is Hakone, but instead of heading north, you would head south. The hot springs are the bread and butter of this area, so this is a great place to consider for a stay in a traditional Japanese inn, allowing you so soak in those beautiful mineral waters and enjoy the view. You can sightsee in nature, stroll around local museums, or enjoy some outdoor activities here as well, like cycling, hiking, and paragliding.Yes, you can absolutely rent cabins and cottages in the Mount Fuji area, especially around the popular Fuji Five Lakes (Kawaguchiko, Yamanakako, etc.), with options ranging from modern houses with hot tubs to rustic log cabins with mountain views. These rentals often offer amenities like kitchens, Wi-Fi, and BBQ facilities, providing a great base for exploring the region, though true mountain huts for climbing require separate booking. 

The Chureito Pagoda (???, Chureito) is a five storied pagoda on the mountainside overlooking Fujiyoshida City and Mount Fuji off in the distance. The pagoda is part of the Arakura Sengen Shrine and was built as a peace memorial in 1963 nearly 400 steps up the mountain from the shrine's main buildings. The location offers spectacular views of Mount Fuji in combination with the pagoda, especially during the cherry blossom season in mid April when there are hundreds of trees in bloom and during the autumn color season which usually takes place in the first half of November. The spot is particularly popular among photographers as it allows for some wonderfully stereotypical shots of Japan.

Mount Fuji is not just for hikers. It can be fun for the whole family. There is the Fuji-Q Highland Amusement Park, Mt. Fuji Children's World, Fuji Safari Park, and there is seasonal fruit picking.