Mt. Fuji is easily Japan’s most iconic natural landmark. Having visited Mt. Fuji many times over the years, here are my top 5 must-do’s!
1. Ryokan Stay
Easily the most memorable time I spent at Mt. Fuji was when I did a ryokan stay at Shuhoukaku Kogetsu, one of the best traditional Japanese-style hotels in the world!
The views of Mt. Fuji here are absolutely exceptional and straight from your room’s balcony! Not only that but you are given a plethora of luxuries such as unlimited access to onsen (hot spring bath), traditional ryokan set dinner, buffet breakfast, and these funky yukata robes!
2. Lake Kawaguchi Cycle
Often underestimated is the surrounding beauty of Mt. Fuji which offers amazing bodies of water such as Lake Kawaguchi, the second-largest of the Fuji Five Lakes.
I had the pleasure of cycling around Lake Kawaguchi with my buddies back in the winter of 2018 on a lovely day when the mountains were very transparent and the lake was stunningly beautiful.
3. Bus Ride
This one’s a bit of a bonus but definitely a hidden gem that needs to be recognized! Traveling to Mt. Fuji station via bus from Tokyo is an amazing way to get endless views of the mountain from all angles!
In fact, there are plenty of buses operating around the Fuji Five Lakes where you can enjoy amazing scenic rides all around Mt. Fuji. Along the way, you’ll see serine landscapes such as villages and farmlands that take you back in time.
4. Onsen
A favorite among locals and tourists alike is enjoying the views of Mt. Fuji from a professional onsen establishment. There are many of these in the area, but chances are you’ll need to make a reservation.
In my case, I got to enjoy the onsens provided by the ryokan I stayed at. Stunning views of Mt. Fuji can be seen beyond the beautiful bonsai trees at the hot spring baths, surely one of the most relaxing moments of my life.
5. Night Walks
I couldn’t help but notice that hardly anybody ever talks about seeing Mt. Fuji at night. Of course, you wouldn’t want to risk not seeing the mountain at all, but I had the privilege of seeing it in the dark hours of the night during my stay at Shuhoukaku Kogetsu Ryokan.
My first impression was of an “airport runway vibe” with all the flashing lights at the mountain’s base. However, I was quickly captivated by the dark silhouette of Mt. Fuji and the black lake surrounding it, visible only by the many streetlights along the ground level.
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!
