From where to view Mount Fuji
Rising 3776 meters above sea level, Mount Fuji is Japan's tallest mountain and most iconic landmark. Images of the nearly perfect, solitary volcano have appeared in paintings, wood block prints and other artworks for centuries. Some collections even attempt to capture the essence of seeing the mountain from various viewpoints, Hokusai's popular "36 Views of Mount Fuji" being a prime example.
There are many opportunities for travelers to enjoy views of Mount Fuji. Of course, the most obvious would be to climb the mountain, as you cannot help but see the slopes as you plod along the trails up to the peak. But the climbing season only lasts for a few months and frankly, Mount Fuji looks better from afar than from close up.
Mount Fuji can be seen from countless points in the surrounding regions, seemingly assuming a different character from each perspective. On the clearest of days, its white capped peak may be visible from hundreds of kilometers away; however, more often than not the view of the mountaintop is obstructed by low hanging clouds or poor visibility. To increase your chances of success, try to see the mountain in the early mornings or late afternoons, especially during the colder winter months when visibility tends to better than during summer. The mountain's famous snow cap is typically visible from around November to around May.
The Fuji Five Lakes region on the northern slopes of Mount Fuji offers visitors the highest chance for good views of the mountain due to its proximity. The more distant Hakone is also a popular place to see the mountain, but odds of catching clear views are lower there since it needs to be clear both in Hakone and around the mountain. The following list includes these and other good spots from which to get a nice view of Mount Fuji:
From Tokyo
On clear days, many of Tokyo's observation decks offer interesting views of Mount Fuji in contrast with the urban skyline of Tokyo. Thanks to an improvement in air quality, the number of days that Mount Fuji is visible from central Tokyo has steadily risen over the past decades and now stands at over 120.
From the shinkansen
The Tokaido Shinkansen runs south of Mount Fuji, allowing travelers a view of the mountain from the trains as they whiz by. There are also some good spots south of the train tracks that allow for views of the shinkansen trains with Mount Fuji as backdrop.
From the Fuji Five Lake Region
Just north of the mountain, the Fuji Five Lake region offers some of the best views of Mount Fuji. There are several points around the lakes with beautiful views. The area is also one of only a few places in Japan were you can see the rare "Double Diamond Fuji", i.e. Mount Fuji together with its reflection just as the rising or setting sun touches the mountain's peak.
From Hakone
Hakone offers some of the most beautiful views of Mount Fuji... when you can actually see it. Unfortunately visibility is often poor, especially during midday when fog and low clouds may gather on the mountain.
From the Miura Peninsula
The Miura Peninsula is a small peninsula south of Yokohama, which is popular for its beaches. On a clear day, Mount Fuji can be seen from the beaches on the western side of the peninsula.
From the Izu Peninsula
The Izu Peninsula is a popular resort area south of Mount Fuji. The best views are from the peninsula's western coast where you can see the mountain together with coastal scenery.
From Shizuoka City
Parts of Shizuoka City offer nice views of Mount Fuji, especially from around Shimizu Port.
From the air
Some flights to/from Tokyo's Haneda Airport closely pass by Mount Fuji, offering passengers a bird's eye view.
From hot spring baths
One of the most relaxing ways to see Mount Fuji is from an onsen bath. While a few hot spring resort exist near the mountain, there are surprisingly few ryokan and public baths from where you can actually view the mountain while relaxing in the steaming hot water.
From the ski slopes
Two small ski resorts can be found on the lower slopes of Mount Fuji that offer skiers and snowboarders a unique view of the mountain as they barrel down its slopes.
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Hotels around Mount Fuji
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Fufu KawaguchikoSet in Fujikawaguchiko, 4.8 km from Lake Kawaguchi, Fufu Kawaguchiko offers accommodation with a garden, free private parking, a shared lounge and a terrace. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, room service and a 24-hour front desk, along with free WiFi throughout the property. Guests can use the sauna and the hot spring bath, or enjoy mountain views. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a balcony and a private bathroom with a bidet. Fufu Kawaguchiko features certain units with lake views, and rooms include a patio. At the accommodation all rooms are fitted with bed linen and towels. Guests at Fufu Kawaguchiko will be able to enjoy activities in and around Fujikawaguchiko, like cycling. Fuji-Q Highland is 7.1 km from the hotel, while Mount Fuji is 28 km away. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 124 km from the property.View on Booking.com
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Hotel AsafujiBoasting views of Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi for all rooms and hot-spring baths, Hotel Asafuji provides air-conditioned Japanese-style rooms with a green tea set. Free WiFi available throughout the hotel and free on-site parking is available. Free pick-up service is available from Kawaguchiko Station upon request. The air-conditioned rooms at Hotel Asafuji have Shoji paper screens and a low table with floor chairs and cushions. Each room includes a fridge, private toilet, and guests bathe at the hot-spring baths. Japanese-style futon bedding on a tatami (woven-straw) floor is provided. Yukata robes are offered for guests. Massages are available, and the reception can store luggage. The public hot-spring baths are open from 06:00-09:30 and from 15:00-23:30 daily. A Japanese set breakfast and kaiseki multi-course dinner are available at the on-site restaurant for an extra fee with an advance reservation. Kawaguchiko Station is a 10-minute drive, while Kawaguchiko Ropeway and Lake Kawaguchi's boat dock is a 3-minute drive away from the hotel. Kawaguchiko Music Forest and Kawaguchiko Museum Of Art is a 7-minute drive. Oishi Parkand is a 10-minute drive away, while Fuji-Q Highland amusement park is a 15-minute drive away.View on Booking.com
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HOSTEL MICHIKUSA-YASet in Fujikawaguchiko, less than 1 km from Lake Kawaguchi, HOSTEL MICHIKUSA-YA offers accommodation with a garden, free private parking and a shared lounge. This 3-star hostel offers a shared kitchen and free shuttle service. The property is non-smoking and is located 4.6 km from Fuji-Q Highland. Featuring a shared bathroom with a bidet and a hairdryer, rooms at the hostel also have free WiFi, while selected rooms here will provide you with a mountain view. Mount Fuji is 25 km from HOSTEL MICHIKUSA-YA, while Fujiomuro Sengen Shrine is 700 metres away. The nearest airport is Shizuoka Airport, 121 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com
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Guesthouse HonobonoRenovated in September 2018, Guesthouse‚Ù‚Ì‚Ú‚Ì offers an accommodation with free WiFi in Fujikawaguchiko, 1.3 km from Lake Kawaguchi. Free private parking is available on site on a first-come, first-serve basis as well as prior reservation. Free shuttle service is available upon prior request from the property to Kawaguchiko Station. There is a shared kitchen and lounge at the property. Guests can make some coffee and tea free of charge. Bath amenities including towels, toiletries and toothbrushes are available at the front desk for a fee. Mount Fuji is 16 km from Guesthouse‚Ù‚Ì‚Ú‚Ì, while Shimobe Hot Spring is 26 km away.View on Booking.com
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Fuji Guest House AoLocated in Fujikawaguchiko, 1.7 km from Fuji-Q Highland, Fuji Guest House Ao provides accommodation with a shared lounge, private parking and a terrace. Featuring free bikes, the 1-star hostel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. The property is non-smoking and is set 3.7 km from Lake Kawaguchi. Guest rooms include bed linen. Mount Fuji is 22 km from the hostel, while Mount Kachi Kachi Ropeway is 1.8 km away. Shizuoka Airport is 122 km from the property.View on Booking.com
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Hananoyado YumefujiSituated in Fujikawaguchiko, 2.9 km from Lake Kawaguchi, Hananoyado Yumefuji features each room with a private garden with a terrace. Kawaguchiko Station is just a 5-minute walk away from the villa. Free WiFi is available throughout the property. At the hotel, all air-conditioned rooms are fitted with a wardrobe, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom including free amenities. All rooms also boast a kitchenette with a fridge. Breakfast is served as morning basket (bento) daily at the property. A variety of popular activities are available in the area around the property, including skiing, cycling and hiking. Free public parking is available. On-site concierge service is available. Lake Kawaguchi Ohashi Bridge is 1.8 km from the accommodation. Fujikyu Highland is 1.17 km away.View on Booking.com
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JINYA FujikawaguchikoLocated within 2.8 km of Fuji-Q Highland and 3 km of Lake Kawaguchi, JINYA Fujikawaguchiko provides rooms with air conditioning and a private bathroom in Fujikawaguchiko. The property is around 1.2 km from Mount Kachi Kachi Ropeway, 1.8 km from Lake Kawaguchi Ohashi Bridge and 2.6 km from Fujiomuro Sengen Shrine. The property is non-smoking and is situated 23 km from Mount Fuji. All units in the hotel are equipped with a kettle. Featuring a private bathroom with a bidet and a hairdryer, rooms at JINYA Fujikawaguchiko also provide guests with free WiFi. At the accommodation every room is fitted with bed linen and towels. Oshijuutaku Togawa and Osanofs House is 4.5 km from JINYA Fujikawaguchiko, while Kawaguchi Asama Shrine is 4.7 km away. Shizuoka Airport is 121 km from the property.View on Booking.com
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7c villa and wineryLocated in Fujikawaguchiko, 3.8 km from Lake Kawaguchi, 7c villa and winery provides accommodation with a garden, free private parking, a shared lounge and a terrace. With a restaurant, the 5-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The hotel features a hot tub and a concierge service. Guest rooms at the hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV and a safety deposit box. 7c villa and winery features certain rooms with mountain views, and the rooms are equipped with a balcony. At the accommodation each room comes with bed linen and towels. Fuji-Q Highland is 6.1 km from 7c villa and winery, while Mount Fuji is 27 km away. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 122 km from the property.View on Booking.com
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Fujikawaguchiko Onsen KonansoFeaturing great views of Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi, Konanso boasts natural hot spring baths and large Japanese-style rooms with traditional tatami (woven-straw) flooring. It is only a 2-minute walk from a ferry stop, where guests can board sightseeing cruises. Free WiFi is offered in all areas. Konanso offers indoor and outdoor hot spring baths, a private-use bath (charges apply), and a foot bath on the rooftop. Relaxing massage services can be arranged. Other facilities include karaoke rooms and a lounge bar. A souvenir shop can be found on the ground floor. Guest rooms at Konanso are fitted with futon bedding, a seating area and a flat-screen TV. A Fridge and an electric kettle are also provided. Guests can try on Yukata robes or enjoy free green tea in their room. Some rooms feature an open-air hot spring bath. The property is a 10-minute drive from Kawaguchiko Train Station. A free pick-up service from the station is available upon request. Mount Fuji 5th Station for climbing is a 1-hour bus ride from Kawaguchiko Station. Popular Fuji-Q Highland Amusement Park is a 5-minute drive away, while Gotemba Outlet Shopping Mall can be reached within a 40-minute drive. Seasonal Japanese multi-course meals are served either in a private dining room or in the guestroom. Breakfast can be enjoyed at the dining room.View on Booking.com
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Mizno HotelOffering beautiful Mount Fuji views from all rooms, public baths, and restaurants, Mizno Hotel is a 5-minute drive from Kawaguchiko Train Station. Located on a hilltop and overlooking Lake Kawaguchi, the hotel serves French dinner with an advance reservation. Guests at Mizno Hotel can sleep in Western-style beds, or experience traditional futon bedding on a tatami (woven-straw) floor in one of the Japanese-style rooms. All rooms are air-conditioned and have an LCD TV and Yukata robes. The shore of Lake Kawaguchi is a 2-minute walk. Fuji-Q Highland amusement park and Fuji-Omuro Sengen Shrine are less than a 15-minute drive from the hotel. On-site parking is free, and free pick-up from Kawaguchiko Station is offered from 14:00-18:00. Mount Fuji 5th Station for climbing is a 1-hour bus ride from Kawaguchiko Station. Guests can relax in the sauna or in the private open-air bath. The hotel has English-speaking staff. The bar, which also has a library, offers a variety of drinks. The sophisticated atmosphere is popular with couples.View on Booking.com
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Experiences around Mount Fuji
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Private One Day Tour Mt. Fuji - Lake Kawaguchiko**Chureito Pagoda Shinto shrine** Famous spot with spectacular views of Mt. Fuji, cherry blossoms and crimson pagodaView on Klook
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Mt Fuji & Five-storied Pagoda & Illumination & Ropeway Day TourEnjoy a fantastic panorama of the Five-Story Pagoda and Mt. Fuji from the popular tourist spot, Arakurayama Sengen ParkView on Klook