Best Things to do Near Mount Fuji in One Day

This post is about our one-day excursion to view Mount Fuji and best things to do nearby in one day. We visited Mount Fuji in the winter and departed from Shinjuku Station. I’m sharing the attractions we visited and some tips for traveling.

This was our third visit to Japan and our first visit to Mount Fuji. It was an easy day trip from Tokyo and Shinjuku Station. There is plenty of nature, charming villages, serene lakes, and ancient shrines around the area. And best of all, these all have a wonderful view of mountain in the backdrop.

Mount Fuji views from Arakuyama Sengen Park

Start your day early at Arakurayama Sengen Park, located in the city of Fujiyoshida. This park offers a breathtaking view of Mount Fuji with the iconic Chureito Pagoda in the foreground.

To reach the five story Chureito Pagoda, climb the steps for panoramic views of the pagoda and Mount Fuji beyond. There’s numerous pit stops along the way to enjoy a snack and the majestic views of the forest. We went in the winter and most of the autumn foliage had fallen off.

Stroll through Oshino Hakkai

After enjoying the views at Arakurayama, head to Oshino Hakkai, a charming village known for its eight clear spring ponds. The ponds are fed by the melted snow from Mount Fuji, creating crystal-clear water. There’s spring water to purchase at the local gift shop.

Take a leisurely stroll around the ponds and enjoy the serene atmosphere. Visit the traditional thatched-roof houses in the area. Try local snacks and purchase souvenirs from the shops. Follow along the river to discover more shops and stone shrines.

Grab lunch or some snacks from the local eateries in the Oshino Hakkai area for a traditional Japanese meal. There’s plenty of food stalls and vendors surrounding the lakes.

Enjoy lake views and Mount Fuji in Oishi Park:

Oishi Park is located on the northern shore of Lake Kawaguchi, one of the Fuji Five Lakes, and offers stunning views of Mount Fuji. We went in the winter to admire the oranges and yellows of the autumn foliage.

The lake is surrounded by walking trails, benches overlooking the lake and Mount Fuji, parks, cultural attractions, and beautiful clusters of shops. Stop by these clusters of shops for a coffee, snacks or souvenirs. They’re beautifully designed and set in a park-like environment. It was by far my favorite stop of this trip.

If you’re thinking of staying overnight, this is a great and tranquil area. Buses and people are sparse and this experience is fully immersive with nature. Hoshinoya Fuji is good option to stay in. It is a glamping resort overlooking Lake Kawaguchi and looks like concrete and glass boxes in the middle of the trees.

Take an iconic picture at the Lawson Fujikawaguchiko Town hall

The final stop is the Lawson at Fujikawaguchiko Town Hall. You’ve probably seen this photo spot hundreds of time on Instagram. It’s very popular! There’s a ton of tourist wanting to take a picture with the Lawson and Mount Fuji.

The best photo opportunity is across the street from the Lawson. However, don’t stop in the middle of the street for a photo in front of the Lawson! There’s cars driving on the road and police officers making sure people move along and don’t blocking traffic for a picture.

Getting to Mount Fuji from Shinjuku Station

There are two main ways to reach the Fuji Five Lakes area, the gateway to Mount Fuji, from Shinjuku Station:

• Train: The most scenic option is the Fuji Excursion Train, a limited express service running directly from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko Station at the foot of Mount Fuji. The journey takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes, offering stunning views of Mount Fuji along the way. Round-trip tickets cost around 5,800 yen, and the JR Tokyo Wide Pass covers this route.
• Bus: Several express buses depart from Shinjuku Station to Kawaguchiko Station throughout the day. The journey takes approximately 2 hours and costs around 1,750 yen one way.

Additional Tips

• Be sure to check the weather forecast before your trip because Mount Fuji can often be obscured by clouds. Luckily for us, it was a bright and clear day so we had a full view
• Wear comfortable shoes and dress in layers, as the weather can change quickly in the mountains
• Don’t forget to pack your sunglasses! The places mentioned in this guide are on the northern part of Mount Fuji so the sun will always be on your eyes. There will be a TON of glare on your photos if you take them with Mount Fuji on the background

Join a Tour

Lastly, if trying to figure out how to get to Mount Fuji is daunting, then join a tour. That’s exactly what we did! We started our day at 8 AM and got back around 7 PM. It took 1.5 hours by car to reach our first stop.

We were overwhelmed trying to figure out the best and most economical way to get to and around Mount Fuji. Public transportation is limited in the area and also very full because it’s a popular place to visit.

We purchased a Day Trip Tour from Klook Travel and did not have to worry about transportation to and from each location. The only downside is that at times it can feel rush. You only have 45 minutes to an hour at most in each location. It helps that each location is small enough that you can see it in that time frame.

We totally recommend it for first-timers short on time. It helped us see different spots in Mount Fuji and get the most out of our day trip.

Lastly, if you’re interested in booking with Klook Travel, it’ll mean so much if you can use our referral code. You’ll get $5 off booking.

Enjoy your trip and please let us know if you went to these places or have been.
Check out my Enoshima Day Trip Guide for more ideas.