Where to go at Mount Fuji? 🗻✨
This post is definitely long overdue, but back in January this year, my bf and I went to Japan for our overseas trip and I really wanted to share our Mount Fuji day trip experience 🤍
There are actually many different places you can explore around Mount Fuji and one day is definitely not enough 😵💫 but here are some of the spots we visited during our trip 👀
Funny enough… we originally booked bus tickets from Shinjuku Station to Kawaguchiko Station for the 9:25am bus, but we overslept and completely missed it 😭 Thankfully, there were still tickets available at the station, so we quickly booked the next bus at 11:10am instead. The ride took around 2 hours to reach Kawaguchiko Station.
We had a rough itinerary planned, but eventually decided to keep some of our original plans and spend the rest of the day exploring freely around the area ✨
📍First Stop — Kawaguchiko Lawson 🤪 Of course we had to visit the famous Lawson spot with Mount Fuji in the background! 🏔️ It was super crowded and everyone was along the small pathway just to snap photos 😅
After taking photos, we went to try the famous Hoto noodles nearby 🍜 Honestly, having a hot bowl of noodles in the cold weather felt so comforting and worth it~
📍Second Stop — Lake Kawaguchiko 🤪 We walked around 20 minutes from Lawson to Lake Kawaguchiko. There were a few cafés around the lake and the atmosphere felt really peaceful ☕️✨
There honestly wasn’t too much going on there, but I think most people simply enjoy relaxing at the cafés while admiring the lake and Mount Fuji view. (Or maybe we just didn’t explore enough 🫣)
📍Third Stop — Fujiyoshida - Shimoyoshida 🤪 We took a train from Kawaguchiko Station to Shimoyoshida Station 🚃
We spent our time casually strolling around Fujiyoshida and came across so many beautiful photo spots of Mount Fuji along the streets 🤍 We also stopped by to grab some matcha drinks while continuing our walk 🍵
📍Last Stop — Random streets around Shimoyoshida 🌅🤪 We honestly just walked wherever we felt like going, and somehow ended up in an area that made us feel SO close to Mount Fuji 🥹 The weather got colder, the sunset started appearing, and the entire view felt unreal.
This random area unexpectedly became our favourite part of the trip because we got to capture so many different views of Mount Fuji during sunset ✨
We ended our Mount Fuji day trip by walking a super long distance to the bus stop at Shimoyoshida before taking the 6:24pm bus back to Shinjuku Station 🚌
Overall, even though we missed our original bus and didn’t fully stick to our itinerary, it turned out to be such a memorable and carefree trip 🤍
Visiting Mount Fuji is truly a remarkable experience, especially when you dive into the local culture and natural beauty surrounding the area. During my Mount Fuji day trip, I found that some of the best moments came from taking spontaneous detours and immersing myself in the serene atmosphere of places like Lake Kawaguchiko and the quaint streets of Fujiyoshida. One tip I’d recommend for anyone traveling there is to try the iconic Hoto noodles near Kawaguchiko—a hearty dish that’s perfect for the chilly weather and a comforting way to fuel your adventures. Despite minor setbacks like missing our original bus from Shinjuku Station, the flexibility in our plans allowed us to enjoy hidden photo spots and peaceful cafes that aren’t as crowded yet offer stunning views of Mount Fuji. The random walks around Shimoyoshida were surprisingly the highlight of the trip, as the closer proximity to Mount Fuji at sunset created an almost magical ambiance. These quieter streets gave an authentic glimpse into local life away from the typical tourist hubs. Also, catching the sunset from these vantage points made for memorable photos and a deeper appreciation of Japan’s natural beauty. When planning your visit, remember that one day might feel rushed given the many attractions around Mount Fuji—consider prioritizing spots that interest you most or even extending your trip if possible. Booking bus tickets early is advisable, but don’t stress if plans change; there are usually options available on-site. If you're into photography or simply want to bask in tranquil scenery, spending time around the lake cafes to relax while admiring Mount Fuji is a great way to nourish both body and soul. Finally, local conveniences like Lawson convenience stores offer unique photo ops with Mount Fuji as the perfect backdrop, so don’t forget your camera! Overall, embracing a flexible and spontaneous approach, combined with exploring both popular and less-visited places, truly enhances the Mount Fuji experience. It’s these personal discoveries and heartfelt moments that make such trips unforgettable.