Mount Fuji, Japan's iconic symbol, is a must-see for most travelers visiting the country. Its majestic beauty could be admired from various locations, each offering a unique experience. But with so many options, where should you go to get the best view?
We've compared the 14 best places to see Mount Fuji based on our experiences, making it easier for you to decide which one suits your trip.
1. Lake Kawaguchi: Best Place to See Mount Fuji
- Location: 1½–2 hours from Tokyo by private car
- Recommended time: Year-round, except for the rainy season from June to September
Lake KawaguchiIf seeing Mount Fuji is a must for you, choose Lake Kawaguchi. It offers the best visibility for unobstructed views, the highest chances of seeing Mount Fuji, and a variety of experiences for enjoying the scenery.
Additionally, Lake Kawaguchi is conveniently located close to Tokyo, making it easy to connect with journeys to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.
Mount Fuji isn't visible every day. The best time to see it clearly is from December to February. However, avoid visiting it during the rainy season from June to September when the visibility is at its lowest.
We don't recommend visiting Lake Kawaguchi if you're traveling during the rainy season. Mount Fuji is often hidden and the area offers limited activities beyond viewing the mountain, which might make you feel bored. Instead, consider heading to Hakone during the rainy season as it has plenty of interesting experiences.
If you're planning to visit Mount Fuji during the cherry blossom season in April, Lake Kawaguchi is a must-visit. The scenery there is the most beautiful, allowing you to see cherry blossoms and Mount Fuji at the same time.
Two great spots to enjoy full views of Mount Fuji at Lake Kawaguchi are Oishi Park and Tenjoyama Park. However, to see the mountain from the peak at Tenjoyama Park, you would need to take a ropeway so be prepared for long lines lasting 30–60 minutes.
To maximize your chances of seeing Mount Fuji, you're strongly recommended to stay overnight at Lake Kawaguchi. The mountain is most visible in the early morning, between 6 and 8am. Many accommodations in the area offer rooms or onsens with direct views of Mount Fuji, making it a unique experience.
Insider tips:
- It's best to explore Lake Kawaguchi by private car. Without it, you would spend 20–30 minutes waiting for the bus or even longer during peak season. Since the attractions around Lake Kawaguchi are spread out, taking buses could be time-consuming and exhausting, limiting you to just one to two sites per day and reducing flexibility.
- Avoid day trips to Lake Kawaguchi on weekends and during peak seasons, such as the cherry blossom season (late March to mid-April) and Golden Week (April 29th to May 5th). These times could be extremely crowded. Normally, a day trip takes 8–10 hours but during peak seasons, you might find yourself stuck in traffic for 7–8 hours.
2. Hakone: Partial View of Mount Fuji and Various Experiences
- Location: 1½ hours from Tokyo by car
- Recommended time: late November to February
Lake Ashi area in HakoneWhile the chances of spotting Mount Fuji in Hakone are lower compared to Lake Kawaguchi, Hakone offers a wider range of attractions and experiences. It is recommended during the rainy season from June to September.
Hakone is farther from Mount Fuji, so you could only see a partial view of the mountain. The best place to enjoy Mount Fuji in Hakone is the Lake Ashi area. There, you could enjoy the mountain view by taking a sightseeing cruise or visiting Narukawa Art Museum.
It's usually possible to see Mount Fuji in Hakone from late November to February. However, as Hakone is a mountainous area, Mount Fuji is often hidden by clouds at other times.
We recommend checking the visibility forecast on SeeMtFuji before your trip. If the visibility rating falls between 8 and 10, you are likely to enjoy a clear view of Mount Fuji from Hakone.
Moreover, Hakone provides plenty of experiences beyond visiting Mount Fuji. You could take a ropeway to explore Owakudani (a crater emitting sulfur gas), wander through the Hakone Open-Air Museum (featuring sculptures blending with nature), and visit Hakone Shrine.
Insider tip:
Early morning offers the highest chances to see Mount Fuji. However, after 11am, more clouds roll in, causing backlighting that reduces the visibility of the mountain.
3. Lake Yamanaka: Clear Views of Mount Fuji with Fewer Crowds
- Location: 1½–2 hours from Tokyo by private car
Lake YamanakaLake Yamanaka provides the best opportunity for a clear view of Mount Fuji, especially from November to February. It is quieter and less crowded compared to the popular Lake Kawaguchi. However, getting around could be inconvenient, so having a private car is highly recommended.
Lake Yamanaka is great for families. It offers plenty of fun outdoor activities, such as taking a trip on the amphibious KABA BUS. When the bus moves from land to water, the splashing water adds excitement. You could also enjoy biking around the lake with your kids on a dedicated bike path, making it safe and ideal for family outings.
However, the accommodations at Lake Yamanaka are limited and there isn't much to do at night. If you're planning to stay overnight, we recommend opting for nearby Lake Kawaguchi or Hakone instead. We could organize a tour at Lake Yamanaka and then drive you back to Lake Kawaguchi or Hakone for your stay. Just contact us to tailor your Japan trip.
4. Lake Saiko: More Outdoor Activities
- Location: 2 hours from Tokyo by private car
Lake SaikoLake Saiko is one of the lakes in the Fuji Five Lakes area that surrounds Mount Fuji. It's less crowded but could be challenging to reach and get around. It is advisable to have a private car to explore this lake.
Besides Lake Kawaguchi and Lake Yamanaka, Lake Saiko stands out among the remaining three lakes by offering more diverse experiences. For example, you could visit traditional Japanese farmhouses inside Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nemba, explore natural ice and wind caves, and enjoy fishing.
5. Lake Motosu: Famous for the Fuji Shibazakura Festival
- Location: 2 hours from Tokyo by private car
Fuji Shibazakura Festival in Lake MotosuLake Motosu is where the reflection of Mount Fuji seen on the 1,000 yen note was captured. Due to its remote location and inconvenient transportation, the best way to access it is by private transfer.
The ideal time to visit Lake Motosu is from late April to May when the Fuji Shibazakura Festival takes place. This festival showcases beautiful phlox blooms, offering a unique sight of pink and purple flowers against the backdrop of Mount Fuji.
We suggest you visit Lake Motosu only at this time as there are no other activities available, which might be boring.
6. Lake Shoji: Ideal for Camping
- Location: 2 hours from Tokyo by private car
Camping at Lake ShojiLake Shoji is the smallest among the five lakes. Although a small hill partially obstructs the view of Mount Fuji, it adds a unique charm to the scenery. Like the other lakes, it's not easy to get to and around so having a private car is recommended.
Lake Shoji is an excellent spot for camping with views of Mount Fuji. It offers designated campsites and facilities, along with activities like boating and fishing. However, if your main purpose is to see Mount Fuji, we don't recommend visiting there as it's quite inconvenient and dull.
7. Kamakura: Historical Seaside City with Mount Fuji Views
- Location: an hour by train
- Recommended time: December to February
Seeing Mount Fuji from KamakuraFor travelers looking to enjoy a cultural-rich coastal city with the opportunity to see Mount Fuji, Kamakura is the perfect destination.
The perfect place to see Mount Fuji in Kamakura is at Shichirigahama Beach. This spot offers excellent visibility and an unobstructed view of Mount Fuji, along with the unique sight of the mountain meeting the beach.
The best time to see Mount Fuji in Kamakura is from December to February as this season offers clearer skies and better visibility. For the best experience, try to arrive before 10am as clouds often roll in afterward.
With a visibility level of 8–10, you could easily spot Mount Fuji from Kamakura. Check the real-time visibility of Mount Fuji using SeeMtFuji on the day of your trip. If it shows 8–10, it's advisable to see Mount Fuji first during your sightseeing trip.
If you are interested in viewing Mount Fuji and want to book a Japan tour to cover the highlights you prefer, our Japan travel advisors will be happy to help you tailor-make your itinerary.
8. Izu: Mount Fuji Above a Volcanic Coastline
- Location: 2 hours by train
- Recommended time: November to March
Seeing Mount Fuji from IzuIf you're looking for a place that combines coastlines, diverse natural landscapes, hot springs, and views of Mount Fuji, Izu is the perfect destination. As public transportation is inconvenient, we could arrange a private car for getting around.
Izu Panorama Park and Nishiizu are two great places to see Mount Fuji in Izu.
- Izu Panorama Park is the best place to see Mount Fuji. The high-altitude observation deck provides better visibility and full views of the mountain.
- Nishiizu is an ideal place to admire the coastline and see Mount Fuji in the distance, being especially charming during sunset.
For a clear view of Mount Fuji in Izu, the best time is from November to March when visibility is at its peak.
9. Tokyo: Distant Partial Views of Mount Fuji
- Recommended time: December to February
Viewing Mount Fuji from TokyoIf you want to see Mount Fuji from Tokyo city without having to spend 1–2 days outside the city to see the mountain, it's still possible.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatories are the best spots to see Mount Fuji in Tokyo as they provide a clearer view and are free to access. Although Tokyo Skytree also offers a distant view of Mount Fuji, the visibility isn't as good and the mountain appears smaller.
December to February are the ideal months to look at Mount Fuji from Tokyo city. You could only see the mountain from the city with an 8–10 visibility level and these months offer the clearest visibility. It's not recommended to visit at other times to see Mount Fuji from Tokyo as it's hardly visible.
10. Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine: Pagoda with Mount Fuji
- Location: 1 hour 20 minutes from Tokyo by private transfer
Arakura Fuji Sengen ShrineArakura Fuji Sengen Shrine is a popular spot to see Mount Fuji. You could enjoy classic views of the pagoda and the mountain. It's especially charming during the cherry blossom season when you could capture all three iconic Japanese elements in one picture, giving you a true taste of Japan.
However, this shrine has about 400 steps with quite steep staircases, which could be physically demanding to climb, making it challenging for those with mobility issues. The steps also get slippery when it rains, and views of Mount Fuji are obscured. Therefore, we suggest avoiding visits during or after rainfall.
Don't know where to start your Japan tour? We're here to help you customize your itinerary and handle everything for you, ensuring you have a stress-free trip. Just contact us!
11. Oshino Hakkai: Eight Springs of Water from Mount Fuji
- Location: 1½ hours from Tokyo by private transfer
Oshino HakkaiOshino Hakkai is a small village known for its eight crystal-clear ponds, each filled with water from Mount Fuji's melted snow. You could admire traditional thatched-roof farmhouses and views of Mount Fuji.
The entire village could be explored in about an hour. If you're on a day trip with limited time, we don't recommend visiting there as there are more interesting ways to enjoy views of Mount Fuji.
12. Mount Fuji 5th Station: Halfway Up Mount Fuji
- Location: 2 hours from Tokyo by private transfer
The view of Mount Fuji from the 5th Station.Mount Fuji 5th Station, situated halfway up Mount Fuji, is the highest point reachable by car. From there, you could only reach the peak on foot, making it a popular spot during the hiking season from July to early September.
However, you could only get a close-up view of the summit at Mount Fuji 5th Station. If you want a complete panoramic view, heading to Lake Kawaguchi would be better.
13. Fuji-Q Highland: Amusement Park Under Mount Fuji
- Location: 1 hour 20 minutes from Tokyo by private car
Fuji-Q HighlandFuji-Q Highland is an amusement park nestled at the base of Mount Fuji. It's famous for its heart-pounding rides, including four of the world's most thrilling roller coasters, and an immersive haunted house.
On clear days, you could see Mount Fuji from the park. Even if the mountain is hidden, there's still plenty to enjoy with your kids. Unlike Tokyo Disneyland, this amusement park doesn't have long lines, and kids over 1.1 meters (3.6 feet) tall could ride the roller coasters.
14. Shinkansen: See Mount Fuji From a Bullet Train
The Shinkansen from Tokyo to Osaka offers a chance to see Mount Fuji from your window. For the best views, opt for seats D or E in the Ordinary Car, or seats C or D in the Green Car.
However, these seats are popular and get booked up quickly. If those seats are unavailable, you could still take great photos from the space between the train cars.
You would typically have about 5 minutes to see Mount Fuji from the Shinkansen. The ideal time to spot it is between December and February when there are a higher number of clear, cloud-free days.
Plan Your Mount Fuji Trip Now
Our Japan travel advisors are here to help you customize your Mount Fuji trip and Japan tour based on your preferences. When you book with us, we'll take care of everything, such as transportation, hotels, itineraries, and private guides, ensuring you have a hassle-free journey.
Here are our two most chosen Japan tours that cover Mount Fuji:
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