Ask individuals to call one image of Japan and uncertain Mount Fuji shall be up there as one of many high solutions. Whereas the nation’s largest peak is climbable just one season of the yr, there are many issues to do round all of it yr spherical.
With family-friendly actions reminiscent of crafts and tenting, to baths and biking, there’s something to please everybody, from tradition vultures to outside lovers. Let’s have a look.
1. Artwork Assault at Kawaguchi Craft Park
Lake Kawaguchi is probably the most tourist-friendly of the Fuji 5 Lakes, providing guests an excellent view of the mountain. Kawaguchi Craft Park options many various crafting alternatives, all obtainable whereas gazing upon the majestic peak.
It has a spread of craft actions on provide, from making snow globes, full with a mini-Mount Fuji, by means of to suncatchers and jewellery.
Every craft course is bookable on-line, lasting from 15 to 90 minutes, with a spread of crafts appropriate for younger kids and adults.
When completed, guests can loosen up by soaking their toes within the free footbath, searching over Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi.
2. Discover One in all Aokigahara’s Hidden Caves of Wind and Ice
Aokigahara, in any other case often called ‘Sea of Bushes’ or the ‘Suicide Forest’ is greatest entered with an skilled information. When Fuji erupted over 1,000 years in the past, many caves have been fashioned within the forest, which might be explorable to at the present time.
The Wind Cave is likely one of the greatest identified, and relying on the tour, guests have to don helmets and protecting boiler fits earlier than venturing down into its depths. Many excursions begin at Narusawa Michi-no-Eki and English-speaking guides are available to clarify the sights down beneath.
The opposite well-known lava cave is the Ice Cave, the place guests are handled to spectacular ice formations in its cavernous depths. Begin your journey right here.
3. Museum Hopping Round Kawaguchi and Yamanaka
For many who love a little bit of tradition, the 5 museums round Mount Fuji have a surprisingly wealthy number of museums. The fascinating (or possibly creepy for some) Teddy Bear Museum at Lake Yamanaka may be very near the Literature Forest, which features a Yukio Mishima Museum.
From there, head to Lake Kawaguchi for the hands-on Music Forest space, the Itchiku Kubota Museum and one of many a number of Mount Fuji Museums. For novel souvenirs, the Gem Museum and Herb Backyard make glorious cease factors.
4. Turn into a Swan (on a) Lake
Lake Yamanaka is understood for its boat rides, and these boats should not your common river cruisers. Its most well-known is the Swan Boat, a luxurious liner designed by Eiji Mitooka, which affords friends the prospect to understand spectacular Fuji views from relative consolation.
Gliding across the lake in a double-decker swan bus, admire the view and even feed the (actual) swans. Every experience lasts round 25 minutes, with child-friendly options together with binoculars and steering wheels. Swan meals can be purchasable.
5. Savor Fuji Meals
As one of the crucial recognizable symbols of the Japanese archipelago, Mount Fuji has been replicated in nearly each manner doable. This consists of meals reminiscent of Mount Fuji-shaped shoku-pan, curry bread, curry, hamburgers, desserts and ice cream. Among the hottest examples embrace Mount Fuji bread from Fujisan Shokupan bakery in Kawaguchi and blue Mount Fuji curry.
6. Woosh Down the Kachi Kachi Ropeway
Formally often called the Lake Kawaguchi Panoramic Ropeway, the highest of this 400-meter-long ropeway encompasses a particular kachi kachi mountain view swing.
Appropriate for grownups (as much as 100kg) and kids over 100cm, swing excessive over the mountain and again once more, heading to one of many retailers on the plateau. The retailers promote snacks reminiscent of rice muffins, ice cream and souvenirs together with Mount Fuji-shaped rice crackers, amulets and omamori. Purchase a present earlier than heading to the underside by way of the ropeway.
7. Soak in a Scorching Spring with Mount Fuji Water
The new springs round Mount Fuji present a few of the most stress-free locations to gaze on the mountain. One in all our favourite ones is the Hottarakashi Scorching Spring in Yamanashi Prefecture.
Appropriate for these with tattoos, Hottarakashi is a straightforward sizzling spring, identified for its unbelievable views of Mount Fuji and a top-quality memento store. Its most fascinating level is that guests decide one in all two baths upon entry, both ‘Right here’ or ‘There.’ Many friends flip a coin to determine.
8. Search Thrills at Fuji-Q Highland
Mount Fuji’s native theme park, Fuji-Q Highland affords riders spectacular views of Mount Fuji. Velocity by at breakneck tempo down one in all its curler coasters, whereas catching a fast shot of the mountain. Perch in a tiny carriage on the high of a giant drop, with a second to absorb the breathtaking view earlier than taking pictures down once more.
Fuji-Q is the proper spot for thrill-seekers who get pleasure from nature too. Youthful friends will get pleasure from Thomas Land and Gaspard and Lisa. Extra particulars right here.
9. Cycle Across the 5 Lakes
Eager cyclists and even simply those that fancy a brief potle can take their bikes or hire one for the weekend at one of many many rental locations across the lakes. It is predominantly flat which makes for a simple biking course whereas taking within the stunning surroundings.
It is particularly fashionable come fall, when the temperature is ideal and autumn leaves are of their full glory.
10. Barbecue by the Lake
One of the fashionable actions on the lakes is to camp, with a myriad of tenting websites throughout all 5, every with its personal traits. For glampers, campers and even cottagers, there’s something for everybody.
It doesn’t matter what the day, relax and loosen up with a barbecue by one of many lakes. Take gear or borrow some. There are websites that even provide full, food-included offers to take the stress out of planning and guarantee friends can loosen up correctly, after a fun-filled day.