Things to Do in Japan

Choose from 200 Fun Things to Do in Japan

Mori Art Museum

Located atop Mori Tower in Roppongi Hills, Mori Art Museum opened in 2003 as a place to showcase contemporary art and architecture. Unlike most museums, Mori Art Museum doesn’t maintain a permanent collection. Instead visitors enjoy a rotating calendar of temporary exhibitions highlighting some of the biggest names in contemporary art from Japan and abroad. Notable artists featured in the museum in the past include Tokujin Yoshioka, Ai Weiwei and Bill Viola.

Entrance to the museum includes access to Tokyo City View, an observation deck on the 53rd floor of Mori Tower with near 360 degree views of Tokyo below. Those who prefer their views al fresco can pay an extra fee to go up to the Sky Deck one floor up.

Practical Info

If you’re planning to visit the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art and the Benesse Art Site Naoshima as well as the Mori Art Museum, consider a Museum Link Pass which will give you discounted admission.

6-10-1 Roppongi | 53F, Minato, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan

10am to 10pm Wednesday to Monday; 10am to 5pm Tuesdays

1,500 yen

From $ 14

Maiko Marine Promenade

At the north end of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, the Maiko Marine Promenade takes visitors below one of the world’s longest suspension bridges. The observation hallway, located 154 feet (47 meters) above the sea, extends beneath the roadway with a floor partly covered by glass, allowing for views straight down to the water and an excellent viewpoint of the surrounding Akashi Straight.

The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge opened in 1998 as the longest suspension bridge in the world, but it carried only auto traffic. While it’s still impossible to cross the entire bridge on foot, the Maiko Marine Promenade gives you a close-up look at Kobe’s engineering marvel.

Practical Info

The Maiko Marine Promenade is closed every second Monday of the month. Access to the promenade is located 5 minutes’ walk from JR Maiko Station and Maiko-Koen Station.

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, Japan

The Maiko Marine Promenade is closed every second Monday of the month.

From $ 154

Lake Shikotsu

Despite the harsh winters of Hokkaido, Lake Shikotsu—a crater lake formed some 40,000 years ago—never freezes. In fact, it’s the northernmost ice-free lake in the country and a popular recreation area for locals and visitors alike looking to go fishing, camping or boating.

Shikotsu Kohan, a small town on the eastern shore at the mouth of the Chitose River, offers hotels, boats and other activities for the lake. On the north shore, you’ll find an onsen with open-air, volcanically heated hot springs overlooking the body of water. And just south of Shikotsu Kohan is Koke no Domon (Moss Canyon), a unique natural site where a narrow rock canyon's walls are adorned with a lush blanket of more than 20 species of moss. Access to the canyon is restricted, but you can view it from an observation platform.

Practical Info

Lake Shikotsu is located in southwestern Hokkaido, west of the city of Chitose. Bus service makes it easy to reach Lake Shikotsu from Sapporo. However, hotels and services are only available during the summer months, from April to November.

Chitose, Hokkaido, Japan

From $ 91

Mount Fuji's 5th Station

At 7,546 feet (2,300 meters), Mount Fuji’s 5th Station affords incredible views over Fuji Five Lakes and Hakone National Park. Easily accessible by road, 5th Station lies at the midpoint of the Yoshida Trail to Mount Fuji’s summit; many hikers begin their ascent here.

The Basics

Most visitors explore Mount Fuji 5th Station on a day trip from Tokyo, combined with other attractions in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. A typical day tour itinerary includes a Lake Ashi boat cruise and a ride on Mount Komagatake’s ropeway; a visit to Oishi Park and Mount Kachi Ropeway; or activities, such as fruit picking, wine tasting, or a soak in a traditional onsen (hot spring). Mount Fuji’s 5th Station also serves as the starting point for hikes to the summit. From 5th Station, the observation point offers unobstructed views of Fuji Five Lakes, Fujiyoshida City, and Lake Yamanaka.

Things to Know Before You Go

If visiting other attractions by public transport, purchase the Hakone Free Pass for access to many of park’s lakes, funiculars, boats, and buses, including the bus to Mount Fuji’s 5th Station.
The mountains can get cold even in summer, so bring warm clothing. Comfortable walking shoes are a must if you plan on hiking.
Visitor facilities include car parking, coin lockers, hiking supplies shops, cafés, and restaurants.
Mount Fuji’s 5th Station is wheelchair accessible.

How to Get There

5th Station is accessible via the Subaru Line toll road; buses leave from Mount Fuji (Fujisan) or Kawaguchiko Station. From Tokyo, you can journey by car or by train to Fujisan or Kawaguchiko, via Otsuki. During summer, the Shinjuku Expressway Bus runs directly from Shinjuku station in Tokyo to Mount Fuji’s 5th Station.

When to Get There

Weather permitting, it’s possible to visit Mount Fuji’s 5th Station year-round. During summer, when the hiking trail is open (July to mid-September), the station can get extremely busy, and the access road is closed to private vehicles—shuttle buses run between car parks at the bottom of the mountain. In winter, heavy snow can sometimes hinder access.

Climbing Mount Fuji

Scaling the 12,389-feet (3,776-meter) summit of Japan’s highest mountain is a popular challenge for adventurous travelers. Yoshida Trail is the busiest route to the top, with more than 170,000 climbers annually. It’s only open for two months each summer, and the ascent takes between five and six hours, with the descent taking three to four. Many hikers start out in the middle of the night in order to reach the summit in time for sunrise.

Tokyo, Japan

Varies

From $ 84

Miho Museum

The Miho Museum is situated in the hills of Shigaraki, around an hour’s drive southeast of Kyoto. The museum is named after Koyama Mihoko, who founded the museum and who also happens to be one of the richest women in Japan.

The architecture of the Miho Museum is the first thing to strike visitors as they approach the building via a dramatic causeway. The mainly glass structure somehow blends seamlessly into its natural surroundings, and this theme continues inside the museum, with the use of warm stone and glass - the latter of which providing beautiful views of the surrounding valleys.

The exhibits inside the Miho Museum are that of Mihoko’s private antique collection - mainly pieces from ancient civilizations, such as the Romans and Egyptians, along with a number of Asian cultures. The main exhibition changes every year or so, and temporary exhibits change every few months.

Practical Info

To reach the Miho Museum, take the JR Tokaido Line from Kyoto Station to Ishiyama Station and then take bus number 150 from bus stop three straight to the museum. The bus will arrive at a reception area, where you can buy your tickets before making your way to the main museum entrance, either on foot or via the free museum shuttle.

300 Shigarakicho Tashiro, Koka, Shiga Prefecture 529-1814, Japan

Tue-Sun 10am-5pm

Adults: 1,100Yen, Youth: 800Yen or 300Yen

From $ 10

Lake Ashi

In the shadow of Mount Fuji, Lake Ashi, aka Lake Ashinoko, is a scenic spot in Hakone National Park. Considered sacred by the Japanese, it is home to the famous Hakone Shinto shrine. Visitors come to see the shrine, take a boat out on the lake, or enjoy the many hiking trails in the area.

The Basics

Lake Ashi sits in the volcanic crater of Mount Hakone’s volcanic crater. Aside from the natural beauty and holy Hakone shrine, the lake and surrounding area are known for its many hot springs (onsen). Japanese inns with spa bathhouses (ryokan) can be found in the area surrounding the lake, and many visitors take the opportunity to try traditional Japanese spa rituals here.

A popular tourist destination that's often part of day trips from Tokyo, Lake Ashi is also home to the Narukawa Museum of Art, plus restaurants and historic sites, such as the 400-year-young Old Tokaido Road lined with Japanese cedars, and the well-preserved Hakone Shrine. Traveling to Mount Fuji 5th Station on the Hakone Komagatake Ropeway cable car is one of the top activities to try in the area.

Things to Know Before You Go

Receive discounted access to multiple attractions and regional transport, including buses, trains, cable cars, and boat trips, with a combined pass.
Some areas of the lake are wheelchair accessible.
For the best photo ops of Lake Ashi with Mount Fuji in the background, head to Moto-Hakone, south of the sightseeing boat pier, or hop on a sightseeing cruise.
Views of Mount Fuji tend to be clearer in the mornings and late afternoons.
Families enjoy a lake cruise on the Hakone pirate ship replica.

How to Get There

Many opt to visit Lake Ashi, in the Hakone area in Kanagawa Prefecture in Honshu, via bullet train from Tokyo, which stops at Odawara Station (followed by bus transfer), or as part of a guided tour with round-trip transport provided, usually by car, or a combination of coach and bullet train.

When to Get There

Warm and often-sunny spring (March–May) is the most popular time to visit Lake Ashi. Summer is quite hot and humid, fall can be very pleasant with unpredictable weather, and winter often sees snowfall around the lake and its surroundings.

Hakone Shrine

Many Japanese consider Hakone Shrine a holy place. They’ve worshiped the hills around it for thousands of years as a place where souls of the dead travel onward to the next world. The shrine’s current incarnation is more than a hundred years old, and visitors can tour the buildings and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

Hakone National Park, Tokyo 250-0521, Japan

Free

From $ 90

Nezu Museum

Opened in 1940, this incredible museum located in the heart of Tokyo is home to an impressive collection of Japanese, Chinese and Korean art. Hundreds of antiques line the gallery halls—a sample of the even more expansive collection, which is combed through for monthly shifts in public art displays.

In addition to the rich artistic history of these Asian artifcats, travelers can explore the stone paths of the well-manicured grounds outside the galleries, where teahouses, sculptures and a glass-walled café designed by Kuma Kengo round out the museum experience.

Practical Info

The museum is located in the Minato district of Tokyo, just a short walk from Exit A5 of Omotesando entrance of the train station. It is open daily from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. It is 1000 yen for adults and 800 yen for students to enter, and admission to special exhibits is available for an additional fee.

Minamiaoyama, 6 Chome−5−1, Tokyo, Minato,, Japan

Tues-Sun 10am-5pm

Adult 1000 yen, Student 800 yen

From $ 89

Monjya Street

Japanese and international foodies alike love Monjya Street (actually a collection of streets), located on the artificially made Tsukishima Island. Diners usually buy monjayaki as raw batter, then grill it themselves at specially designed tables. Here, dozens of shops sell monjayaki, savory fried pancakes made with cabbage and a variety of other meat or seafood toppings. Other Japanese favorites including yakisoba (fried noodles) can be be enjoyed here as well.

The Basics

Many visitors come to Monja Street on food-themed walking tours, which usually happen during the evening. It’s close to other points of interest in central Tokyo, meaning it’s easy to tick off while sightseeing in the area. A visit to Monja Street also offers a chance to see Tsukishima Island, an artificial island in Tokyo Bay made from reclaimed land in 1892. Its mix of skyscrapers and remnants of old Tokyo can be admired by strolling along the island’s lanes and canals.

Things to Know Before You Go

Monja Street is actually a small area rather than one street, consisting of West Nakadori Street and Nishinaka Street, as well as smaller lanes that shoot off from these.
Some shops have English-speaking staff, but many don’t. Be prepared to point and use improvised sign language when ordering.
The variety of monjayaki toppings is pretty extensive; popular options include squid, octopus, shrimp, cod roe, cheese, and curry.

How to Get There

As with most places in Tokyo, it’s best to reach Monja Street by subway, rather than by road. Tsukishima Island is on the Oedo and Yurakucho Subway Lines, and accessed by Tsukishima Station.

When to Get There

Many of the food shops are shut on Mondays and/or Tuesdays, although not all. Most open in the late morning or around noon, and stay open well into the evening, until around 10 or 11pm. So, you’re always likely to find somewhere open for a snack.

Try Tsukudani

Real food lovers won’t want to stop at trying one new Japanese dish on Tsukishima Island. They can also try tsukudani, toppings for rice that are preserved and pickled with soy sauce and sake. The condiments were actually invented on Tsukudajima Island, which used to be separate from Tsukishima Island, but is now connected. Shrimp, seaweed, grasshoppers, and beef are common tsukudani ingredients. Adventurous eaters will love trying the different varieties.

Monjya Street, Kyoto, Japan

From $ 107

Miyajima Island

Miyajima Island (also known as Itzukushima) has been a Shinto holy place for centuries and is home to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Itsukushima Shrine, a red gate (torii) rising from the water just off Miyajima’s shores. Other ancient shrines and temples speckle the island, nestled among a thick forest of maple and cherry trees.

The Basics

Visit Miyajima Island’s many temples, hike through the forest, and see the views from Mount Misen. You can also visit an aquarium, peruse a small history museum, and shop for souvenirs on Omote-Sando, the island’s main street.

Most Miyajima Island day tours depart from Osaka, Kyoto, or Hiroshima. It’s also possible to visit on a multi-day tour and visit the island along with notable cities such as Okayama, Kurashiki, and Hiroshima. On Miyajima, you can explore Mount Misen on a guided walking tour or see island highlights on a rickshaw tour. Private tours are also available for a personalized experience.

Things to Know Before You Go

Miyajima Island is a must-see for nature and culture lovers.
A variety of restaurants and convenience stores can be found on Omoto-Sando shopping street.
At low tide you can actually walk out to Itsukushima Shrine and pass through it.
The island has public restrooms.

How to Get There

By boat, Miyajima Island can be reached from Hiroshima in less than an hour. Direct boats run from Hiroshima Peace Park and from Hiroshima Port.

When to Get There

Known for its maples and broad-leafed trees, Miyajima Island is particularly picturesque in autumn. Spring is also a good time to visit, when the island’s cherry trees are in bloom. Since Miyajima is a popular day trip destination, most visitors leave by dusk. To see the island free of crowds, stay overnight in a traditional inn (ryokan).

Where to Hike on Mount Misen

Mount Misen sits 1,640 feet (500 meters) above sea level and has three hiking trails: the Momijidani, Daisho-in, and Omoto courses. The Daisho-in trail is the easiest and offers great views along the way. Each course leads to the summit in about two hours, and you might see deer—and even wild monkeys—along the way. On clear days, it’s possible to see Hiroshima from Misen’s peak.

Miyajima Island, Japan

From $ 6

Minami

Minami is a well-known shopping, dining, and entertainment district in Osaka. With retail and nightlife stretching from Semba to Namba Station, Minami is popular with visitors and tourists alike. Lit by dazzling neon signs, including the famous Kani Doraku crab sign, Dotonbori is the most lively and famous part of the Minami area, especially at night. It runs parallel to the canal, and never truly closes, with some restaurants open until morning. For the culture vultures, there are a number of museums, theaters, temples, and shrines to explore among the neon lights and towering shopping malls.

Join a walking tour that covers this part of the city or take an evening food and drink stroll in Shinsaibashi and Namba to take advantage of the local nightlife.

Practical Info

The Minami area is centered around Namba Station, which is actually a collection of multiple stations, including Nankai Namba Station, JR Namba Station, and Kintetsu's Osaka Namba Station. The area is also served by a highway bus terminal.

Did You Know? The Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum in this area is the only museum in the world to have a permanent exhibition of Kamigata Ukiyoe; these are woodblock prints from the Kyoto/Osaka region that typically feature portraits of kabuki actors.

Minami, Osaka, Japan

From $ 48

Mt Koya

Mt Koya is at the center of Shingon Buddhism, which was introduced in Japan in 805 by Kobo Daishi – one of Japan's most important religious figures. Built on a forested mountain top, the secluded temple village of Koyasan has since developed around the Shingon headquarters, which is also the site of Kobo Daishi's mausoleum.

Koyasan is the ideal place to experience an overnight stay at a temple lodging (or shukubo). Around 50 temples in the area offer this type of visit to both pilgrims and other travelers, offering them the chance to experience a monk's lifestyle by eating, living, and observing prayer times just as they do.

Practical Info

Mt Koya can be reached by train from Nara, Kyoto, and Osaka via a scenic route through valleys towards the final stages of the journey. The cable car that leads up to Mt Koya is the longest in the country, and from the station at the top there’s a bus up to the holy areas. Koyasan tends to be around 5°C cooler than down on the plains, so bring warm clothes if you're visiting at any other time than the height of summer.

Koyasan, Koya, Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan

From $ 3,430

National Diet Building

The National Diet Building is the center of Japanese politics, as it houses both chambers of the Diet, or legislative arm: the House of Representatives, which meets in the left wing, and the House of Councillors, which meets in the right wing. Built in 1936, the building is constructed almost entirely of Japanese materials.

The building is iconic for its pyramid-shaped dome in the center of the complex, which made it the tallest building in Japan at completion. The interior is decorated with cultural artifacts and art pieces, such as bronze statues of the men who are credited with formulating Japan's first modern constitution. The building sits on land once inhabited by feudal lords, giving the spot even more historical significance. It is sometimes referred to as the House of Parliament or the Government building in Tokyo.

Practical Info

Groups of up to 10 people can enter the House of Councillors wing without prior reservations. To visit the lower house in the building, a House of Representatives member is required as an escort, and prior arrangements are necessary. For groups of more than 10, reservations are always required. A free one-hour tour takes place only when the Diet is not in session, and English guides are not always available. The National Diet Building is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be reached via a short walk from the Nagata-Cho Station on Tokyo Metro Subway.

1-7-1 Nagatacho, Chiyoda, Tokyo 100-0014, Japan

9am-5pm

From $ 45

Mt Okura Observatory

Some of the best views of Sapporo can be had from the Mt. Okura Observatory. The observatory got its start in 1972 as the site of the 90-meter ski jump competitions during the Sapporo Winter Olympics. Today, the facility still hosts ski jump events during the winter months, but during the rest of the year, the ski lift ferries visitors to the Viewing Point Lounge, located 1,007 feet (307 meters) above sea level.

Besides offering views of the city of Sapporo and the Ishikari Plain, the site also houses the Sapporo Winter Sports Museum, where visitors can learn about the history of winter sports in Japan and try simulators that immerse you in the experience of timing a ski jump or technical spin in figure skating.

Practical Info

The easiest way to get to the ski lift at the base of Mt. Okura Observatory is by catching a taxi from Maruyama Koen Station (a 10-minute ride) or from central Sapporo (a 20-minute ride).

1274 Miyanomori, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan 064-0958, Japan

500 yen

From $ 56

Meiji Shrine

The Meiji Jingu (Meiji Shrine) is the most important and popular Shinto shrine in Tokyo. Dedicated to the Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken, in 1926, the shrine comprises buildings of worship, gardens, and a forest where each tree was planted by a different citizen of Japan wanting to pay respects to the emperor. A highlight of the shrine is the Meiji Memorial Hall, where visitors find more than 80 murals dedicated to the emperor.

The Basics

As one of Tokyo’s most famous attractions, the Meiji Jingu features in most city tours, including both full- and half-day sightseeing tours of Tokyo, that might also include sights like Asakusa Temple, Senso-ji Temple, Harajuku, the Imperial Palace East Garden, and Tsukiji Fish Market. Entrance to the shrine is free, but you’ll need to pay a small admission charge to enter the shrine’s inner garden.

Things to Know Before You Go

Meiji Shrine is a must-see for first-time visitors to Tokyo, especially those into religious or traditional Japanese architecture.
Visit the shrine as part of a private or small-group city tour of Tokyo.
This is a sacred place so follow the rules of etiquette when visiting a temple.
Photos and video are prohibited inside the halls.
Bring along some mosquito repellant, especially during the summer months.
The shrine is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.

How to Get There

The easiest way to get to the Meiji Shrine is by subway. It is a few steps away from the Harajuku and Meiji-jingumae stations.

When to Get There

The Meiji Shrine is open daily throughout the year between sunrise and sunset. From late May to late June, the shrine’s garden is at its most spectacular as its irises begin to bloom. If you’d like to see a traditional ceremony or wedding at the shrine, plan to visit on Sunday.

Festivals at Meiji Shrine

This popular shrine plays host to several festivals throughout the year, the biggest of which is Hatsumode. Commemorating the first visit to the shrine of the new year, the festival sees millions of people crowd into the grounds on January 1. The second Monday in January is Seijin-no-hi (Adults’ Day or Coming of Age Day), when costumed 20-year-olds come to celebrate their coming of age. Young children aged three, five, and seven enjoy their own festival here in mid-November to celebrate their growth and well-being.

1-1, Kamizono-chō, Tokyo 151-0053, Japan

Open Daily, hours change every month.

Shrine admission free. Other attractions within may have admission fees.

From $ 45

Lake Biwa

Lake Biwa is the largest freshwater lake in Japan and one of the twenty oldest lakes in the world. Located northeast of Kyoto in the Shiga Prefecture, its proximity to the ancient capital has seen many references to Lake Biwa within Japanese literature.

Over the many millennia that the lake has been in existence, a diverse ecosystem has evolved, with more than a thousand plant and animal species living there. The lake also attracts thousands of water birds, and therefore birdwatching is a popular pastime around its shores. Other activities at Lake Biwa include fishing, boat rides, and a number of watersports. Bicycles can also be rented next to the train station nearby, with the wide paths around the lake making the area ideal for cycling.

There are a number of historical places of interest surrounding the lake, including Hikone, a city most famous for its castle, which is one of just four in Japan designated as a national treasure.

Practical Info

It takes approximately 30 minutes from Kyoto to Omimaiko Station near the lake, where there is also a pleasant beach.

Lake Biwa, Hikone, Shiga Prefecture 522-0001, Japan

From $ 124

Nakamise Street

For kitschy souvenirs and trinkets to bring home as gifts or mementos of your time in Japan, there’s really only one place to shop, and that’s Nakamise Street. The name roughly translates to “Street of Inside Shops,” and you’ll find both sides lined with stores selling knickknacks, souvenirs and snacks.

The shopping street owes its existence to the Senso-ji Buddhist temple, dating back to the seventh century. The temple has drawn in enough devotees over the centuries to spawn a thriving commercial district. The shops once served as homes for the temple servants who cleaned the grounds, but now it’s wall to wall shops. Here you’ll find folding fans, kimonos and their accompanying wooden sandals, Edo-style colored glassware and the typical lineup of tourist trinkets.

Save room in your stomach to sample some of the traditional Japanese snacks sold along the street, particularly the savory rice crackers, Azuki bean paste and sticky rice cakes.

Japan

From $ 45

Nanzen-ji Temple

It is not every day that a retirement home is converted into a temple. After Emperor Kamayema’s death in 1305, however, this is exactly what happened. Named the Nanzenji Temple, it is now one of the most important Zen temples in Japan. The Nanzenji Temple complex includes multiple buildings and several subtemples. Walking paths wind through the complex.

An impressive, large gate—the Sanmon entrance—welcomes visitors to the temple. The gate memorializes the soldiers who died in the battle for Osaka Castle in 1615. Visitors can make their way up to a balcony on the gate, which affords an incredible view of Kyoto and beyond. Trees line both sides of the pathway through the complex, and mountains dot the distant horizon. One of the popular spots on the premises is a zen rock garden, with formations many believe look like tigers swimming through the water.

Practical Info

The closest subway station to Nanzenji Temple is Keage Station on the Tozai Line. From Kyoto Station the trip takes about 20 minutes. One unique way to access the temple is by walking the Philosopher’s Path first; the temple is located at the southern end.

86 Nanzenji Fukuchicho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8435, Japan

From $ 34

Nakanoshima

A 1.8-mile island along the Yodo River, Nakanoshima is the nucleus of Osaka’s business district and home to some of the city’s most historic buildings, including the City Hall, the Nakanoshima Festival Tower and the first branch of the Bank of Japan.

The main highlight of Nakanoshima is its eponymous park, a verdant oasis that stretches along the eastern half of the island and offers a welcome change of scenery from the looming office blocks and financial headquarters. Along with its tranquil waterfront walkways and tree-lined picnic areas, the 11-hectare park also boasts a magnificent rose garden, which blooms with more than 310 colorful rose varieties during the summer months. The small island is also home to a number of significant museums, including the Science museum, the Museum of Oriental Ceramics and the National Museum of Art.

Practical Info

Nakanoshima Island is located in the Central Business District in northern Osaka.

Osaka, Japan

From $ 88

Mt. Fuji

As Japan's highest mountain, the legendary Mt. Fuji stands 12,388 feet (3,776 meters) tall. Travelers from around the world head to Hakone National Park to see the mountain, and over 1 million of them hike all the way to the top each year for the 360-degree views of Lake Ashi, the Hakone mountains, and the Owakudani Valley.

The Basics

Whether you hike to the top or take it easy at the Fuji Visitor Center's observation deck, visiting this UNESCO World Heritage site is an unforgettable experience for any traveler to Japan. If you're not looking to climb the mountain, plenty of viewpoints and attractions are easily accessible by bus: travelers can head to the Fuji Visitor Center to explore a small museum and view exhibits covering the Fuji Five Lakes and Mt. Fuji's cultural importance; grab a bite to eat; or catch views onto the mountain at the observation deck. Further up at 7,545 feet (2,300 meters), Mt. Fuji 5th Station offers additional unobstructed views along with shrines and souvenir shops. Both locations also serve hikers preparing for their ascent. Many travelers visit the mountain on a day trip from Tokyo (usually by bullet train), with possible side excursions for hot spring soaking, shopping, or cruising Lake Ashi.

Things to Know Before You Go

Mt. Fuji tours from Tokyo can last upwards of 12 hours, so prepare for a long day.
Many tours include pickup and drop-off at Tokyo hotels.
Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for walking on uneven ground.
Temperatures can be much cooler on the mountain than at the base, so remember to dress in layers.
Combine your visit to Mt. Fuji with other popular activities, such as onsen soaking, outlet shopping, wine tasting, or a boat cruise.
Mt. Fuji is notorious for its quickly changing weather conditions, so plan your trip for when visibility will be good.

How to Get There

Located 62 miles (100 km) from Tokyo, Mt. Fuji borders the Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures in Japan. The mountain can be reached by bullet train from Tokyo and then explored via tour bus. Another easy option is to take the Keio Express bus from Shinjuku in Tokyo directly to the start of the Kawaguchiko 5th Station climb. The bus takes two hours each way.

When to Get There

Climbing season at Mt. Fuji falls in July and August when the weather is mildest and snow is limited. The mountain is at its most crowded during this time. If you're not climbing, clearer spring skies give the best views of Mt. Fuji's snow-capped peak.

Where to Find Great Views of Mt. Fuji

Lake Kawaguchi, one of the Mt. Fuji five lakes, provides some of the best unobstructed views of the mountain. Another popular viewing spot is Hakone, a resort town famous for its onsen, ryokan, and ropeway, where you'll find the best views. A walk on the beaches of Kamakura yields spectacular views of the mountain in the distance, and on a clear day, it's even possible to spot the peak from the top of Tokyo Sky Tree.

Shizuoka, Japan

From $ 33

Lake Motosu

Lake Motosu is the westernmost and third largest of the Fuji Five Lakes, which are situated at the foot of Mount Fuji. Lake Motosu sits at an elevation of 900 meters, which is the same as nearby Lake Shoji and Lake Sai, suggesting that the three lakes in fact used to be just one. These lakes are said to have been divided by an enormous lava flow from Mount Fuji and remain connected to this day via underground waterways.

Activities on and around the the lake include fishing, hiking, boat trips, and a number of watersports, and there are a few campsites around its shores for visitors looking to spend the night.

The annual Fuji Shibazakura Festival is held in the area surrounding Lake Motosu. It takes place between April and May when fields of pink moss flowers bloom together, with the backdrop of the mighty Mount Fuji in the background.

Practical Info

There’s a regular Chuo Highway Bus between Tokyo’s Shinjuku and the Fuji Five Lakes area, with the trip taking approximately 2.5 hours.

Lake Motosu, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi Prefecture 409-3714, Japan

From $ 90