Japan Mount Fuji Cheat Sheet: Must-Try Food & Attractions!

Tripbaa Funbaa ! Asia's Free Travel Expert

Mount Fuji is Japan’s highest peak and an important national symbol. Travelers from around the world often associate Japan with cherry blossoms, Mount Fuji, and Tokyo Tower. This strong impression makes people eager to visit. If you don’t have the stamina to climb Mount Fuji, no worries—just join a one-day Mount Fuji tour to explore the surrounding sights and enjoy great food!

On the way to Mount Fuji, you’ll first pass through the “Mount Fuji Musical Road.” The road surface is painted with patterns of quarter notes and treble clefs, and when a car drives over it, it plays the melody of the Japanese folk song “Fujiyama.”Why does the road make music? It’s actually a road design meant to slow down vehicles. By spacing the grooves in the road differently, the tires produce varying pitches that form the tune of “Fujiyama.” It’s both fun and amazing!

■ Address: Minamitsuru District, Fujikawaguchiko Town, Funatsu (upper section around 2km mark & lower section at 0.5km, each 350m long)
■ Recommended Speed: 50 km/h
■ Official Introduction: Melody Road

At 3,776 meters above sea level, Mount Fuji is a symbol of Japan and was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in June 2013. From winter to June of the following year, you can see the snow-capped peak of Mount Fuji—a scene often featured in Japanese films and traditional poetry and representing the mountain at its most iconic. When the snow melts and summer arrives, travelers can even hike up to the 10th station of Mount Fuji, experiencing its grandeur step-by-step and seeing the mountain in its most authentic form.

Mount Fuji day tour attraction - Mount Fuji. (Photo / Tripbaa Funbaa ! Asia's Free Travel Expert)

Kawaguchiko Lake is the best spot to view Mount Fuji. Among the Fuji Five Lakes, it has the longest shoreline. Thanks to early development, convenient transportation, and well-established facilities, it attracts many visitors, making it the most famous landmark for Mount Fuji pilgrimages. On a clear day, you might even see the reflection of Mount Fuji on the lake, creating the stunning “Upside-down Fuji” phenomenon!

Mount Fuji day tour attraction - Kawaguchiko Lake. (Photo / Tripbaa Funbaa ! Asia's Free Travel Expert)

Besides natural beauty, there are also many cultural and artistic spots around Kawaguchiko Lake. For example, the Mokuhana Art Museum, with its strong European vibe, displays many original sketches by Chikako Ikeda, the creator of “Wachifield.” Not only are the artworks and decorations adorable, but the museum’s desserts are also highly recommended. If you visit, don’t miss them!

■ Address: 3026-1 Kawaguchi, Fujikawaguchiko Town, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture
■ Website: Kawaguchiko Mokuhana Art Museum

Mount Fuji day tour attraction - Kawaguchiko Mokuhana Art Museum. (Photo / Tripbaa Funbaa ! Asia's Free Travel Expert)

Another European-style must-visit attraction around Kawaguchiko Lake is the Music Box Forest Museum. The outdoor castle-like buildings and rose gardens exude a foreign charm, and you can also enjoy views of Mount Fuji in the distance. Visiting this museum feels like stepping into a secret forest in Europe!

Inside the museum, you’ll find a variety of gorgeous music boxes and delightful melodies. You might even get to hear a string quartet performance by Czech musicians, as well as the world’s largest dancing automaton music box that plays on a schedule. The coolest part? The 360-degree music hall is surrounded by tiny figurines playing instruments.

■ Business Hours: 09:30–17:30
■ Ticket Price: Adults ¥1,500, University & High School Students ¥1,100, Elementary & Junior High School Students ¥600

Mount Fuji day tour attraction - Kawaguchiko Music Box Forest. (Photo / Yamanashi Prefecture Official Tourism Website)

Oshino Hakkai is a group of springs in Oshino Village, Yamanashi Prefecture. It’s called “Hakkai” (Eight Seas) because there are eight spring sources. The water comes from melted snow off Mount Fuji, so it’s especially clear and blue. Some ponds even have blue koi fish swimming in them!

The changing scenery of Oshino Hakkai throughout the seasons, paired with the majestic backdrop of Mount Fuji, has led to its recognition as a Natural Monument and one of the New Fuji-Hakone-Izu Hundred Views. Additionally, the area features ancient waterwheel houses with thatched roofs and a museum that are worth visiting.

Mount Fuji day tour attraction - Oshino Hakkai. (Photo / Photographer: xiquinhosilva, Flickr CC License)

When traveling in Japan, besides enjoying scenic views and delicious food, shopping is also an essential activity. Gotemba Premium Outlets is a famous shopping destination in Tokyo, known for its vast space, wide range of brands, and numerous food options. The entire outlet is designed in a North American style, and while shopping here, you’re accompanied by a breathtaking view of Mount Fuji, making your shopping experience even more enjoyable.

Mount Fuji day tour attraction - Gotemba Premium Outlets. (Photo / Tripbaa Funbaa ! Asia's Free Travel Expert)

There are many delicious foods around Kawaguchiko Lake. One highly recommended dish is the “Volcano Curry” from Miharashi Kitchen. The rice is shaped like Mount Fuji and topped with curry sauce, making it look like an erupting volcano. And have you noticed the utensils? They use the “octagonal walking stick” favored by Mount Fuji hikers as handles—an incredibly thoughtful touch that incorporates local Mount Fuji elements!

■ Official Website: Miharashi Kitchen

In the shops around Oshino Hakkai, there are many snacks and souvenirs. Among them, the “Famous Mugwort Rice Cake” is the most iconic treat. Made with mugwort-flavored mochi skin wrapped around sweet, non-greasy red bean paste, these freshly grilled, slightly charred rice cakes are warming for both body and soul in winter. Like Japanese dango, it’s a simple yet classic must-try delicacy.

??Dofu is the most famous tofu specialty shop in Kawaguchiko. Right across from Kawaguchiko Station, there’s a store with a traditional Japanese style interior, featuring wood as the main material throughout and a tatami seating area. As for must-try food, it has to be the tofu udon. To ensure every guest enjoys the freshest meal possible, all dishes are prepared after ordering.
Served is a large bowl of iron pot udon filled with vegetables. The chewy noodles, hearty serving of vegetables, and well-balanced miso soup guarantee that this hot, fresh dish will make a great first impression on your journey right after arriving at the station.

Located near Lake Kawaguchi at Yamabushi-en, the exterior looks like a traditional Japanese residence with a history of 150 years. The thatched roof and traditional robatayaki (grill) are the most eye-catching features of the shop. Most meals come as set courses, making it ideal for family or group trips. Everyone can gather around the grill, roasting skewers, chatting, and enjoying the experience together. A trip becomes truly unforgettable with beautiful scenery, delicious food, and a joyful atmosphere.

■ Address: 3370-1 Funazu, Fujikawaguchiko-machi, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture
■ Business Hours: 10:00–19:30

Mt. Fuji spans both Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures and is close to Tokyo. As a result, many travelers worry about inconvenient transportation or difficulty finding stations, which may lead to getting lost. The advantage of joining a Mt. Fuji day tour is “convenient transportation.” Pick-up and drop-off points are located right next to Ueno and Shinjuku Stations—both major transit hubs in Tokyo that are bustling and easy to find.

Traveling to Japan is usually about relaxing, and the advantage of driving yourself is the flexibility to plan sights and time. However, driving can also be tiring and take away the joy of sightseeing. If you’re worried about that, consider joining a Mt. Fuji day tour—you can enjoy the scenery along the way while on the bus, and have more energy to play once you arrive.

Also, if you're traveling to Japan with your family, a Mt. Fuji day tour is perfect. Family trips often involve a lot of walking, so to let the elderly rest comfortably and prevent children from getting upset due to complicated transport, a day tour is the most convenient option.

■ 07:40 Ueno Station
■ 08:20 Higashi-Shinjuku
■ 08:45 Departure from Shinjuku
■ 11:05 Mt. Fuji 5th Station (40 minutes)
■ 12:35 Lake Kawaguchiko (60 minutes)
■ 14:00 Oshino Hakkai (50 minutes)
■ 15:30 Gotemba Premium Outlets (90 minutes)
■ 18:30 Disband at Shinjuku West Exit Post Office

After seeing so many attractions and food recommendations, quickly check your calendar and add the Mt. Fuji day tour to your plans.

Authorized reprint from [Tripbaa] Original source: [One-Day Mt.Fuji Tour in Japan: Must-See Spots, Food, and Transport Guide]

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