While browsing for the places I wanted to travel in Japan, Mt. Fuji keeps on popping in my feed. Thus, I decided to visit Mt. Fuji for one day and believe me, seeing Fuji-san was one of the highlights when you travel to Japan. ❤
Mt. Fuji is considered as the most iconic symbol of Japan. Mt. Fuji is also a sacred mountain included as one of the Three Holy Mountains together with Mt. Tate and Mt. Haku. Mt. Fuji is the tallest mountain in Japan standing at 3,776 meters above sea level. Located about 100 kilometers, south-east of Tokyo or about 2-hours drive.
How did I get there?
I pre-booked a one day tour in Klook that includes the transportation. The tour cost Php 2,907 that includes other nearby locations in Mt. Fuji. Since it was a guided tour with other travelers, there was a call time of 8AM at Shinjuku. I woke up early as I feared that I will be left behind. I arrived at Shinjuku at 7AM. Good thing I hired a cab to be there at the meeting place since I might be late searching for it.
I was never a fan of package tours but since I cannot find an accurate DIY tour to Mt. Fuji, I opted to purchased this tour for my convenience. Happy to have an English-speaking tour guide also! 😀
Exactly at 8AM, a tourist bus arrived and calling all those who booked the same tour. The bus was very comfy and I was happy that there is no one sitting beside me, made it easier for me to move around and catch some sleep. 😀
Where are the places I traveled?
Kawaguchiko Oishi Park
Entrance Fee: Free
Included on the tour, we visited first the Kawaguchiko Oishi Park. It was clear sky and perfect to stare at Fuji-san. We spent at least 20 minutes here.
I was very happy to see Fuji-san up close with this blue sky and perfect weather! ❤ The most beautiful time to say, “Hello, Fuji-san!”. ❤
There were restaurants in this park selling different refreshments including ice cream. And yes, it was not bad having an ice cream on that chilly weather if you have this amazing view! ❤
Arakura Fuji Sengen Jinja Shrine
Entrance Fee: Free
After the park, we drove to the closest parking space near the Arakura Fuji Sengen Jinja Shrine. We walked down about 10 minutes to reach the Shrine’s entrance. Our tour guide told us that there will be 700 steps to reach the Shrine. I was actually expecting that but when I saw the stairs it was too steep and there we no handrails.
I was afraid then to climb that time because I sensed that there might happen bad. I actually booked this tour so I can see this iconic shot. Then, it was just at my foot, literally. 😀
I am not sure if it was the right decision. After some steps, I stopped. Nevertheless, I can enjoy Mt. Fuji in every angle – at the bottom or top.
I was able to enjoy some takoyaki while waiting for others to come down from Arakura Fuji Sengen Jinja Shrine. I walked on my own phase, enjoying the tiny houses and village near Mt. Fuji. For me, that was my kind of tour. 🙂
Oshino Hakkai
Entrance Fee: Free
Oshino Hakkai is a small village near Mt. Fuji known for it’s eight sacred ponds. These ponds water are fed from the snow melt of Mt. Fuji. It was interesting to see all the ponds as they have different characteristics.
The village have different souvenir shops, restaurants and actual residence’s houses. Our tour guide mentioned that there some parts of the village like a small museum that we need to pay for entrance fee. We spent 30 minutes in this village. It was a perfect time to catch some bite and just enjoy the view of the ponds and Mt. Fuji.
I really enjoyed this village due to its authenticity. It’s like their life depends on the nature and entirely to Fuji-san. It was an experience that maybe short but a true way to see how Japanese lives together with Mt. Fuji.
Not just you can experience the view but you can taste it too! There is drinking station beside Kagamiike Pond where you can get water directly from the snow melt of Mt. Fuji. It was free! If you have your own bottle, you can line up there to drink the cold and refreshing water. There are also empty bottle for sale.
It was then a nice stay at Oshino Hakkai village! I might go back here without the guided tour so I can enjoy it longer. ❤
Gotemba Premium Outlet
Entrance Fee: Free
One of the biggest shopping center in Japan and has more than 200 stores. Gotemba Premium Outlet will make you crazy if you love shopping! From shoes, bags, clothes, toys, household stuffs and restaurants, Gotemba is a complete shopping experience plus you have Mt. Fuji as your view.
As for me, I just walked and drunk some cool beverage. 😀 I am not fond of the shopping since I have tight budget and I will still travel to Osaka. I do not want to bring too much stuff, my luggage is full! 😀
For some, it seems they were re-sellers, they bought more than 10 boxes of shoes and other items. It was actually a bargain going in Gotemba as most items are on sale comparing with Philippine peso.
As time passes by, the view of Mt. Fuji became more unclear because of fog and clouds. It also gets colder. After 30 minutes at Gotemba, I returned to the bus.
Our tour guide, strictly told us to return on the time she have given us else we will encounter heavy traffic going back to Tokyo. But I thought some of my companions in the bus were shopaholics that forgot about time. We waited for 15 more minutes to complete all the passengers. We arrived then in Tokyo by 8PM.
It was once in a lifetime experience for me! Seeing Mt. Fuji, the most iconic symbol of Japan and having a glimpse of how Japanese live together with her is magnificent. I will definitely be back as there are other tours near Mt. Fuji like the Hakone and Lake Kawaguchiko. For now, I will keep this travel in my heart and will wait for another “Hello Fuji-san!” moment. ❤
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