Road tripping around Mount Fuji🌸

One of the highlights of our Japan trip, was hiring a car for the day and driving to different spots around Mount Fuji!🗻🚘

We spent two nights in Fuji, but only had one full day to explore. I would recommend 2 full days though, as I think that is the perfect amount of time to see everything without rushing!

We first got the bus from Shibuya in Tokyo to Fujikawaguchiko, which cost around $60 and took two hours. We then hired a car with Nippon Rent a Car, which only cost $100 for the day between the both of us.

🏨Stay: K's House Fuji View Backpackers Hostel or Mount Fuji Hostel.

Seeing Mount Fuji is very weather dependent and we were very lucky that it was clear for us. Both the day before and after, there was torrential rain, so you couldn't see Mount Fuji at all! I would recommend keeping an eye on the weather for when you think you're going as the weather constantly changes.

Spots you must go to.

There are so many amazing spots to visit, we didn't manage to see all of them but I would recommend trying to if you have the time:

1. Lawsons Convenience Store
2. Makaino Farm*
3. Saiko Iyashino-Sato Nenba*
4. Chureito Pagoda*
5. Arakurayama Sengen Park
6. Kawaguchiko - popular town near Fuji
7. Honcho Street - for sunset
8. Shiraito Falls
9. Oishi Park
10. Saiko Nenba-Hama
11. Hoto Fudo
12. Fujiyoshida - Home to Fujisan World Heritage Centre
13. Yumeno Ohashi Bridge - Parking lot for Mount Fuji Great Dream Bridge*
14. The Park Cafe (gorgeous view for breakfast/lunch)
15. Hakone - 2 hour drive from Fuji but has stunning views, hot-springs and cable car.

Fuji Five Lakes:

1. Lake Yamanaka
2. Lake Kawaguchiko
3. Lake Saiko
4. Lake Shoji
5. Lake Motosu

Lake Yamanaka (free)

Lake Yamanaka was our first stop, which is the furthest Lake from where we were staying. There is a car park just down from the Park Cafe, which is where you can park, before walking to the lake🏔️

Lake Kawaguchiko (free)

By the time we made it to Lake Kawaguchiko, most of the clouds had moved, which made the view even more amazing! We were also very lucky to see some blossom trees, as normally by middle of April you would miss seeing them. Take as long as you want to walk around the lake and find little spots to take your photos!🌸

Makaino Farm

Time: 9:30AM - 5:30PM
Cost: 1000 Yen

Makaino Farm was one our favourite places that we stopped at. A 40 minute drive from Kawaguchiko, you could definitely spend the whole day here! There is so much to do and see, with amazing viewpoints, picture spots, seeing and feeding animals, cafes and restaurants. For us, the afternoon was the best time to go as that was when the sky was the clearest and the view of Fuji was insane.

Chureito Pagoda (free)

Time: Go as early as possible to avoid the crowds.

Takes roughly 30-40 minutes to get to the top, maybe longer if there is a long queue! We went around midday, when it was really busy, so they only allowed small groups to have 10 minutes at the viewing platform, worth the wait though for the view!⛩️🌸

Saiko Iyashino Sato Nenba (¥500)

Time: 9:30AM - 4:30PM

Japanese reconstructed village, which has amazing views of Mount Fuji, delicious ramen & mochi spots🍜🍡🏔️

Honcho Street & Lawson Convenience Store (free)

Time: Sunset🌅