Road tripping around Mount Fuji🌸 (not finished yet)

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. We came here because it was a little cloudy when we started our road trip and we thought by the time we got to the Lake, the clouds would have moved, which they did! There is a car park just down from the Park Cafe, which is where we parked, before walking to the lake🏔️

Lake Kawaguchiko (free)

By the time we made it to Lake Kawaguchiko, most of the clouds had moved, which was amazing! We saw lots of blossom trees, which made the view even prettier! You can walk all around the Lake finding little spots to take your photos!🌸

Lake Saiko (free)

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⛩️🌸

Saiko Iyashino Sato Nenba (¥500)

Time: 9:30AM - 4:30PM

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

Honcho Street & Lawson Convenience Store (free)

Time: Sunset🌅