Mount Fuji and Hakone travel guide
The best Fuji viewpoints, the Five Lakes, Hakone hot springs and climbing season tips, with how to get there from Tokyo.
Quick answer
- Region: Yamanashi and Kanagawa
- Height of Fuji: 3,776 m
- Ideal stay: 1 to 2 nights
- Best for: Views, onsen, nature
At 3,776 metres, Mount Fuji is Japan's highest mountain and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, honoured as a place of worship and a source of artistic inspiration for centuries.
Most visitors see Fuji from one of two areas: the Fuji Five Lakes on its northern side, or the hot spring resort of Hakone to the south-east. Both are reachable from Tokyo in around two hours, and both are worth an overnight stay.
Top things to do in Mount Fuji and Hakone
- Photograph Chureito Pagoda. The classic view of a five-storey pagoda framing Mount Fuji, reached by a climb of around 400 steps. It is especially beautiful in cherry blossom and autumn seasons.
- Circle Lake Kawaguchiko. The most accessible of the Fuji Five Lakes, with sightseeing buses, lakeside walks and a ropeway to a lookout over the lake and mountain.
- Visit Oshino Hakkai. A small village of spring-fed ponds with crystal-clear water from Fuji's snowmelt.
- Soak in a Hakone onsen. Hakone is famous for its hot springs. Stay at a ryokan with its own baths, or visit a day-use onsen.
- Do the Hakone loop. Ride the mountain railway, cable car and ropeway over the steaming Owakudani valley, then cruise across Lake Ashi on a sightseeing boat. Try the black eggs boiled in the volcanic springs.
- See Hakone Shrine's lakeside torii. A red torii gate standing in the waters of Lake Ashi, beautiful in the early morning.
- Explore the Hakone Open-Air Museum. Large sculptures set in landscaped gardens, plus a dedicated Picasso pavilion.
- Climb Mount Fuji (in season). The official climbing season runs roughly from early July to early September. Some trails now require advance registration and a fee, so check the official climbing website before you go.
Areas to know
| Area | Why stay or visit |
|---|---|
| Kawaguchiko | The main base for the Fuji Five Lakes, with direct views of the mountain from many hotels. |
| Hakone-Yumoto | The gateway to Hakone, with plenty of onsen hotels and easy train access. |
| Gora and Miyanoshita | Quieter mountain towns in the heart of Hakone with classic ryokan. |
| Lake Ashi area | Lakeside views and, on clear days, Fuji across the water. |
When to go
Fuji is often hidden by cloud, especially in summer. The clearest views usually come on cold, dry mornings from late autumn to early spring. Climbing is only recommended during the official summer season.
Getting there and around
Highway buses run from Shinjuku and other Tokyo stations to Kawaguchiko, or you can take trains via Otsuki and the Fuji Kyuko line. For Hakone, the Odakyu Romancecar runs from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto, or take the shinkansen to Odawara. Regional travel passes can cover much of the transport in each area.
Where to stay
One night in each area lets you enjoy sunset and sunrise without the day-trip crowds. Look for a ryokan with a Fuji view or private onsen for a special treat.
What to eat
- Hoto, hearty flat noodles in miso broth, a Yamanashi speciality
- Kuro-tamago, black eggs boiled at Owakudani
- Fresh tofu and yuba in Hakone
- Kaiseki dinners at ryokan
- Local craft beer and Fuji spring water sake
Day trips and next stops
Both areas can be done as a long day trip from Tokyo, but an overnight stay is far more relaxing. From Hakone, it is easy to continue west on the shinkansen towards Kyoto and Osaka.
Opening hours, prices and transport details change. Check the official sources before you travel: Official Mt. Fuji climbing site. Hakone Navi, official Hakone guide.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to see Mount Fuji?
Cold, dry mornings from late autumn to early spring usually give the clearest views. In summer the mountain is often hidden by cloud.
Can you visit Fuji and Hakone as a day trip from Tokyo?
Yes, each area is around two hours from Tokyo, but an overnight stay is far more relaxing and gives you a better chance of clear views at sunrise.
When can you climb Mount Fuji?
The official climbing season runs roughly from early July to early September. Some trails now require advance registration and a fee, so check the official climbing website first.
