Travelers wanting more than a high-speed view of Mt. Fuji (Fuji-san) from the bullet train can head to Fujinomiya in Shizuoka Prefecture. This town is on the southern side of the famous volcano and Fujinomiya 5th Station is the second-most popular starting point for climbing the mountain. But you don’t need to be a mountain climber to enjoy the area—there are plenty of other things to do in Fujinomiya, including ancient shrines, beautiful waterfalls, and unobstructed Fuji views.
Although you can visit Fujinomiya during all four seasons, your experience will be very different in each. The skies are usually clearest in winter (December–February) when humidity is low but temperatures are cold and some facilities shut. You’re unlikely to get good Mt. Fuji views in the hot, humid summer (June–August) unless you’re climbing the mountain, though the climbing season is early July–early September. Spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) usually offer pleasant weather but are most popular with travelers.
Driving around Fujinomiya offers the most flexibility but you can also rely on public transport. While you’ll probably reach Fujinomiya by train (the station is in the town center), local buses are generally more convenient. Pick up a Mount Fuji West Side Story Passport for unlimited bus transport for two days. Although the buses will take you to most places you want to go, the timetables can make sightseeing slow, so plan your itinerary.
There are several towns around Mt. Fuji and it can be confusing for first-time visitors to know which ones to visit. Fujinomiya is on the southern side of the mountain and is most convenient if you’re spending time in nearby Hakone or traveling from Kyoto or Osaka in the west. On the other hand, Kawaguchiko is on the north side of Mt. Fuji and is a more popular and accessible day-trip destination from Tokyo.
