Things to do in  Yamanashi Prefecture

Located near Mt. Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi is the most easily accessible and developed of the Fuji Five Lakes. A popular day trip from Tokyo, Lake Kawaguchi offers plenty of natural beauty, access to Mt. Fuji and a variety of outdoor activities, as well as proximity to hot springs, museums, and other tourist attractions and amenities.

At over 7,500 feet (2,300 meters) high, the Fuji-Subaru Line 5th Station—not to be confused with Fujinomiya 5th Station—affords spectacular views over Fuji Five Lakes and Hakone National Park. Easily accessible by road, the 5th Station lies at the midpoint of the Yoshida Trail to Mount Fuji’s summit, so many hikers begin their ascent here.

The dense Aokigahara Forest lies at the northwestern base of Mount Fuji, the iconic, near-symmetrical cone-shaped mountain that rises in eastern Japan. It's also the second-most popular destination for people intent on dying by suicide. Nevertheless, the forest is a peaceful place to hike and enjoy nature.

With Mt. Fuji as its dramatic backdrop, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is beautiful from all angles. Unlike some national parks that cover one distinct area, Fuji-Hakone-Izu includes a number of dispersed sites, so there are many ways to experience it. Some parts are popular day or overnight destinations from Tokyo, with ample opportunities for hiking, boat cruises, hot-spring bathing, and admiring the views.

While conical Mt. Fuji dominates the skyline, a number of other attractions and features are spread across its base, including the Fuji Five Lakes (Fujigoko). Lakes Yamanaka, Kawaguchi, Motosu, Shoji, and Sai sit north of the imposing volcano, in Yamanashi Prefecture. The attractive mountain views, lakes, and forests make this a popular area to visit on a day or overnight trip from Tokyo.

The Fuji-Q Highland amusement park enjoys an enviable setting near the base of Mount Fuji. Aside from its scenic setting, the park is best known for its record-setting roller coasters—four in total—that make it one of Japan’s most popular amusement parks.

Lake Motosu (Motosu-ko) is the largest and deepest of the Fuji-go-ko (Fuji Five Lakes); most travelers in Japan will see it on the ¥1,000 bill. Fewer see it in person, though, as it’s fairly undeveloped and furthest from the popular towns around Mt. Fuji. That’s great news if you’re into outdoor adventures like hiking, fishing, and camping.

Katsunuma, in Yamanashi prefecture, is a center of Japanese wine production, and the Katsunuma Winery is one of the most prominent wineries. Established in 1937, it produces wines mainly from the Koshu grape. Visitors can taste, learn about, and buy wines at Katsunuma Winery and dine at its restaurant, Kaze.

One of the most popular attractions in the Mount Fuji area provides quite a contrast to the volcanic mountain: it’s an underground ice cave. The Narusawa Ice Cave, formed by an ancient eruption, lies beneath the infamous Aokigahara Forest that spreads out around the base of Mount Fuji. Visitors can explore on a short circuit track.

One of many temples across Japan associated with Mt. Fuji, the full name of this Shinto shrine—Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Jinja—translates as the shrine on the mountain’s north side. It’s a traditional starting point for mountain climbing expeditions, but casual visitors can enjoy the serene 17th-century temple within a cedar forest.

For unobstructed views of the perfect snow-capped cone of Mt. Fuji, ride the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway from the eastern shore of Lake Fujikawaguchiko. It ascends 1,312 feet (400 meters) to an observation deck atop Mt. Tenjo at around 3,280 feet (1,000 meters). You can choose either a return ticket, or buy a one-way ticket up and walk the hiking trails down.

Soaking in an onsen–a bathhouse fed by natural hot springs–is an unmissable experience while in Japan. Travelers to the Lake Yamanaka area near Mount Fuji should check out the Beni Fuji no Yu Onsen. In the winter there are beautiful views of the mountain, whereas in the warmer months you can revive tired muscles after a hike.

This open-air museum near Lake Saiko stands on the site of a once-thriving farming village that was destroyed in a landslide in the 1960s. The thatched-roofed buildings, modeled on the original farmhouses, are now home to craft workshops, restaurants, museums, galleries, and shops. Visitors can wander around and learn about traditional life and handicrafts.

Oishi Park is a small landscaped park on the northern shore of Lake Kawaguchi that offers great views of Mt. Fuji—when the weather’s clear. This inviting space is also known for its flowers, including lavender, tulips, and pink moss phlox, depending on the season. The on-site shop sells local berry products and ice cream, there’s a café, and you can pick berries in the summer.

The Aokigahara Forest at the base of Mt. Fuji is pockmarked with underground caves, created when Fuji erupted about 1,100 years ago. The Fugaku Wind Cave is one of these and is well set up for visitors. It is tube-shaped inside, formed when lava flowed through, and is quite cold, with an average temperature of about 37°F (3°C).