There are many attractions around the Mount Fuji area. Winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding can be enjoyed in various places around the mountain, or if snow isn't your thing, then why not check out an amusement park, or simply enjoy the lakes. Here are four of the best alternative attractions to climbing or hiking:
Snow Town Yeti
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At Snow Town Yeti, people can enjoy winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding with the beautiful Mt. Fuji in the background. Mt. Fuji was recognized as a World Heritage site in 2013. The mountain is also splendid in spring and summer, but under a blanket of snow, it is absolutely beautiful. This ski resort was placed on the 2nd stage of Mt. Fuji especially to get a close-up view of that wonderful scenery. The number of tourists taking on the challenge of climbing the mountain has increased in recent years, but the spectacle of Mt. Fuji can be fully enjoyed as well from this area. Night skiing is also available up to 10 p.m. at night, so Yeti is also recommended for people who want to enjoy winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding quietly amid all the illumination. Also, another good point is that starting from Tokyo, the resort is easily accessible from major Bullet Train stations such as JR Mishima Station. There are buses that go to and from Shinjuku and Ueno Stations, and you can enjoy winter sports quite easily through the resort’s plans that address various needs such as inclusion of admission into the ski area and meals.
Snow Town Yeti has a variety of plans under the theme of “Mom and kids enjoying the resort without worry”. A Snow Plaza where snowmen can be built and played around has been started, and it has a load of facilities where kids can have the time of their lives such as a sledding hill and a bunny slope for families. This is a ski resort that is great for mothers and children with a Kids’ Room with toys to play with and children’s events. So how about coming with the whole family to fully enjoy a great time doing winter sports at the foot of Mt. Fuji in winter?
Admission: Adult: ¥ 3,900 / Child: ¥ 2,900
- Guidebook from Planetyze about Snow Town Yeti
- Reviews from TripAdvisor about Snow Town Yeti
- Tours of Snow Town Yeti
Fujiten Snow Resort
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You can have fun skiing and snowboarding on the high-quality snow at Fujiten Snow Resort. Also, the resort is the perfect viewing spot to see Mt. Fuji up close. Fujiten Snow Resort which is located in Yamanashi Prefecture is a famous ski resort to enjoy skiing and snowboarding on fine snow in a high-altitude environment. Because of its easy access from Tokyo, many tourists come to the comparatively long-standing resort which makes use of artificial snow. Also as a Mt. Fuji ski resort, it is a popular tourist destination as you enjoy yourself on the slopes while getting a full view of the lovely landscape. Starting with the downhill courses where you can ski down while admiring the view of Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi, the resort is replete with facilities such as the Family Gelände for beginners, the Snow Park for snowboarders, and the Chibiko Island for the little kids. This is a ski resort where the whole family can enjoy the day. When evening falls, the night skiing that is accompanied by the orange lighting provides a different atmosphere. Naturally, you can enjoy winter sports there but it is also a resort where you can appreciate the view of Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi. Furthermore, there are still plenty of other facilities which you can enjoy such as the onsen at Yurari where you can enter the hot springs alongside the scene of Mt. Fuji, and Fuji Subaru Land where you can race over the snows of the mountain by snowmobile.
Even during the summer, you can enjoy skiing and snowboarding at Fujiten Snow Resort. On the slopes with the latest carving mats, it’s possible to get that sensation that feels almost like sliding down on snow. The whole family can enjoy the summer through activities such as summer tubing as you slide down the slopes on large inner tubes and mountain biking on dedicated courses. Above all else, enjoying sports on the grand Mt. Fuji is an exceptional experience.
Admission: Adult: ¥ 4,000 / Child: ¥ 3,000
- Guidebook from Planetyze about Fujiten Snow Resort
- Reviews from TripAdvisor about Fujiten Snow Resort
- Tours of Fujiten Snow Resort
Fuji Q Highland
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Fuji Q Highland at the foot of Mt. Fuji in the Fuji Five Lakes resort area is an amusement park that is popular with young people looking for thrills. It has Guinness-smashing records with its epic screaming roller coasters and attractions such as Japan’s fastest coaster, the Dodonpa, and the FUJIYAMA with a drop of 70m. Since its opening in 1961, it has always aimed at introducing new attractions and renewing existing ones, and within the grounds, there are not only roller coasters but rides for the whole family and attractions for kids, so it is an amusement park where people of all ages can enjoy themselves. In addition, it always goes for the cutting edge such as introducing attractions based on popular anime symbolizing Cool Japan. Outside of the park, there is the Q-BOWL bowling alley and a skating rink (winter only) along with the Fujiyama Onsen hot spring facilities, the Fujiyama Museum which exhibits Mt. Fuji –themed art and the Highland Resort Hotel & Spa. The area continues to provide fun and relaxation as a general resort facility.
Fuji Q Highland is famous for its large roller coasters. It’s filled with amazing attractions such as the Takabisha with its Guinness record of the steepest drop of 12１°, the Eejanaika as the World No. 1 in the total number of revolutions, the King of Coasters FUJIYAMA with a top speed of 130km and a maximum drop of 70m and the Dodonpa which hits 172km in a mere 1.8 seconds after launch and whips around the park, all of which are popular no matter how you put it. Also, there is the Super Scary Labyrinth of Fear, a horror hospital that has the reputation of being the world’s most frightening haunted house, the rides of The Cool Zaboon and Nagashimasuka where you can enjoy the spray of water. There are also plenty of attractions for children such as Thomas Land with Thomas The Tank Engine, and attractions and rides for the whole family. And there is the popular Evangelion: World with the theme of anime that has spread throughout the world.
Admission: Adult: ¥ 1,400 / Child: ¥ 800
- Guidebook from Planetyze about Fuji Q Highland
- Reviews from TripAdvisor about Fuji Q Highland
- Tours of Fuji Q Highland
Lake Kawaguchi
(image by flickr.com)
When Mt. Fuji was registered as a World Heritage site in 2013, the Fuji Five Lakes region, including Lake Kawaguchi, was also registered as part of it. Up until that point, it was popular as a resort area filled with leisure for long holidays in summer and winter, but with its registration, it became even more of a focal point. Lake Kawaguchi is the 2nd-largest lake in area among the Fuji Five Lakes. The lake is surrounded on three sides by mountain ranges, but the south side opens up wide and it is there that the grand Mt. Fuji towers over everything. In good weather, Mt. Fuji is reflected on the lake as the “Reverse Fuji”, and the mirror-like symmetrical view of the Fuji reflection and the true Mt. Fuji is said to be the most beautiful sight at Lake Kawaguchi.
At the nature-filled Lake Kawaguchi, you can thoroughly enjoy the beauty of the four seasons. There are cherry blossoms in the spring and festivals are held everywhere in the area. The deep green forests in summer are lovely and marine sports are at their peak on the lake. Moreover in August, there are fireworks festivals at 4 of the Fuji Five Lakes, and the shooting fireworks brilliantly light up the summer night sky. The colorful leaves in the fall are wonderful. The “Koyo Meguri” trekking event is held where you can enjoy walking while viewing the leaves dappled in red. And then in winter, Mt. Fuji is covered in snow and on sunny days that beautiful sight is reflected on the lake surface. This other Fuji is clearly displayed on the mirror-like surface and the appearance of this beautiful Reverse Fuji is especially outstanding in winter. And from mid-January to late February, a seasonal event known as the Winter Fireworks is held. On the lake shore at the foot of Mt. Fuji, viewing fireworks launching up into the crystal-clear night sky of winter is exceptional.
No matter how you say it, what makes Lake Kawaguchi so attractive is its wealth of leisure. There are many museums and art galleries nearby, and at The Music Forest, which is reminiscent of the avenues in Europe, music boxes that are unique in the world are displayed and are popular with the tourists. Next to it is a golf course and tennis court, and on the lake, recreational boating and other marine sports are also at their best. Fishing is also popular there and the area is a hit as a Mecca for black bass. Right by that is the Fuji Q Highland amusement park and the outdoor park Forest Adventure among the other many leisure facilities when it comes to the nature-filled Lake Kawaguchi. It’s a resort overflowing with attractions the whole year round with sites like campgrounds, onsen and skiing in the winter.
Admission: Various
- Guidebook from Planetyze about Lake Kawaguchi
- Reviews from TripAdvisor about Lake Kawaguchi
- Tours of Lake Kawaguchi
