Camping Favourites

Kouan – Lake Motosuko (google map) | Website | Instagram
Camp right on Lake Motosuko for stunning views of Mt Fuji. This campground attracts camping enthusiasts so people can be a little sensitive about noise, especially late at night. Be sure to catch the spectacular sunrise!

Fumotoppara Campground (google map) | Website | Instagram
Expansive open grasslands with sweeping views of Mt Fuji.  A great place to potentially mingle with other campers and share a drink. We particularly suggest the fields closest to Mt Fuji for the best uninterrupted views.
Alternatively, check out the nearby Asagiri Jamboree Auto Camping Ground for a similar vibe.

Fujiyama Camping Field (google map) | Website | Instagram
A very friendly husband and wife operated campground offering a tranquil relaxing place of mysticism.  The camping environment choice is yours by choosing between a river (you can swim) or a tranquil forrest setting.  Our favorite sites are B-4, B-5 or A-1, A-2.  Clean bathrooms, coin hot showers and Wifi at reception.  Many sites also have AC power available.  Although you can not see Mt. Fuji, just a short walk is the beautiful Lake Tanuki.

Retreat Camp – Mahoroba (google map) | Website | Instagram
A smaller, little known and more private campground. Elevated, beautiful views over Lake Kawaguchi to Mt Fuji. It may be a little more expensive, but it has very nice facilities and service.

Hottarakashi Camping Field (google map) | Website | Instagram
A little further away, this is an awesome elevated campground that looks over the city below and offers glimpses of Mt Fuji in the distance. Not to be missed here is the amazing onsen hot spring, a short walk across from the campsite offering sweeping cliffside views.
One of the most popular campgrounds in the area, so you really need to book ahead or be very lucky for last minute bookings!

Other campgrounds we like or want to try
テントサイト UNKNOWN（あんの～ン)
Nishinoumioto Camping Ground
Lake Shoji Boat Club (free with a basic toilet nearby)
Jiyu Camping Ground
Motosuko Ikoinomori Camping Ground
Star Meadows Fujigane Kogen Campground
Asagiri Jamboree Auto Camping Ground
Kurosaka Auto Camping Ground
ThreeStone

Mt Fuji Viewing Spots:

Lake Motosu: The northern shore near Motosumichi Parking Lot is where the image on the 1000-yen bill was taken. Pull out your 1000-yen bill and get that “reveal” video.

Arakurayama Sengen Park: Imagine an elevated park accessible by stairs leading to the cherry blossoms in spring, a pagoda and dramatic views of Mt Fuji for that extra “only in Japan” memory.

Saiko Nenba-hama: Mt Fuji Picnic Spot, a good little spot to take a break and take a photo with your overlander with Mt Fuji in the background.

Other notable spots: There are literally hundreds of viewing spots and that’s part of the experience – finding your own unique viewpoint.  But our favorites are on the north shore of Lake Kawaguchi – Oishi Park,  Panorama Dai, and Yuyake no Nagisa Park, especially in autumn.

** Visibility tends to be best in the early mornings (usually before 9am) and in the late afternoons. Clouds often obstruct the view during daytime, even on days with fair weather, and especially during the hazy summer months.

Highlights

Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nemba is a former farming village turned open-air museum, situated not far from the shores of Lake Saiko, one of the Fuji Five Lakes. Its quaint countryside setting provides an ideal photo op, with the towering Mt Fuji acting as a backdrop to charming traditional thatched houses.

Oshino Hakkai is a small, touristy village northeast of Mt Fuji between Lake Kawaguchi and Lake Yamanaka. Enjoy views of the iconic mountain together with the thatched roofs.

From near Lake Kawaguchi, take the Mt Fuji Panoramic Ropeway to an observation point near Mt Tenjo’s summit. Ride the giant swings at the Mt Tenjo observation deck and feel like you’re flying towards Japan’s national treasure.
Note, the swings are only open 10am–11am and 1pm–2pm daily. There’s extra sessions on weekdays (2:30pm–3pm), and weekends and holidays (2:30pm–4pm). You’ll need to purchase a ticket (500 yen per person) at the adjacent Tanuki Tea House.

Shiraito Falls, which is found on the southwestern side of Mt Fuji in a national park, is a 150-meter-wide cascade fed by the volcano’s spring water and flows off the edge of a 20-meter-high cliff. The waterfall’s base is a few minutes’ walk from the road via a walking trail.

Favourite Onsens

Yurari is a day-use public onsen hot spring complex near Lake Kawaguchi. Day use is 1,300 yen including rental towels. (10am–10pm)
Private baths with views of the mountain are also available (60 minutes, 2,000 yen).

Hottarakashi Onsen is a day use public open-air onsen facility high up in the mountains north of Kofu city. Just a short walk from the Hottakarashi Camping Field, not to be missed is the sunrise session. Day use is 1,000 yen including towels. (4:30am–10pm)

Mifuji-en is a hotel located by Lake Kawaguchi and offers an onsen bath with a great panoramic view of the lake and majestic Mt Fuji. The onsen is also open to daytime bathers (1pm–8pm) for 1,200 yen including rental towels.

Kyukamura FUJI is a hotel located in the corner of Lake Tanuki and offers an onsen bath with an ambient view of Mt Fuji over the lake. The onsen is also open to daytime bathers (11am–1:30pm) for 1,200 yen including towels.

CYCL Sauna is a modern Finnish style sauna facility offering sweeping views of Mt. Fuji over Lake Yamanaka.  The cosy environment has a unisex sauna room and separated cold plunge bath facilities.  Bathing suits are required (rental available). The sauna is open from 10am – 7pm (closed Wednesday) for 4,000 yen with drinks/sweets to enjoy in the observation lounge.

Favourite Food & Drink

Here are some places we have heard good things about.  Remember if you find something special, do tell us so we can share the love.

Mame No Ne is a hidden family-run food truck set in a secluded natural forrest serving light brunch, homemade breads, cakes, drinks and scones.  The open air terrace has various wildlife to view, games to play and even a wood fire.  A perfect detour to/from Shiraito Falls.

Soba Ikkanjin そばの実 一閑人 is a hidden Soba restaurant found near Kyukamura Fuji onsen. Try their chewy buckwheat soba noodles in the salt broth. Get there early and expect to wait during busy periods. Closed tuesdays (11am–2pm weekdays, 11am–2pm / 5:30pm–7pm fridays & weekends)

Gohei Chaya is a modest & friendly Japanese restaurant that is a popular pit stop lunch for locals on the go.  Our favorite is the Fujiyama mix Yakisoba and Fried Rice set.  Maybe follow it up with an ice-cream from the nearby Fuji Milk Land.

Sugeez west-lake 西湖店 is a homestyle burger restaurant offering peaceful nature views and an outside terrace. A good variety of uniquely named burgers and sides to indulge in.  Open for lunch (11am–4pm)

Moose Hills Burger is a craft burger restaurant offering lean aussie beef burgers in a welcoming wood cabin environment.  The burgers are large with various topping options and a good drink selection.  You might need to wait during busy periods and they have a faster take away option available.  Open for lunch and dinner (11am–3:30pm / 5:30pm–7:30pm weekdays & 11am–3:30pm / 5:30pm–8:30pm weekends)

Shaved Ice 信水堂 is a gourmet kakigori (shaved ice) cafe offering a selection of impressive desserts all made from local Mt Fuji natural mineral water. Fluffy like a cloud – the tiramisu and coffee option sounds good to us!  They have a reservation system or be prepared to wait. Open daily (11am–4:30pm)

CISCO Coffee シスコ（カフェ）is a boutique cafe offering coffee made from roasted beans imported from San Francisco with other sweet and savory snacks to enjoy.  Plenty of parking and outdoor seating where you can look over Lake Kawaguchiko. Open daily (9:30am–5pm)

icci KAWARA COFFEE LABO is a boutique cafe set in beautiful modern traditional Japanese surroundings offering coffee and a wife range of surprising treats.  Try the bamboo charcoal latte and scones!  Open Terrace seating and hammocks for a sunny day chill-out. Open daily (10am–7pm)