Kanadorii

Fuji Five Lakes


A symbol of Mt Fuji worship, this gate was first constructed in 1788 (though the present one dates to 1955), and in clear weather frames picture-postcard views of the mountain. Stroll uphill through the gate and you'll pass the old entranceways of oshi-no-ie (pilgrims' inns), though only one or two still operate. It's a two-minute walk southeast of Fujisan Station.

At the gate, pilgrims would have had their credentials and religious allegiances checked on route to the mountain.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Fuji Five Lakes attractions

2. Fuji Sengen-jinja

0.89 MILES

A necessary preliminary to the Mt Fuji ascent is a visit to this atmospheric shrine (8th century, rebuilt 1800s) dedicated to Sakuya-hime, the goddess of…

3. Fujiyama Art Museum

1.03 MILES

Should the weather thwart your chances of seeing the real thing, this contemporary gallery space contains a fine collection of Mt Fuji paintings by…

4. Churei-tō Pagoda

1.29 MILES

One of the classic Fuji postcard views has this five-tiered red pagoda in the foreground surrounded by cherry blossoms. It's actually a war memorial,…

5. Fujisan World Heritage Center

1.55 MILES

The flashy South Hall of this visitor centre has imaginative, interactive displays detailing the spiritual and geological history of the mountain, as well…

6. Ide Sake Brewery

2.3 MILES

This small-scale brewery has been producing sake using Mt Fuji spring water for 21 generations. Tours (9.30am and 3pm; 40 minutes) provide a fascinating…

7. Kubota Itchiku Art Museum

3.73 MILES

In a Gaudí-influenced building above the lake, this charming museum displays the kimono art of Kubota Itchiku (1917–2003). You might see Mt Fuji in the…

8. Kōyō-dai

6.73 MILES

There are good views of Mt Fuji from this lookout building, especially popular in autumn when the Aokigahara Forest is a sea of red. It's a 30-minute walk…