Ten places to visit near Mount Fuji

A curated selection of scenic destinations not far from Tokyo

Known for its beaches and mountainous terrain, and only about an hour from Tokyo, eastern Shizuoka is a popular and convenient side trip out of the city. The region includes popular sightseeing destinations like the Izu Peninsula, which is designated a UNESCO geopark, and a large portion of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is located there as well. Half of Mount Fuji sits in eastern Shizuoka, and one can enjoy views of the iconic mountain from the region. Those looking to escape the city to be surrounded by nature should definitely consider visiting the Izu Peninsula and the area around Mount Fuji in eastern Shizuoka.

Eastern Shizuoka is easily accessed by bullet train and has three stations, Atami, Mishima and Shin-Fuji stations, along the Tokaido Shinkansen. The one way journey from Tokyo to either one of the three stations takes about an hour. In this article, I will be introducing ten spots spread across ten cities and towns, some of which offer excellent views of Mount Fuji when the weather is clear. All the spots are accessible by a variety of public transport, but a rental car provides greater flexibility and convenience.

Kiunkaku

Located in Atami City, Kiunkaku was completed in 1919 as a holiday home for a businessman and then was converted into a traditional Japanese-style inn in 1947. Kiunkaku operated as an inn for about 50 years, during which time famous authors like Mishima Yukio and Dazai Osamu stayed over.

The former ryokan is now owned by the city and preserved as a cultural property. Several buildings make up the entire complex, and a tour of the interior takes one on a journey to see both Japanese and Western designs and architectural styles up close. Of interest are the vividly colored walls in the traditional Japanese-style rooms as well as the tiled Roman baths. A stroll through the garden allows visitors to appreciate seasonal flowers and the exterior of the buildings.

Access: 20 minutes on foot from Atami Station on the Tokaido Shinkansen.

Looking at the Kiunkaku complex from the garden

Japanese-style room with vivid ultramarine colored walls

Western-style room with stained glass and mosaic tiles

Tiled Roman baths with terracotta water spouts on the left

Mount Omuro

Mount Omuro is one of the symbols of Ito City. Its last eruption 4000 years ago changed the surrounding landscape and created the unique geological structures found along the area's coastline. Today, the 580 meter tall mountain is a popular sightseeing attraction, and a chairlift takes one up to the peak. At the top, visitors typically go for a scenic walk around its rim, which takes a leisurely 30 minutes, and enjoy panoramic views of Mount Fuji, the Pacific Ocean and the Izu Islands when the weather is clear.

Access: 20 minutes by bus from Izu-Kogen Station on the Izukyu Railway.

Signboard on the peak of Mount Omuro and Mount Fuji in the background

The view of the surroundings on the way down on the chairlift

Inatori Onsen

Located in southeastern Izu Peninsula, Higashi Izu Town is known for its coastal hot spring villages, of which there are six. Staying overnight at an onsen accommodation is a nice way to relax and unwind, and soaking in a hot spring bath with ocean views is a luxury not to be missed.

Inatori Onsen is the southernmost hot spring village in Higashi Izu Town with a number of accommodations built along the coastline. A stroll along the shoreline provides views of the port of Inatori as well as of the Izu Islands when the weather is clear.

Access: 15-20 minutes on foot from Izu-Inatori Station on the Izukyu Railway.

Enjoying the panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean from the outdoor bath at Hamanoyu, a hot spring accommodation by the coast

Inside the private outdoor bath with views of both the town and the ocean

An example of one of the newly renovated, luxurious rooms, Suigetsu at Hamanoyu, that has separate living, dining and sleeping areas

Suigetsu, one of the types of rooms at Hamanoyu, also has a spacious private hot spring bath

Cape Tsumekizaki

Near the southern end of the Izu Peninsula is Cape Tsumekizaki, where visitors are treated to views of a rugged coastline, seasonal flowers and secluded beaches. The beaches near the cape, like Kujuppama Beach, do not get as crowded as the ones in Atami, and the clear waters provide nice snorkeling and swimming experiences. Walking trails connect the beaches with the cape, where a lighthouse stands at the waters' edge, warning passing ships of the rocky coast. Additionally, the coastline consists mostly of columnar joints, which can be seen along the walking trails and along the shoreline.

Access: 20 minutes by bus from Izukyu-Shimoda Station on the Izukyu Railway.

Tsumekizaki Lighthouse on the left and at the edge of the cliff

Kujuppama beach offers nice snorkeling and swimming in the summer

Cape Irozaki

Cape Irozaki is located at the southernmost tip of the Izu Peninsula and has a jagged coastline. A paved walking trail leads to the Irozaki Lighthouse and continues to Iro Shrine, which is built into the cliff face, and Kumano Shrine, which is built at the tip of the cape. The walk from the bus stop to the tip of the cape takes about ten minutes. From the tip of Cape Irozaki, panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the nearby cliffs can be enjoyed, and the Izu Islands can also be seen when visibility is good.

Access: 45 minutes by bus from Izukyu-Shimoda Station on the Izukyu Railway.

Kumano Shrine in the foreground and Iro Shrine in the cliff face in the background

Kawazu Seven Waterfalls

Kawazu is famous for its early flowering Kawazu cherry blossoms and its seven waterfalls known as the Kawazu Nanadaru, which have varying heights. While the cherry blossoms can be seen only in February and March, the Kawazu Nanadaru can be visited all year round.

Cycling to the waterfalls is a nice outdoor activity for the adventurous, and electric powered bicycles are available at the Kawazu Tourism Exchange Center not far from Kawazu Station. It takes about 45-60 minutes to cycle to the waterfall parking area, and a well-maintained walking trail connects the waterfalls, which can be comfortably explored in about 1-2 hours at a leisurely pace. Bicycle availability is on a first-come first-served basis, and reservations are recommended if you do not want to miss out.

Access: Bicycle rentals are available from the Kawazu Tourism Exchange Center, which is approximately ten minutes on foot from Kawazu Station on the Izukyu Railway. A 4-hour electric bicycle rental costs 3000 yen, which also includes a helmet and gloves. The waterfalls can also be reached by hourly buses from Kawazu Station. The one way journey takes about 30 minutes.

Electric bicycles can be rented at the Kawazu Tourism Exchange Center

Statues in front of the Shokeidaru waterfall depict a scene from the Izu Dancer, a book which is set in the area, by noted author Kawabata Yasunari

Kamadaru, which has a height of 22 meters, is the second tallest waterfall of the seven

Nirayama Reverberatory Furnaces

The Nirayama Reverberatory Furnaces are well preserved historical furnaces that played a part in the early stages of Japan�fs industrial revolution. Representing the start of modern iron production in Japan, the furnaces, which produced cannons to protect Japan against foreign warships, received world heritage status in 2015 as one of the Sites of Japan�fs Meiji Industrial Revolution.

The recommended visiting route starts at the visitor center to learn more about the furnace�fs history and functions, before continuing to the actual site where visitors can take a closer look at what remains of it. A stroll through the garden rounds up the visit, but visitors should not miss going to the observation deck in the tea fields on a small hill about three minutes away on foot, which offer views of Mount Fuji and the furnaces together.

Access: 30 minutes on foot or 10 minutes by taxi from Izu-Nagaoka Station on the Izuhakone Railway.

The well-preserved remains of the Nirayama Reverberatory Furnaces

View of the furnaces from the spacious garden

Obuchi Sasaba

Some of Japan�fs best known symbols are Mount Fuji and green tea, and the two together make a timeless image that many photographers pursue. Shizuoka Prefecture has the most number of tea plantations in Japan, and over at the scenic Obuchi Sasaba, one can have a view of the tea fields with Mount Fuji in the background. The tea fields at Obuchi Sasaba were painstakingly maintained so as to prevent the view from being spoiled by obstructions like power lines, and the classic view we can enjoy today is the result of the tea farmers' hard work and conservation efforts. A visit to Obuchi Sasaba is definitely worth the trek when the weather is clear.

Access: About 25 minutes by taxi from Fuji Station on the JR Tokaido Line or Shin-Fuji Station on the Tokaido Shinkansen.

Mount Fuji, tea fields and a plum tree which will be alive with color in spring

Cannot think of a more iconic duo than Mount Fuji and tea fields

Higashiguchi Fuji Sengen Shrine

The Higashiguchi Fuji Sengen Shrine is a historic shrine at the eastern base of Mount Fuji. It is also the gateway to the Subashiri trail, one of the four major trails leading up to Mount Fuji. Since the feudal period, pilgrims and hikers would pray for a safe climb at the shrine before commencing their journey to the peak. Mount Fuji�fs last eruption in 1707 covered the shrine and the surrounding town in about 3-4 meters of ash, and a few large rocks remain as reminders of that eruption after the shrine was rebuilt.

Access: 25 minutes by bus from Gotemba Station on the JR Gotemba Line.

Entrance to the Higashiguchi Fuji Sengen Shrine. The Japanese kanji characters on the torii gate is read as Fuji-san

Large rocks from Mount Fuji's last eruption

Ashinoko Skyline

The Ashinoko Skyline is a scenic driving road on the western side of Lake Ashinoko. The winding road is known for its views of Mount Fuji, which provides a scenic backdrop at each turn and corner. Lookout points can be found along the way, and Mikuni-toge or Mikuni mountain pass is the highest one at 1070 meters. One can go for a short walk at the various viewpoints and admire the lake and the hot spring town of Hakone as well as Mount Fuji when the weather allows for it. Driving along the Ashinoko Skyline may be atmospheric, but it is worth remembering that Mount Fuji can be pretty shy and there is no guarantee of seeing her.

Access: 30 minute drive from either Atami or Mishima stations on the Tokaido Shinkansen. Rental car outlets can be found at either station.