The best views of Mount Fuji
- Published on : 23/03/2026
- by : Clément
- Youtube
View of Mount Fuji from Lake Ashi in Hakone.
Unsplash
Majestic and iconic, Mount Fuji attracts thousands of visitors every year in search of breathtaking panoramas. Here's our list of places to admire Mount Fuji in the Hakone area, ranging from must-see observation points to more confidential spots.
The mount Fuji japan's highest peak and symbol of the archipelago, lies between the prefectures of Shizuoka and Yamanashi on the island of Honshu. It attracts many visitors throughout the year, who come to climb it or simply to contemplate it.
Although it can be seen from many different locations, Japan Experience has compiled a list of the best viewpoints in and around Hakone. Onsen, cafés and wineries: take advantage of these unique, relaxing places to admire Mount Fuji. Be warned, however: the weather in the region can be capricious, so it's never certain that you'll be able to admire Mount Fuji, which sometimes hides behind the clouds!
From Hakone:
Easily accessible from Tokyo, the Hakone region offers some of the finest views of this sacred mountain. From must-see observation points to more confidential spots, here's our list of spots where you can admire Mount Fuji in all its splendour:
1. Hakone cable car
The hakone cable car is undoubtedly one of the best ways to admire Mount Fuji from the heights. It links Sounzan station to Togendai station, and offers breathtaking views all the way on a clear day. It also flies over the Owakudani volcanic valley and its sulfurous fumaroles.
The Hakone funitel before its renovation, with Mount Fuji in the background
ryan Cragun
Tōgendai station in Hakone Kanagawa prefecture
©作者 663highland, wikimedia
The journey takes about 30 minutes. There are plenty of photo stops along the way. In autumn, the vegetation fills the background with flamboyant colors. On overcast or foggy days, the silhouette of Mount Fuji can be difficult to see.
2. Owakudani and its fumaroles
Owakudani is a volcanic valley formed around 3,000 years ago when Mount Hakone erupted. Still active today, it releases thick sulfur fumaroles from its bubbling hot springs, giving off a distinctive odor.
The site is famous for its"black eggs"(kuro-tamago), eggs cooked directly in the sulfur hot springs, giving them a black shell. According to local legend, eating one will add seven years to your life expectancy!
View of the Owakudani valley from the Hakone cable car
©作者 ohkubo, wikimedia
Kuro-tamago (black eggs) cooked in Ōwakudani hot springs
david Monniaux, wikimedia
3. Lake Ashi
The lake Ashi formed in the caldera of the Hakone volcano, is one of the region's most emblematic natural sites. Its peaceful waters and natural setting make it an ideal place to admire Mount Fuji.
There are a number of options for making the most of it: a boat cruise offers a lovely setting on the lake, while the surrounding trails allow you to get some height. The famous floating torii of the Hakone-jinja shrine adds a mystical touch to the landscape, especially at sunset.
Mount Fuji from Lake Ashi
©wikimedia
The pirate ship of Lake Ashi
©Unsplash
Hakone-jinja Torri
©Unsplash
To explore Hakone with ease, the Hakone Free Pass is the ideal option. It gives you unlimited access to the region's main transport links, including the Hakone cable car, the boat on Lake Ashi, the funicular railway, buses and the Hakone Tozan train line.
4. In a ryokan with a view
For total immersion, spending the night in a ryokan (traditional inn) with a view of Mount Fuji is an experience not to be missed. Many ryokan offer rooms with mountain views and onsen baths onsen to relax and enjoy the scenery. Some well-known establishments include:
5. Mount Kintoki
Mount Kintoki is a popular destination for hikers looking for breathtaking views of Mount Fuji. Culminating at 1212 meters, it offers spectacular panoramic views of the region. In particular, it is associated with the legend of Kintaro, a Japanese mythological hero.
The ascent to the summit takes 3-4 hours, and is accessible to hikers of all levels, with trails through cedar and pine forests. It's an excellent place to enjoy nature and exceptional views, especially at sunrise or sunset.
6. Hakone Ashinoko Narukawa Art Museum
The museum Hakone Ashinoko Narukawa Art, located near Lake Ashi in Hakone, is famous for its collection of Japanese art, including works depicting the Japanese landscape and culture. One of the museum' s star attractions is its "panorama room", offering a spectacular view of Mount Fuji. Here, it is possible to see the mountain through works of art in a variety of traditional Japanese styles.
7. Onshi-Hakone Park
Onshi-Hakone Park is a peaceful spot offering spectacular views of Lake Ashi with Mount Fuji in the background. Formerly an imperial residence, this park offers carefully landscaped green spaces and paths lined with landscaped gardens. It's an ideal place to stroll while discovering century-old trees, sculptures and traditional pavilions.
Lake Ashi and Mount Fuji seen from the Sorin Plaza in Onshi Hakone Park
by Quercus acuta, wikimedia
Planning a trip to Mount Fuji? Consider the Mt.Fuji-Shizuoka pass!
Sagano Romantic Train
@Geoff Whalan on Flickr,CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
8. Mishima Skywalk
This 400-meter-long suspension bridge is the longest pedestrian bridge in Japan. Located about 30 minutes by car and an hour by train from Hakone, it offers spectacular views of Mount Fuji, Suruga Bay and the surrounding forest.
However, visibility of Mount Fuji is highly dependent on weather conditions. On a clear day, the panorama is particularly impressive, especially at sunrise. We recommend an early morning visit, when the sky is clear and Mount Fuji is most visible.
Mount Fuji from the Mishima footbridge
©くろふね, wikimedia
9. Otome-toge
Otome-toge, also known as Otome Pass, is a mountain pass between Hakone and Gotenba, offering spectacular views of Mount Fuji. Its name, which literally means "maiden pass", derives from a legend according to which a young woman climbed this path while mourning her lost love. Today, it's a popular destination for hikers and travellers in search of exceptional panoramas, especially at sunrise when Mount Fuji gradually comes into view.
Mount Fuji seen from Otome Pass
©By Makoto_Lab, wikimedia
Tips to optimize your experience
- Best seasons : Autumn (October and November) and winter (December to February) offer the best chances of catching a glimpse of Mount Fuji, with clear skies and optimal visibility. Summer is often foggy, making the view more uncertain.
- Ideal time : Early morning or late afternoon to avoid the fog.
- Transport: The Hakone Free Pass makes it easy to travel between these different spots. Otherwise, you can rent a car allows you to move around freely.
Discover Hakone with a guide!
Mount Fuji from the air
Fancy a bit of height? Here's where you can take in the scenery from above.
1. Ao Terrace - Izu Panorama Park (Izunokuni)
This open-air terrace is located near the summit of Mount Katsuragi, 452 meters above sea level. Here you'll find the Katsuragi café and terrace, set right in front of Mount Fuji. Ashiyu footbaths are also available.
At the foot of Mount Katsuragi, there's a cable car station dedicated to Izunokuni. A round-trip ticket costs 3,500 yen (3,000 yen if purchased online in advance).
2. Obuchi Sasaba (Fuji)
Admire Mount Fuji amid the terraces of tea plantations! Admission is free. As this is a very busy place, we recommend scheduling your visit for early morning.
Other viewpoints include the Mount Fuji Tea terrace, the Mount Fuji Infinity Tea terrace and the Panorama Tea Terrace. Here you'll find comfortable seating and tables, surrounded by tea fields. Here you can enjoy a beverage while gazing out over the landscape, including the local Mohei tea, specially prepared from the leaves grown at the foot of Fuji-San. There is a charge for admission.
Guided tours are available from 3,000 to 4,000 yen per person. Walks through the fields are free.
Discover the tea fields of Shizuoka with our activity!
3. Fujimi Cafe (Gotemba)
In the Hakone countryside, this café offers a breathtaking view of Mount Fuji ! In addition to its outdoor terrace surrounded by nature, Fujimi Café in Gotemba has an indoor room with a large picture window. In addition to hot drinks, the establishment serves cakes sweets and some hot dishes.
4. Azumayama Park (Ninomiya)
A five-minute walk from JR Ninomiya station, Azumayama Park is a photogenic spot for admiring the flowers beneath Mount Fuji, particularly with its rapeseed field. An observation deck in the middle of the park offers panoramic views not only of Mount Fuji , but also of Sagami Bay and the Hakone countryside in the distance. The color of the flowers at the foot of Mount Fuji changes with the seasons: January and February are the months of yellow, with fields of rapeseed, then spring brings cherry blossom. Azaleas bloom around April, followed by hydrangeas and cosmos in late August. Finally, autumn gives way to its glowing show on the landscape.
Azumayama Park, Ninomiya, where you can see Mount Fuji
nesnad, wikimedias
5. Suntory Tomi no Oka Estate (Onuta Kai)
This estate is located on the south face of Tomi no Oka hill, overlooking Mount Fuji. Surrounded by vegetation, the estate itself is well worth a visit. The soils around Fuji-San are renowned for their high mineral content, making it an ideal location for planting wine. In fact, the estate's wine won the gold medal at the Citadelles du Vin awards (a first for a Japanese wine) in France in 2003. Guided tours organized by the estate are sometimes accompanied by a wine tasting, on a terrace offering a breathtaking panorama of Fuji-San.
A guided tour of the fields costs 1,000 yen, but the terraces are accessible free of charge. From JR Kofu station, free shuttles are provided by the winery.
6. Hottarakashi Onsen (Yatsubo)
Hottarakashi Onsen is a hot-spring establishment with baths overlooking Mount Fuji. Here, you can relax in two pools of water with numerous benefits for the skin.
Unusually, this onsen accepts tattooed guests. The establishment is open from 5.00 a.m. to 9.30 p.m., and admission costs 900 yen.
7. Hakone Mototsumiya Shrine (Hakone)
This shrine is located at an altitude of over 1,300 meters atop Mount Komagatake, on the heights of Lake Ashi. Up here, you can admire the lake and Mount Fuji when the view is clear. Admission is free, but the cable car costs 2,200 yen round trip; you can get a 10% discount if you have the Hakone Free Pass.
Hakone Mototsumiya Shrine
yamai36, wikimedias
8. Fujiyama Twin Terrace (Fuji-Kawaguchiko)
The Fujiyama Twin Terrace in Fujikawaguchiko the Fujiyama Twin Terrace in Fujikawaguchiko lets you admire Fuji from a platform perched 1,600 meters above sea level! When the weather is completely clear, you can contemplate the mountain and nature at its feet, while a sea of clouds presents you with a dark and mysterious landscape. This place is only accessible by car.
Discover Kawaguchiko!
9. Nihondaira Yume Terrace (Shizuoka)
Designed by renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma this building was inspired by the octagonal shape of the Yumedono (Hall of Dreams) in the Horyu-ji temple temple in Nara. On the top floor, you'll find an observatory offering 360-degree views, including of Mount Fuji. It's possible to enjoy a coffee or a sweet on the second floor while continuing to appreciate the scenery. The venue is easily accessible from Shizuoka station, and admission is free.
Nihondaira Yume Terrace, Shizuoka
© Σ64, wikimedias
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