Yamanashi review - tips for seeing Mount Fuji
Approximately an hour and a half from the sprawling metropolis of Tokyo lies a prefecture known primarily for one thing. In fact, its in the name of this prefecture which translates to mountain pear. I am of course talking about Yamanashi prefecture which is home to a large portion of Japan’s most famous icon, Mount Fuji. Mount Fuji is one of the top sights that visitors to Japan seek out.
Yamanashi is also one of the prefectures I wrote on my preference list in my JET application. Primarily for Fuji and the proximity to Tokyo. Unlike Tokyo Yamanashi is the opposite of the concrete jungle with its vast transport network and seemingly never-ending streets and walkways. Yamanashi is rural, with vast mountains and lakes. The landscape in Yamanashi is volcanic and rich. The whole prefecture is a farmer’s paradise with the nutrient rich soil.
The prefecture offers a lot to hikers and ramblers, thousands flock to Mount Fuji to climb. For those with a love of the great outdoors this is the prefecture for you. There are small towns and cities dotted around the valleys and the road network covers the prefecture well. It is a very different experience than that of Shimane, another prefecture covered in mountains and forests, however the transport network lets it down.
Many famous sights and viral photographs have come from this prefecture, including the famous Lawson image. The Lawson itself became overwhelmed with tourists trying to recapture the image depicting the contrast between nature and modernism. It was overwhelmed to the point of putting up a fence as the Lawson has very little parking and the few customers it did get were often unable to park as people were parked for selfies. There are better places for similar images which also include better parking.
Mount Fuji captured the imagination of many throughout the centuries and is featured on Japanese bank notes. The famous image of Fuji with the red pagoda in front is also from this prefecture and tours can be booked that make seeing Fuji more convenient for those with no car or little time. A word of warning though to capture the same pagoda image you will need to be fit enough to climb a lot of stairs and they are steep. So, prepare yourself with water and time to allow for the climb.
Whilst there are many tours that will take guests to scenic sights and allow them to try local dishes. It is never guaranteed that you will see the star himself. Fuji is often shrouded in clouds, and many Japanese people go years without seeing him because the clouds and visibility is very hit or miss. There are many sites that will predict the chances of you seeing him on a given day. However, like most things nature related conditions can change quickly.
If you are after an image of Mount Fuji with the iconic snow cap you will need to book your trip later into November. Snow fall has been getting later in Japan due to climate change and warmer longer summers. This year the first snowfall was the last week of October and autumn foliage is not predicted till late November to early December depending on prefecture. So, if you are dead set on getting that snow covered Fuji your best chances are staying in Yamanashi and giving yourself as many days as you can to chance on good visibility for a day or a few hours.
I was fortunate to see Mount Fuji and have seen him a few times whilst flying into Tokyo. The visibility for Mount Fuji also decreases later in the day as it becomes hazier.
Yamanashi prefecture has more to offer that isn’t just Mount Fuji and hiking. It is home to five lakes which offer plenty of boating activities and a huge array of fishy cuisine. During summer it offers fruit picking opportunities the region is iconic for wine tasting and vineyards. The ice caves and forest of Aokigahara offers a chance to see a volcanic landscape in action. As the wind will blow through the forest and cause the ground to move like its breathing. The area is porous lave stone and the wind blows through the holes in the ground to create the breathing effect.
Yamanashi also offers the Maglev Museum to those interested in the future of high-speed transportation and many art museums. For those after a different kind of high-speed thrill there is the amusement park Fuji-Q highland that offers rollercoasters and rides to those wanting their adrenaline rush in the shadow of Mount Fuji!
Staying in Yamanashi will require some research as there are many resorts, ryokans and high-end hotels all boasting their panoramic Mount Fuji or lake views. Meaning hotels in the area can get expensive quickly. These options however may be the perfect honeymoon trip or special occasion celebration. All in all, planning is your friend for to ensure you too can capture the star of Japan in your images!
