Mount Fuji is easily Japan’s most famous landmark. The mountain is immediately recognizable, and can be seen from many parts of the country. It’s so iconic that you definitely don’t want to miss the chance to see it for yourself.
But which of Japan’s many cities is actually the closest to it? Which one would offer the best views, and is it worth visiting?
If you want to know where you can best see Mount Fuji from, then make sure to read on down below, because we are going to take a look to find out which city is closest to Mount Fuji!
Which City Is Closest to Mount Fuji?
You may actually be surprised to hear that the closest city to Mount Fuji is not Tokyo, and nor is it Kyoto, but it is actually a small city called Fujinomiya!
This small city is located between Kyoto and Tokyo, within the Central Shizuoka Prefecture, and it stands at the foot of the mountain, overlooking the Suruga bay.
The city is within easy access to other metropolitan cities such as Tokyo. Fujinomiya can be reached via bullet train from Tokyo Station, and the journey tends to only take around an hour to finish.
What Is There In Fujinomiya?
Aside from the obvious splendor of Mount Fuji itself, there are also plenty of other great things to see in the city.
One of the most popular attractions in the city of Fujinomiya is the Mount Fuji World Heritage Center, a museum designed to collect various artifacts from across the world relating to the famous mountain.
This museum proves incredibly popular amongst visitors to Mount Fuji, because it is a great way to get to know the iconic landmark. As well as the Mount Fuji World Heritage site, there is also the Fujisan Sengen Shrine.
This shrine is located just short of Mount Fuji’s Southwestern foothills. The shrine was originally built more than 1,000 years ago, as a way to offer protection from volcanic eruptions from Mount Fuji, which towers over the shrine.
What now makes Fujisan Sengen Shrine a popular spot is that it is now often used as a starting spot for expeditions to climb the mountain!
Because of its close proximity to the mountain, Fujinomiya also boasts a number of awesome spots to visit in order to get a good view of the mountain.
One of the best places to get a good uninterrupted view of the mountain is the Chureito Pagoda. This is another of Japan’s most famous icons.
The five stories of this impressive Pagoda offer unrivaled views of the mountain, surrounded by the cherry blossom trees around it. It’s a simply stunning view that fully displays the magnitude of Mount Fuji, and makes its sheer size more clear than ever.
How Far Is Tokyo From Mount Fuji?
Though Fujinomiya is within much closer proximity to Mount Fuji, the mountain is still very much visible from the capital of Tokyo. Tokyo sits on the Eastern side of the Mountain, unlike Fujinomiya, which sits closer to the South-West of the Mountain.
Tokyo is around 62 miles away from the Westernmost point of Tokyo, which is around 100 kilometers.
Getting to Mount Fuji from Tokyo is very easy thanks to the plethora of transportation options, including Shinkansen, which can take passengers at high speeds to Fujinomiya.
How Far Is Kyoto From Mount Fuji?
Kyoto is much further away from Mount Fuji than Tokyo, at around 356 kilometers, around 221 miles. The city of Fujinomiya sits comfortably between both Kyoto and Tokyo, with Kyoto facing the Western side of the mountain.
Accessing Mount Fuji via Shinkansen is the fastest method, as the trip takes only 2 hours and 16 minutes.
This is considerably short when you consider that the average journey time from Kyoto to Fujinomiya is closer to 4 hours using more traditional methods of transport.
Can You See Mount Fuji From Tokyo?
Definitely. Though Tokyo is not quite as close to the mountain as Fujinomiya, you can still very clearly see Mount Fuji from the city, and from numerous spots within the city.
Generally, in order to see Mount Fuji from Tokyo, the weather conditions have to be totally perfect to permit such a view. Generally, when the sky is clear, Mount Fuji can even be spotted from some of the Southernmost parts of the city.
If you want to see Mount Fuji from Tokyo, your best bet is to visit the city in the Summer months, when the sky is at its clearest, and the sun is at its brightest. This will allow you to see the mountain from afar.
To Wrap Up
As you can now see, the closest city to the iconic Mount Fuji is the small city of Fujinomiya, located towards the South-Western foothold of the mountain, within the Central Shizuoka Prefecture.
This city lies between Kyoto and Tokyo, and features a number of extra attractions centered around the world-famous landmark.
Fujinomiya is based at the bottom of the mountain, and features a number of popular starting points for people looking to climb the mountain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mount Fuji A Day Trip From Tokyo?
Definitely. Mount Fuji has for many years been a popular tourist destination for those looking for a day trip away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. The mountain is within easy access to those in Tokyo, via Shinkansen.
Do You Have To Pay To See Mount Fuji?
Yes. In order to gain access to the mountain climbing trail, you will need to pay a 1,000 yen admission fee. Facilities on the side of the mountain add additional costs.
Is Mount Fuji Worth Visiting?
Definitely. Mount Fuji is well worth visiting, thanks to its immense size, and its stunning profile even when viewed from a distance.
Hi, I’m Jason Patrick, and for as long as I have been alive, I have been obsessed with Japanese culture. From the sights and sounds of Japan’s many cities to its culinary delights that have become famous worldwide, I simply cannot get enough of this wonderful nation!
I hope that, by exploring this website, you all will develop a much deeper appreciation for Japan, and that it may even influence you to pay it a visit yourself eventually! It is definitely a trip of a lifetime, and whether you experience it firsthand, or through my own website, I’m sure you will become just as passionate as I always have been!
