7 Popular Mount Fuji Spots: Honest Thoughts From a Super Introvert Traveler

Mount Fuji is the tallest mountain in Japan, sitting between Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefecture.
For centuries, it has been a powerful symbol in Japanese mythology and spirituality.

Surrounding Mount Fuji is the famous Fuji Five Lakes area, one of the best places to enjoy clear, beautiful views of the mountain.
These five lakes—Kawaguchiko, Yamanakako, Saiko, Motosuko, and Shojiko—were formed by ancient volcanic activity.

Among them, Kawaguchiko is the most visited and the easiest to access, so it naturally attracts the biggest crowds.
Just west of it is Saiko, a quieter, less-developed lake that feels peaceful and far away from all the hustle.

Recently, Mount Fuji tourism has exploded, and some spots can get overwhelmingly crowded.
So here’s my honest opinion as a super introvert, after visiting 7 popular places around Mount Fuji.

If you also prefer quiet, slow-paced travel and dislike being squeezed by crowds, this might help you plan better.

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Arakurayama Sengen Park

Arakurayama Sengen Park has 398 steps, and as you climb, you get different angles of Mount Fuji.
It’s especially famous for the iconic view of the five-story pagoda with Mount Fuji in the background.

During cherry blossom season, it becomes one of the most photographed places in all of Japan.

Read more here👇👇
Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine: The Most Iconic Mt. Fuji View with the Five-Story Pagoda

My experience:

The moment I saw the famous view, I was honestly moved 🤩
BUT the crowd… was intense.
From the stairs all the way to the viewing platform, people everywhere.
As an introvert, I just wanted to snap the photo quickly and get out 😅
If you want to avoid crowds, going very early in the morning is basically the only way.

Arakurayama Sengen Shrine – Info

• Fee: Free entry
• Hours: 09:00–16:00
• Address: 2-4-1 Asama, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi

Kawaguchi Asama Shrine & the Famous Sky Torii Gate

Kawaguchi Asama Shrine is over 1,300 years old and is dedicated to Konohanasakuya-hime, the goddess of Mount Fuji.

The Sky Torii Gate sits high on a hill, offering an amazing view of Mount Fuji through the torii frame.
It’s become a super popular photo spot.

Read more here👇👇
Mt. Fuji Travel Guide: Kawaguchi Asama Shrine & the Famous Sky Torii Gate

My experience:

Surprisingly, the main shrine area wasn’t too crowded.
But taking a photo at the Sky Gate Torii requires paying a small fee and waiting in line.
When it’s busy, each group only gets about 3 minutes.
Still, the classic torii + Fuji view is worth it.
Personally, I loved the main shrine more—quiet, peaceful, surrounded by giant sacred trees.
If you enjoy spiritual spots hidden in the forest, you’ll love this place.

Kawaguchi Asama Shrine Sky Torii Gate – Info

• Fee: 100 yen
• Hours: 09:00–16:00
• Address: 1119-2 Kawaguchi, Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi

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Oishi Park

Oishi Park sits along Lake Kawaguchiko and is famous for its seasonal flowers, especially the purple lavender fields with Mount Fuji behind them.

On clear days, you can even see the upside-down Fuji reflected in the lake.

My experience:

I visited in winter and the little snow-covered kochia bushes looked like they were popping out of the white ground, super cute 😆
The lakeside Fuji view was nice, though Fuji didn’t show up much that day 🥲

Many people get ice cream from the nearby shop and enjoy the scenery.
Most visitors don’t stay long; it’s a quick stop.

Oishi Park – Info

• Fee: Free
• Hours: Open 24 hours
• Address: 2525-11 Oishi, Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi

Oshino Hakkai

Oshino Hakkai is a village with eight crystal-clear spring ponds fed by melted snow from Mount Fuji.
It’s one of Japan’s designated “Top 100 Natural Waters.”

The ponds reflect Fuji beautifully, and the small village looks especially charming in winter.

Don’t miss the local kusamochi (mugwort rice cake) , it looks like grilled mochi filled with red bean paste.

My experience:

The scenery is lovely, but honestly… so many people.
It’s very touristy, which took away some of the traditional village feeling for me.

Oshino Hakkai – Info

• Fee: Free
• Hours: Open 24 hours
• Address: Oshino Village, Yamanashi

Tenjozan Park (Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway)

The Panoramic Ropeway takes you up from Lake Kawaguchiko to Tenjozan Park.
From the cable car, you can enjoy a full view of the lake and Mount Fuji.

It’s gorgeous during sunrise and sunset.

Read more here👇👇
Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway Guide: Explore Tenjozan Park & Its Hidden Shrine

My experience:

Amazing views, but…
The line for the ropeway gets crazy.
If you arrive a bit late in the morning, expect to wait 1 hour.
In the afternoon, the line can reach 2 hours.
And once you reach the top… still tons of people 🤯
For a super introvert, it was honestly exhausting 😵‍💫

Tenjozan Park – Info

• Fee:
  • Adults: ¥600 one-way / ¥1000 round-trip
  • Children: ¥300 one-way / ¥500 round-trip
• Hours: 8:30–17:00 (varies by season)
• Address: 1163-1 Asakawa, Fujikawaguchiko Town, Yamanashi

Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba

This is a restored gassho-style village along Lake Saiko, with traditional thatched-roof houses and beautiful views of Mount Fuji.

Read more here👇👇
Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba: A Gassho Village Under Mount Fuji

My experience:

This is where you can enjoy the classic gassho village scenery without huge crowds.
It’s peaceful, slow-paced, and perfect for relaxing.
Maybe because it’s harder to access, but that just makes it even better for introverts like us.

Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba – Info

• Fee: 500 yen (adults) / 250 yen (children)
• Hours: 09:00–17:00 (Mar–Nov) / 09:30–16:30 (Dec–Feb)
• Address: 2710 Saiko, Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi

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Aokigahara Forest + Fugaku Wind Cave & Narusawa Ice Cave

Aokigahara is a dense, mysterious forest formed by old lava flows.
Because of its reputation, it’s often called the “suicide forest,” though it’s also a unique natural hiking area.

Nearby are the Fugaku Wind Cave and Narusawa Ice Cave, both created by volcanic eruptions.
The inside stays cold year-round, with impressive ice formations.

Read more here👇👇
Unveiling the Mysteries of Aokigahara: Around Mount Fuji – A Hike Through the Sea of Trees

My experience:

This is a less crowded area, perfect if you love nature.
The landscape is very different from regular hiking trails—lava rocks, twisted roots, and a quiet, haunting atmosphere.

The caves are also fun to explore, but the floors are slippery and sometimes you need to crouch or crawl, so make sure you’re prepared.

Aokigahara – Info

• Fee: Free
• Hours: Open year-round
• Address: Yamanashi, Minamitsuru District, Fujikawaguchiko, Saiko

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Final Thoughts

All seven Mount Fuji spots are worth visiting.
But places like Arakurayama Sengen Park, Tenjozan Ropeway, and Oshino Hakkai are extremely crowded and can be exhausting, especially for introverts.

If you want a quieter experience, I highly recommend:

• Kawaguchi Asama Shrine
• Oishi Park
• Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba
• Aokigahara Forest

My personal favorites, and the ones I still think about often, are:
Kawaguchi Asama Shrine,
Iyashi-no-Sato,
and Aokigahara.

They have the peace, nature, and atmosphere that make travel truly refreshing.

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