With a summit height of 3,776 meters, it’s hard to pass through Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures without taking a peek at Mt Fuji. As Japan’s tallest mountain, Mt Fuji has had a dominating presence both physically and spiritually since ancient times.
With the acceptance of 2020, thousands of fans are drawn to the Japanese landmark and icon each year. Some take on the gruelling task of summiting the mountain, whilst others head for the surrounding hills for a panoramic view of the giant and the surrounding areas.
The mountain is so big that on clear days it can be seen from the Irokawa Fujimi Mountain Pass in Wakayama prefecture 323 km away. With such great visible reach, it’s no wonder that there are more than just a handful of viewing spots available from where one can catch a glimpse of Fuji (check out Izu peninsula’s Fujimi Terrace, or Fuji Q’s brand new Fujiyama Tower).
Connecting the lakeside station to Fujimidai station on the slopes of Mt Tenjo, the Kawaguchiko – Mt Fuji Panorama Ropeway provides an unobstructed view of Mt Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi. In just 2 minutes, 20 seconds, the ropeway transports visitors from the lakeside to the upper station of 1,075m.
At the top of the climb, Tenjozan park’s mountaintop square offers a range of viewing spots, including the hair-raising Sengoku Square Viewing Platform which juts out of the cliffside and dares visitors to take in the view from the very edge.
Following recent construction, the steep stairway which connects the ropeway platform to the mountaintop square has been transformed into a universally accessible gentle slope that allows visitors to enjoy the magnificent view of Mt Fuji and Kawaguchiko as they climb up at their own pace. This improvement to the walkway is intended to make the viewing area more welcoming to all kinds of visitors. The path has been renamed as the ‘Scenic Panoramic Corridor’.
In addition to the recent improvements, 400 colorful wind chimes are currently fluttering in the wind near the upper ropeway station as part of a summer-only "Furin Komichi" (Path of wind-chimes). The display is set up so that visitors can take photos with the wind chimes and Mt Fuji.
Kawaguchiko – Mt Fuji Panorama Ropeway
Located at an altitude of 1,075 meters, this spectacular viewing spot has a panoramic view of Mt Fuji. Enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of Mt Fuji and Lake Kawaguchiko anytime of year, and watch it change with the seasons.
Sengoku Square Superb Viewing Platform
Jutting out from the cliffside at an altitude of 1,110 meters, the Sengoku Square Viewing Platform boasts a panoramic view of Mt Fuji. Gather up your courage and edge over to the very end of the viewing platform for an unobstructed view of the surrounding area.
Opening hours and information
Weekdays: 09:30 – 16:00 (last ropeway car down at 16:20)
Weekends and Holidays: 9:30 – 17:00 (last ropeway car down at 17:20)
Adults round-trip fee: 900 yen
Adults one-way fee: 500 yen
Children round-trip fee: 450 yen
Children one-way fee: 250 yen
Location: 1163-1 Asakawa, Fujikawaguchiko-cho, Nantodome-gun, Yamanashi
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- External Link
- https://grapee.jp/en/
4 Comments
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divinda
If the government is trying to prevent people from traveling around, why are articles like this encouraging people to go travel around?
Space Cochonne
Numan
You are safe before 8PM according to the j-gov. According to some of the posters on JT, the COVID-19 threat is fictitious like vampires.
If you really want to test your courage, most of the scary bridges or platforms are in places like China, Peru, Vietnam, Pakistan, France, and even the US.
GBR48
The steps up to the Chureito Pagoda Fuji viewing platform are also a bit scary. The most nerve-wracking such climb I've encountered is the Shussei no Ishiden (stone staircase of success) at Atago Jinja shrine. There is a side staircase that is a little easier, if you complete your climb but don't fancy the even scarier descent. Bonus points if you navigate them whilst they still have some snow and slush on the ground.
Japan loves staircases. Post-pandemic, a holiday in Japan will give you a good workout and see you return fitter than you departed.