4 Things to do Near Mt. Fuji and Fuji Five Lakes in the Winter [Updated Dec. 2023]
Mt. Fuji and the picturesque Fuji Five Lakes region offer a stunning winter landscape with numerous activities to keep you entertained. While climbing trails and certain roads are closed during the winter, fear not, as we have compiled a list of alternative activities for you to enjoy. From hiking with panoramic views to skiing down the slopes, fishing in frozen lakes, and witnessing winter fireworks, there’s something for everyone to experience in this winter wonderland.
Note: The information provided here is as of December 2023.
Index
・Mt. Fuji trails are closed during winter
・Mt. Fuji 5th Stations road closure information
・4 Things to do Near Mt. Fuji and Fuji Five Lakes in the Winter:
・Mt. Fuji trails and 5th stations are closed during winter
Unfortunately, Mt. Fuji can only be climbed during certain times of year. From September 10th until early July next year, Mt. Fuji’s four trails that lead to the summit – Yoshida, Subashiri, Gotemba, and Fujinomiya trails – are all closed, as well as the huts and bathroom facilities along the way.
The 5th stations of Mount Fuji, the starting points of the four ascending trails, are a popular spot due to its gorgeous bird-eye view of towns and nature spreading below your eyes, fun hiking trails for hikers of all levels, and the stargazing-worthy night sky. Unfortunately, except for one road – the Fuji Subaru Line – the other three roads leading to the 5th stations are closed during winter, even if you are equipped with winter tires and snow chains. The Fuji Subaru Line stays open throughout the year but often only up to the 1st or 4th stations depending on weather conditions. (Operation status can be checked on their website.) Detailed dates of road and trail closures are shown in the table below:
・Mt. Fuji 5th stations closure information
| 5th Station / Trail Name | Road Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Yoshida Trail (吉田ルート） | Fuji Subaru Line (富士スバルライン） | Open year-round (See the operator’s website for details) |
| Subashiri Trail （須走ルート） | Fuji Azami Line（ふじあざみライン） | Closed from 2PM November 10th, 2022 to early May, 2023 |
| Gotemba Trail （御殿場ルート） | Prefectural Road Tarobo Line（県道富士公園太郎坊線） | Closed from 2PM November 10th, 2022 to early May, 2023 |
| Fujinomiya Trail （富士宮ルート） | Mt.Fuji Skyline （富士山スカイライン） | Closed from 2PM November 10th, 2022 to early May, 2023 |
But don’t worry, there are many other ways to enjoy the Mt. Fuji area during the winter time!
Here are our favorite activities, events, and things to do in Mt. Fuji and Fuji Five Lakes during December to February:
1. Hiking
Mt. Ishiwari – Mt. Ohira traverse route
Exploring the beautiful trails of Mt. Ishiwari and Mt. Ohira is a great way to spend a half-day trekking adventure with friends or family while taking in spectacular views of Lake Yamanaka, majestic Mt. Fuji, and surrounding nature along the way. With a 400m elevation gain and 10km total distance, the traverse route connecting both mountains offers moderate slopes and clear paths for an enjoyable hike without being too strenuous. Free parking is available at Ishiwari Shrine (closer to Mt. Ishiwari) or Nagaike Water Park (closer to Mt. Ohira). A part of the trail map can be found here.
Caves & Aokigahara-jukai Forest trekking
Another fun trail is the route that travels across the Aokigahara-jukai forest, connecting three caves – Fugaku Wind Cave, Ice Cave, and Saiko Bat Cave. Aokigahara is a primitive forest packed with wonders with rocky lava and exposed tree roots covered by lush moss, the one-of-its-kind scenery created by the Mt. Fuji eruption. It will make you feel like you’re in the Studio Ghibli movie, “Princess Mononoke”! The trail is mostly flat and well-defined, with abundant trail signs, so you don’t have to worry about getting lost in this thick forest. Make sure to check out the three caves, which you can enter with a few hundred yen. The caves are all adventure-packed but have distinct characteristics. Free parking is available at the caves. Route details can be found at the Saiko nature center, or partially on this website.
2. Skiing
Fujiten Snow Resort & Yeti Snow Resort
Fujiten Snow Resort and Yeti Snow Resort are both smaller ski resorts located at the base of Mt. Fuji. Fujiten, closer to Fuji Five Lakes, has a slightly wider variety of slopes that can entertain beginners to adept skiers. Yeti is also a family-friendly and fun ski park on the Eastern base of Mt. Fuji, closer to Susono and Gotemba. Both offer night skiing and are open until late evening on the weekends. Fujiten can be only reached by car (there is no bus, but you could hire a taxi), while Yeti has several bus routes from various cities of Tokyo, Kanagawa, and Shizuoka.
Yeti reopened for the 2023-2024 season on October 20th and will continue operations until March 31st, 2024. Fujiten Snow Resort is set to open in mid-December and will run through early April next year.
3. Fishing
Wakasagi Fishing
During the winter, Fuji Five Lakes are filled with boats of recreative anglers looking to catch wakasagi. Wakasagi (Japanese smelt) is a small fish and a great accompaniment to a pint of beer when fried or as tempura. Lake Yamanakako and Lake Kawaguchiko have so-called “domed” boats with a roof, air-conditioning, a bathroom, and comfortable chairs often shared by other 10-20 people where you can enjoy fishing without freezing in the cold winter air. If you prefer a more private boat ride with the freedom of going to wherever you see fit, you can also hire a regular boat at smaller lakes, Saiko, Shojiko, and Motosuko. Shoya, a restaurant serving Yamanashi’s local cuisine hoto noodle in Lake Yamanakako, will cook the wakasagi you caught for free when you dine in.
Dome boats typically cost ¥4,000~ per person and 2-person motor boats cost ¥5,000~. Both do not include fishing gears, bait, or recreational fishing fee (遊漁券）. Fishing gears and bait can be bought or rented at the boat hire. The recreational fishing fee costs 600~1380yen depending on the lake (cheaper to purchase in advance at some of the boat hires, convenience stores, hotels, etc.)
4. Special Events
Winter Fireworks at Lake Kawaguchiko
Fireworks are not exclusive to summertime! Held weekly during the event, fireworks are launched above the lake waters with a gorgeous backdrop of snow-covered Mt. Fuji. Stay at one of the lake-front hotels and ryokans to enjoy the fireworks while soaking in an outdoor onsen bath!
Date: Every Saturdays and Sundays (+February 23[Fri]) during January 20 – February 18, 2024
Time: 8PM – 8:20PM
Launch sites: Oike Park (the main site), Tatamiiwa, Yagizaki Park
Free entrance, free parking
While Mt. Fuji is closed during winter, many other activities are available around Mt. Fuji and the Fuji Lake area that will keep you busy during your stay, from trekking to skiing, fishing, and even fireworks. And if you get hungry, be sure to try one of the five delicious French restaurants near Lake Kawaguchiko that we recommend!
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*Information as of December 2023.
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