The 4 seasons of Mt. Fuji The brilliant white peak of Mt. Fuji is its key characteristic. From different angles, Mt. Fuji always provides a different scene, with each experience of the mountain being completely different. The juxtaposition of Mt. Fuji against springtime cherry trees is the material that postcard photographs are made of! Springtime is the season when all living things are rejuvenated. If you have time, you must go and see the full flowering of Shibazakura that is everywhere on Mt. Fuji, which occurs in May. The flowering of the cherry blossoms creates an atmosphere of romance. One can wander among the Shibazakura as if under a spell. The adornment of Mt. Fuji by cherry blossom petals during spring is the most romantic of scenes for this mountain. Mt. Fuji in the summertime is bathed in the scent of lavender. During the summertime, though the snowcap of Mt. Fuji will melt, and as a result the typical image of snow-capped Mt. Fuji won’t be there, there is still a flowering of lavender all around. This is one of the reasons that many people love to go to Mt. Fuji in the summertime. Even the noise the cicadas make is no longer as annoying. Of course, summer is the best time to climb Mt. Fuji. During the summer you can make the choice to “conquer” Mt. Fuji. During the fall time at Mt. Fuji, you can stroll along the winding fallen red-leaf corridors of Lake Kawaguchi, with the snow-clad Mt. Fuji on the opposite shore forming a fantastic contrast, bewitching viewers. The tops of the winding pathways are shaded by intertwined maple trees of either side. Passing through the forest, you breath the clean and fresh air filtered by the trees, with eyes filled with the rich and diverse colors all around, making you not want to look away. The wintertime at Mt. Fuji is the period where the skies tend to be most clear, and of course is thus the best time to admire Mt. Fuji. The whole world is covered with white snow. If one’s luck is good, you can also see the “white hat” of Mt. Fuji, which is made of white clouds, covering the summit of the mountain. A cloudless Mt. Fuji is of course still, but it also produces a feeling of tranquility in viewers, a kind of surging magnificence. For little companions who like outdoor activities, skiing on Mt. Fuji is an option.

Flower viewing on Lake Kawaguchi + Cruise: A great place for photography! Flower viewing on Lake Kawaguchi + Cruise: Every photo that you take is a great picture of Mt. Fuji! After your “secret visit” to Mt. Fuji, if you wish to appreciate a panoramic view of this mountain, Lake Kawaguchi is absolutely your best option. Lake Kawaguchi is one of the five lakes of Mt. Fuji, and may also be said to be the optimal place for seeing the entire majestic scene of Mt. Fuji. This is the most classic location for viewing the scene of Mt. Fuji. Of course, you can take a cruise on Lake Kawaguchi, and if the weather is good, you can observe the picturesque scene of Mt. Fuji reflected in the water. This is regarded as a good omen by local people.

Hot springs on Lake Kawaguchi, have a romantic hot soak just below Mt. Fuji The hot springs of Lake Kawaguchi are located on the plain at the foot of Mt. Fuji. There are several springs located here, and each of these have different characteristics. They also have a therapeutic effect for those with neuralgia. Also, due to the way the springs bubble up from the earth, many new hotels have constructed their own outdoor Onsens, making it possible to enjoy this great benefit and see Mt. Fuji at the same time. By Oshino Lake there is also the Kawaguchi Museum, fashionable cafeterias, and facilities for experiencing handmade goods, also you can enjoy the enchanting hot springs providing relaxation by Mt. Fuji.

Oshino Hakkai -the Jiuzhai Gorge of Japan Oshino Hakkai, which is the Jiuzhai Gorge of Japan, has also been named a UNESCO world heritage site along with Mt. Fuji; Oshino village is located between Lake Kawaguchi and Lake Yamanakako in Yamanashi Prefecture. It is like entering the paradise of Jiuzhai. The maple forest shines with colors like red clouds, and the landscape is dappled with crystal clear pools. Maple tree by the pools and ancient stones ornament the springs with an ancient appeal, adding another kind of charm. In this atmosphere of intoxicating fall colors, you can gaze into the distance at Mt. Fuji, as well as sample the sweet spring water of the mountain, full of rustic charm.

The Gotemba Premium Outlets are a famous discount brand store, where Mt. Fuji can be observed. The exterior of the building has a European style. This is a specialty store where many famous brands from inside and outside of Japan are gathered together. There are more than 205 shops here, of all different kinds, and it is the largest brand discount store area in Japan. A tip for those who shop for fun: 1. Before starting your shopping expedition, get a Gotemba Premium Outlets map first, find the places that you want to go, and mark out where they are, with this trick you can enjoy your shopping trip more. 2. You can use many kinds of credit cards to pay. Visa offers special benefits in this regard. For details please consult the Visa official website. Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diner’s, and Cash. In the Brooks Brothers and Junmen stores you can use Union Pay (Union pay can only be used in some of the stores). 3. Some of the stores provide Tax Free services. If you want a return of your sales taxes, you must bring your passport. It is not like Europe where you can just provide your passport number. (You can only get the tax free service in some stores). To obtain tax free services, you must comply with the following conditions: make a purchase of more than 5,000 Japanese Yen at a single store (not including tax) for regular items (clothes, shoes, bags, jewelry, et cetera). At the same store, purchase 5,000 Japanese Yen (not including tax) or more in consumer goods (food, drinks, alcoholic products, cosmetics, etc), but do not exceed 500,000 Japanese Yen (not including tax). 4. For relatively older children at Gotemba, the Family Ground outdoor playground is available, and for younger children there is the Kids Room playground. For guests with children this is a great experience.