Camping Next to Mount Fuji

I love Mount Fuji and I think it is my love of the mountains in Japan that led me to seek other mountains around the world.

Tamae Watanabe

Mount Fuji is a beauty from afar. Most tourists would head out to Lake Kawaguchi, which is right next to Mount Fuji, to spend a day or two enjoying the majestic view in the Japanese countryside. Frankly it has become quite commercial, leading to expensive accommodations; the occasional crowds and a reduced number of places in which you could contemplate while admiring the mountain. Well, that is if you follow the conventional way :).

Let me introduce one of my favourite places in Japan - Fumotoppara. It is a huge campsite near Lake Kawaguchi with an unparalleled view of Mount Fuji, approximately ~2 hours away from Tokyo by car. It is also the place that hosts the annual Go Out Camp events and the Asagiri JAM Festival.

Due to its convenience and the majestic view, as well as factors such as being featured in numerous TV shows, magazines and the manga 'Laid-Back Camp', it is usually jam packed during the weekends. I would recommend reserving a spot via their website well in advance.

Tips

• Reserve ~2 weeks in advance via their website here
• Drive to the campsite if possible, as it is the easiest way to get there
• Check in at the management building to get your red entrance card before you pitch your tent (Check-in time is between 8:30 - 17:00)
• Display your red entrance card somewhere, either stick it on the window of your car / dangle it somewhere visible on your tent
• Check out by giving back your red entrance card when you leave (Check-out time is before 14:00)
• Carry warm clothes with you during the summer time. It is a wide open field ~830m above sea level,  thus it can get chilly especially during the mornings and evenings
• Bring waterproof gears with you (i.e. rain fly for your tent, waterproof jacket). The weather could change quite rapidly given the elevation
• Wear waterproof shoes to avoid getting your shoes wet from the dewy grass and damp soil in the morning
• Buy all of your food and essentials before heading out: there is no supermarket and only two convenient stores nearby, in which neither of them are within walkable distance
• Leverage the bathhouse provided by the campsite, usually open during the weekends and 3-day public holidays

Rules

• No drones allowed
• No firework allowed
• No cars allowed in / out of the campsite by 17:00
• No campfire allowed unless it is on a fire pit
• No camping near the trees
• Keep quiet from 20:00 - 8:00
• Keep your pet on a leash
• Take your rubbish back / Separate the rubbish based on the rules on the website here

Must do!

• Watch the sunrise - Don't miss the sunrise! In particular, if you were to visit in March or October, you might be able to catch Diamond Fuji, which is when the rising or setting sun aligns to the peak of Mount Fuji, making it shines like a diamond hence its name. I would suggest to situate yourself right next to the lake near the management building (i.e. where you check in / check out) such that you could take a photo of Mount Fuji and its reflection.

• Watch the sunset - Likewise, you might be able to catch Diamond Fuji if you visit in March or October. Regardless, sit back; get yourself a warm drink and enjoy the magical hour with a stunning view of Mount Fuji - This is camping life at its best!

• Start a campfire - Bring a portable fire pit and start a campfire! It can get cold even during the summer so having a heat source is very welcoming. In addition, it is comforting to watch the flames flicker while enjoying a cup of coco / roasting some marshmallows. You can buy firewood at the management building.

• Star gaze - Take advantage of the limited light pollution at the campsite! Bring your DSLR and tripod if you have one.

Facilities at the Campsite

• Toilets (with warm seats! Very important during autumn / winter)
• Water and sinks
• Bathhouse (usually open during the weekends and 3-day public holidays)
• Rubbish station
• Vending machines

Nearby Facilities

• Family Mart - Fujinomiya Asagiri Mise (~1.4km from the campsite)
• Seven Eleven - Fujinomiya Asagiri Koen Mise (~2.8km from the campsite)
• Hot spring - Kaze no Yu (Link here)
• Hot spring - An Mo no Yu (Link here)
• More information on nearby facilities available in the link here

Access

• Address -  (JP) 〒418-0109, 静岡県富士宮市麓156; (Eng) 〒418-0109, Shizuoka Ken Fujinomiya Shi Fumoto 156
• By car - Take the Shin Tomei Expressway (Shin Fuji Interchange) or Chuo Expressway (Kawaguchiko Interchange). Afterwards, go down Nishi Fuji Road Route 139 and turn left once you have arrived at the entrance of Asagiri Green Park

• By train / bus - Arrive at Kawaguchiko station / Fujinomiya station, then take the Fujikyuko bus (Bus timetable here) towards either Mount Fuji station or Shin Fuji station. Get off at Asagiri Green Park station and walk towards the hiking entrance of Mount Kenashi (~30 minutes walk)

Useful Links

• Official site (Link here)
• Live view of the campsite; historical information on temperature and wind speed at the campsite (Link here)

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