Aokigahara Jukai (Suicide Forest)

For such a beautiful, peaceful place, it has a macabre reputation. That's because every year about a hundred bodies are found in the forest. It's a popular location for committing suicide, so much so that signs warn potential victims to think about their families; and cameras keep track of those who enter the forest in case they don't make it out. Some hang themselves or take poison and others just kind of wander around until they starve. The hunt for bodies is an annual event.

Particularly in fall, Aokigahara makes for a nice walk. Visitors are warned not to stray off the path though because it's easy to get lost. The best way to get here is by car, that way you can take in the foliage of the Fuji Five Lakes area, and its spectacular view of Mt. Fuji. There are also a couple of ice caves in the area to explore. It is also possible to go by bus from Fujinomiya Station with the Kawaguchiko Station bound bus. In the peak season, you can stop for a delicious organic lunch at nearby Solar Cafe.

Rafting on the Fujikawa

The Fujikawa (Fuji River) is one of the three most rapid rivers in Japan. The other two are the Magami River in Yamagata and the Kuma River in Kumamoto. This makes it ideal for white water rafting. There are a number of companies in Shizuoka that offer guided rafting and canyoning in the area. At Natural Action Outdoor Tours, we were able to get an English speaking guide who made the whole thing easy for those of us who had never been rafting before. You can call them at 0544-65-1123.


It's a fantastic thing that must be done if you're going to be living or visiting anywhere close to the Fuji River. The rafting is punctuated by little side trips to explore waterfalls and dive off cliffs. And the scenery is stunning as you go down the river looking up at Mt. Fuji, the Japanese Alps, forests, riverbank flowers and giant arches. Early fall is the perfect time to be out there as the sun isn't scorching and the water isn't too cold.






Here's a video of what it's like:

Shiraito waterfall

Shiraito means white silk threads and that's exactly what these falls look like. The pool of water into which they fall glows a lovely blue green in the sun. Behind the falls are dark woods, and behind that the peak of Mt. Fuji.


This is one of many popular tourist destinations around Fujinomiya. The area around the falls is good for hiking as there are great views of Mt. Fuji. Lake Tanuki is just one of the other places to see nearby, about a one hour trek (5 km) or shorter bus ride. Generally, the falls are crowded during summer but if you go on a weekday, you can have a less touristy experience. Like most other places of interest in Japan, food stalls and souvenir shops abound.

Regular buses leave from Fujinomiya Station. The earliest bus is at 7:15 a.m. on weekdays and 7:35 a.m. on weekends. The latest bus back to Fujinomiya Station is at 7:47 p.m. on weekdays and 5:10 p.m. on weekends. The entrance to the falls is a two minute walk from the bus stop. Here is a map in case you're driving.

Mt. Fuji Fifth Station

There is a lot of information out there about how to get to Mt. Fuji from Tokyo. But if you actually live in the area around Mt. Fuji, you may not know that there are direct buses that go to the Fifth Station (Fujinomiya Trail), the starting point for most people who climb. You can catch the bus from Shin Fuji Station, Fuji Station or Fujinomiya Station. It costs 3000 yen for a return ticket (2310 yen one way).

It's pretty cool taking a bus up into the sky and looking out over the clouds. It's also a good option for those who aren't interested in climbing but just want to set foot on Mt. Fuji. There are a restaurant and gift shop at the Fifth Station so you can hang out for a while before heading back down. It's pretty chilly even in summer.

Information on the Fujinomiya trail can be found here, including bus schedules. Note that bus times vary depending on the time of the year, with more buses available in the peak climbing season in July and August.

View from bus

View from Fifth Station

Bus stop at the Fifth Station

Restaurant at the Fifth Station

Lake Tanuki

I've decided to post things that may not be in Fuji City, but are still easily accessible and worthwhile (in my opinion). I'm very much in love with nearby Fujinomiya and sometimes wish I lived there instead. One of my favorite places there is Lake Tanuki. It's a man made lake that's famous for a mirror reflection of Mt. Fuji.

Lake Tanuki is great for fishing, biking, walking and camping. There are some really good camp facilities like showers and cooking areas. There are also a lakeside restaurant and nearby temple. It's a nice walk to nearby Shiraito waterfall, too. A Japanese colleague warned me not to go in summer because an overgrowth of algae makes it a little smelly. Here are some pictures of my visit this spring.



Transportation to Lake Tanuki is easy. You have to go to Fujinomiya Station first, either by bus from Yoshiwara Chuo Station or by JR train. There's a bus from Fujinomiya Station to Shiraito falls and Lake Tanuki. I think it's platform number 2 but please check to make sure. Also be sure to check the bus times back. The last bus back from Shiraito falls to Fujinomiya Station is at 5:10 p.m. on weekends and is probably much earlier from Lake Tanuki. You can always walk from Lake Tanuki to Shiraito falls and catch a later bus like I did.

Fuji Central Park

There are about 150 parks in Fuji City but Fuji Central Park is one of the more special ones. In Japanese it's Fuji Chuo Koen. It's just across the street from the Rose Theater and any of the regular buses between Yoshiwara Chuo Station and Fuji Station will get you pretty close. It's a really good place to just sit and relax. You can watch skater boys or families playing catch. But the park is big enough that there are always private corners if you prefer.

During the colder months, there's an awesome view of Mt. Fuji and a nice duck pond. In fact, the view of Mt. Fuji at the top of this blog is from Fuji Central Park. In May, the roses come in and the colors and smells are fantastic. Actually, the rose is the official flower of Fuji City. Twice a year (April and October), according to the Fuji City website, the Green and Flowers Festival is held at Fuji Central Park. At this festival, you an buy flowers and plants and even receive free roses to celebrate the city's official flower.

The Rose Theater is located here. Fuji Central Park is just across the street.

Iwamotoyama Park

Don't wait until the plum blossoms are almost gone like I did. The end of February is the best time to see them. Lots of photographers apparently go there to get that perfect shot of Fuji with ume blossoms in the foreground.

Iwamotoyama Koen is also a good place for cherry blossoms in the spring. There are hiking trails in the park itself. The walk there, from Fuji Station for example, is definitely not boring. There is also the Iwamatsu Kita community bus service to and from Fuji Station that costs only 300 yen (though I haven't taken it).

Interestingly, there is a group of volunteers who care for the many stray cats at the park. You might want to take some snacks for the hungry kitties if you're headed that way.

The exact location of Iwamotoyama Park is here.

Log house on the way to Iwamotoyama Koen

Trees making love

Purple plum blossoms

Early cherry blossoms (sakura)

Petals fall everywhere like snow

Many different kinds of blossoms

Lovers' stroll

And this is just the last of the blossoms

White plum blossoms

The perfect seat

Fuji Soko Undo Park

Also known as Fuji Soko Undo Koen. It's an athletic park just across the street from both Fuji Tohoka University and this giant shiny dome, which is actually the prefectural swimming complex (available for use by the public at a cost of 500 yen). Fuji Soko Undo Koen is a very big sports park with a stadium, tennis courts, walking/biking trails and more.

Here is the exact location.

The reason I went there, however, was for the great views of Mt. Fuji (not that that's generally a problem in this city). There's a viewing station at the top of a hill in a prime spot.

Here is a lava mound at the park from one of Fuji's past eruptions, with Fuji-san himself in the background.


There is a very limited bus to the park from Yoshiwara Chuo bus station. I'd recommend walking or biking there, though. There is some uphill involved but the views are epic, with vast tea fields laid out before you. Makes you feel very small. *Edit: There are regular buses from Yoshiwara Chuo Station to Obuchi that stop close (0.8 km) to Fuji Soko Undo Koen. You have to get off in Hiromi, about 5 minutes after the Hiromi Koen stop. You'll see a big road sign in English pointing the way.


This picture kind of sums up Fuji City to me: industry against the backdrop of intractable nature.