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:

Mt. Minobu & Minobu-san Kuonji temple

Shizuoka prefecture borders beautiful Yamanashi prefecture so it's a good place for a day trip. From Fuji Station, the Minobu Line train will take you to Minobu Town or further on Kofu (both excellent Yamanashi destinations). The trip from Fuji Station to Minobu takes about 85 minutes and costs 820 yen each way. This train ride covers an absolutely beautiful stretch along the Fuji River and through the mountains.


When you get off the train at Minobu, you will find yourself in the quaint, quiet downtown strip of the mountain town. Very much like something out of the past. Fall is particularly nice, when everything is wrapped in fog and the leaves are blazing red and yellow. Have yourself some ramen or udon with mountain vegetables and catch the bus to Mt. Minobu (about 15 minutes away).

Mt. Minobu and Minobu-san Kuonji temple are historically important. The temple was built by Nichiren Shonin, founder of the Nichiren sect of Buddhism in 1282. Among other things, Nichiren asserted the novel proposition that woman could attain enlightenment. His ashes are enshrined at Kuonji temple.

Entrance to Minobu-san

The never ending stairs that must be conquered before you reach the temple.
The local high school's baseball team uses it to train.
(There's also an easier trek through the forest for those who can't make it.)

Minobu-san Kuonji temple

Five story pagoda

The temple compound has many gardens.

Part of the view.

These cherry trees are hundreds of years old.

Fall leaves

There's also a parking lot for cars in case you're driving. If you're interested, you can also take a cable car further up for a view of the mountains all around.

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

Sumata Valley

If you take the Oigawa Main Line from JR Kanaya Station to Senzu Station, you can catch a bus for 860 yen to Sumatakyo Onsen. The Sumata River is a branch of the Oi River and Sumata Valley is stunning. The bus lumbers through winding mountain roads with breathtaking views before depositing you at the last stop - Sumatakyo Onsen. Once there, there are easy to understand maps that will tell you the way to the onsen, restaurants and hiking trails - all easily accessible.

I went in summer, but it's supposed to be even more stunning in fall when the leaves change color. You can hike paths with mountain goats, cross a suspension bridge and wander along the river. When you're finished, head to the outdoor onsen and pay only a couple of hundred yen to relax in natural hot spring water while you look up at the trees and mountains. Makes a great day trip. Be sure to walk with your camera.

Sumatakyo onsen

Heading into Sumata Valley by bus

Sumata Valley

Sumata Valley

Green Shower Road

One of the suspension bridges you can cross

Hiking along the Sumata river

Watch out for mountain goats

Oigawa Railway

To me, one of the best things about Japan is the train system. Shizuoka has some awesome scenic lines like the Minobu Line and the Oigawa Railway. The bit of Japan through which the Oigawa Railway passes is beautiful and epic. I use the word epic a lot to describe nature in Shizuoka because it leaves me in such awe.

Kanaya

The Oigawa Railway has two lines - the Oigawa Main Line and the Ikawa Line. Check out the Wikipedia entry for more information. I took the Main Line from from its start at JR Kanaya Station to its end at Senzu Station. The journey is 75 minutes of bliss. The trains themselves are like museums. This is also the line that operates the famous Shizuoka steam locomotive. You can ride the locomotive but you have to check the times in advance as (I think) it only makes one return trip each day. The normal trains are much more regular.

The Main Line goes along the Oi River, with views of flower covered river banks, tea fields and lots of green. Children wave at you at the small town stops along the way. The one way fare is 1810 yen and worth every penny I think. You don't have to go all the way to Senzu but I did because I wanted to visit the Sumata Valley. Kawane Town, known for its onsens, is also along the way. The Jorudan site is a great tool for planning train travel anywhere in Japan. The pictures below are all summer shots. I'd like to go back in the fall when the leaves change color. That is supposed to be the best time to visit.

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.