A Guide to Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine: Panoramic Views Full of Japanese Charm

Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine was founded in 705 as the local guardian shrine of what is now the Arakura district, during the reign of Emperor Monmu, who is also said to have been the model for the emperor in The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter.
When Mount Fuji underwent a major eruption in 807, a fire-quelling ritual was held, and an imperial plaque and other offerings were dedicated by Emperor Heizei.
An imperial plaque is a framed inscription written in the emperor’s own hand, and the one at Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine is displayed on the Great Torii Gate.
As you pass through the Great Torii Gate, be sure to take a look at this imperial plaque as well.

Chureito Pagoda serves as a memorial for those who died in war.
The Chureito Pagoda at Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine likewise commemorates the war dead of Fujiyoshida City.
Chureito pagodas, which are generally assumed to include a columbarium, come in various forms, but the one at Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine is a five-story pagoda.
This is one of the architectural forms of Buddhist pagodas, and each of its five levels represents a distinct Buddhist concept.
It can be described as a building that embodies refined Japanese beauty.

Arahama Shrine, an auxiliary shrine of Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine, stands to the left as you face the main hall.
A small shrine separate from the main hall is called an auxiliary shrine, and together with affiliated shrines, they are sometimes referred to collectively as sessha and massha.
Arahama Shrine enshrines Hatagami-sama, a deity of weaving, as well as a deity of sericulture.
Because weaving is done by combining vertical and horizontal threads, the shrine has long been known for blessings related to love and relationships.
It is a shrine with a simple appearance and a calming atmosphere.

The main hall is where the sacred object inhabited by the shrine’s deity is enshrined, and Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine is no exception.
The main hall enshrines Konohanasakuya-hime no Mikoto and Ninigi no Mikoto, who are husband and wife, as well as Oyamatsumi no Mikoto, the parent of Konohanasakuya-hime no Mikoto, as its deities.
Because these three deities are a married couple and parent and child, they are said to bring blessings for family harmony and child-rearing.
It is an impressive structure with a solemn presence.

If you climb the 398-step Sakuya-hime Stairway located before Shiogama Shrine, you will find the observation deck near Chureito Pagoda.
From there, the composition frames Mount Fuji in the direction of Chureito Pagoda.
As you climb the 398 steps named after Konohanasakuya-hime no Mikoto, Mount Fuji appears through the gaps in the trees.
Surrounded by nature, you can enjoy both the cityscape of Fujiyoshida and spectacular views.
The greatest attraction of the view from the observation deck is that you can see Mount Fuji and Chureito Pagoda at the same time. In spring, you can also enjoy cherry blossoms together with them.
It would not be an exaggeration to call it one of the most quintessentially Japanese landscapes.
In fact, photos taken from the observation deck are often used in guidebooks and other materials introducing Japan, so you have probably seen this view at least once.

As you walk up the main approach toward the shrine grounds, the Great Torii Gate comes into view. The vermilion torii has an overwhelming presence.
The Great Torii Gate is decorated with an imperial plaque by Emperor Heizei, so be sure to take a look at that as well.
The highlight of the Great Torii Gate is the view of Mount Fuji together with the surrounding nature.
A particularly recommended composition is to frame Mount Fuji inside the torii gate, and in spring and fall you can enjoy cherry blossoms or autumn leaves at the same time.
It offers another distinctly Japanese scene, different from the observation spot.

A restaurant where you can enjoy Yoshida udon, a local specialty of the Fujiyoshida area in Yamanashi Prefecture.
At Genji, the soup, made by the former chef-owner with a blend of soy sauce and miso, and the smooth, easy-to-slurp noodles are especially well regarded. The menu includes kake, tsuke, and chilled tanuki udon, but the most popular dish is the Meat Tempura Udon.

A long-established Yoshida udon restaurant founded Approx. 70 years ago and now run by the third generation.
It is said to be the place where the now-standard use of horse meat in Yoshida udon first began.
The noodles are made with mineral-rich sea salt and contain about half the salt of regular Yoshida udon noodles.
The fish-based soup, made with soy sauce as kaeshi and country-style miso, contains no chemical seasonings at all, showing the restaurant’s strong commitment to quality ingredients.

Ganso Miura Udon is a well-known Yoshida udon restaurant in Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi Prefecture, founded in 1981.
At Ganso Miura Udon, the house-made hand-kneaded noodles are still made using the same method and carefully selected ingredients as when the restaurant first opened, and they have long been loved by locals for their unchanged flavor. Among the many famous Yoshida udon restaurants, its noodles are considered relatively less firm, making it an easy place for first-time Yoshida udon diners to try.

Oshino Hakkai is the collective name for eight spring-fed ponds sourced from Mount Fuji: Deguchi Pond, Okama Pond, Sokonuki Pond, Choshi Pond, Waku Pond, NigorI Pond, Kagami Pond, and Shobu Pond.
It was once a lake, but after drying up, it became eight spring ponds.
The melted snow from Mount Fuji is filtered for Approx. 20 years through underground lava layers, which gives the water exceptional clarity.
The beautiful natural scenery created by Mount Fuji and the ponds makes this spot especially popular.

Lake Yamanaka covers Approx. 6.57 square kilometers and sits at an elevation of Approx. 980.5 meters.
It is the third-highest lake in Japan. It is also the closest of the Fuji Five Lakes to Mount Fuji, offering beautiful seasonal scenery created by the majestic mountain and the lake.
In spring, tulips bloom; in summer, sunflowers; and in fall, cosmos flowers. You can also enjoy autumn leaves in fall and snow-capped Mount Fuji in winter, making it a destination that can be enjoyed year-round.

Lake Kawaguchi is known as one of the Fuji Five Lakes and is a popular spot for enjoying spectacular views of Mount Fuji.
Cherry blossoms bloom along the lakeshore in spring, purple lavender appears in early summer, and autumn leaves color the area in fall, creating beautiful scenery that changes with the seasons.
It is also known as the only one of the Fuji Five Lakes to have both an island and a bridge.

A glamping facility located on the shores of Lake Kawaguchi in Yamanashi, Approx. 90 minutes from central Tokyo. Its convenient location also makes it a great base for sightseeing around Mount Fuji.
There are four types of guest rooms, including villas and dome tents, so you can choose according to the number of guests and your travel style.
All 16 accommodations are equipped with natural hot springs and saunas, allowing you to enjoy private, relaxing moments.
The outdoor pool, inspired by the surface of Lake Kawaguchi, is lit up at night to create a magical atmosphere.

A classic hotel standing on the shores of Lake Kawaguchi. With a history of more than 90 years, this prestigious hotel has even welcomed members of the imperial family in the past. It offers 38 guest rooms, including Japanese-style and Western-style rooms. There are also cottages with kitchens, recommended for those who want to enjoy more private time.
One of the hotel’s biggest attractions is its large observation bath. From the men’s bath, you can look out over Lake Kawaguchi and Mount Fuji.
The observation bath is available 24 hours a day, which means you can enjoy it at different times, from sunrise and sunset to night views.

A hot spring ryokan located by the lakeside in Fujikawaguchiko Town, Yamanashi Prefecture. With views of Mount Fuji, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, and Lake Kawaguchi below, it is a highly popular place to stay.
Its greatest attraction is, without a doubt, the baths. You can enjoy different bathing experiences while looking out at Mount Fuji, including a large public bath with an open-air bath offering spectacular views, three private baths, and a rooftop footbath.