7 Tips to Dig into the Best of Gotemba via 3-Day Trip Itinerary

Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese technique for repairing broken ceramics by enhancing fractures with beautiful gold accents, celebrating imperfections as part of an object’s history. This practice, reflecting a deep appreciation of the value and story of each item, dates back to Japan’s Muromachi period (1336–1573).
You can experience this art form firsthand at K-art, a shared creative space located in Gotemba. K-art is located conveniently about a 5-minute walk from the Shiyakusho-mae bus stop, reachable via the Suruga Oyama, Ueno, or Oyama High School bus routes departing from JR Gotemba Station.
There are two kintsugi workshops to select based on your schedule: a simple one-hour session (7,000yen) and a more advanced two-hour session (9,000yen). Both include carefully tracing broken lines on prepared ceramics with a brush and then dusting them with gold powder to highlight the repair. This is all done side-by-side with expert craftspeople who make every step that much more fun for even the most novice explorers.

Tatami mats are the iconic, traditional Japanese flooring woven from rush grass (igusa) and straw that remain long-loved by people across Japan. You’ll probably recognize the flooring from traditional “washitsu”-style Japanese rooms where tatami mats add an extra air of soothing look and aroma.
Take a deep dive into this interior treasure at Kojima Tatami, a long-established tatami shop founded in 1886 where you can enjoy creating your own tatami mat firsthand. The shop is located just a 5-minute walk from Minami-Gotemba Station, just a quick 3-minute train ride from Gotemba Station, offering mini tatami-making workshops.
Sit alongside a skilled craftsmen and join in making your own 20cm × 30cm mini tatami mat featuring the patterns and materials provided. The best part is that you get to take your unique creation home as a one-of-a-kind souvenir.
Workshops are held twice daily (morning and afternoon), and you can leave freely once you're satisfied with your final piece. As an extra wallet-friendly bonus, there's no extra charge no matter how many mats you decide to make.

Shizuoka is the home prefecture of Gotemba and acclaimed producer of some 40% of Japan’s tea thanks to the largest tea-cultivation areas nationwide. This top-notch ranking means it doubles as an ideal place to experience authentic tea picking and tea rolling.
One esteemed name here is Katsumata Tea Farm, a historic tea garden founded in 1871 that you can find just a 20-minute walk from JR Fujioka Station for any of their four daily tea-picking and tea-rolling workshops (twice each in the morning and afternoon), lasting approximately two hours.
Book a chance to join wearing traditional tea-picking garb and start to harvest young tea leaves carefully by hand from tea fields spreading at the foot of Mt. Fuji. Afterwards, the harvested leaves are steamed and then gently hand-rolled and dried to complete a tea-making process that sings with tradition.
By the end, you’ll have a personal batch of handcrafted tea leaves you can take home and enjoy later. Tea-lovers will love the added bonus of getting to try a simplified method of preparing Japanese black tea, and even receive Katsumata Tea Farm’s matcha as a souvenir.
Price: starts at 5,500yen (includes experience fee, materials, guided tour, and costume rental)

Besides experiencing the tea-production process, don’t miss the chance to try Tea Ceremony (Sadō), the refined Japanese art of preparing and serving matcha green tea. Rooted deeply in traditional customs, tea ceremony—also known as chanoyu—expresses the spirit of genuine Japanese hospitality (omotenashi).
Gotemba is one area where you can find a truly authentic tea ceremony experience thanks to Soshinkai, a local tea-ceremony group led by experienced instructors from the Omotesenke school, established by descendants of the renowned tea master Sen no Rikyu. The name "Soshinkai" embodies the wish to deeply instill the essence of tea ceremony in participants' hearts.
Classes are held in a cozy, private practice space, with certified Omotesenke instructors guiding you carefully through every step—from basic manners to whisking your own matcha. Small-group settings allow even visitors with small children to feel comfortable and welcome. All necessary tools are provided, and casual attire is acceptable.
Tea ceremonies are conducted twice daily, each lasting about two hours, priced from 5,000yen to 9,000yen, with credit card payments accepted. Sessions are available in both Japanese and English, making this an ideal cultural experience for international visitors as well.
From JR Gotemba Station, take the bus bound for Seinen-no-Ie, get off at Daigoyamashita bus stop, and walk approximately 5 minutes to reach the venue.

Canyoning lets you fully embrace the stunning natural beauty around Mt. Fuji by sliding down rocks, jumping into waterfall pools, and exploring dramatic gorges. Fujiyama Canyoning Japan, based in Gotemba, offers safe and enjoyable tours guided by an experienced husband-and-wife team who provide attentive support even to first-timers.
Two particularly recommended tours are the Fun Canyoning Tour and the Advanced Canyoning Tour, each lasting approximately 2.5 to 3 hours and available twice daily (morning and afternoon).
Simply bring your swimsuit, towel, and sandals—everything else, including safety gear, is provided. Enjoy jumping into refreshing waterfalls and sliding down natural waterslides for an unforgettable outdoor adventure at the base of Mt. Fuji!

At Wakan Kissa Sakura, a certified pharmacist and tea concierge (Tea Wellist) help blend customized herbal teas tailored specifically to your physical condition.
Although accessible from Gotemba Station by foot (approx. 40 min), taking the bus is recommended. Ride the "Seinen-no-Ie" bus, get off at "Tamaho Shisho Iriguchi," and it’s just a 1-minute walk from there.
Choose your favorite leaves from over 50 herbal tea varieties for your custom blend or enjoy single-leaf teas gentle on your body. The workshop teaches basic herbal tea knowledge and brewing techniques, allowing you to taste and refine your tea over three trials. Once you've found your ideal blend, you'll create 10 original tea bags to take home.
Workshops last approximately two hours, cost ¥4,500 per person, and are available for groups of two or more. Relax your mind and body surrounded by the calming aromas of herbal tea.

Located within the Gotemba Premium Outlets complex, Konohana no Yu is a perfect place to unwind after shopping or sightseeing. Its spacious baths, fed by naturally sourced hot spring water, offer magnificent views of Mt. Fuji.
The outdoor baths include two styles: a unique standing bath, where you can soak upright, and a panoramic observation bath with breathtaking vistas of Mt. Fuji. Even the indoor baths have large windows providing spectacular views of the iconic mountain.
For those seeking privacy, 19 private open-air baths are available by reservation (extra fees apply), letting you relax undisturbed while enjoying the stunning scenery.
The facility also features a buffet restaurant serving local Shizuoka cuisine, as well as a café specializing in casual Shizuoka-style dishes and alcoholic beverages.
Make your trip to Gotemba unforgettable by concluding it with a luxurious experience at Konohana no Yu.

This itinerary highlights Gotemba’s natural beauty through carefully selected activities and scenic spots around Mt. Fuji. Thrill-seekers can experience a walloping adventure with activities like a canyoning tour with Fujiyama Canyoning Japan, while moments of relaxation await you at the herbal tea workshop at Wakan Kissa Sakura, or while soaking in hot springs overlooking majestic Mt. Fuji.
This itinerary is especially recommended for travelers who want the perfect Gotemba balance of activity and total recharge.

This itinerary invites you to experience the deep history, natural beauty, and traditional culture of Gotemba. Activities include tea picking and tea rolling at Katsumata Tea Farm, learning tea ceremony etiquette with Soshinkai, and exploring a local sake brewery. Enjoy Gotemba’s spectacular views of Mt. Fuji while delving into the heart of Japanese traditions.