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A Stroll Through Fujiyoshida with Mt. Fuji Overhead
- YAMANASHI
- Mt.FUJI
- FUJISAN
- SIGHTSEEING
- EXPERIENCE
- CULTURE
- EVENT
- SPECIAL
- Fujiyoshida
- Showa Retro
- Strolling through the city
- Shopping Street
- Matcha sweets
- Scenic spots
- Popular with foreigners
Located at the foot of Mt. Fuji, Fujiyoshida City is dotted with historic shrines tied to Mt. Fuji worship, historic Oshi houses, and charming retro streetscapes, making it an ideal place for a leisurely stroll. You can also enjoy local specialties such as Yoshida no Udon and matcha sweets. In late August, the city also hosts the magical “Yoshida Fire Festival.” Take a leisurely stroll, feel the presence of Mt. Fuji up close, and immerse yourself in Japanese culture.
The first thing that surprised me when I tried the “matcha soft-serve (350 yen)” was its beautiful appearance. As soon as you take a bite, the rich aroma of matcha spreads, followed by the refreshing sweetness of vanilla and a gentle, lingering bitterness of matcha. “The secret to its flavor is that we generously use the finest matcha, priced at 40,000 yen per kilogram. That’s something only a tea house can do,” says Executive Director Hiroyuki Shimizu with pride.
In addition to soft-serve, the takeout menu includes items such as “Matcha Latte (hot or cold) 500 yen” and “Matcha Affogato 600 yen.” The retail section also offers “matcha (from 1,600 yen for 30 g),” “sencha from regions such as Shizuoka and Kagoshima (from 500 yen for 100 g),” and house-roasted “specialty coffee (from 600 yen for 100 g),” which was carefully selected from 60 countries around the world.
Address: 3-19-12 Shimoyoshida, Fujiyoshida-shi, Yamanashi（MAP）
Opening hours: 9:30 - 18:00
Closed: Tuesday
Official website:https://www.harukiya.com/
The shrine is said to have been founded in 808 by Sakanoue no Tamuramaro, a military commander of the Heian period. The enshrined deity is Konohanasakuya-hime no Mikoto. Among the many Sengen Shrines scattered across the northern foothills of Mt. Fuji, this one is located closest to the base of the mountain and was therefore also known as “Shimomiya Sengen” or “Fujisan Shimomiya.” During the annual festival on September 19, a Yabusame (traditional horseback archery) Festival is held, in which archers shoot arrows at targets from a galloping horse. Generally, the emphasis is on the number of targets shot, but at this shrine, urabito (fortune tellers) look at the horse’s footprints to interpret good fortune for the area.
Within the shrine grounds, sacred horses are kept in the stables. The Yabusame experience is also available by reservation.
Among the cherry trees lining the approach is a sacred tree with a heart-shaped knot, making it a popular power spot for love.
Address: 3-32-18 Shimoyoshida, Fujiyoshida-shi, Yamanashi（MAP）
Official website:http://www.fgo.jp/~yabusame/
Address: Shimoyoshida, Fujiyoshida-shi, Yamanashi（MAP）
※This location is a public road and many cars drive on it. Please be careful when taking pictures
The west side of Fuji Michi became an entertainment district known as Nishiura, and in the 1950s it is said to have been home to more than 200 eateries, including snack bars, izakaya pubs, and bars. While the number has declined, stepping into alleys such as “Shin Sekai Kanpai Street,” “Nenokami Street,” and “West King Street” still reveals businesses in operation, allowing me to sense the atmosphere of bygone days.
The “Gekkouji Daimon Shopping Street,” lined with bookstores that continue to operate while retaining their Showa-era appearance, quaint cafes, and a former hospital that used to be a ryotei (only the exterior is open to visitors) are full of character.
A defining feature of Yoshida no Udon is its firm, chewy texture. When the textile industry was thriving in the early Showa period, men often made hand-cut udon noodles for lunch, and the strong force with which they kneaded the udon dough gave birth to the characteristically strong, chewy noodles. The more you chew Yoshida no Udon, the more delicious it becomes. Shingo Togawa, the owner of the restaurant, says with a laugh, “Visitors from overseas trying it for the first time are always surprised by how chewy it is—so come prepared!”
The “suridane” condiment is also unique to Yoshida no Udon. There are two types of suridane: “red suridane” based on chili peppers and “black suridane” based on sansho (Japanese pepper). Adding them to the soup adds spiciness and completely transforms the flavor.
Be sure to try the Mt. Fuji-shaped croquette topping as well.
Address: B1F, Q-STA, 2-5-1 Kamiyoshida, Fujiyoshida-shi, Yamanashi（MAP）
Opening hours: 10:00 - 18:15 (last order / closes when noodles run out)
Closed: Thursday
Oshi were religious practitioners who supported Mt. Fuji worship. They welcomed Fuji-ko pilgrims visiting for pilgrimages, providing lodging and meals, and helped spread the teachings of the Fuji faith across Japan. Oshi houses included shrines dedicated to the deity of Mt. Fuji, and they also conducted prayers for devotees who were unable to climb the mountain. At the height of the Edo period, there were reportedly 86 Oshi houses in the area.
Along the National Route, the “Oshimachi Rest Area & Information Center” features a diorama recreating the townscape in those times.
As you proceed along the majestic approach to the shrine, you are greeted by the Otorii, one of the largest wooden torii gates in Japan.
Eleven buildings, including the Zuishimon Gate, Kaguraden Hall, Haiden Hall, and Honden Hall, are nationally designated as important cultural properties. Facing the Haiden hall, Taro-sugi (Taro cedar) stands to the left and the Meoto-sugi (Married couple cedars) to the right, while at the far right behind them is the trailhead entrance to the Yoshidaguchi Trail up Mt. Fuji.
Within the shrine grounds is the Suwa-jinja Shrine, and on either side of the Haiden hall are two mikoshi (portable shrines): a Myojin-style mikoshi used in the “Yoshida Fire Festival” processions, and a red Mt. Fuji-shaped mikoshi called the Oyama mikoshi. There are three types of Goshuin (red ink stamps) you can get: “Kitaguchihongu Fuji Sengen-jinja Shrine,” “Suwa-jinja Shrine,” and “Otsukayama.” Let’s pay our respects at the shrine.
Address: 5558 Kamiyoshida, Fujiyoshida-shi, Yamanashi（MAP）
Photo courtesy of Yamanashi Tourism Organization
On the 26th, after the ritual, two mikoshi are carried through the Kamiyoshida area, and in the evening, the mikoshi are enshrined at Otabisho, a temporary resting place for the night. Afterwards, an approximately 3-meter-tall main torch set up in the center of Route 139 and torches stacked in a crisscross pattern by each household are lit, creating a 2-kilometer-long path of fire that envelops the entire town in a magical, otherworldly glow.
On the 27th, the mikoshi procession takes place throughout the day, returning to the shrine around sunset. The excitement reaches a climax when the mikoshi is followed by Ujiko (shrine parishioners) carrying susuki no tamagushi (pampas grass), who circle the grounds of the shrine. The festival concludes with a final ritual, after which the mikoshi are returned.
※This article is based on information available as of July 2025.
※Information is subject to change, so please check the official website or other sources before you go.
About the author
Akira Uchida
He decided to become a travel journalist after traveling around Japan by bicycle. He specializes in on-foot reporting along highways, old roads, pilgrimage routes, alleyways, etc. Member of Japan Travel Press Society
Mt. Fuji Welcomes You When You Step Out of Fujisan Station
The Fujiyoshida stroll begins at Fujisan Station on the Fuji Sanroku Electric Railway (Fujikyu Railway). The graceful Mt. Fuji, spreading its slopes to the left and right, can be viewed from the platform or the observation deck on the roof of “Q-STA” department store, which is attached to the station. The north exit also features a distinctive red torii gate design bearing a plaque that reads “Fujisan Station.”A Popular Photo Spot Where Mt. Fuji Fits Perfectly Within the Torii Gate
From the North Exit of Fujisan Station, go to the right and continue onto Fuji Michi Road (National Route 137, etc.) and you will see the Kanadorii (historic bronze torii gate). The original torii gate was built in 1788 during the Edo period. Because it was made using bronze casting techniques introduced from China, it was known as the Karakane torii (Chinese bronze torii), which later evolved into the name “Kanadorii.” The current torii gate was rebuilt in 1956. Today, it is a popular photo spot where the large torii gate and Mt. Fuji can be captured together in a single shot.。Tea-House Style Luxurious Matcha Soft-Serve
Continuing down the slope of Fuji Michi, I came across “Harukiya Gettekian” at one corner of the Gekkouji Station intersection. This tea house has been in business since 1978 and offers matcha soft-serve and hojicha soft-serve on a weekly rotation.。The first thing that surprised me when I tried the “matcha soft-serve (350 yen)” was its beautiful appearance. As soon as you take a bite, the rich aroma of matcha spreads, followed by the refreshing sweetness of vanilla and a gentle, lingering bitterness of matcha. “The secret to its flavor is that we generously use the finest matcha, priced at 40,000 yen per kilogram. That’s something only a tea house can do,” says Executive Director Hiroyuki Shimizu with pride.
In addition to soft-serve, the takeout menu includes items such as “Matcha Latte (hot or cold) 500 yen” and “Matcha Affogato 600 yen.” The retail section also offers “matcha (from 1,600 yen for 30 g),” “sencha from regions such as Shizuoka and Kagoshima (from 500 yen for 100 g),” and house-roasted “specialty coffee (from 600 yen for 100 g),” which was carefully selected from 60 countries around the world.
Information
Harukiya Gettekian | 春木屋 月滴庵Address: 3-19-12 Shimoyoshida, Fujiyoshida-shi, Yamanashi（MAP）
Opening hours: 9:30 - 18:00
Closed: Tuesday
Official website:https://www.harukiya.com/
A Yabusame Festival That Foretells Good Fortune from Hoofprints
After taking a break with some matcha soft-serve, I continued down the Fuji Michi once again. After about five minutes, I arrived at “Fujisan Shimomiya Omuro Sengen-jinja Shrine.”The shrine is said to have been founded in 808 by Sakanoue no Tamuramaro, a military commander of the Heian period. The enshrined deity is Konohanasakuya-hime no Mikoto. Among the many Sengen Shrines scattered across the northern foothills of Mt. Fuji, this one is located closest to the base of the mountain and was therefore also known as “Shimomiya Sengen” or “Fujisan Shimomiya.” During the annual festival on September 19, a Yabusame (traditional horseback archery) Festival is held, in which archers shoot arrows at targets from a galloping horse. Generally, the emphasis is on the number of targets shot, but at this shrine, urabito (fortune tellers) look at the horse’s footprints to interpret good fortune for the area.
Within the shrine grounds, sacred horses are kept in the stables. The Yabusame experience is also available by reservation.
Among the cherry trees lining the approach is a sacred tree with a heart-shaped knot, making it a popular power spot for love.
Information
Fujisan Shimomiya Omuro Sengen-jinja Shrine | 冨士山下宮小室浅間神社Address: 3-32-18 Shimoyoshida, Fujiyoshida-shi, Yamanashi（MAP）
Official website:http://www.fgo.jp/~yabusame/
Scenic Spot！Honcho 2-chome Intersection
From here, I headed back along Fuji Michi toward Fujisan Station. Although it’s an uphill climb compared with the outbound route, the sight of Mt. Fuji straight ahead is sure to lift my spirits. The “Honcho 2-chome Intersection,” where the Shimoyoshida Tourist Information Center stands, is a world-famous scenic spot, with Mt. Fuji rising powerfully at the end of the retro shopping street.Information
Honcho 2-chome Intersection (Gekkouji Area) | 本町二丁目交差点Address: Shimoyoshida, Fujiyoshida-shi, Yamanashi（MAP）
※This location is a public road and many cars drive on it. Please be careful when taking pictures
Back Alley Strolls in the Retro Gekkouji Area
It would be a shame to pass through the Gekkouji area without stopping, so I asked the tourist information center about places worth seeing. I was told that a back alley stroll along a side street off Fuji Michi would be interesting. I decided to go immediately, and entered an area called Kinuya machi on the east side of Fuji Michi. Two-story houses lined both sides of a narrow street. According to the explanatory board, the textile industry flourished in this area from the Taisho period (1912-1926). Many wholesalers and brokers from Tokyo, Osaka, and other cities visited the area to buy products, so markets were reportedly held by renting out the tatami rooms of private homes.The west side of Fuji Michi became an entertainment district known as Nishiura, and in the 1950s it is said to have been home to more than 200 eateries, including snack bars, izakaya pubs, and bars. While the number has declined, stepping into alleys such as “Shin Sekai Kanpai Street,” “Nenokami Street,” and “West King Street” still reveals businesses in operation, allowing me to sense the atmosphere of bygone days.
The “Gekkouji Daimon Shopping Street,” lined with bookstores that continue to operate while retaining their Showa-era appearance, quaint cafes, and a former hospital that used to be a ryotei (only the exterior is open to visitors) are full of character.
Once You Taste Yoshida no Udon, You’ll Be Hooked!
If you’ve come all the way to Fujiyoshida City, Yoshida no Udon for lunch is a must. “Yoshida Udon Togawa,” located inside “Q-STA” next to Fujisan Station, is an authentic udon restaurant with its own noodle-making facility. With long opening hours, it’s an ideal stop during a stroll. The popular “Fujisan Udon (880 yen)” is a hearty dish with sweet and spicy pork, boiled cabbage, seasoned egg, and topped with a Fuji-shaped tempura made with carrots and onions.
A defining feature of Yoshida no Udon is its firm, chewy texture. When the textile industry was thriving in the early Showa period, men often made hand-cut udon noodles for lunch, and the strong force with which they kneaded the udon dough gave birth to the characteristically strong, chewy noodles. The more you chew Yoshida no Udon, the more delicious it becomes. Shingo Togawa, the owner of the restaurant, says with a laugh, “Visitors from overseas trying it for the first time are always surprised by how chewy it is—so come prepared!”
The “suridane” condiment is also unique to Yoshida no Udon. There are two types of suridane: “red suridane” based on chili peppers and “black suridane” based on sansho (Japanese pepper). Adding them to the soup adds spiciness and completely transforms the flavor.
Be sure to try the Mt. Fuji-shaped croquette topping as well.
Information
Yoshida no Udon Togawa | 吉田のうどん とがわAddress: B1F, Q-STA, 2-5-1 Kamiyoshida, Fujiyoshida-shi, Yamanashi（MAP）
Opening hours: 10:00 - 18:15 (last order / closes when noodles run out)
Closed: Thursday
Homes of the Oshi, Caretakers of Mt. Fuji Worshippers
Along Fuji Michi, the road from Fujisan Station to the Kitaguchihongu Fuji Sengen-jinja Shrine, rows of Oshi houses line both sides.Oshi were religious practitioners who supported Mt. Fuji worship. They welcomed Fuji-ko pilgrims visiting for pilgrimages, providing lodging and meals, and helped spread the teachings of the Fuji faith across Japan. Oshi houses included shrines dedicated to the deity of Mt. Fuji, and they also conducted prayers for devotees who were unable to climb the mountain. At the height of the Edo period, there were reportedly 86 Oshi houses in the area.
Along the National Route, the “Oshimachi Rest Area & Information Center” features a diorama recreating the townscape in those times.
Visiting the Shrine at the Entrance of the Yoshidaguchi Trail to Mt. Fuji
Kitaguchihongu Fuji Sengen-jinja Shrine, a component of the World Heritage Site, enshrines Konohanasakuya-hime no Mikoto, the goddess of Mt. Fuji, Hikohononinigi no Mikoto, her husband, and Oyamatsumi no Kami, her father.As you proceed along the majestic approach to the shrine, you are greeted by the Otorii, one of the largest wooden torii gates in Japan.
Eleven buildings, including the Zuishimon Gate, Kaguraden Hall, Haiden Hall, and Honden Hall, are nationally designated as important cultural properties. Facing the Haiden hall, Taro-sugi (Taro cedar) stands to the left and the Meoto-sugi (Married couple cedars) to the right, while at the far right behind them is the trailhead entrance to the Yoshidaguchi Trail up Mt. Fuji.
Within the shrine grounds is the Suwa-jinja Shrine, and on either side of the Haiden hall are two mikoshi (portable shrines): a Myojin-style mikoshi used in the “Yoshida Fire Festival” processions, and a red Mt. Fuji-shaped mikoshi called the Oyama mikoshi. There are three types of Goshuin (red ink stamps) you can get: “Kitaguchihongu Fuji Sengen-jinja Shrine,” “Suwa-jinja Shrine,” and “Otsukayama.” Let’s pay our respects at the shrine.
Information
Kitaguchihongu Fuji Sengen-jinja Shrine | 北口本宮冨士浅間神社Address: 5558 Kamiyoshida, Fujiyoshida-shi, Yamanashi（MAP）
The Yoshida Fire Festival Is Held Annually on August 26-27!
The Yoshida Fire Festival is held annually on August 26 and 27 at the Kitaguchihongu Fuji Sengen-jinja Shrine and Suwa-jinja Shrine, and is one of Japan’s three strangest festivals. It has been performed for over 400 years to appease Mt. Fuji’s eruptions.Photo courtesy of Yamanashi Tourism OrganizationOn the 26th, after the ritual, two mikoshi are carried through the Kamiyoshida area, and in the evening, the mikoshi are enshrined at Otabisho, a temporary resting place for the night. Afterwards, an approximately 3-meter-tall main torch set up in the center of Route 139 and torches stacked in a crisscross pattern by each household are lit, creating a 2-kilometer-long path of fire that envelops the entire town in a magical, otherworldly glow.
Photo courtesy of Yamanashi Tourism Organization
Photo courtesy of Yamanashi Tourism Organization
On the 27th, the mikoshi procession takes place throughout the day, returning to the shrine around sunset. The excitement reaches a climax when the mikoshi is followed by Ujiko (shrine parishioners) carrying susuki no tamagushi (pampas grass), who circle the grounds of the shrine. The festival concludes with a final ritual, after which the mikoshi are returned.
Photo courtesy of Yamanashi Tourism Organization
Photo courtesy of Yamanashi Tourism Organization
A Walking Course to Experience the History and Culture of Mt. Fuji Up Close
This walking course is only about 6 km long, but it’s packed with the many charms of Fujiyoshida City. The izakaya pubs, snack bars, and other establishments around Gekkouji open in the evening, so a return visit to enjoy the contrast with the daytime atmosphere can be quite fun.【Recommended Model Course for Fujiyoshida Walks】
The tour plan below is an example. The travel time is a guide only.【Model Plan】
Fujisan Station
3-minute walk
Kanadorii
15-minute walk
Harukiya Gettekian
5-minute walk
Fujisan Shimomiya Omuro Sengen-jinja Shrine
1-minute walk
Gekkouji Area・Honcho 2-chome Intersection
25-minute walk
Yoshida no Udon Togawa
5-minute walk
Oshimachi（Oshimachi Rest Area & Information Center）
15-minute walk
Kitaguchihongu Fuji Sengen-jinja Shrine
20-minute walk
Fujisan Station
※This article is based on information available as of July 2025.
※Information is subject to change, so please check the official website or other sources before you go.
About the author
Akira Uchida
He decided to become a travel journalist after traveling around Japan by bicycle. He specializes in on-foot reporting along highways, old roads, pilgrimage routes, alleyways, etc. Member of Japan Travel Press Society
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THIS ARTICLE IS BASED ON INFORMATION FROM 06 04,2026 Author：DiGJAPAN! Editorial Team
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