Arakurayama Sengen Park & Chureito Pagoda

I visited Arakurayama Sengen Park today and walked up to the observation deck. There was a queue of people waiting to take photos of Mount Fuji—some waited up to 30 minutes. All the cherry blossom trees were in full bloom and looked absolutely beautiful. Climbing to the top is a good way to test your stamina and get some leg exercise. Most people choose the stairs, as they offer a shorter route than the walkway. The walkway has a steep incline at the beginning, but the area around the observation deck is relatively flat. It's a great place to visit and capture stunning photos. All the toilets are not clean as other areas of Japan.

This is another iconic spots to observe Mount Fuji. I came here around 8am by car, you can park at the free car parking spot at the bottom of the hill. There's a free public restroom as well. If you come early you dont have to worry about the crowds at all, and it's easier to take photos. If you come by train, you can stop at Shimoyoshida station and walk and hike for 20 minutes to reach the top. To get to the top at the observation deck you can either climb up the stairs or you can take the hiking trail or winding road which is longer in distance but more friendly to your knees. And since I have bad knees, I took the winding road to the top, some parts are quite steep, therefore just relax and keep on hiking, eventually you'll reach the top. It took me 20 minutes to hike the winding road, I guess it would be faster if you take the stairs. Once you rech the top, you'll see the observation deck at which you can photgraph the view of Mount Fuji with Chureito pagoda in it. Honestly, it is very breathtaking and the view are so mesmerizing. I love every second of my trip here.

Definitely not for the faint of heart—literally! The stairs to the top are steep and long, but the view is absolutely worth it. I visited on March 21, 2025, though unfortunately, there weren’t any cherry blossoms yet. By 11 AM, the area was quite crowded, and by the time I reached the top, the line at the viewing deck was already stretching near the pagoda. Thankfully, the tourists were kind and organized despite the exhausting climb. Every now and then, someone would offer to take a photo for you. The view of Mt. Fuji was simply magnificent. I’ll definitely return when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom or at least during autumn foliage. As for facilities, there are plenty of restrooms and resting spots along the way. Around the torii gate, food stalls open at 11 AM, offering a nice reward after the climb.

A beautiful park offering one of the most iconic views of Mount Fuji, especially during cherry blossom season. The climb includes many steps, but the breathtaking view at the top makes it worthwhile. The park can get very crowded, so visiting early in the morning is recommended for a more peaceful experience. To get there from Kawaguchiko Station, take the Fujikyuko Line to Shimoyoshida Station, then walk about 20 minutes uphill. Enjoy 😎🙏🧘‍♀️🧘

The way to the top are long. There are two option either steps or a winding gradual incline, so be prepared the energy for hiking. I’ll recommend to visit in the early morning but please check the weather first. You can enjoy the pretty of Mt. Fuji, the city, and the temple. If you meet the snack seller, please try their sweet potato. It’s delicious with affordable price. You will also meet the souvenir seller, but I think it’s pricey.