Discover FabCafe Fuji: A Creative Hub in Fujiyoshida's Historic Textile District
Mt. Fuji is a sacred peak that can be called the symbol of Japan. At 3,776 meters, it's the highest mountain in all of Japan, and its majestic form changes expression with each season, continuing to captivate tourists both domestic and international.
The surrounding area features landscapes where nature and culture intersect, allowing visitors to experience diverse activities in nature. While various famous spots are scattered throughout, including Lake Kawaguchi and historic shrines, Fujiyoshida City, which retains a rich history of craftsmanship, is also attracting attention.
Fujiyoshida City once prospered through the textile industry, and unique places where tradition and creativity coexist are increasingly emerging, utilizing these historic locations.
This time, we'd like to introduce the creativity-filled cafe "FabCafe Fuji," which was born in Fujiyoshida's historic textile industry district.
FabCafe Fuji is a cafe where you can enjoy Fujiyoshida's "food" and the local textile industry
FabCafe Fuji is a creative cafe located in Fujiyoshida City's historic textile town, where you can simultaneously experience the region's culture and food.
Inside the cafe, you can enjoy cuisine and sweets made with locally-sourced ingredients, while also experiencing the local textile culture.
The cafe space is decorated with textile-related art and exhibitions, with the spirit of craftsmanship breathing throughout.
A major attraction is being able to feel the story of this region that prospered through the textile industry.
What is Fujiyoshida's food culture?
Source:Fujiyoshida City Guide
Fujiyoshida has various gourmet offerings, but the representative dish is "Yoshida Udon."
Known as a local specialty of Fujiyoshida, it features thick noodles with incredible chewiness, where the wheat's umami spreads as you chew. It has far more chewiness than you might imagine, so you'll surely be surprised when you eat it.
The soup is based on soy sauce and miso, offering a simple yet deeply rich flavor. The standard toppings are boiled cabbage and sweet-savory simmered horse meat.
A connoisseur's style is to add "Suridane," a seasoning that mixes sesame, "Sansho" (Japanese spice), and chili peppers, to enjoy the changing flavors.
The reason Yoshida Udon noodles are so chewy is said to originate from when men prepared lunch to support working women during the height of the textile industry.
They put effort into making filling noodles, which resulted in the chewy texture. Here too, you can feel the textile culture.
What is Fujiyoshida's local textile industry?
Source:Official website
Fujiyoshida's textile industry has developed in an environment blessed with Mt. Fuji's underground water, clean air, and cool climate.
Its history spans over 1,000 years, and there was once a system in place where everything from sericulture to silk reeling, dyeing, and weaving was consistently handled within the region.
It's particularly known for silk fabrics and high-quality textiles called "Kaiki," spreading its name throughout Japan from the 1600s to the present day.
Even today, skilled craftspeople continue to preserve traditional techniques while actively working on developing new materials and designs.
In recent years, international attention has been growing through collaborations with overseas artists and designers.
Fujiyoshida's textiles are rooted in the region not merely as traditional crafts, but as a culture that continues to evolve according to the needs of the times.
What are the attractions of FabCafe Fuji? A 5-year cafe veteran explains the highlights
"FabCafe Fuji" is a creative space where you can feel Fujiyoshida's textile culture.
From here, as someone with 5 years of cafe work experience and a hobby of cafe-hopping, I'll explain the attractions of "FabCafe Fuji" along with its highlights.
Perfect location for relaxing with Mt. Fuji as a backdrop
Source:Tabelog
One of FabCafe Fuji's attractions is its location where you can view the magnificent Mt. Fuji from inside the cafe.
From the cafe windows, you can spend leisurely time while gazing at Mt. Fuji, which shows different expressions depending on the season and weather.
The beautiful silhouette of Mt. Fuji doubles the emotional impact when seen in person, not just in photographs or paintings. Having coffee while viewing Mt. Fuji becomes a special experience.
Also, in the shopping street in front of the cafe, you can clearly see Mt. Fuji beyond the street, so please pay attention to that view as well.
It's a wonderful photo spot, so I took many pictures when I visited.
Open interior and decor that lets you feel nature
Source:Tabelog
The interior of FabCafe Fuji is designed to harmonize with the relaxed atmosphere of the Mt. Fuji foothills, allowing you to spend time in a relaxed mood.
Large windows let in plenty of natural light, with high ceilings designed so you can look up at the sky.
It's a renovated vacant house, and while the ceiling pipes are visible, the interior uses plenty of natural materials like wood and fabric, creating a warm atmosphere that doesn't feel sterile.
The seating arrangement is also spacious, allowing you to spend time peacefully, losing track of time. You can enjoy drinks and more in an open feeling that seems to connect with the surrounding scenery.
High convenience - you can enjoy meals, not just cafe use
Source:Tabelog
A major attraction of FabCafe Fuji is that you can enjoy substantial meals, not just drinks. You can use it flexibly according to your time and purpose, not just as a cafe to stop by during sightseeing, but also as a place for lunch or light meals.
The menu features dishes incorporating local seasonal ingredients, with plenty of vegetables, making it appealing to health-conscious customers. There are also vegan-friendly menu options.
The time spent having meals leisurely in the open space while viewing Mt. Fuji is luxurious, and when I visit, I always schedule plenty of time to spend at this establishment.
Although it's in a tourist area, it's a place where you can spend time leisurely, as if you're living locally.
4 Recommended Menu Items You Should Order at FabCafe Fuji
FabCafe Fuji offers a diverse menu centered around a rich variety of drinks and various other options. Here, I'll introduce four recommended menu items that you should definitely order when visiting FabCafe Fuji.
Coffee (Available in Light Roast and Dark Roast)
Source:Tabelog
The coffee at FabCafe Fuji comes in both light roast and dark roast options. The light roast offers a refreshing fruity acidity and aroma, perfect for those who prefer a fruity and light-bodied flavor profile.
The dark roast provides a rich body without being overly bitter, with a well-balanced finish that leaves a chocolate-like aftertaste.
FabCafe Fuji's specialty coffee uses coffee beans from "AKITO COFFEE," a popular coffee stand located in Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture. They use beans from Africa and South America, and since the selection changes daily, you can enjoy different flavors each time you visit.
Lasagna
Source:Tabelog
FabCafe Fuji offers not just drinks but also food menu items, and among them, the lasagna is perfect for those who want a substantial meal during their travels.
Layered pasta sheets are filled with juicy meat sauce and plenty of melted cheese. The sauce has an exquisite flavor that makes you almost reluctant to finish eating it.
Actually, this lasagna uses soy meat and contains no eggs, making it recommended for vegans as well.
I visited on a hot day, so I enjoyed it with cold drip coffee. I thought it might be lacking since it was made with healthy soy meat, but it was surprisingly filling and satisfying.
Tiramisu
Source:Tabelog
FabCafe Fuji's tiramisu is a unique interpretation of the traditional Italian dessert from FabCafe Fuji's perspective.
While traditional tiramisu uses dark roast espresso, FabCafe Fuji uses light roast single-origin coffee, allowing you to really taste its distinctive flavor.
The reason for this is that FabCafe Fuji focuses on a coffee lineup centered around light roast single-origin coffee, and they want to convey the appeal of these flavors.
Another characteristic is that it's made using unwanted beans that come from the espresso adjustment process and utilizing espresso. This also helps eliminate the waste of throwing away beans.
Morning Plate
Source:Tabelog
FabCafe Fuji's morning plate is the perfect breakfast menu for travelers who want to start their day refreshed at the foot of Mt. Fuji.
It's beautifully presented with a well-balanced assortment of fresh local vegetables, eggs, bacon, and freshly baked bread.
While simple, it's nutritious and allows you to energize properly without putting strain on your stomach. When I visited, I enjoyed this morning plate with single-origin coffee.
In addition to this, there are also simple menu options that come as sets with drinks, including croque monsieur, bread, and granola.
Since you can have a light breakfast, please choose according to your appetite level.
FabCafe Fuji Functions as a Creative Community
Source:Official website
FabCafe Fuji is not just a café, but also functions as a hub for a creative community where creators from both domestic and international backgrounds gather, interact, and engage in creative activities.
Located in Fujiyoshida's historic textile industry area, it's a unique space where regional traditions intersect with cutting-edge digital technology.
The interior is equipped with facilities such as 3D printers and laser cutters, giving birth to projects that span diverse fields including art, design, and textiles.
Since there's also a coworking space, travelers can spend their time freely in this creative environment.
Through exhibitions, workshops, and events, not only those interested in making things, but also people without prior knowledge can easily experience a part of creative activities.
There are opportunities for chance encounters with local craftspeople and creators visiting from around the world, offering interactions and inspiration that cannot be obtained through regular tourism.
Access to FabCafe Fuji
Address: 3-5-16 Shimoyoshida, Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi Prefecture
Access: 5-minute walk from Fujikyu Railway Shimoyoshida Station
Official Website: https://fabcafe.com/jp/fuji/
With Magical Trip's "Mt. Fuji Nature meets Culture Tour with a Private Hire Car," You Can Enjoy Various Spots Including FabCafe Fuji with a Local Guide
For those who feel anxious about accessing the Mt. Fuji area from Tokyo, we recommend Magical Trip's day tour.
Transportation to and from your hotel within the target area is included, and it's a day trip plan departing from Tokyo that leisurely explores Mt. Fuji and its surroundings over approximately 10 hours.
An English-speaking local guide and Japanese driver accompany you, supporting your journey that combines culture, nature, and food.
The route can be flexibly customized through prior consultation, and the great appeal is that you can freely incorporate spots you're curious about or shops you'd like to visit.
You can of course visit FabCafe Fuji, which was introduced today, so you can properly secure time to enjoy coffee and delicious meals while experiencing textile culture.
It's a fulfilling private tour that you can enjoy comfortably without feeling the stress of transportation.
