Explore Asagiri Plateau: Your Gateway to Mount Fuji's Scenic Highlands and Outdoor Adventures
Mt. Fuji is Japan's highest mountain. Standing as an independent peak at an impressive height of 3,776 meters, it captivates visitors with its overwhelming presence and beauty, making it beloved as a symbol of Japan.
The area surrounding Mt. Fuji is blessed with rich forests and highlands where visitors can enjoy nature's bounty. Thanks to its beautiful water sources and favorable climate, high-quality ingredients are produced here, making it famous as a destination where you can enjoy high-level gourmet cuisine.
This time, we'll introduce the popular spots in the tourist destination "Asagiri plateau" that spreads across the western side of Mt. Fuji, where you can encounter Mt. Fuji's spectacular views and exquisite gourmet food, along with their attractions and recommended ways to enjoy them.
Asagiri Plateau: A Nature-Rich Area Where You Can See Particularly Beautiful Views of Mt. Fuji
Located on the western side of Mt. Fuji, Asagiri plateau offers some of the most beautiful spectacular views of Mt. Fuji in the surrounding area. This highland boasts an impressive 10,000 hectares of space and, being positioned close to Mt. Fuji, has gained popularity as an area where you can view the powerful Mt. Fuji amidst pristine nature.
The vast highland is dotted with ranches and campsites, where visitors can enjoy various outdoor experiences while taking in the dynamic spectacular views of Mt. Fuji.
Asagiri Plateau Got Its Name from the Frequent Morning Fog
Source:Google Maps
"Asagiri plateau" means "morning fog highland" in Japanese. It was named after the frequent occurrence of morning fog. Particularly from May to August, the area can be enveloped in such intense fog that visibility becomes nearly zero.
Asagiri plateau is a highland surrounded by mountains, where moist air from the sea accumulates. The moisture absorbed by the ground during the day is released into the air at dawn when temperatures are low, and this water vapor becomes fog.
Why Is Asagiri Plateau Popular? Explaining the Reasons Many Tourists Visit
Why is Asagiri plateau such a popular tourist destination that attracts many visitors from both domestic and international locations? Let's pick out and explain the attractions of the Asagiri Area.
・Spectacular Views of Mt. Fuji
One of the representative attractions of Asagiri plateau is undoubtedly the spectacular views of Mt. Fuji. Since you can view it from a close distance, you can enjoy dynamic vistas.
・Vast Highland
Asagiri plateau boasts an impressive 10,000 hectares of space. In this expansive and liberating highland that stretches endlessly, you can refresh your mood.
・Ranches Where You Can Enjoy Interacting with Animals
The vast Asagiri Area is also famous for its many ranches. At ranches open to tourists, you can enjoy interacting with animals and savoring gourmet food made with fresh milk.
・Diverse Leisure Spots
In Asagiri plateau, which attracts many tourists, there are plenty of leisure spots that families and groups can enjoy together. You can actively enjoy athletics and camping in the great outdoors.
・Campsites Where You Can Enjoy Outdoor Experiences While Taking in Spectacular Views
Asagiri plateau, surrounded by pristine nature, is well-equipped with campsites. Many of these campsites are popular nationwide, and the area is beloved as a holy ground for campers.
・Exquisite Gourmet Food Using Local Ingredients
In the Asagiri Area, you can taste not only dairy products produced at local ranches but also cuisine made with fresh vegetables and meat harvested locally. Asagiri is also a food treasure trove where you can enjoy cuisine while experiencing the great outdoors.
What Can You Enjoy at Asagiri Plateau? Introducing Facilities in the Asagiri Area Along with Their Individual Attractions
Asagiri plateau is packed with facilities where you can enjoy leisure activities while taking in spectacular views of Mt. Fuji amidst pristine nature. From here, I'll introduce recommended spots that I, as a Mt. Fuji enthusiast, confidently recommend, along with their attractions.
Makai Farm
Source:Official website
"Makai farm" is a ranch located at the foot of Mt. Fuji. The magnificent panoramic view of Mt. Fuji spreads out before you, allowing visitors to enjoy various farm experiences while taking in the scenery.
At the farm, you can enjoy unique ranch experiences including interacting with animals and cooking experiences using milk produced on the farm. With athletics facilities, playgrounds, and glamping accommodations all available, this is a ranch where families and friends can enjoy themselves all day long.
Basic Information:
- Address: Shizuoka prefecture Fujinomiya city Uchino 1327-1
- Business Hours: 9:30～17:30
- Closed: April～November: Irregular holidays / December～March: Wednesdays, Thursdays
- Phone Number: 0544-54-0342
- Official Website: https://www.makaino.com/
Animal Interaction Experience
Source:Official website
At Makai farm, you can enjoy interacting with the animals that work on the ranch. The farm is home not only to sheep and cattle that represent the ranch, but also ponies, rabbits, llamas, and various other animals for visitors to interact with.
Work experiences involving animals unique to ranches, such as cow milking and sheep herding, are popular. Among these, goat walking is a work experience I especially recommend for animal lovers. You can stroll around the ranch for 20 minutes with a goat of your choice, feeding it and helping with the goat's bathroom needs, allowing for deep communication with the goat. Since you can learn about ranch work and animal behavior while having fun, this is recommended for animal lovers and children alike.
Scenic Hills with Adjacent Athletic Facilities
Source:Official website
The ranch features areas where you can enjoy activities, including an observatory with excellent conditions for viewing Mt. Fuji, a playground popular with small children, and authentic athletics that adults can enjoy.
The athletic course, available for those 150cm tall and above, includes thrilling elements like wall climbing and zip lines that use your whole body, allowing adults to enjoy themselves like children. The observatory where you can enjoy the magnificent view of Mt. Fuji also features swings, so you can enjoy dynamic Mt. Fuji views while swinging. This ranch is also popular as a spot for taking photogenic pictures and is recommended for those who want to enjoy photography.
Fuji Milk Land
Source:Official website
"Fuji milk land" is a ranch located in the vast Asagiri plateau within the beautiful Asagiri Area. It has an excellent reputation for exquisite sweets using milk, such as soft serve ice cream, gelato, and cheesecake, attracting many tourists from outside the prefecture seeking these flavors.
This ranch offers ranch experiences including cow milking and horseback riding, as well as outdoor experiences like camping and barbecuing.
Basic Information:
- Address: Shizuoka prefecture Fujinomiya city Kamiide 3690
- Business Hours: Monday～Friday 10:00～16:00 / Weekends & Holidays 9:30～17:30
- Closed: None
- Phone Number: 0544-54-3690
- Official Website: https://fujimilkland.com/
Dairy Experience
Source:Official website
At Fuji milk land, you can enjoy various dairy experiences such as cow milking and butter making. The cow milking experience, available for 300 yen per session, is the most popular experience, allowing you to hand-milk while feeling the warmth of the cows.
Fresh milk collected at milk land is also sold, so after experiencing cow milking, be sure to drink the milk and enjoy the unique ranch flavor. In the butter-making experience, you learn the process of how butter is made using fresh milk while experiencing it yourself. It takes about 15 minutes to complete, so please give it a try.
The ranch raises donkeys and goats that you can feed. Please enjoy interacting with the animals and the unique dairy experiences of the ranch!
Milk Land BBQ
Source:Official website
Fuji milk land is renowned not only for sweets using milk but also for barbecue cuisine. All the meat used in the barbecue is brand meat raised at the foot of Mt. Fuji in the pristine Asagiri Area.
It has an excellent reputation for its sweet and tender flavor, allowing you to fully taste the umami of the meat. The bacon is one of my personal favorites, with excellent compatibility as barbecue cuisine. You can enjoy the exquisite combination of the fragrant aroma from charcoal grilling and the concentrated meat umami.
Fuji milk land also has an attached lodge where you can stay and enjoy barbecue. Why not stay overnight and enjoy the charms of the Asagiri Area to the fullest?
Asagiri Food Park
Source:Official website
Asagiri Food Park is a culinary theme park where you can enjoy the food attractions of Mt. Fuji. The facility combines restaurants serving exquisite gourmet cuisine made with local ingredients, sweet shops, brewery tours, and confectionery manufacturing observation facilities. You can also experience making original blend tea and cooking sweets using sweet potatoes, allowing you to fully enjoy the culinary delights of the Asagiri Area.
Basic Information
- Address: Shizuoka Prefecture, Fujinomiya City, Nebara 449-11
- Operating Hours: 9:30-16:30 (December-February: 9:30-16:00)
- Closed: Thursdays from December to February
- Phone: 0544-29-5101
- Official Website: https://asagiri-foodpark.com/
Buffet Restaurant Fujisan
Source:Official website
Buffet Restaurant Fujisan is a restaurant where you can enjoy dishes made with fresh, locally-produced ingredients while gazing at Mt. Fuji. From representative local gourmet foods to Chinese and Western cuisine, you can taste various dishes in buffet style, making it highly recommended for food enthusiasts who want to eat plenty.
The specialty trout sushi is a popular delicacy where you can savor the luxurious taste of locally-raised trout with excellent fat content. Fujinomiya yakisoba, synonymous with Fujinomiya gourmet, is my personal recommendation - its unique chewy texture offers an exquisite taste experience. The menu also features fresh milk and soft-serve ice cream produced at Asagiri Plateau ranches, so visitors wanting to fully enjoy the culinary attractions of the Asagiri Area should definitely visit.
Basic Information
- Address: Shizuoka Prefecture, Fujinomiya City, Nebara 449-10
- Operating Hours: 11:00-14:30
- Closed: Irregular holidays
- Phone: 0544-29-5501
- Official Website: https://www.buffet-restaurant-fujisan.com/74097/?lang=en
AFP Auto Camp Site
Source:Official website
At Asagiri Food Park, blessed with a location offering spectacular views of Mt. Fuji, you can also enjoy camping. All camping equipment from sleeping bags to tents can be rented, so you can enjoy authentic camping hands-free. Cottages are also available, making it easy for camping beginners to enjoy outdoor experiences including barbecues.
The breakfast that allows you to fully enjoy the culinary attractions of the Asagiri Area is also popular. Enjoying exquisite cuisine while breathing in the fresh morning air is a unique charm of Asagiri Food Park. While this is a popular campsite, the number of sites is limited, so early reservations are recommended for those wanting to enjoy camping.
Road Station Asagiri Kogen, Fujinomiya City
Source:Official website
Road Station Asagiri Kogen is a road station where you can maximize your enjoyment of Asagiri Plateau's attractions. From the attached observation deck, you can enjoy dynamic spectacular views of Mt. Fuji, making it popular as a driving destination.
Inside the station, you can enjoy Asagiri Area local gourmet foods and purchase locally-produced meat and vegetables. It's also a recommended spot for procuring ingredients if you're planning to barbecue.
The restaurant offers easily accessible curry and udon, as well as one-handed foods like wieners and rice balls. Fresh milk and soft-serve ice cream produced at Asagiri Area ranches are also sold, allowing you to enjoy a wide variety of popular Asagiri Area foods. Located at the entrance to Asagiri Food Park, please be sure to enjoy both together.
Basic Information
- Address: Shizuoka Prefecture, Fujinomiya City, Nebara Takarayama 492-14
- Operating Hours: 9:00-17:00
- Closed: None
- Phone: 0544-52-2230
- Official Website: https://www.asagiri-kogen.com/73417/?lang=en&lang=zh-tw
Lake Tanukiko
Lake Tanukiko is a lake with a 3.3km circumference. While artificially created as an irrigation lake, it's surrounded by lush green forests and offers opportunities to fully enjoy the beautiful natural attractions of the Asagiri Area through birdwatching and camping.
A walking path of approximately 4km is maintained along the lakeside, allowing you to enjoy walking while taking in views of Mt. Fuji. Along the way, there are various spots including shrines and observation decks, so you can explore while enjoying different scenery.
Additionally, in April and August, it's famous as a spot where you can view "Diamond Fuji," where the sunrise appears directly above Mt. Fuji. If you're planning to visit Asagiri Plateau during these times, why not enjoy camping at Lake Tanukiko and experience Diamond Fuji?
Basic Information
- Address: Shizuoka Prefecture, Fujinomiya City, Saori 634-1
- Operating Hours: Always open
- Closed: None
- Phone: 0544-22-1155 (Fujinomiya City Tourism Division)
- Official Website: https://www.city.fujinomiya.lg.jp/1025200000/p001795.html
- Lake Tanukiko Camp Ground: https://tanukiko.com/en/tanukiko/
For Efficiently Enjoying Mt. Fuji's Surrounding Nature and Tourist Spots in One Day, "Mt. Fuji Nature meets Culture Tour with a Private Hire Car" is Also Recommended!
If you want to discover more of Mt. Fuji's attractions, why not participate in a tour that visits essential Mt. Fuji sightseeing spots by taxi with a local guide?
This tour mainly explores the Lake Kawaguchiko area on the north side of Mt. Fuji. It's an area where you can discover different Mt. Fuji attractions from the Asagiri Area, visiting shrines that became social media sensations for their collaboration of Japanese tradition and Mt. Fuji, Oshino Hakkai where you can experience the beauty of water, and wasabi farms. The tour includes lunch at restaurants popular with locals and winery visits, making it a tour where you can fully enjoy Mt. Fuji's attractions in one day.
- Meeting Point: Shinjuku or hotel pick-up
- Tour Area: Mt. Fuji surroundings
- Start Time: 8:00
