Top Indoor Activities Near Mt. Fuji: Enjoy Rainy Days Around Japanese Icon
Mt. Fuji is the tallest mountain in Japan with an elevation of 3,776 meters. Its beautiful bowl-shaped form is popular, and many tourists visit the area around Mt. Fuji to enjoy its beautiful scenery and rich natural environment.
Mt. Fuji is a mountain loved by people all over the world. Therefore, in the area around Mt. Fuji, you can also enjoy museums, art galleries, and sweets themed around Mt. Fuji.
In this article, we will explain specific ways to enjoy sightseeing more than on a sunny day when your Mt. Fuji sightseeing day is rainy. If you read this, not only will you not be disappointed when it rains, but you'll also think, "We were lucky it rained!"
There are Many Mt. Fuji Spots for Rainy Day Enjoyment!
The area around Mt. Fuji is perfect for sightseeing on rainy days. First, in the Mt. Fuji area, there is an abundance of gourmet food that can be enjoyed thanks to the fertile land at the foot of the volcano and the clean spring water from Mt. Fuji. There are also many indoor activity spots and caves. These can be enjoyed without being affected by rain, even on rainy days.
From here, we will introduce recommended spots around Mt. Fuji that we want you to visit especially on rainy days. Reading this will allow you to enjoy Mt. Fuji in the rain 120%.
Enjoy Especially on Rainy Days! 7 Recommended Mt. Fuji Spots for Rainy Day
Fujisan World Heritage Center
The Fujisan World Heritage Center is a place that plays a role in communicating the value of Mt. Fuji as a World Heritage site and in preservation management. It is divided into the South Hall and North Hall, with the former focusing on culture and the latter on nature, delving into the appeal of Mt. Fuji.
The exhibition I especially want to recommend is "Fugaku 360." This is a large Mt. Fuji made of Japanese paper, recreating the four seasons and the flow of a day. Please enjoy the diverse expressions that Mt. Fuji shows depending on the conditions of that day and time.
There are also many other exhibitions where you can enjoy the appeal of Mt. Fuji from various angles. When you see the real Mt. Fuji again after becoming knowledgeable about it, you will feel the solemnity and greatness within its beauty more than before.
<Detailed Information>
- Address: 6663-1 Funatsu, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture
- Business Hours: (July-August 8:30-18:00 / December-February 9:00-16:30)
- Closed: North Hall is open all year round / South Hall is closed on the 4th Tuesday of every month
If the 4th Tuesday is a holiday, the South Hall will be closed the following day.
- Phone Number: 0555-72-0259
- Official Website: https://www.fujisan-whc.jp/guide/information.html
Fujisan Museum
Source:Official website
Since ancient times, there has been a tradition of "mountain worship" where Mt. Fuji itself was revered as a deity. Fujisan Museum is a cultural institution dedicated to this "faith" as its main theme. This museum offers extensive exhibits particularly on the origins of Mt. Fuji worship and the period between the 17th and 18th centuries when devotion was at its peak. If you're interested in understanding what Mt. Fuji meant to people in the past and learning about Japanese history related to the mountain, this is one of the best Mt. Fuji spots for rainy day exploration.
One of the museum's most attractive features is its wealth of video materials. My personal favorite is the recreated footage of Mt. Fuji climbs from the 17th and 18th centuries. Watching people strive for the summit without modern climbing equipment gives you an even deeper appreciation for Mt. Fuji's irresistible allure.
<Details>
- Address: 2-27-1 Higashi-Nana, Kamiyoshida, Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi Prefecture
- Hours: 9:30 AM 5:00 PM (Last entry at 4:30 PM)
Closed: Tuesdays (except holidays) / Year-end and New Year holidays (Dec 28 Jan 3)
*Open every day during July and August
- Phone: 0555-24-2411
- Official Website: https://www.fy-museum.jp/
GOTEMBA PREMIUM OUTLETS
Source:Official website
OUTLETS are shopping malls that gather various brands selling clothing, cosmetics, watches, and more. They feature excess inventory, discontinued models, slightly imperfect items, and samples, allowing you to purchase them more cheaply than at regular shopping malls.
Outlet malls are extremely popular in Japan and scattered throughout the country, but GOTEMBA PREMIUM OUTLETS boasts the largest retail space in Japan. With 290 domestic and international popular brand stores, restaurants, a mini amusement park, and day-use hot springs, you can enjoy shopping, dining, activities, and relaxation all in one place. I visited with my family, and everyone from my grandparents to my elementary school-aged niece was thoroughly satisfied. It's a place anyone can enjoy regardless of age or gender, making it one of the most versatile Mt. Fuji spots for rainy day visits.
Additionally, you can move between areas mostly under covered walkways, making it perfect for rainy days.
<Details>
- Address: 1312 Fukasawa, Gotemba City, Shizuoka Prefecture
- Hours: 10:00 AM 8:00 PM
- Closed: Once a year (Third Thursday of February)
- Phone: 050-1721-1028
Please check the official website for individual store phone numbers.
- Official Website: https://www.premiumoutlets.co.jp/gotemba/
Tokino-Sumika
Source：Google Map
Tokino-Sumika is a multi-purpose resort facility where you can stay, play, eat, enjoy hot springs, shop, and more.
Among the activities offered here, many can be enjoyed indoors, making this an excellent Mt. Fuji spot for rainy day entertainment. For active visitors, I recommend trying bouldering, badminton, or table tennis in the arena. When I tried bouldering here for the first time, I found myself repeatedly challenging routes that seemed possible but weren't quite achievable, and time flew by before I knew it. For those who prefer to relax, the Aquarium water paradise is recommended. The sight of colorful goldfish swimming gracefully is something you can watch endlessly.
The resort also offers plenty of activities for sunny days, so you can plan your day according to the weather.
<Details>
- Address: 719 Kamiyama, Gotemba City, Shizuoka Prefecture
- Hours & Closed days: These vary by facility, so please check the official website
- Phone: 0550-87-3700
- Official Website: https://www.tokinosumika.com/
Fugaku Wind Cave
There are numerous caves around Mt. Fuji that were formed by volcanic eruptions. Exploring these caves is one of the popular activities in the Mt. Fuji area, and the Fugaku Wind Cave is an excellent Mt. Fuji spot for rainy day adventures.
The Fugaku Wind Cave is flat and easy to walk through, taking only about 15 minutes to complete, making it accessible even for children and elderly visitors.
The temperature inside the cave remains at around 3°C even during summer. Because of this, before refrigerators become common, the cave was used to store ice, silkworm eggs, and tree seeds. Traces of this history remain, and you can view the storage areas from that period. As someone interested in traditional Japanese industries, I found this incredibly exciting.
The cave also offers natural wonders. There's a very rare glowing moss growing inside, and the rocks forming the cave have sound-absorbing properties, so even if you clap your hands, there's no echo. It's a fascinating phenomenon, so please try it yourself!
<Details>
- Address: 2068-1 Aokigahara, Nishi-ko, Fuji Kawaguchiko Town, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture
- Hours: 9:00 AM (Closing time varies by season. Usually between 4:00 PM 5:00 PM)
- Closed: Open daily (Irregular closures from December to March)
- Phone: 0555-85-2300
- Official Website: https://www.mtfuji-cave.com/contents/wind_cave/
Narusawa Ice Cave
Next, I'd like to introduce the Narusawa Ice Cave, one of the best Mt. Fuji spots for rainy day visits. This cave was also formed by Mt. Fuji's volcanic eruptions, but it has more elevation changes than the Fugaku Wind Cave.
The complete tour takes about 15 minutes, but it's a somewhat challenging journey with steep inclines and narrow passages. This is highly recommended for those who want to enjoy a real "exploration" experience.
As its name suggests, this cave is covered with ice year-round. The highlight is definitely the ice pillars, which can reach a diameter of 50cm and a height of 3m when they're at their largest in April. When you see them in person, you'll be overwhelmed by their impressive size and power.
I recommend visiting both caves mentioned so far. You'll better understand each cave's unique characteristics, and there's a combination ticket available that saves you 100 yen.
<Details Information>
- Address: 8533 Narusawa Village, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture
- Business hours: 9:00(Closing time varies by season. Generally 16:00-17:00)
Regular holidays: Open daily (irregular closures from December to March)
- Phone number: 0555-85-2301
- Official website: https://www.mtfuji-cave.com/contents/ice_cave/
Fuji-Q Highland
Source：Google Map
Fuji-Q Highland is an amusement park famous for its roller coasters, but it actually has many excellent indoor attractions that make it perfect among Mt. Fuji spots for rainy day entertainment. For example, there's the "Labyrinth of Fear," a 900m long haunted house known as the scariest in Japan, and "Despire Fortress," an interactive attraction where you solve puzzles to escape.
The latter is an extremely challenging game with a clear rate of just 1 in 10,000. There are many other indoor attractions that provide plenty of entertainment on their own.
However, I also recommend riding the outdoor attraction called "Nagashiasuka." This is a rapids ride where you travel by boat, and it's the wettest place in Fuji-Q Highland. It's actually fun to "get so wet that you don't even mind the rain anymore."
<Details Information>
- Address: 5-6-1 Shinnishihara, Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi Prefecture
- Business hours: Varies by day, please check the official website
- Regular holidays: Irregular (Even when the park is open, some attractions may be closed)
- Phone number: 0555-23-2111
- Official website: https://www.fujiq.jp/en/
If you want to enjoy Mt. Fuji spots for rainy day without stress, a private tour with transportation from Tokyo is highly recommended!
This tour is a 10-hour experience that lets you fully enjoy the Mt. Fuji area in one day. You'll visit shrines including Arakura Sengen Shrine, wasabi farms, and the Oshino Hakkai small ponds. You can enjoy the Mt. Fuji area from various aspects including culture, food, and nature.
The biggest advantage of this tour is its convenience. The Mt. Fuji area doesn't have as developed public transportation as central Tokyo, but with this tour, you'll be transported by car so you don't have to worry about transfers, visit order, timetables, or other hassles.
Furthermore, it's very convenient that they will pick you up at your hotel in Tokyo. The tour content is planned by guides who know everything about the attractions around Mt. Fuji, making your experience effortless. Of course, even if it rains, they will propose a course that lets you enjoy Mt. Fuji 120%.
If you want to enjoy sightseeing on Mt. Fuji area is easy but thorough, please join this tour.
<Tour Details>
- Meeting point: Hotel pickup available
(Please check the official website for the covered area)
- Tour area: Mt. Fuji area
- Start time: 8:00
Mt. Fuji Spots for Rainy Day: 3 Recommended Locations Worth Visiting in Any Weather!
Arakurayama Sengen Park
Source:Home of Fujisan Yamanashi
Arakurayama Sengen Park is a scenic spot famous for its collaboration of a five-storied pagoda (a traditional Japanese 5-story building with protruding roofs at each level) and Mt. Fuji. The colorful pagoda with beautiful Mt. Fuji in the background is one of Japan's representative scenic views, often featured in TV and magazines. On clear days, the contrast between the blue sky and the blue of Mt. Fuji is striking.
What makes this one of the best Mt. Fuji spots for rainy day visits is that even in gloomy weather, the vibrant pagoda stands out beautifully. The sight of the pagoda emerging against the gray sky is also captivating in its own way. While Mt. Fuji may not be clearly visible on rainy days, if you look carefully, you might see it faintly behind the clouds, offering a different perspective of Mt. Fuji rarely shown in media.
<Detailed Information>
- Address: 2-4-1 Asama, Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi Prefecture
- Phone: 0555-23-2697
- Hours: 24 hours
- Closed: Never
- Official Website: https://www.arakurafujisengen.com/
Oshino Hakkai
Oshino Hakkai is the collective name for eight ponds formed by Mt. Fuji's spring water scattered across the area and is part of a World Cultural Heritage site. On clear days, the water in Oshino Hakkai is so transparent that you can clearly see the bottom of the ponds. I can confidently say it's the most transparent water I've seen in my life—so beautiful that you feel like you could be drawn into it.
What makes this a recommended Mt. Fuji spot for rainy day excursions is its poetic atmosphere. Watching ripples spread across these well-maintained Japanese-style ponds is another way to appreciate nature's beauty and grandeur. Furthermore, breathing in the clean air around Mt. Fuji while listening to the sound of rain allows you to forget everyday busyness and fatigue, helping you relax completely. This is the perfect place to enjoy the rain.
<Detailed Information>
- Address: Oshinomura, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture
- Phone: 0555-84-4222
- Hours: 24 hours
- Closed: Never
- Official Website: https://lake-yamanakako.com/spot/10486
Kawaguchiko Lake
Kawaguchiko Lake is a large lake located at the foot of Mt. Fuji. On clear days, you should definitely enjoy the reflection of Mt. Fuji on the water's surface. The lake water is so clear that you might think there are two Mt. Fujis—one can enjoy both the beautiful reflection and the sight of this second Mt. Fuji swaying with the movement of the water.
Kawaguchiko Lake is relatively close to Mt. Fuji compared to other viewing spots, so there may be a higher probability of seeing Mt. Fuji here than at other locations. Even during rainy day visits to these Mt. Fuji spots, the Fujisan World Heritage Center and two caves are nearby, so it's also recommended to play indoors while keeping an eye on the weather.
<Detailed Information>
- Address: 890 Kodachi, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture
- Phone: 0555-72-3168
- Hours: 24 hours
- Closed: Never
- Official Website: https://fujisan.ne.jp/