Exploring Gotemba: Top Attractions in Japan’s Gateway to Mount Fuji

 

The gigantic Mount Fuji is visible from many cities in Japan. However, no city has a view of the mountain as breathtaking as that of Gotemba. There’s a lot to see and do in this vibrant Japanese city, which is located in Shizuoka Prefecture. Plan your next trip by using the detailed information in our guide. We explore things to do in the city, including shopping, photography, trekking, and dining. Everything is set up to ensure you have a memorable trip!

Introduction to Gotemba: Gateway to Mount Fuji

Gotemba, Shizuoka (Japan), is a city located in Chūbu, the central region of the country. The city is surrounded by some of Japan’s most iconic mountains: Mt. Fuji (west), Mt. Hakone (east), Mt. Ashitaka (south), and the Tanzawa Mountains (north).

Gotemba lies on the southeastern foot of Mt. Fuji. Hence, it offers one of the best views of the famous mountain. It also serves as the perfect exploration place before or after climbing Mt. Fuji. Besides mountain ranges, the city’s blend of natural beauty includes lush parks, forests, and green spaces.

Gotemba is also famous for manmade attractions. It boasts the largest and most popular outlet shopping mall in Japan, lots of historical sites, and an irresistible culinary scene. There’s so much to love about this iconic city, and we’re about to reveal them all.

Gotemba Premium Outlets: A Shopping Haven in Japan

The Gotemba Premium Outlets are a shopping destination offering a range of high-end and regular Japanese brands. It’s arguably the largest and most famous outlet mall in the country. The mall is located next to the western borders of the city and the foot of Mt. Fuji. It offers a scenic backdrop of the mountain that lovers of nature’s beauty can appreciate. If you’re looking to combine luxury shopping with sightseeing and photography in the city,  Gotemba Premium Outlets is the ideal destination.

The gigantic shopping mall, which was opened in July 2000, has over 300 stores, including those owned by domestic and international brands. It also contains several restaurants, a hotel, a food court, and a giant ferris wheel. This is a fantastic spot to shop for affordable household goods, electronics, clothes, accessories, and luxury items. You can easily access the mall from Gotemba Station via the free shuttle bus. You may also take direct buses from Hakone or Tokyo.

Breathtaking Views of Mount Fuji from Gotemba

Mount Fuji is so close to Gotemba that there are multiple viewpoints of it in the city, each one offering a unique perspective. To help travelers explore and photograph the iconic mountain’s beauty, we decided to make a brief guide on the best vantages. Enjoy!

• Gotemba Premium Outlets: The surroundings of the mall are decorated with cherry blossoms and other beautiful flowers that enhance the picturesque view of Mt. Fuji.

• South Gotemba: The city has an elevation that ranges from 250 to 600 meters. You can enjoy some of the best views of Mt. Fuji by seeking any place in the southern region of the city with a high elevation.

• Parks: Parks are the most relaxing places to sit and enjoy the view of the mountain. We recommend Chichibu-no-miya Memorial Park or Gotemba Peace Park.

Top Things to Do in Gotemba for Every Traveler

There is a diverse range of experiences available for all types of travelers in Gotemba. The following is a detailed list of must-do activities you should try during your visit.

• Shopping: Gotemba is arguably the best place to shop in the entire country. The most obvious option is, of course, Gotemba Premium Outlets. For seasonal local produce, you can go to JA Farmers Gotemba, the city’s most famous farmers market. Also, there are dozens of specialty gift shops in the area, including Araien Honten, Ebisembei-no-Sato, and Miyazakiya.

• Visits to cultural and historical sites: You can visit iconic sites with significant historical value, such as Chichibu-no-miya Memorial Park, which used to be a royal family summer home. Other cultural attractions in the city include the Fuji Gotemba Distillery (award-winning Japanese whiskey plant), the Gotemba Visitor Information Center (tourist info center), and Higashiyama Kyukishitei (historic site with old buildings).

• Visits to natural attractions: You can watch elephants, lions, and other wild animals run around in the Fuji Safari Park, one of the largest in Japan. Parks with vibrant green spaces like Fuji Bussharito Heiwa Park, Chichibu-no-miya Memorial Park, and Gotemba Peace Park are also open to the public.

• Enjoy the local cuisine: Visit the local restaurants to enjoy all of the different flavors of Gotemba. The outlet mall is a top destination for tourist dinners in the city. Alternatively, you can eat at the Gotemba Kogen hotel and resort.

Serenity at Gotemba Peace Park

The Gotemba Peace Park is located at the city’s border to Hakone. The park has served as a peaceful retreat for reflection and sightseeing in Gotemba for decades. One of its main attractions is the striking view of Mt. Fuji, which is especially stunning in spring and autumn.

Gotemba Peace Park also represents a haven for Buddhist culture. The site houses a white stupa, a mound-like Buddhist structure that holds important relics or remains. This one houses four golden Buddha statues and the ashes of Indian Prime Minister Nehru.

The park also has a serene Japanese-style garden and a temple dedicated to the Buddhist goddess of mercy, Kannon, and her 33 images.

Discovering the Fuji Gotemba Distillery

In 1973, Japanese beer and beverage company Kirin opened the Fuji Gotemba Distillery in Gotemba City. This facility draws water from Mount Fuji and leverages the unique climate of the high-altitude city, which is similar to that of Scotland. The distillery has created three of Japan’s best whiskies: Fuji Single Malt, Fuji Single Grain, and Fuji Single Blended.

The water for the whisky-making process comes from the mountain’s rainwater and snowmelt. As a traveler, you can embark on a tour of the distillery. During the tour, you will learn how the whiskies are produced, explore a room full of awards won by the beverages, and taste a few glasses of the premium whisky. After the tour, you may buy whiskies, glasses, treats, and other items at the gift shop. Tours of the Fuji Gotemba Distillery are available in both Japanese and English.

Outdoor Adventures Near Gotemba: Nature and Fun

Parks with animals and green spaces are some of Gotemba’s best natural attractions. We mentioned a few of these parks earlier, when discussing things to do in Gotemba. For a more adventurous outing, we recommend a visit to Komakado Kazaana Cave, which was formed after a Mt. Fuji eruption. The entrance of the cave is decorated by a torii gate and a shimenawa (shinto straw rope). Inside the cave, you will experience a constant temperature of about 19˚C and springs of pure, natural water from Mt. Fuji.

Gotemba also has several trekking paths leading to the mountain. You get to enjoy terrific views of the natural wonder on your way. Feel free to take a day trip to the mountain or nearby Fuji Five Lakes, a lake resort on the north side of the mountain.

A Taste of Gotemba: Exploring Local Flavors

Gotemba’s culinary scene consists of many traditional Japanese dishes and a few unique local cuisines. The following is a list of what to eat in Gotemba:

• Mikuriya soba: This is a type of handmade soba exclusive to the area. It’s made using an ancient recipe that includes yams as a major ingredient. Visit Handmade Soba Kintaro and popular eateries at the outlets to get a taste.

• Atsuage: This is deep-fried tofu. The city's special version is made with underground spring water from Mt. Fuji, which makes the inside soft and juicy.

• Kirin whisky: Alcohol lovers can enjoy whiskies from the local Kirin distillery. They are sold in bars all over the city.

• Gotemba koshihikari: Brewed from Koshihikari rice grown in local farms, this premium beer originated in Gotemba Kogen Resort and has become a major specialty in the city.

• Raw fruit jelly: Visit FruFull Gotemba to enjoy original fruit jelly made with Mt. Fuji water.

• Castella: Made from local sakura eggs, the city’s bouncy sponge cake is a staple at dessert shops within and outside the outlets.

Getting to Gotemba: Travel Tips and Accessibility

You can travel to Gotemba using the following simple routes:

• From Tokyo Station: Ride the JR Tokaido Line and get off at Kozu, then take the Gotemba Line and stop at Gotemba Station. The entire trip should take about two hours.

• From Shinjuku Station: Ride the Odakyu Line to Gotemba Station. This will take you an hour and a half.

• From Shinjuku Bus Terminal: Take an express bus (Odakyu Hakone Highway Bus) directly to Gotemba Station. It also takes an hour and a half.

• From Hakone: Ride the Hakone Tozan Bus to Gotemba Station or Gotemba Premium Outlets.

Why Gotemba is a Hidden Gem of Japan

Gotemba’s unique appeal as a destination with shopping, natural wonders, cultural sites, and stunning views of Mount Fuji makes this city worth a visit on any Japanese itinerary. The Fuji area is quite peaceful, the summer weather is fantastic, and you rarely have to worry about overcrowding.

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