Mount Fuji's Northern Gateway
Said to date all the way back to the year 110, Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine marks the entrance to the Yoshidaguchi climbing trail on the north side of Mount Fuji.
Zuzuya: Ink Talismans at a Fuji Pilgrim's Inn
With a history of some 400 years, Zuzuya is one of only two pilgrim's lodgings in Kamiyoshida still offering rooms to Fuji worshippers preparing to climb their sacred mountain. It's also a great spot to make an ink talisman from an Edo Period wood block!
Togawa Oshi House: Lodging for Fuji Pilgrims
'Oshi' houses traditionally provided lodging for worshippers preparing to ascend Mount Fuji. Reaching their peak in the 19th century, a number of these houses can still be seen in Kamiyoshida in Yamanashi Prefecture.
Enter the 'Womb' of Mount Fuji
This system of caves beneath the surface of Mount Fuji are believed to represent the womb of Konohana Sakuya-hime, the goddess of the mountain. And you can climb right inside!
The Shrine with the Best View of Mount Fuji
Chureito Pagoda in Yamanashi Prefecture offers what is possibly the single most definitive view of Mount Fuji in Japan.
World Heritage Sites & World-Class Mochi
Follow us on an exciting tour of Iwate Prefecture’s Hiraizumi World Heritage Sites and, while we were there, we took the chance to snack on delicious Ichinoseki mochi!
Starbucks Opening at Two Surprising Locations
The global coffeehouse chain has two stunning stores planned close to these world-famous tourist spots.
Japan's 8 Best-Preserved Castle Towns
While some ancient castles may be hard to find in Japan today, many of their surrounding villages are still standing strong.
