If you want to learn about Mt Fuji, first visit the Mt Fuji World Heritage Centre in Shizuoka Prefecture

Day 3 of our 12-day self-drive trip to Hakone, Lake Kawaguchi, and Hokkaido began with our first stop at the Mt. Fuji World Heritage Centre in Shizuoka.
After having breakfast at Toyoko INN Fujisan Mishima-eki in the morning, we drove to the Kandagawa Tourist Parking Lot in Fujinomiya City, which is nearby.

The Kandagawa Tourist Parking Lot is located close to the Mt. Fuji World Heritage Centre in Shizuoka Prefecture. It is a paid parking lot, and before 9:00 AM, there aren’t many cars. From there, it’s about a 2-minute walk to the Centre—just cross the traffic light, and you’ll arrive.

Since the Centre opens at 9:00 AM, some tourists were already waiting around the building. Arriving early gave us the chance to enjoy photographing the beautiful reflection of the building on the water.

The building is stunning from every angle. The huge torii gate is called Fujisan Hongū, and its reflection is also beautiful. Unfortunately, Mount Fuji itself was hidden behind thick clouds, but aside from the impressive architecture, the nearby stream was well maintained and very clean.

Inside, we picked up a guide map or scanned the provided QR code to listen to explanations in our preferred language using our own phones. Starting from the first floor, visitors gradually ascend via a gentle slope, surrounded by structures made of Fuji cypress wood.

The exhibition route spirals upward, creating the feeling of climbing Mount Fuji itself. Just like hiking the real mountain, you might even imagine needing a raincoat in bad weather. On the way down, there are exhibits about the plants and animals of Mount Fuji, as well as the volcanic activity that shaped its stratified soil layers.

Without realizing it, we had learned a great deal about Mount Fuji. Before leaving, we enjoyed the calming view from inside looking out. Next to the first floor, there is a souvenir shop selling Mt. Fuji-related products. By the time we were finishing our visit, more and more tourists were arriving, so we continued on to our next destination.