You Can See Mt. Fuji Anywhere You Go! Recommended Sightseeing Spots in Gotemba City at the Foot of the Famous Peak

When it comes to Gotemba City in Shizuoka Prefecture, it is well-known for being located at the foot of Mt. Fuji. This is a tourist area blessed with an enviable location where Japan’s sacred mountain can be seen as a natural part of the scenery. Of course, it’s not only the views—there are also hot springs, fun attractions like Fuji Safari Park, shopping destinations like Gotemba Premium Outlets, and many more recommended sightseeing spots.

Here are some recommended tourist spots around Gotemba. While it’s not possible to visit them all in one day, you can use this as a reference for your trip to Shizuoka.

1. Fuji Safari Park

When it comes to family-friendly attractions in Gotemba, Fuji Safari Park is the top choice. Unlike a regular zoo, you can see animals in an environment closer to the wild, allowing you to experience their strength and ferocity up close. The park is divided into a Safari Zone and a Petting Zone, with the Safari Zone generally not allowing direct contact with the animals.

There are two main experiences: Day Safari and Night Safari. It’s fun to compare how the animals behave differently in the day versus at night. In the Petting Zone, you can interact with small animals. Since this spot is always busy, checking the opening hours and arriving early is the key to a stress-free visit. The official website also offers discount tickets for admission, so be sure to check that out!

2. Gotemba Kogen Tokinosumika

Gotemba Kogen Tokinosumika is a large resort facility that includes hot springs, restaurants, sports facilities such as soccer fields and a swimming pool (summer only), and even hotels. One of its most famous attractions is its illumination display and fountain show.

The fountains can reach heights of up to 70 meters. At night, colorful lights reflect off the water against the night sky, creating a grand and magical atmosphere. The “Arigataya” spot inside the facility is also one of the “Top Ten Mt. Fuji Viewing Spots in Gotemba City,” offering spectacular views of the mountain.

3. Otome Forest Park First Campground

The First Campground of Otome Forest Park in Gotemba offers an excellent outdoor experience with a superb view of Mt. Fuji. It features bungalows, lodges, American Indian-style tents called tipis, well-maintained tent sites, and a barbecue area not found in the Second Campground.

Bungalows and lodges come with toilets, kitchens, heaters, and bedding, so you can come almost empty-handed. In the tipis, you can even enjoy a campfire inside, much like a traditional hearth.

4. Otome Forest Park Second Campground

Located at the foot of Hakone’s outer rim mountains, the Second Campground offers the same superb Mt. Fuji views as the First Campground but has cottages and auto camping areas instead of bungalows.

Nearby is “Forest Otome,” a hiking trail that leads to Otome Pass. The cottages here are larger than the lodges in the First Campground, accommodating 4 to 8 people, and are designed like log houses. They are fully equipped with toilets, baths, kitchens, beds, and even lofts—so much so that it feels more like a hotel than a campground.

5. Gotemba Keyakidaira Family Campground

Like other campgrounds in Gotemba, the Gotemba Keyakidaira Family Campground offers a prime location with magnificent Mt. Fuji views. It boasts 50 sites, including log houses and auto camping areas, on a vast property. Located near “Gotemba Ontainai Onsen,” visitors can also enjoy a relaxing hot spring bath to unwind after a day of camping.

The campground is divided into Upper, Central, and East sites, each with nearby spacious cooking areas and more privacy than other campgrounds. As of November 2016, the rate is 5,400 yen per night for a family tent site and 10,500 yen for a log house with bedding included. Covered cooking and barbecue areas ensure comfort even in rainy weather.

◎ Summary – Gotemba’s Mt. Fuji Viewing Spots

This time we focused on spots that families can enjoy. One of Gotemba’s greatest charms is that Mt. Fuji can be seen from virtually anywhere. Its location also makes it close to other popular tourist destinations like Numazu, Atami, and Odawara, so it’s a great idea to combine your visit with nearby areas. For outdoor lovers, the abundance of facilities at the foot of Mt. Fuji offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature while taking in stunning views.