Hi again! This is Kurumi! This time, I’d like to introduce a campsite located at the foot of Mt. Fuji. It’s perfect for those who want to fully enjoy nature in Japan or love outdoor activities. If you have a car or can rent one, it’s also easily accessible from Tokyo.
What is Fumotoppara Campsite?
Fumotoppara Campsite is a really popular campsite in Japan. “Fumotoppara” is a Japanese word meaning “a field at the foot of the mountain.” The campsite is literally located at the foot of Mt. Fuji which is in Shizuoka Prefecture. You can see a panoramic view of Mt. Fuji there, and you will be moved by Mt. Fuji spread out before your eyes. The glow of Mt.Fuji in the morning was breathtaking when I first visited there. Shizuoka Prefecture is located in the middle of Honshu, and access from Tokyo is quite convenient. It takes about two hours by car from Tokyo Station. You don’t need to worry about camping gear because you could rent a tent and gear, and also there are nice lodges and cabins available too.
Lapatmofu is a camping gear rental shop close to Fumotoppara (5 minutes on foot), but there are some things you should keep in mind.
- You have to make a reservation prior to your camping.
- The website is mainly in Japanese.
- They only accept cash or PayPay (QR code payment).
(https://la-pat-mofu.com )
If you find it challenging to rent gear there, I recommend preparing your camping gear in advance before your visit.
Get some food before arriving at the campsite
Before going to the campsite, I recommend you stop by a supermarket to get some food for camping. You can get some food at the campsite too, but the variety is limited and could be more expensive. If you are going there from Tokyo, I would recommend a supermarket called “Kawaguchiko Shopping Center BELL.” This place is close to where you get off the highway, so it is easy to access. Once you are ready with your food, let’s head down to the campsite.
Kawaguchiko Shopping Center BELL (Google Maps)
What time should we arrive at the campsite?
You can check in from 8:30 in the morning. If you are staying in a tent, you need to secure your spot on your arrival, but I don’t think you have to go there that early. I arrived at 8:00 am in the morning to get a good spot, but I didn’t really have much choice because the check-out time was 2:00 pm, and there were still people who had stayed from the day before. People were leaving around 10:00 – 11:00 am, so arriving around that time would have been a better idea to secure a good spot.
What food options are available?
Once you secure the spot, you can start preparing for your camping. It felt luxurious to prepare for the camp while watching Mt. Fuji. You could make your lunch at the campsite, but if you are already tired from the drive and preparation, I recommend having lunch at Kanayama Terrace, a restaurant at the campsite, either for dine-in or take-out.
Their Pork-Deer Burger is delicious. It’s made with deer meat, but it isn’t gamey, includes plenty of veggies, and is very filling. Having the burger with a beer at the campsite was one of my best times during the camp.
After having lunch and taking some rest, you could go for a walk to the store on the campsite. They sell souvenirs with the Fumotoppara logo. I bought a sticker and Sierra cups. Fumotoppara is one of the dream campsites for campers, and I was one of them. I could not resist buying the souvenirs at the store. Also, make sure to get a Fumotoppara-designated trash bag. If you don’t have one, you cannot throw your rubbish away at the campsite when you leave. If you are doing a bonfire at night you can get firewood here too.
Before it gets dark it is better to start preparing for dinner and the bonfire. I personally like BBQ when I camp, but you can cook whatever you like for dinner.
Can I have a bath?
They have an Onsen too! You can have a bath by 8:30 pm. I have never had a bath at the campsite before because it has always been past 8:30 pm when I want to have a bath. If you are going to be in the same situation I recommend you stop by an Onsen called Kazeno-yu after check-out on the following day. You can relax here while having a bath and also after the bath as well. They have a spacious rest space.
Before going to bed, I recommend you look up the sunrise time of the following day. As I wrote in the beginning, Mt. Fuji in the morning glow is outstanding! You definitely should see it!
You need to check-out by 2:00 pm. It takes about two hours to go back to Tokyo, and there is usually traffic congestion on the highway to go back to Tokyo in the evening. So, if you rent a car, make sure to allow some extra time (I’d say about two extra hours) before returning the car.
I am sure spending time in Fumotoppara is going to be a precious moment 🙂 Hope you enjoy your stay.