Fuji-Q Highland
Situated in the Fuji Five Lakes area at the bottom of Mount Fuji is Fuji-Q Highland, a popular amusement park. The park is famous for its record-holding roller coasters as well as its other elaborate and anime-themed rides. One of Japan’s most popular, the park is constantly adding new attractions and activities. There are four main roller coasters.
Fujiyama, which was the tallest and fastest ride in the world when it was unveiled in 1996, Eejanaika, which has the most inversions of any roller coaster; Dodonpa, which holds the record for the fastest accelerating ride and Takabisha, which is the steepest roller coaster in the world. Other popular attractions include their anime-themed rides, their mazes and their Thomas the Tank Engine-themed area.
Erinji Temple
Take in a matcha tea ceremony and some meditation at the peaceful Erinji temple, home to a famous and protected garden plotted by the abbot Muso Kokushi around 1330 A.D. The temple is a celebration of local Samurai warrior Takeda Shingen and features monuments and references to his life and stories. A long wooden corridor leads to a shrine with a sacred wooden figure of Shingen himself, while walking the corridor, it is impossible to ignore the sound of chirping birds produced by the specially designed floor meant to announce the presence of visitors.
Shosenkyo Gorge
Located in Kofu City of Yamanashi Prefecture, Shosenkyo was designated as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty in 1953. There is a 4km path along the gorge and there are plenty of highlights such as rocks of unusual shaped and waterfalls. It is also famous for the beautiful autumn foliage.
Lake Shojiko
One of the Fuji Five Lakes and part of the World Heritage site of Mount Fuji. Lake Shojiko is popular for being able to see the phenomenon “Kodaki Fuji” meaning Mount Fuji with a child. The smaller mountain seen in front of Mount Fuji is the basis of this name. It is also famous as a place to fish for the Japanese crucian carp.
Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum
Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum is a small theme park and museum that is entirely dedicated to musical instruments. In the main display hall, there is a collection of antique music boxes, organs and other automatic musical instruments from around the world. The main building of the museum is also used as a concert venue, where many famous classical musicians come to perform.
A key feature of the museum is the large French fairground organ which dates from 1905 and takes up an entire hall to itself, playing every half an hour. Another key attraction is an orchestrion that is believed to have been on board the Titanic. Outside the museum and park are European-style gardens, which give scenic views of Mount Fuji and the surrounding lake. Visitors can walk among the gardens, following paths that weave around the lawns and a canal. The rose gardens outside are also popular amongst visitors, where several varieties of the flower can be seen.