How to Visit Chureito Pagoda in Japan for the Best View of Mount Fuji (2026)!

No visit to Japan would be complete without visiting the famous Chureito Pagoda. 

It’s a monument on the mountainside that has a magical view of Mount Fuji in the distance.

I’ve had this place on my travel bucket list for years, and it was a dream come true to finally see it for myself. 

It was one of my favourite memories from Japan, but there are some important things to know before you visit to avoid disappointment. 

Here is how to visit Chureito Pagoda in Japan for the best view of Mount Fuji. 

What is Chureito Pagoda? 

Chureito Pagoda is a five-storey pagoda on a mountainside above the Arakura Sanguine Shrine in Fujiyoshida, Japan.

It was built as a peace memorial in 1963, with the official name Fujiyoshida Cenotaph Monument.

It honours many of the residents who lost their lives in battle.

The main reason that most tourists visit is that it has a viewing platform with the best view of Mount Fuji.

From here, you can take that magical, iconic photo of the pagoda with Fuji-San in the backdrop!

It’s especially stunning during cherry blossom season and fall when the colourful foliage adds a whimsical touch to the frame.

It’s an iconic view that everyone who visits Fujiyoshida wants to see. But it may surprise you to know that Mount Fuji may not always be there. 

What is the best time to visit? 

Did you know that Mount Fuji is visible for only around 80 days of the year?

Many call it a ‘Fuji lottery’ as it can be very shy and hides behind clouds! 

The best seasons to visit for visibility are autumn, winter and spring during the cherry blossom season (October – April). 

But, even if you visit in these months, seeing Fuji is never a guarantee. It could also be visible in the morning and covered by the afternoon. 

In summer and rainy seasons, it’s almost impossible to see it completely due to the constant cloud cover. Plus, there will be no snow cap. 

It’s definitely worth checking the forecast before you go, but not just for the weather. It’s not always enough to visit on a sunny day.

You also need to check the visibility percentage for Fuji based on meteorological data, and I recommend the SeeMtFuji website to do that.

We based ourselves in Lake Kawaguchi for three days in November for the best chances, and thankfully saw it fully every day. I felt very lucky. 

Where is the Chureito Pagoda in Japan?

Chureito Pagoda is located in Arakurayama Sengen Park near Fujiyoshida City in Japan. 

It’s also very close to Lake Kawaguchi, a popular tourist hub to explore Mount Fuji attractions. 

This is approximately 100 kilometres west of central Tokyo, and its proximity makes it a popular day trip. 

You can visit on a road trip, by public transport or by booking a guided tour.

How to visit Chureito Pagoda in Japan

If you’re staying in Lake Kawaguchi or Fujiyoshida City, you can either drive here, take a taxi, or use a mix of trains/buses to reach the viewpoint. 

If you’re driving from Tokyo, the journey will take around 90 minutes.

If you’re visiting from Tokyo without a car, you can take the Mount Fuji Express that runs directly from Shinjuku Station. 

The journey will take around two hours, and the closest stop to Chureito Pagoda is Shimoyoshida on the Fujikyuko Line. 

From this station, it will take you around 20-30 minutes on foot to reach the Mount Fuji viewpoint.

As this is a limited express train, there are only four excursions per day, so tickets for the earlier trains sell out quickly.

Also, you can’t use a JR Rail Pass for the entire journey as you travel over private ‘non-JR’ tracks. 

This means you have to pay a small supplement. But the convenience of a direct train often outweighs this fee. 

A budget option is to take the Fuji Highway Bus. But know that tickets for these sell out far in advance and leave less flexibility in your schedule.

Why not book a guided tour? 

If you’re not driving and don’t want to organise public transport, you can always book a guided tour that includes Chureito Pagoda from Tokyo.

These tours will take you to the famous viewpoint as well as other points of interest around Lake Kawaguchi.

Does Chureito Pagoda have an entrance fee?

No, the amazing thing about visiting this famous Mount Fuji viewpoint is that there’s no charge to visit. There’s even a free car park. 

As there is no ticket barrier, you can visit at any time you like. 

This is very handy if you’re a photographer who wants to capture this view without the larger crowds.

What’s the best time of day to visit?

The best time of day to visit would be either for sunrise or sunset.

This way, you can skip the larger crowds during the daytime, and you can see the changing colours in the sky. 

I visited for both sunset and sunrise on my visit to Lake Kawaguchi. Sunset is much nicer for colours, but it’s also chaos.

This viewing platform is so packed full of people, it’s almost uncomfortable and getting a decent photo requires some patience.  

I recommend getting here as early as possible for a more peaceful experience. 

But, even at sunrise, there were still lots of people on a clear morning in November. It is what it is.

The walk up to Chureito Pagoda

To visit Chureito Pagoda and the Mt Fuji viewpoint, you have to walk through Arakurayama Sengen Park. You cannot drive straight to it. 

This will take you around 10-20 minutes from the entrance gate, and there are two options to get to the viewpoint:

1. 398 Steps (10-15 minutes)
2. Accessible Slope Route (15-20 minutes)

I thought it was great that there were both options. I saw both stroller and wheelchair users visiting the viewpoint on my visit. 

We took a mix of both steps and slopes, and it took us around 15 minutes to get to the viewpoint from the torii gate at the bottom.

Here’s what you can expect on the Chureito Pagoda walk.

Entering the Torii Gate

As this is a Shinto shrine, you’ll enter a large torii gate to start your ascent. 

In Japan, these are sacred gateways that symbolise a transition from the human world to a place of the gods. 

Make sure to turn around after you enter, as you can see an incredible view of Mount Fuji through this gate.

Also, before you head up to the viewpoint, I recommend stopping by the Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine.

It’s a beautiful Shinto place of worship where you can pray and leave an offering. 

They have a small stall selling amulets and Goshuin if you’re collecting them in Japan. 

I bought a printed one with some gorgeous Chureito Pagoda artwork. Just remember to bring cash as they don’t take card payments. 

The walk up to Chureito Pagoda 

You can then either take the stairs or the slopes to the access viewpoint. 

There are 398 stone steps to get to the Chureito Pagoda, and it’s quite a steep ascent. 

If you’re not good with stairs, I recommend taking the slopes. They are still quite steep, but it’s much easier on your knees.

On my first visit, I took a mix. But on my second visit for sunrise, I only used the stairs. 

It will take your breath away, and your legs will be aching by the end, but I promise you this view is worth the climb. 

Arriving at Chureito Pagoda

Once you reach the top, your first view will be of the Chureito Pagoda from the bottom.

Now, I know you’ll want to make a beeline for the viewing platform. But I think it’s worth taking a moment to appreciate the pagoda.

The architecture is stunning, and it makes a wonderful photo opportunity as well. 

There are also a couple of benches at the top if you need a moment to catch your breath. These have spectacular backdrop views of Fuji.

Mount Fuji viewing platform 

Finally, you can climb a small slope to access a platform with the best view of Mount Fuji.

This is the view that everyone’s here for, and I was also excited to see it with my own eyes.

Of course, I have seen endless photos of this view online, but nothing prepared me for how breathtaking it is in real life.

Watching the colours change in the sky with Mount Fuji in the distance looked like a scene plucked from the pages of a fairytale.

I visited in autumn, my favourite season, and many of the trees were vibrant oranges and red. 

This view was a dream come true and a magical memory that I will cherish for the rest of my life. 

Instagram vs. Reality 

Now, although this view is enchanting, the crowds that you will encounter here are anything but a fairytale. 

This viewpoint is one of the most famous in all of Japan. So, naturally, lots of tourists will be there.

The viewing platform is large, but depending on when you visit, this will be packed with people. Shoulder to shoulder. 

Even at sunrise, the viewpoint was busy, and it can be difficult to get a good photo without heads or arms in it.

My advice would be to bring some patience and hop in as soon as you see a gap; you’ll get there eventually.

Is Chureito Pagoda worth visiting?

Yes, despite it being one of the busiest viewpoints I’ve ever visited, I still think Chureito Pagoda is worth visiting.

I felt rich after seeing this place with my own eyes, and it’s a memory I will treasure.

It was easily one of my favourite experiences on my trip to Japan.

Of course, it’s popular on social media and often goes viral. But it is truly one of those places that deserves all the hype it gets.

Don’t skip Chureito Pagoda in Japan; this enchanting view of Mount Fuji cannot be beaten.

Useful tips

• This viewpoint can get extremely crowded. Get here for sunrise if you want a more peaceful experience.

• The park is home to both a memorial and a shrine, so treat this area with respect. It’s important to preserve the beauty of nature.

• The walk is not overly long, but it is steep. You should wear sensible shoes like trainers or walking boots. 

• Try to visit on a clear day and use the live webcams to see if Mount Fuji is visible from the viewing platform before you visit.

• Both times I visited, I didn’t have any issues with my tripod. But, during busy periods, you may be asked to put it away.

• You may hear bells. Visitors wear them to ward off bears that are in the area. There are also warning signs for caution, but don’t panic. It’s incredibly safe here, but you can never completely rule it out.

Where to stay near Chureito Pagoda

Most people visit Chureito Pagoda as a day trip from Tokyo. But I recommend staying the night in the area if you have the time. 

Not only is it a wonderful break from city crowds, but it also means you have more chances of seeing a clear view of Mount Fuji. 

We stayed at Fuji Lake Hotel, a famous historic property in Lake Kawaguchi. It’s centrally located near the Fuji Panoramic Ropeway.

Their breakfast room had an incredible view of Fuji-San, and we loved eating here with the dreamy backdrop. I still dream about their egg toast!

In the lobby, there is a complimentary afternoon snack bar every day with unlimited tea, mochi and Fujiyama cookies. I felt spoiled.

They also have a public onsen and private hot tub experiences you can take advantage of. I would go back in a heartbeat.

Magical things to do around Lake Kawaguchi

We used Lake Kawaguchi as a base to visit many of the Mount Fuji viewpoints in the area. 

One of my favourite places was Oishi Park, where you can get some incredible photos of Mount Fuji over the lake.

Their soft serve ice cream is also delicious. The Japanese maple and lavender were my favourite as they were pink and purple.

We then walked around the lake to visit the Maple Corridor, Nagasaki Park, Cafe Mimi and Ubuyagasaki. 

You can take the Mt Fuji Panoramic Ropeway for stunning views, and there are even hikes you can do from this viewpoint.

There are also lots of places with incredible backdrops of Fuji in the city, like Honcho Street and Lawson’s Kawaguchi. 

Or, you can go further afield to Mikaino Farm Resort, Shiraito Falls and Fujisan Yume No Okashi Bridge. 

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