Shizuoka is the Mount Fuji prefecture most travelers only glimpse through a Shinkansen window, yet it offers some of the finest ground-level views of the mountain in Japan. Fuji’s summit sits on the border between Shizuoka and Yamanashi, and from the Shizuoka side you see the volcano rising above the Pacific coast, deep forests and busy towns. This guide covers three easy Mount Fuji viewpoints for first-time visitors: the pine-lined beach of Miho no Matsubara, the Mishima Skywalk suspension bridge, and Gotemba Premium Outlets, where you can shop with Fuji as the backdrop. All three are reachable by public transportation from the Tokaido Shinkansen line, so they fit neatly between Tokyo, Hakone and Kyoto.
1. Miho no Matsubara
Miho no Matsubara is a long pebbly beach on Suruga Bay lined with roughly 30,000 pine trees, and on a clear day Mount Fuji floats across the water above the breaking waves. The scene has inspired poets and woodblock artists for centuries, and in 2013 it was included in the Mount Fuji World Heritage site as one of its cultural components. Start at the Hagoromo Pine, tied to a famous legend about a celestial maiden who left her feathered robe on a branch, then follow the Kami-no-michi, a wooden boardwalk of about 500 meters through old pines that leads to Miho Shrine. Stay on the boardwalk, which protects the tree roots. The free Miho Shirube visitor center explains the area’s history and its link to Fuji. To get there, take a Shizutetsu bus from JR Shimizu Station for about 25 minutes to Miho Matsubara Iriguchi, then walk about 15 minutes; on weekends and holidays some buses stop much closer to the grove. Clear winter mornings usually give the sharpest views of the mountain.
2. Mishima Skywalk
The Mishima Skywalk is a 400-meter pedestrian suspension bridge in the hills above Mishima, billed as the longest of its kind in Japan. Walking across it, you get Mount Fuji on one side and, on clear days, views down toward Suruga Bay and the Izu Peninsula on the other. The bridge is wide and sturdy but sways gently, which is part of the fun, so take your time and hold on to your phone when taking photos. Admission is charged and prices vary by date, so check the official website before you go; zipline and adventure courses on the far side cost extra, and the complex also has cafes and shops selling local snacks. From the south exit of JR Mishima Station, take a Tokai Bus bound for Moto-Hakone Port from stop No. 5 and get off at Mishima Skywalk, about 20 minutes. Because Mishima is a Shinkansen stop and the same bus continues toward Lake Ashi, the Skywalk works well as a stop on the way between Tokyo and Hakone. Mornings are best for clear views of Fuji.
3. Gotemba Premium Outlets
Gotemba Premium Outlets is one of Japan’s largest outlet malls, with about 300 stores and restaurants spread across an open-air village at the foot of Mount Fuji. Even if you are not a big shopper, it is worth a stop for the views: on clear days the mountain rises directly behind the walkways, and the bridge between the mall’s two sides is a popular photo spot. You will find Japanese and international fashion brands, outdoor gear, kitchenware and a large food court, which makes it a practical place to stock up on gifts. The mall is generally open from 10:00 to 20:00, closing at 19:00 from December to February. A free shuttle bus runs about every 15 minutes from JR Gotemba Station, and direct highway buses run from several Tokyo stations, including Shinjuku, in roughly 80 to 120 minutes. Weekends and Japanese holidays get very crowded, so arrive near opening time on a weekday if you can. A hotel and a public hot spring bath on the grounds make it easy to turn the visit into an overnight stay.
Where to Stay Near Gotemba
Where to stay: GotembaHotel links in this section go to Booking.com. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Gotemba makes a convenient base for the Shizuoka side of Mount Fuji. It sits between Hakone and the Fuji Five Lakes, the outlets and the Mishima Skywalk are within easy reach, and many hotels have Fuji-view rooms and hot spring baths. Miho no Matsubara is a longer trip, so plan it as a separate day via the Shinkansen to Shizuoka or Shimizu.
Luxury
Hotel Clad stands about a minute’s walk from Gotemba Premium Outlets, with Mount Fuji-view rooms and hot spring baths, so you can shop until closing time and soak afterward without getting back on a bus.
Highly rated hotel next to the outlets with Fuji-view rooms and hot spring baths.
Mid-Range
Gotemba Kogen Tokinosumika is a riverside hot spring resort in the Gotemba highlands, with free shuttle service from the station, free parking and plenty of space to relax after a day of sightseeing.
Hot spring resort in the highlands with a free station shuttle.
Budget-Friendly
Toyoko Inn Gotemba Ekimae is a reliable business hotel about six minutes on foot from JR Gotemba Station, close to the free outlet shuttle and buses to Hakone, with free breakfast included.
Simple hotel near Gotemba Station with free breakfast.
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Hotels in Gotemba on Booking.com
Stay at the foot of Mount Fuji, catch the mountain in the clear morning air, and reach the outlets, Hakone and the Mishima Skywalk with ease.
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Quick Tips for Visiting
- Mount Fuji is most often visible in the early morning and in the colder months; summer haze and afternoon clouds often hide the summit.
- Check a live Fuji camera or the weather forecast the night before and keep your plans flexible.
- At Miho no Matsubara, stay on the boardwalk and do not climb the pines.
- Bring cash and an IC card such as Suica for local buses, and allow extra time on weekends.
- If you travel west on the Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo, book a seat on the E side for views of Fuji from the train.
Getting there by train: Atami and Mishima are about 40 to 60 minutes from Tokyo on the Tokaido Shinkansen, and Shizuoka is a little farther. Kodama trains stop at all three stations and some Hikari trains do too, but Nozomi trains skip them, so check the timetable before you go. For Gotemba, JR trains via Kozu are covered by the JR Pass, while the faster Odakyu limited express and highway buses are not. Read our guide to riding trains in Japan, learn how to ride the Shinkansen, check whether the JR Pass is worth it, and if you are arriving from overseas, see our guide to getting from Narita or Haneda Airport to Tokyo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to see Mount Fuji in Shizuoka?
Miho no Matsubara gives the classic view of Fuji across Suruga Bay, the Mishima Skywalk combines Fuji with a long suspension bridge, and Gotemba sits right at the mountain’s foot. Clear mornings in the colder months give the best chance of a sharp view.
How do you get to Miho no Matsubara?
Take a Shizutetsu bus from JR Shimizu Station for about 25 minutes to Miho Matsubara Iriguchi, then walk about 15 minutes. On weekends and holidays some buses stop closer to the pine grove.
How long is the Mishima Skywalk?
The Mishima Skywalk is 400 meters long and is billed as Japan’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge. Buses from JR Mishima Station take about 20 minutes, and admission prices vary by date.
Is there a free shuttle to Gotemba Premium Outlets?
Yes. A free shuttle bus runs about every 15 minutes between JR Gotemba Station and the outlets. Direct highway buses from Tokyo and Shinjuku are another option.
