Japan

Our real winter driving route from Fujinomiya and Lake Tanuki through Lake Shoji, Lake Kawaguchiko, Fuji-Q Highland, Fujiyoshida and Lake Yamanaka.

The first day of our Mount Fuji road trip from Shizuoka Airport: rental-car setup, Nihondaira Yume Terrace, Shimizu Fish Market, a downtown stay and an evening walk.

Our final stop around Mount Fuji was Lake Yamanaka, where swans came close for food and I lingered by the water, reluctant to leave the clear winter view of the mountain.

A late-morning meal at Izumiya in Fujiyoshida. The grilled fish and udon were nothing unusual, but the salty seasoning, crisp skin and rice good enough to eat on its own made an ordinary meal linger.

A one-night stay at HOTEL MYSTAYS Fuji Onsen Resort, within walking distance of Fuji-Q Highland, with a room overlooking Mount Fuji and the park, pink dawn light on the mountain, and a top-floor hot spring and open-air bath.

A late dinner at Gyushige Fujikyu Highland Mae after a full day at Fuji-Q Highland, with assorted yakiniku, beef tongue, tablet ordering and an unlimited soft-drink option.

A January 2026 afternoon and evening at Fuji-Q Highland in Fujiyoshida, with Mount Fuji views, Takabisha's 121-degree drop, the Ferris wheel, spinning thrill rides and practical notes on face-recognition entry.

An unplanned New Year lunch at Tonkatsu Genroku in Fujiyoshida, with crisp and tender pork cutlet, notably good rice, and an unusually firm bowl of udon.

A clear January visit to Oishi Park on the north shore of Lake Kawaguchiko, with Mount Fuji across the water, winter reeds and a lavender soft-serve stop.

A one-night winter stay at Shoji Lake Hotel, from a late arrival through heavy snow and a tatami room facing Lake Shoji and Mount Fuji to a dawn open-air bath and quiet lakeside walk.

A sunset visit to Lake Tanuki in Fujinomiya, watching Mount Fuji shift behind the clouds as the lake grew quiet at the end of the day.

An unplanned lunch at Kando no Niku to Kome Fujiyoshiwara in Fuji, with unexpectedly good steak and hamburg, a self-service setup, and a supermarket stop right across the shared parking lot.

A January afternoon at Shiraito Falls in Fujinomiya, from the Mount Fuji view near the parking area to the short walk down to the falls, plus a practical note on official and nearby private parking.

An unplanned stop around Yanagida Bridge in Fuji, where a small river, quiet homes and Mount Fuji came together in an everyday neighborhood scene.

An unplanned first-night stop at Ramen DANBO Shizuoka Tokiwacho for spicy Rekka Ramen and a highball, with notes on the open kitchen, ticket machine and cash/QR payment options.

A New Year’s Day visit to Shimizu Fish Market Kashi no Ichi Maguro-kan for a bowl of raw shirasu, tuna and sakura shrimp, with notes on the market, parking and access.

An unplanned evening walk through central Shizuoka on January 1, 2026, passing the Aoba Symbol Road winter lights, Shizuoka Oden Street and quiet city alleys on the way to and from ramen.

A one-night stay at Hotel Garden Square Shizuoka before driving toward Mount Fuji, covering my Agoda price, welcome drink, Fugetsuro garden, mechanical parking, dining location and current practical information.

A first-hand guide to booking ORIX through Klook in Shizuoka, including why a Honda N-WGN booking became a Suzuki Spacia, required driving documents, CDW vs NOC, fuel rules and pick-up tips.

I stopped at Sawayaka twice in Shizuoka—Fujinishiki in Fuji and Shimada—but left both times because the wait did not fit the day’s schedule. Here is what I learned for the next attempt.

A firsthand visit to Shizuoka Airport, from views of Mount Fuji before landing to its compact layout, easy rental-car access, food options, and convenient refueling.

A personal visit to Nihondaira Yume Terrace in Shizuoka, with views of Mt. Fuji and Suruga Bay, plus practical information on hours, access, parking and the upcoming admission fee.

A spontaneous roadside stop in the Hitoana area of Fujinomiya, where Mount Fuji and pink sunset clouds appeared on the way to Lake Tanuki. A VISITED moment about the beauty found between planned destinations.