Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park National Park

Admission: Free (park entry); charges may apply for specific attractions/transport within the park

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is a large protected area on Honshu and adjacent islands that includes Mount Fuji, the Hakone volcanic region, the Izu Peninsula and the Izu Islands; it was designated in 1936. The park spans mountain, lake, coastal and island environments and is one of Japan’s most visited national parks.

Key attractions include Mount Fuji (3,776 metres) and the Fuji Five Lakes area, the volcanic landscapes and hot springs of Hakone such as Lake Ashi, and the coastal scenery and beach/island destinations of the Izu Peninsula and Izu Islands. Activities range from hiking and mountain climbing to onsen visits, boat cruises and marine recreation.

Park facilities, viewpoints and access points are distributed across several prefectures; major access from Tokyo is common by rail and road to Hakone, the Fuji Five Lakes, and ferry services to the Izu Islands. The park’s mix of high mountain terrain and coastal islands means travel times vary by destination within the protected area.

For climbers, the official Mount Fuji season is in summer (early July to early September) when trails and mountain huts operate; outside that period climbing is hazardous and generally not advised.

• Fuji climbing season: Official Mount Fuji climbing season typically runs from early July to early September, when mountain huts and trails are open and weather is most stable.
• Best viewing times: Clear, early-morning winter days often provide the most reliable panoramic views of Mount Fuji from viewing points around Hakone and the Fuji Five Lakes.

What to See#

• Mount Fuji: Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest peak at 3,776 metres, is the park’s focal point and a popular objective for climbers during the official climbing season.
• Hakone: The Hakone area includes Lake Ashi and volcanic features around the Hakone caldera, with hot springs and short walking routes popular for day visits.
• Izu Peninsula and Izu Islands: The Izu Peninsula and adjacent Izu Islands offer coastal scenery, beaches, marine recreation and a chain of volcanic islands to the south of Honshu.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park covers many zones; common access points depend on which area you plan to visit. For Hakone, take Odakyu Romancecar or local Odakyu/rail services from Shinjuku to Odawara or Hakone-Yumoto, then transfer to the Hakone Tozan Railway and local buses; from Hakone-Yumoto many park attractions are a short bus or cable-car ride and then a walk. For the Mount Fuji/Yamanashi side, take JR to Otsuki and transfer to the Fujikyuko (Fujikyu) Line to Kawaguchiko for access to the Fuji Five Lakes area. By car from central Tokyo driving times vary widely by destination (commonly around 1.5-3 hours depending on traffic and which part of the park you’re visiting).

• If your priority is clear views of Mount Fuji, plan visits in winter or early morning in other seasons and check the weather forecast-Fuji is most visible on clear, cold mornings.
• Use established bases within the park (Kawaguchiko for Fuji views, Hakone for Lake Ashi and the ropeway) and consider multi‑day planning; local passes such as the Hakone Free Pass simplify transport around Hakone attractions.
• Avoid weekend crowds at popular Hakone sites by visiting midweek; early starts for the Hakone Ropeway and Lake Ashi boat cruises give quieter conditions and better photo opportunities.