Not Just Outlets! 11 Popular Tourist Spots in Gotemba with Diverse Attractions

Gotemba shines with unique attractions each season, making it worth a visit at any time of year. For that reason, you can enjoy it whenever it suits your schedule, but if we had to suggest a specific time, we’d recommend spring or fall. Gotemba is known for its cherry blossom spots, and the collaboration of blooming cherry trees with Mount Fuji is exceptionally beautiful. In fall, with relatively fewer tourists, you can enjoy a leisurely visit and appreciate the stunning red and yellow autumn leaves.

Gotemba is well-connected to popular tourist destinations like Hakone, Yokohama, and Yamanashi, making it highly convenient and adding to its appeal. Here, we will introduce the transportation methods from major stations, specifically from Shinjuku Station, Hakone-Yumoto Station, and Kawaguchiko Station to Gotemba Station.

This is the largest outlet mall in Japan in terms of store area, and it was established in 2000. Conveniently accessible from famous tourist spots like Hakone, Izu, and Mount Fuji, it is a popular stop during sightseeing trips. The mall is divided into three areas: East Zone, West Zone, and Hillside, which opened in 2020. It features approximately 290 stores.

Surrounded by nature, Gotemba Kogen Toki no Sumika is a refreshing resort facility. It features two types of natural hot springs, "Gotemba Kogen Beer" with its own brewery producing local beer and a variety of dining options including a buffet, BBQ, kaiseki cuisine (a traditional multi-course meal), eel dishes, and local gourmet offerings. There are eight different restaurants and cafes to choose from, and every attraction or facility mentioned above is set against the backdrop of breathtaking views of Mount Fuji.
In addition, the expansive grounds feature a variety of facilities and activities including Japan’s largest goldfish aquarium, the highest fountain laser show in the country, a campground, hotels, bouldering experiences, and strawberry picking. These diverse attractions make it a place where people of all ages can enjoy themselves all day long. Among them, the winter illumination event, which transforms the park into a fantastical world of light, is one of the largest in the country and boasts high popularity.

Fujisan Otainai Seikouen is a forest that formed in a lava zone created by the 1707 eruption of Mount Fuji. Within the park, you can enjoy seasonal flowers such as cherry blossoms and azaleas, as well as alpine plants and wild birds from the Fuji and Hakone mountain ranges.
The main highlight is the nationally designated natural monument, “Otainai,” a 68-meter-long lava tunnel. Named for its resemblance to the interior of the human body, it is a popular power spot for prayers for safe childbirth and fertility.

This is one of Japan's largest lava caves, formed by the eruption of Mount Fuji about 10,000 years ago. Known locally as "Kazaana," it offers an adventurous and otherworldly experience. Inside the cave, a cool 13°C is maintained year-round, allowing visitors to observe natural formations up close, such as lava stalactites and rib-like lava formations. You are sure to be captivated by its mysterious beauty.

This is the residence where Nobusuke Kishi, the 56th and 57th Prime Minister of Japan, spent the last 17 years of his life. Designed by the leading architect in modern Japanese architecture Isoya Yoshida, it is one of the few buildings where his residential works are open to the public (the first floor only).
Along with its modern exterior that has a touch of character, the meticulously crafted interior design is both timeless and remarkably cool, featuring a fusion of traditional sukiya-style (inspired by the architectural techniques of tea rooms) beauty with contemporary functionality. It was registered as a Tangible Cultural Property in 2021.

Perched on a hill overlooking Gotemba City, this park is commonly known as "Heiwa (peace) Park." Its centerpiece is a white plaster stupa, built to house a relic of Buddha donated by India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. The park is beautifully adorned with seasonal nature, and its harmony with Mount Fuji is particularly stunning. The springtime view of cherry blossoms covering the mountainside is especially breathtaking and a must-see.

This park was developed around the former secondary residence of Prince Yasuhito Chichibu and Princess Setsuko, where they lived for about a decade. The park covers a vast area of approximately 18,000 tsubo (about 59,500 square meters), and near the entrance, an impressive cypress forest stretches for 10 to 20 meters, framing the walking path.
The park is adorned with seasonal flowers, and depending on the time of year, you'll find special areas such as the "Weeping Cherry Tree Over 100 Years Old," "Maple Garden," and "Hydrangea Road" appearing throughout the grounds. Additionally, you can view the personal items of the imperial couple in the main building with its thatched roof, which is over 300 years old, as well as in the exhibition rooms, gaining insights into Japanese history.

This is a unique shrine where scissors are offered as a form of devotion. It was founded in the mid-Heian period (794–1185) as a prayer site for healing illnesses and disasters. There was once a unique custom where, after a wish was granted, people would offer a pair of scissors larger than the original ones as a way of expressing their gratitude.
Within the shrine grounds, scissors of various sizes are offered, creating a sight rarely seen elsewhere. It is now also famous as a shrine for ending relationships, where visitors seek to sever bad ties and form good ones, as well as receive blessings such as success in competitions. On the 17th of each month, a special prayer ceremony is held, attracting many visitors.

This is a whiskey distillery located at the base of the sacred Mount Fuji. The subsurface water from Mount Fuji and the consistently cold climate throughout the year create an ideal environment for whiskey production. The distillery produces both malt and grain whiskies, and because it handles the entire process from mashing to bottling, it is a rare facility even on a global scale.
In the tour course (fee required for ages 20 and over), you can experience the “Raw Spirit Experience Corner,” where you can view the grain whisky still, the facility's main feature, through CG visuals, and the "Aroma Experience Corner," where you can engage with various whiskey scents through imagery panels. Additionally, the "Kirin Whiskey Archive Corner" showcases a historical collection of Kirin whiskeys. One of the highlights is the rooftop observation deck, which offers views of Mount Fuji and Gotemba City from a straight-line distance of 12 km, and the entire distillery when the weather is clear.

It is a new type of park facility that promotes the allure of Mount Fuji in various ways, both domestically and internationally. The park features free family-friendly attractions such as an athletic course, a water play area, and a community space. It also includes shops selling local Gotemba specialties and areas for social interaction, making it a well-rounded destination.
Highly recommended is the impressive "Mount Fuji Sky Theater (admission fee required)," which uses models and CG visuals. This dynamic presentation vividly recreates the gradually changing natural scenery, including the flow of clouds and the first light of dawn illuminating the mountain slopes, offering a captivating experience.

This day-use hot spring facility is located at an elevation of 600 meters. The main attraction is the breathtaking view of Mount Fuji, which spreads out in front as if embracing the town of Gotemba. Both the indoor and outdoor baths offer panoramic views, showcasing different aspects of the mountain depending on the season and time of day. The 100% natural hot spring water is believed to be effective for ailments such as neuralgia, muscle pain, poor circulation, and fatigue, providing relaxation and healing for both body and mind.

Toraya Kobo is adjacent to the aforementioned Former Kishi Residence. The workshop features floor-to-ceiling glass walls, allowing visitors to experience the delicate craftsmanship up close. The on-site café offers the delightful opportunity to enjoy the meticulously crafted sweets right there.
The beautiful garden creates a special ambiance, allowing for a relaxed experience. Recommended menu items include the classic dorayaki (two small pancakes with sweet red bean paste in between) with the official logo and seasonal sweets that are available in limited quantities. Since they often sell out by the afternoon, it's best to visit early.

It is a stylish modern café with a stunning view of the majestic Mount Fuji. The open wooden deck and pet-friendly terrace seating provide a perfect spot for a relaxing break.
he food and sweets are made with locally sourced, carefully selected ingredients. A standout item is the FUJIMI Burger, made with a 100% beef patty from locally sourced Ashitaka beef. It's juicy and features a delightful sweetness from the vegetables, making it a popular menu choice.

This French restaurant was created through a collaboration between Chef Kei Kobayashi—who was the first Asian to receive three Michelin stars in the MICHELIN Guide France—and the long-established Japanese confectionery shop Toraya. The dishes at Maison KEI embody Chef Kobayashi’s culinary philosophy, with each plate showcasing a powerful ability to awaken our five senses by bringing out the maximum flavor of the ingredients.
The menu is available as a course only for both lunch and dinner, featuring “earth-to-table” dishes with a focus on local ingredients. The experience of savoring exquisite dishes, crafted with creativity and ingenuity against the backdrop of Mount Fuji's majestic scenery, will undoubtedly be an unforgettable premium experience.

Located a 15-minute walk from Gotemba Station, this resort hotel offers a stunning view of Mount Fuji. The spacious rooms, each over 44 square meters, are equipped with queen-sized beds, air purifiers with humidifiers, and LED lighting, making the hotel highly appealing for its facilities and amenities. The hotel features three restaurants—kaiseki (a traditional Japanese-style multi-course meal), teppanyaki (cooked on a griddle), and Italian—providing a variety of dining options to ensure a comfortable and exquisite stay.

It’s a four-star luxury hotel located in Fukazawa, Gotemba City. The hotel's biggest attraction is the breathtaking view of Mount Fuji from various angles. From the lobby to all guest rooms, the natural hot spring outdoor bath, and the renowned workcation space with the best view in the building, you can enjoy stunning scenery from everywhere. It’s truly a hotel immersed in the presence of Mount Fuji, offering an extraordinary experience as if you are being watched over by the majestic mountain.

This is a resort hotel with eight floors, situated on a hill within Gotemba Premium Outlets. In addition to its high convenience, each room is designed to offer the best view of Mount Fuji, providing a blend of shopping and relaxation. The hotel's unique charm also includes the free-use hot spring facility, "Konohana-no-Yu," available to guests.
The facility features outdoor baths supplied by its own natural spring, three indoor baths, and a sauna with Löyly (Finnish sauna ritual), promising high-refreshment benefits. Additionally, from June 2024, the restaurant “Dining Hanagoromo” has been renewed as an all-time buffet restaurant.
The restaurant offers a panoramic view of Mount Fuji in front and a modern space with a touch of traditional Japanese aesthetics. Guests can enjoy a buffet with a wide range of approximately 50 dishes, including Western, Japanese, and Chinese cuisine.

This festival is held on a weekend from late March to early April each year, centered around the Chichibunomiya Memorial Park. It is a representative spring festival of Gotemba, where you can enjoy both the snow-capped Mount Fuji and the cherry blossoms in full bloom at the same time. With highlights including a row of Somei Yoshino cherry blossom trees stretching over 1 km and the Fuji Buddha Relic Pagoda Peace Park, where around 1,000 cherry trees of various species bloom vibrantly, there is an abundance of attractions to enjoy.
One of the festival's features is the enjoyment of spring’s arrival through various experiences, including night cherry blossom illuminations recognized as a Japan Night View Heritage, cultural experiences such as koto performances, and stalls offering a variety of foods and goods.

This traditional festival, themed around the "waraji" (straw sandals) that have long been cherished by the people of Gotemba, is held to pray for safety and strong legs during the climb up Mount Fuji. A key feature is the "waraji mikoshi," a large straw sandal transformed into a portable shrine, which is carried by women as they perform prayers.
Typically held in early August for one day within the pedestrian-only area of Gotemba City's Summer Festival, this event may be canceled depending on the circumstances. Please check the official website for confirmation of the event’s status and schedule.

This festival began in 1986 with the slogan, "The largest drum festival at Japan's highest mountain, Mount Fuji." The main event is the "Japan’s Grand Wadaiko Drum Championship," which features one of the world’s largest wadaiko drums, the "Mount Fuji Taiko," measuring 3 meters 77 centimeters and 6 millimeters high, reflecting the height of Mount Fuji at 3,776 meters.
Taiko drummers from across the country compete in a powerful performance, showcasing their skills in a captivating display. The festival is held at the Fujisan Juku-no-Mori and typically takes place on the weekend at the end of July.