Arakurayama Sengen Park

Arakurayama Sengen Park, famous for seeing Mt. Fuji in a distance and overlooking Fujiyoshima city, is visited with large crowds around the Mt. Fuji, especially during the cherry blossom season in spring. Because it is situated on the Mt. Arakura with popular Arakura Fuji Sengen-jinja Shrine at its foot, hence the name Arakurayama Sengen Park.

Arakurayama Sengen Park Photos ( 7 )

Highlights:

  Charming cherry blossoms all over the hill
  Best Photography spot of Mt. Fuji, Chureito Pagoda and cherry blossoms.

Basic Facts:

  Location: on Mt. Arakura, north of Fujiyoshida city, Yamanashi Prefecture; north to Mt. Fuji; east side to Lake Kawaguchi
  Opening Hours: 24h all year round
  Admission: Free

Cherry Blossom Festival

In the first half of April every year, it comes to the cherry blossom festival at Arakurayama Sengen Park, which is also the peak time to visit. With around 650 cherry blossom trees in the park, you could get the beauty of Japan once for all. It is crowded in the season.

Chureito Pagoda

20-m (66 feet) high Chureito Pagoda is the landmark in Arakurayama Sengen Park, halfway up the Mt. Arakura. Unlike other five-storied pagodas that store Buddhist relics, Chureito Pagoda was built to condole the war dead. This carmine five-storied pagoda is very eye-catching so that it has been a must-visit there. No matter when you come, it’s always stunning, especially with cherry blossoms or fall foliage.

Five-storied Chureito Pagoda

Sakuya-hime Stairway

When arriving at Arakurayama Sengen Park, Chureito Pagoda can only be reached by climbing the stairway. The section of 398 stone steps is called “Sakuya-hime”, which indicates the Japanese goddess of cherry blossoms, plum blossoms and Mount Fuji. On the stairway shaded by trees on both sides, you may look back at Mt. Fuji, where it is also an awesome view.

Sakuya-hime Stairway

Arakura Fuji Sengen-Jinja Shrine

Arakura Fuji Sengen-Jinja Shrine

On Mt. Arakura, Arakura Fuji Sengen-Jinja Shrine is pretty welcomed as you can see both Mt. Fuji and Chureito Pagoda. It was constructed in 705 AD to pray to stop eruption of Mt. Fuji, for the same purpose as other shrines around Mt. Fuji. Today, it is also a hot shrine for Yamanashi people to have their first visit at New Year.

The Best Sites to Take Photos of Mt. Fuji

Observation Deck

If you’d like to show cherry blossoms, Mt. Fuji and Chureito Pagoda all in one photo, the observation deck back to Chureito Pagoda is the best site. It is the most popular photo spot in Arakurayama Sengen Park.

Mt. Fuji View beside the Torii

Observation Deck

However, it’s not easy to meet such a good opportunity when cherry blossoms are bloomy and it is clear to see the summit. For the weather in cherry blossom season is often cloudy or misty. But the autumn leaves are also surprisingly beautiful, and winter is the best time to get clear pictures of Mt. Fuji there.

The Torii Gate

The torii gate of Arakura Fuji Sengen-Jinja Shrine, on the way from the mountain foot to Chureito Pagoda, is also well-known to take a snap shot. Reaching the high red torii gate, you can turn to see the Mt. Fuji through the gate. It seems that Mt. Fuji is outside the door.

How to get to Arakurayama Sengen Park

  Trains to Shimoyoshida:
Shimoyoshida station is the nearest train station to Arakurayama Sengen Park, at which many trains can reach there. On arrival at Shimoyoshida station, only a 10 minutes’ walking is needed to the stairway of Arakurayama Sengen Park.

The direct limited express train Fuji Excursion takes 100 minutes from Shinjuku station in Tokyo to Shimoyoshida.

  Another Option:
You can come to Lake Kawaguchi at first, and then get on a bus to reach the entrance of Arakurayama Sengen Park.

Read More:

  How to Travel from Tokyo to Lake Kawaguchi / Mt. Fuji

  Top 6 Places to Enjoy the Best View of Mt. Fuji

  Arakurayama Sengen Park Photos & more Mt. Fuji Photos