Fuji is a name that points to several different places, and for a traveller the most useful distinction is between the city of Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture and the town of Fuji in Saga Prefecture. The wider Fuji area also includes Mount Fuji itself, the Fuji River, and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, which together make up one of Japan's best-known landscapes.
For a visitor, the practical question is where to base yourself so that the mountain, the coast and the transport links are within reach. This guide covers the areas that the sources identify as places to stay, and explains who each one suits. It does not recommend specific hotels, hostels or guesthouses.
Best areas to stay in Fuji
1. Fuji, Shizuoka
Fuji is a city in Shizuoka Prefecture, on the Pacific side of the region. It is a working city rather than a resort, which means you will find a spread of everyday accommodation rather than a concentration of tourist hotels.
It suits travellers who want a straightforward base with rail connections, and who are happy to travel out to the mountain and the surrounding sights rather than stay right beside them. It is also a reasonable choice if you are arriving or leaving via the Shizuoka side.
2. Fujiyoshida
Fujiyoshida is a city in Yamanashi Prefecture, and the sources note that "Fuji" is another name for it. It sits on the Yamanashi side of Mount Fuji, which is the side most associated with views of the mountain itself.
This area suits visitors whose main aim is the mountain and the national park, including those who want to start early for the climb or for the surrounding lakes and parkland. Expect a mix of accommodation serving mountain visitors, from simple lodgings to larger places. The trade-off is that you are away from the Shizuoka coast and its rail links.
3. Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park covers a broad area of central Honshu, and staying within it puts you closer to the landscape rather than in a city. Accommodation here tends to be oriented towards visitors who have come for the park.
It suits travellers who want the mountain, the hot spring country and the coast as the main event, and who do not mind being more dependent on buses and local transport. If your trip is built around the park rather than around a city, this is the area to consider.
4. Fuji, Saga
Fuji is also a town in Saga Prefecture, on the island of Kyushu. This is a separate destination entirely from the Mount Fuji region, and it should not be confused with it when you are booking.
It suits travellers who are already planning to be in Kyushu and want a base in that part of Saga. If your itinerary is built around Mount Fuji, this is not the area you want.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: simple lodgings and guesthouse-style places, typically in the cities and towns rather than inside the national park.
- Mid-range: ordinary hotels and inns, most readily found in Fuji, Shizuoka and in Fujiyoshida.
- Splurge: larger, more comfortable accommodation, again concentrated in the towns and cities rather than in remote parts of the park.
Best area for a first visit
For a first visit, Fujiyoshida is the most logical base if the mountain is your reason for coming, since it sits on the Yamanashi side and is another name for Fuji itself. If you would rather have a city base with rail connections and are willing to travel out to the sights, Fuji in Shizuoka is the alternative. Choose between them based on whether the mountain or the transport links matter more to your trip.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fuji the same as Mount Fuji?
No. Fuji is also the name of a city in Shizuoka Prefecture and a town in Saga Prefecture, as well as another name for Fujiyoshida in Yamanashi Prefecture. Mount Fuji is the mountain itself.
Which side should I stay on for Mount Fuji?
The sources identify Fujiyoshida, in Yamanashi Prefecture, as the area associated with the mountain, and Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture as a city on the other side. Which suits you depends on whether you want to be close to the mountain or to the city and its connections.
Can I stay inside Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park?
Yes. The park is listed as a place in its own right, and accommodation within it is oriented towards visitors who have come for the park and the surrounding landscape.
Is the Fuji in Saga Prefecture near Mount Fuji?
No. Fuji in Saga Prefecture is a separate town on Kyushu, well away from the Mount Fuji region. Check which Fuji you are booking before you confirm.
Compare live prices for the area you choose with the booking tools on this page.