JAPAN Travel ConciergeChureito Pagoda in Yamanashi
・Cherry blossoms, Mt. Fuji and a five-story pagoda
・Aim to visit between 7:00 and 9:00 am
・There could be up to an hours wait during busy times…
Qlip - Posted On:3/24/20
- Writer:Qlip team
- Translator:Lauren Barrett
This is Japan! Longing scenery you want to see at least once
Have you ever heard of the tourist spot, Chureito Pagoda?
Once just a local attraction, it’s now a hot spot for tourists from all over the world and is especially popular during the cherry blossom season.
This is because during the cherry blossom season, the observation deck located next to the Chureito Pagoda offers
a spectacular view where you can see the three symbols of Japan all at once—cherry blossoms, Mt. Fuji, and the five-story pagoda.
What is the Chureito Pagoda?
Chureito Pagoda is a five-story pagoda built in Arakurayama Sengen Park in Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi Prefecture.
In early April, you can look out over the cherry blossoms, a snow-capped Mt. Fuji, and a five-story pagoda,
a view which symbolizes Japan and became a hot topic among foreign tourists several years ago.
Since then, with the spread of smartphones and social media,
this view has quickly become world-famous and is now a popular photo spot for those visiting Japan.
How do you get there on foot?
If you want to go to Chureito Pagoda, then the first thing you need to know is how to actually get there.
Situated in a local area, the route from the nearest station is a bit complicated and difficult to understand if it’s your first time here.
Shimoyoshida Station is the nearest, so now let’s take a look at how to get to the pagoda from there.
As described in the information section, this station is on the Fujikyu Line and looks like the picture below.
This is the first sign you’ll see when you leave the station building.
As the sign says, go out of the station and head down the alley on your right.
Although it’s a little narrow, you’ll recognize the path since it has been paved for pedestrians.
Despite this, it’s not actually a pedestrian walkway, so be careful as cars can also pass down here.
Head down the path following the sign posts and you’ll arrive at the entrance of the approach to Arakura Sengen Shrine,
about 10 minutes from the station.
The large stone monument in the left of this picture reads ‘Sangoku Daiichizan Fuji Sengen Shrine’.
‘Sengen’ is the name given to shrines dedicated to Mt. Fuji, while ‘Sangoku Daiichizan’ means ‘Number One Mountain in Three Countries’.
The three countries this refers to are Japan, China, and India, as when it came to the world,
the Japanese at that time only knew of these three countries.
So ‘Sangoku Daiichizan’ actually means the ‘Number One Mountain in the World!’
There’s also a free car park if you head down the road that stretches back down the left hand side of this entrance.
Access by car is also a little tricky…
If you’re heading there by car, then input the details provided in the information section into your satnav.
This is your best option, but the surrounding roads are quite complicated and narrow,
so as you drive around you might feel a little uneasy and wonder if the route you’re taking is ok.
In this case, try setting your destination to Shimoyoshida Station.
It’s best to head to the station first and then follow the sign posts to the free parking lot.
Face directly towards Shimoyoshida Station and then turn left, heading down the pathway that was mentioned earlier for walking.
The first 30 m of the road are the same, but halfway down, the route for cars will separate.
Follow the signposts which will show you the way.
This road is also narrow, but each corner and intersection is well signposted, so it’s perhaps a more reliable route for reaching the free parking lot.
Accidents can happen when people are looking around wondering if they’re heading in the right direction,
so if you’re a nervous driver then this is a good route to take.
Also, if you arrive by car during the cherry blossom season in spring, then there’s one important thing to note.
During this season, the free parking lot is mostly full during the mornings.
At this time of year, the surrounding elementary school grounds and temples usually become temporary parking lots,
and from there you can take a shuttle bus.
For details, please check the Fujiyoshida Tourism Promotion Service website (https://fujiyoshida.net/),
where a dedicated page will be launched closer the time.
Finally, the spectacular view of Chureito Pagoda
Now, let’s get back to the entrance of the approach.
The approach starts from here, and as the Chureito Pagoda is located on the mountainside, there are steep slopes and steps from this point onwards.
There’s a set of steps right at the foot of the entrance, and from halfway up,
you can see this wonderful view of the torii gate and Mt. Fuji which has also become a popular photo spot.
But the steps are unexpectedly steep, so you must watch your feet.
Now as you climb these steep steps, you’ll see the main shrine straight ahead—you’re not at the Chureito Pagoda yet.
Arakura Sengen Shrine was here long before this place became a park, and even before the pagoda was built.
Its official name is Arakura Fuji Sengen Jinja Shrine.
According to history, Konohana Sakuya Hime no Mikoto, the goddess of Mt. Fuji and blossoming trees,
has been enshrined here since around the 8th century in order to calm Mt. Fuji and its recurring eruptions.
Although it has no historical or religious connections to the Chureito Pagoda,
it’s a historic shrine that has been watching over Mt. Fuji and the land for more than 1,000 years, so be sure to stop by when visiting the pagoda.
After you have visited the shrine, keep climbing towards the Chureito Pagoda.
There are 2 ways to get there from here.
The first is a slope that extends upwards from in front of the main shrine.
The second way is via a stairway of 398 steps which is named after Konohana Sakuya Hime no Mikoto and known as the ‘Sakuya Hime Kaidan’,
literally the ‘Blossoming Princess Stairs’.
When climbing the first set of steep steps at the entrance to the approach, you can see the Sakuya Stairs in the background to the right-hand side.
The slope and stairs are actually connected, so you can also switch between them.
From the shrine, you’ll reach the pagoda in 10 minutes if you only use the steps, or 15 minutes via the slope.
For those who aren’t as confident in their fitness levels, it would be best to use only the slope.
If you are confident and want to reach the Chureito Pagoda a little quicker, then try using the steps.
Basically, you should go up at your own pace without overdoing it—truth be told, it’s surprisingly hard work.
Cherry blossoms are also in bloom along the slope as well as the steps, and you can admire this kind of scenery as you walk up.
Now, once you have climbed up the slope and Sakuya Stairs, you will finally see the Chureito Pagoda.
You’ll surely be out of breath by this point, so please have a rest.
The cherry blossoms and the pagoda alone will be enough to heal you.
There is an information board about the Chureito Pagoda which says it was originally built in 1958
as a peace memorial for the locals who died during WW2, and there are many of this kind of pagoda throughout Japan.
This tower was built with the desire to allow our ancestors who died in distant lands to return to a place where they can rest peacefully,
looking out over their hometown and the majestic Mt. Fuji.
From here, you can see the streets of the city stretching out down below.
However, you haven’t reached the famous photo spot just yet.
In order to get the Chureito Pagoda in your picture, you need to go over to the observation deck behind it.
Keep going just a little further.
Looking directly at the Chureito Pagoda, head down the path to the right for about 2-3 minutes.
Now you will finally arrive at the observation deck, the place you have been waiting for.
Here is where you can take that famous picture.
The deck itself is about 5 m X 3 m and since it’s not that wide, try to take your photo opportunity while being mindful of others.
About 20-25 minutes from the station, any fatigue you feel from climbing up will completely disappear as you look out at the view!
The best time for photos
Now you probably want to know what time of day is the best for taking such a beautiful picture?
The straight answer is the morning, which is without a doubt the best time to take a picture like the one above.
In Fujiyoshida during early April, morning temperatures fall as low as 2-5 °C which means the air is very clear.
This is almost the same temperature as midwinter in Tokyo, so if you’re coming from Tokyo or the Kanto area,
you should bring with you the same clothes that you would usually wear in the middle of winter.
If it’s not cool and the air isn’t clear, there’s a much lower chance of being able to take a photo of Mt. Fuji standing out clearly against a blue sky.
As the temperatures rise around noon, clouds tend to form.
Also, during the cherry blossom season, crowds of tourists visit the Chureito Pagoda after 9 o'clock,
to the extent that there’s a long waiting line up to the observation deck mentioned earlier.
It’s important to note that some days you could be waiting for over an hour during peak times.
There are low temperatures in the evening as well, so this would also be a good time to go since you can take a picture of the sunset.
But because it’s dark, the cherry blossoms don’t show up very well so the morning is still the best time to go.
Personally, it’s easiest to get there for around 7 or 8 in the morning and finish taking the pictures before 9 o'clock.
Another hidden gem
As well as the chureito Pagoda, there are many other sightseeing spots around the Fuji Five Lakes area,
including Kawaguchiko, Lake Yamanaka, and Mt. Fuji's fifth station.
However, if you go to the Chureito Pagoda in the Fujiyoshida Shimoyoshida area,
why not visit another nearby photo spot that has recently gained popularity among foreigners as well?
Do you recognize this photo?
This is a photograph of a place called Honmachi Dori, about a 5-minute walk from Shimoyoshida Station which was mentioned earlier.
Mt. Fuji stands out above the road and shopping street as though the photo has been edited, and recently,
this spot has become a hot topic on social media.
The reason behind the popularity of the Chureito Pagoda is that it’s easy for anyone to imagine the cherry blossoms,
a snow-capped Mt. Fuji and a five-storied pagoda.
But this local hidden gem offers a newsworthy photo spot which is somewhat mysterious,
and which has also become popular among foreigners nowadays.
The best time to take a photo here is in the morning as well.
Mt. Fuji is clearly visible in this picture which is what makes it so impressive,
so you should try and go first thing.
But for those who find getting up difficult, then at least try to head there at some point during the morning.
By the way, the above photograph was taken at the third set of traffic lights heading away from Shimoyoshida Station and towards Mt. Fuji.
Please try and capture it yourself!