Discover Funatsu

The Kawaguchiko Field Center combines walks through a forest formed by lava flows with guided cooking classes in Funatsu. Another highlight is the Funatsu Tainai Jukei, part of the Fujisan World Heritage Site; the Yamanashi Prefectural Fujisan World Heritage Center introduces visitors to Mount Fuji’s natural, cultural, and religious significance. This gives you a choice of different travel interests: exploring nature, taking part in a hands-on cooking activity, and learning about the World Heritage Site.

Walks through the lava-tube forest

The Kawaguchiko Field Center is located at an elevation of 1,050 meters in a forest formed by lava flows, with more than 100 lava tubes. Guided and self-guided walks are available. Guided walks require a reservation. This gives you two ways to explore the same surroundings: with a guide or on your own. The lava tubes and the forest landscape shaped by lava give the walks a clear geological focus. If you prefer a guided walk, be sure to account for the reservation requirement when planning.

Guided rice and cooking classes

The Kawaguchiko Field Center offers guided rice and cooking classes using a cooking pot, available by reservation. One class includes ingredients and is intended for groups of four or more. For the other, you bring your own ingredients; equipment is provided on loan. Both formats are guided and require a reservation. When choosing, consider whether you want to bring your own ingredients and whether your group size suits the class that includes ingredients. This lets you compare the two options based on their specific conditions rather than treating them as a single offering.

Mount Fuji World Heritage and its interpretation

The Funatsu Tainai Jukei is part of the Fujisan World Heritage Site. Its entrance is inside the Funatsu Tainai Shrine. The site is closed on Mondays, except on public holidays; it has no closing days from June through August. Check visiting hours before your visit, especially if you plan to go on a Monday.

The Yamanashi Prefectural Fujisan World Heritage Center introduces visitors to Mount Fuji’s natural, cultural, and religious significance in two buildings. Offerings include exhibits, films, three-dimensional models, and explanations by guides. Each format has a different focus: films and models offer visual perspectives, while guides explain the content. Unlike the Funatsu Tainai Jukei, which is part of the World Heritage Site, the Center focuses on Mount Fuji’s different meanings.

Local information

The Fujikawaguchiko Tourist Information Center is located at Kawaguchiko Station and provides tourist brochures and regional maps. It serves a different purpose from the World Heritage Center: here, the focus is on printed regional information, while the other center interprets Mount Fuji. The Tourist Information Center’s specific services may change. If you are planning around a particular brochure or map, check in advance what is currently available.

Discover more destinations: Nanbu, Fujiyoshida, Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi, Kai, Hokuto, Minami-Alps, Kōfu

For the broader travel overview: Yamanashi Prefecture.