The Mt. Fuji World Heritage Center Shizuoka in Fujinomiya City is within a 2.5-hour drive from most military bases in the Kanto Plain and is a great place to learn about the majestic symbol of Japan. This stunning building features a comprehensive overview of Mt. Fuji’s geological makeup and other interactive exhibits.

The exterior of the building features a unique modern, inverted cone shape with a lattice design made with locally-source cypress wood. Although it was a bit cloudy when I visited, I saw the V-shaped building clearly reflected on surrounding artificial pond, which reminded me of the famous view of “Sakasa Fuji,” or inverted Fuji reflected on a lake.

Inside the impressive building, the design and exhibits were even more striking than I imagined.

The museum exhibit path follows a 193-meter spiral slope up five stories where every section features time-lapse videos from each of Mt. Fuji’s stations. So, by walking up the slope and watching the videos, you would feel as if you were climbing Mt. Fuji without the physical toll.

Silhouettes of mountain climbers are projected onto the screens and sounds of the wind and footsteps played over speakers to increase the illusion of climbing. As the silhouette climbers often stop for breaks and meals, visitors can rest enjoy various exhibits on the third, fourth and fifth floors to take a break, too.

Some of the exhibits feature touch-screen monitors that provide facts about Fuji in Japanese, English and other languages. There are exhibits on the animals that live on Mt. Fuji, the aspects of the mountain as an active volcano, and the effect it has had on the arts and religion in Japan. On the second floor, a theater plays a 15-minute video about the birth of Mt. Fuji.

When you reach the “summit” of the museum, not only have you gained physical achievement, but you’ve also attained plenty of knowledge about the majestic mountain.

At the top of the building, there is an observation deck for a view of the real Mt. Fuji and the surrounding Fujinomiya City. The clouds didn’t allow me to enjoy the view during my visit, but hopefully you will during yours!

When I got out of the museum to see the inverted-cone-shaped museum once again, I felt the 3,776-meter-high symbol of Japan even closer to me.

Mt. Fuji World Heritage Center, Shizuoka

Note: The museum is close to the Fujisan Hongu Sengen Jinja Shinto Shrine and so there is also a large vermillion torii gate at the entrance of the center.

Location: 5-12 Miyamachi, Fujinomiya City, Shizuoka Prefecture

Hours: Sept. – June, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; July and Aug., - 6 p.m. (closed: third Tuesday of the month)

URL

Tel: 0544-21-3776

Camp Fuji

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