Fujinomiya

Tailor-made Fujinomiya Holidays

The snow-topped cone of Mount Fuji hovers above Fujinomiya, a city home to ancient shrines and pathways that spiral up to Japan’s sacred peak. At its foot, locals seek protection from the looming volcano at Fujinomiya Sengen Shrine, built over a thousand years ago in ornate, red-and-gold splendour. Acting as the traditional gateway to Mount Fuji, it’s a place where hikers pray for safe passage and incense-tinged ceremonies are held to open and close the annual trekking season. In its grounds, an age-old horseback archery festival is held among hundreds of cherry trees that blossom, pink-tipped, in spring.

Outside the city, water flows down mountain slopes to form vast lakes that reflect Mount Fuji in their glassy surfaces, while icy water cascades off a cliff like strands of silk at UNESCO-listed Shiraito Falls, which aptly translates to White Threads Waterfall. Enterprising locals have been harnessing this pure water source for centuries to brew their potent sake. Discover a slice of quiet, rural beauty when you cycle out to nearby Japanese villages home to farmers and foresters, while further afield, you’ll find vast green oceans of tea leaves waiting to be harvested.

To soak up some of Japan’s best views of mighty Mount Fuji, ask our travel experts about tailor-made Fujinomiya tours complete with waterfall treks and village visits.

Plan your holiday withAlfred&

Your journey will start with one of our UK team – someone like Richard, who's travelled extensively in Japan. They’ll shape your ideas into the trip of a lifetime. But they won't do it alone. They'll draw on the expertise of our contacts on the ground, connecting you to the people who'll make your holiday one you'll always remember - the tea devotee who'll introduce you to the ceremony surrounding Japan's national drink, the noodle guru who'll teach you how to make the perfect bowl of soba and the ryokan owner who'll tutor you in the relaxing art of the onsen.

Richard Pearson

Travel Expert for Alfred&

The term ‘well-travelled’ is an understatement when describing Richard. They've been swept up in the cultural portals of Japan and China and fallen in love with Vietnam’s historical melting pot and romantic karsts of Halong Bay. Their mantra is ‘expect the unexpected,’ which is why they find India so attractive; its manic city streets, stunning yet seldom-visited temples and off-road safaris in the wildest tiger reserves.
Takeaki Shibuya

Experience coordinator for Destination Asia, Alfred&'s partners in Japan

After 14 years of experience travelling in more than 70 countries as a tour conductor and planner, Takeaki has come home to Japan, which he truly believes is the most unique place in the world to explore. His unusual experiences are a source of creation which draws out the esoteric and the hidden of Japan.
Ms Makishima

Nakai-san at Gion Yoshi-Ima

A long-time employee at Gion Yoshi-Ima and resident of Kyoto, Ms Makishima embodies the Japanese spirit of hospitality: a welcoming character, dedication to her work, and joy in the everyday. Care and devotion is given to her guests and she is always on hand to attend to needs or offer advice to adventurous travellers.
Fabien Fleury

Wine educator, oenophile and guide

Tokyo-based Fabien was born in Saintes, near Cognac, in the south-west of France. As a boy, he used to help his grandfather take care of his vineyard, which instilled in him a love of the whole process of wine-making. Fabien has been giving tasting seminars to wine lovers between Europe and Japan for 10 years and enjoys sharing his expertise on tours of Japan’s wine-making Yamanashi area outside Tokyo.
Ms Akira

Member of the hospitality team at Oyado Koto no Yume

Ms Akira is part of the hospitality team at Koto no Yume, a ryokan in the traditional town of Takayama. Living in a city steeped in culture, she enjoys helping guests to get to know a little more of the traditional arts and crafts, as well as the beautiful sites of Takayama.
Satoshi Inuki

Japanese literature enthusiast & one of Alfred&’s guides in Japan

Satoshi is originally from a small town in Hyogo prefecture. In his early 20s he lived in Edinburgh where he met many people from all over the world who asked him questions about Japan. This prompted him to study more about his own country’s culture, history and traditions. He moved to Kyoto around 10 years ago and became a licensed guide in 2011, since when he has come to know every inch of both his new home town and destinations such as Hiroshima, Okayama and Naoshima to the west.