My eldest son is a huge fan of Mt. Fuji. Since the weather was perfect that morning, we made a sudden, last-minute decision: “Let’s go see Mt. Fuji!” This is a record of our spontaneous day trip to Yamanashi.
Time to let the kids roam free at the park!
After being stuck in their seats for so long on the highway, our first stop was a park where the kids could move their bodies to their heart’s content.
Narusawa Village Iki-iki Hiroba features an observation deck and a wide variety of playground equipment. The view is simply breathtaking, with Mt. Fuji towering right in front of you! I highly recommend visiting here on a clear, sunny day.
It’s an easy 20-minute drive heading toward Narusawa from the Kawaguchiko Interchange. There’s a spacious parking lot right next to the park, and restrooms are also available on-site.
I noticed they’ve added more playground equipment since my last visit—it’s definitely leveled up! With “Michi-no-Eki Narusawa” (a roadside rest area) located right behind it, it’s the perfect spot for picking up lunch too.
Lunch time
When we visit Kawaguchi/Yamanaka lake, every time go to Uogashi-zushi. The fish sourced directly from Numazu Port is incredibly fresh and as delicious as it gets. The quality is outstanding, especially for such an affordable price. They also offer a great variety of Tempura bowls (Tendon) and side dishes. For the little ones, they even have Udon noodles on the menu. The place gets crowded right from opening, so for lunch, it’s best to arrive by 11:30 am. If there’s a long line, I usually give up and come back to eat around 3:00 pm instead.
A Sweet Reward: Ice Cream Time!
Whenever we go out, my eldest son always begs for ice cream! While the “Fujizakura Soft Serve” at Michi-no-Eki Narusawa—made with real cherry blossom extract—is highly recommended, I wanted to try somewhere new this time. After the kids took their afternoon nap, we took a scenic drive via Lake Saiko and stopped by a shop called “Gelateria Angela.”
The interior had a stylish American diner vibe, and there were sofas outside where you could sit back and relax. It was great to see such a diverse crowd, from families with kids to couples, all enjoying themselves.
From about ten different flavors, I chose Milk and Earl Grey. The taste was rich and incredibly satisfying! The aroma of the tea, in particular, was absolutely divine.
Parking is available for 1 or 2 cars directly in front of the shop, with about 5 more spaces across the street. Besides coffee and tea, they also serve curry, hot dogs, and more, so it would be a great spot to visit for lunch as well.
Yamanakako Hananomiyako Park
Japanese-Style Illuminations
We went to see the illuminations currently being held at Yamanakako Hananomiyako Park. This year, the event is running from Monday, December 1st, 2025, to Monday, January 12th, 2026.
The inside is spacious and the flowers are very beautiful. If you go during the warm season, you can see colorful flowers.
admission is 400 yen for adults, and it’s free for children middle school age and younger. There is also a 300 yen parking fee.
For the price, the area is spacious and definitely worth seeing. Even on a Sunday, it wasn’t crowded, making it a very comfortable experience!
The lights turn on at 5:00 PM. At this time, it’s not completely dark yet, so you can see both Mt. Fuji and the illuminations at the same time!
It gets quite chilly later in the evening, and it starts to get a bit more crowded, so I highly recommend going early if you are with kids.
They have light snacks like Oden for sale. The chocolate-covered bananas were only 200 yen each—such a bargain! There was also a restaurant serving Soba, Udon, Ramen, and even Houtou (a local specialty).
Stroller Accessibility and Advice
You can get part of the way with a stroller, but the ground is dark and there are some fairly steep slopes, so I recommend using a baby carrier or holding your child for those parts.
What to Wear: Dressing for 0°C Weather
Even in the first week of December, the outside temperature was 0°C (32°F). Proper winter gear is a must! Since kids tend to take off their layers right away, I usually keep their clothes in my backpack. I’ve found some items that are warm yet not bulky, so let me share them with you!
Learning About the History of Mt. Fuji’s Eruptions
With temperatures dropping to 0°C, layered clothing is essential. I recommend high-performance thermal innerwear (like Heattech), a thick sweater, and a windproof down jacket. Since kids often get warm while running around and want to take off their coats, it’s a good idea to bring a backpack to store them. Also, don’t forget hats and gloves—the wind at the foot of Mt. Fuji can be quite biting!
Interestingly, my 4-year-old son became fascinated by the lava molds (Lava Tree Molds) and the educational videos. He was so focused on learning about magma that he kept going back and forth between the exhibit and the video—completely ignoring the illuminations! (lol)
Kid-Friendly Dining: Warm Meals in a Relaxing Space
We stopped by the restaurant located right inside the illumination venue.
Around 6:00 PM on Sunday, we unexpectedly had the whole place to ourselves!
The restaurant has plenty of tatami-matted seating (zashiki), so families with small children can relax and enjoy their meal without any worries.
Warm and Comforting Local Flavors
The menu offered a variety of warm dishes, including Soba, Udon, Ramen, and Houtou (a local specialty of thick miso-based noodles).
A Rare Find: Diaper-Friendly Onsen “Akafuji-no-Yu”
Finding a hot spring (onsen) that allows babies in diapers is surprisingly difficult. Whenever we visit Yamanashi, we often rely on Yamanakako Onsen Akafuji-no-Yu.
Know Before You Go
Opening Hours & Last Entry
- Weekdays: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Last entry 6:15 PM)
- Weekends & Holidays: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Last entry 7:15 PM)
Note: Hours and holidays are subject to change, so please check the [Official Website] before your visit.
Don’t forget to bring some coins! The hair dryers are coin-operated (100 yen).
Top Tips for Families with Small Children
- The water is shallow enough that a 2-year-old can walk around with their shoulders well above the surface.
- While there are no cribs in the changing room, there is a large tatami-matted space (about 10 square meters) where you can easily lay your baby down.
Be careful—the bathroom floor is very slippery! Both my sons refused to hold my hand and ended up slipping and falling (lol).
- If the weather is clear, you can get a spectacular view of Mt. Fuji directly from the open-air bath! It’s a truly breathtaking experience.
- However, keep in mind that it can get quite crowded depending on the time of day.
- The facility also includes a restaurant and a souvenir shop, making it a great place to relax after your soak.
Another diaper-friendly option near Lake Yamanaka
Another diaper-friendly option near Lake Yamanaka is Ishiwari-no-Yu.
Actually, we once had the disappointing experience of being turned away at another onsen because we didn’t realize that babies in diapers were often restricted. Since then, we always make it a rule to double-check the official website or call ahead to ensure that children in diapers are welcome before we head out.
Wrapping Up: Why This Is Our Family Favorite
My husband and I (especially my husband) really can’t stand crowds. It seems my eldest son has inherited that trait, as he’s not a fan of busy places either. My youngest, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to mind at all—or maybe he just doesn’t notice? (lol).
If you’re the type of person who thinks, “It’s a waste to just stay home, but I really don’t want to go anywhere crowded,” then this is the perfect spot for you! It’s relatively quiet and offers a comfortable experience for families with children. Please give it a visit if you have the chance!
Thank you so much for reading until the end!
