Free walking tours in Fujiyoshida

Andy gave us a wonderful tour! We felt like we were walking around with a friend. I highly recommend taking a tour of Mt. Fuji. It is the best way to learn about its fascinating history. He recommended a great place for lunch and a visit to a restored oshi house where pilgrims to Mt. Fuji stayed overnight. The best day of our 2 week vacation. A walking tour is truly a must!

Explore Fujiyoshida: Iconic Mt. Fuji Views, Retro Streets & Ancient Shrines (Free Goodwiil Tour)

Amongst all the free tours listed on GuruWalk, this was the only one that was actually free 😅 Andy is helping promote local tourism in Shimoyoshida and offers the tour/walk as a work+personal initiative. We chose Route A which involved a walk around the centre. We met Andy on a drizzly, grey day, so unfortunately we weren't able to see the iconic views of Mount Fuji and the tour was kept to an hour. We walked through the charming town's traditional neighbourhoods, learning about its textile and silk industry. The backstreets still retain the atmosphere of its prosperous past, when money was made selling silk and spent in the area's bars and entertainment venues. Merchants gathered at local markets to trade textiles. After business, they enjoyed the nightlife. The streets were once lively with these merchants and industry workers seeking entertainment. In comparison, now they are much more quieter. Narrow streets and alleys from that era remain, lined with wooden houses, corrugated metal buildings, old walls and signboards. The Yabusame-matsuri horseback archery festival is held in Sept sounded amazing. We walked through Shimo-Asama shrine and one can do horseback riding there. Andy has lived in Shimoyoshida for 10 years and is clearly passionate about the area and its history. He also kindly answered all our random questions along the walk. It felt like walking around with a friend who was showing us his neighbourhood and sharing its stories. We loved the postcard and stickers Andy gave us as a memento. Would recommend doing the walk if you're in the area. Can easily pair it with Chureito Pagoda.

Explore Fujiyoshida: Iconic Mt. Fuji Views, Retro Streets & Ancient Shrines (Free Goodwiil Tour)

Matthieu

1 Review

Thanks to Andrew for this very interesting tour! Lots of learning, a great way to discover the city and it's history!

Explore Fujiyoshida: Iconic Mt. Fuji Views, Retro Streets & Ancient Shrines (Free Goodwiil Tour)