Not everyone feels cut out to embark on climbing Mt. Fuji. However, a recently opened viewing area at Izu Panorama Park is available, where visitors can admire and appreciate Japan’s most stunning and iconic landmark.
Initially built in 1962 and opened in 1992, Izu Panorama Park is situated on Katsuragi Mountain, located on the Izu Peninsula in Japan’s Shizuoka Prefecture. According to Time Out, the Japanese site recently opened its 1,483-foot sky-high Aqua Ring viewing area at the top of Katasuragi.
The oval-shaped platform offers those in the area another vantage point to enjoy 360-degree views and snap photos of Mt. Fuji. Also viewable are the rest of the Izu Peninsula, Suruga Bay, and the popular nearby destination of Hakone. The park describes the Aqua Ring as “where the blue of the sky and the blue of Suruga Bay blend together.” It also says that “the protruding deck allows you to enjoy the unique floating sensation of being one with the scenery.”
What Else Is There To Know About Izu Panorama Park’s Aqua Ring And Its Mt. Fuji Views?
Izu Panorama Park is approximately a two-hour drive southwest of Japan’s capital, Tokyo. To reach the Aqua Ring, visitors must take the park’s ropeway to Katsuragi’s top. Izu Panorama Park also has an on-site Italian restaurant at its base, and a “Modern-Japanese style café” additionally at the summit. The latter is a perfect stop to get a yummy matcha beverage before or after enjoying the elevated Mt. Fuji views.
Mt. Fuji is a stratovolcano that geologists still consider active, though it last erupted in the early 1700s. The UNESCO World Heritage Site stands at 12,389 feet tall. In addition to its beautiful stature, it’s lauded as a symbol of Japan and is a revered ascent for climbers all over the world.
The Aqua Ring is wheelchair accessible, allowing those who require a slope to reach Katsuragi’s summit to also enjoy its stunning views.
