A special feature on must-try gourmet food and souvenirs in Fujiyoshida

Yoshida udon is characterized by its firm, chewy noodles. The rich soup is a blend of soy sauce and miso, and the standard toppings are boiled cabbage and sweet and spicy braised horse meat. The connoisseur's way of eating it is to enjoy the changing flavors by gradually adding "suridane," a spicy condiment. Each shop has its own unique characteristics in noodle firmness, soup flavor, toppings, and even the amount of suridane, so it's not uncommon for people to go on an udon tour, visiting multiple shops.

The reasonable price of around 500 yen per bowl is also a plus. Be sure to try Yoshida udon for lunch!

Fujiyoshida has long been a popular destination for climbers of Mount Fuji. Because many horses were kept there to transport supplies for climbers, horse meat was readily available and inexpensive, leading to the establishment of a horse meat-eating culture in the area. Even today, horse sashimi and horse offal dishes are staple home-style meals in Fujiyoshida. Restaurants throughout the city offer fresh horse sashimi paired with sake, wine, and local craft beers.

Also, the familiar Yoshida udon is topped with horse meat seasoned in a sweet and savory sauce.

Even in summer, the spring water from Mount Fuji is cold, the soil is well-drained from volcanic ash, and the climate is cool, characteristic of the highlands. Vegetables grown at the foot of Mount Fuji are high-quality, delicious vegetables that have received abundant blessings from Mount Fuji.

The diverse range of crops grown at the foot of Mt. Fuji, with its varying elevations, allows you to find a variety of fresh vegetables that can only be tasted here, such as corn, tomatoes, watercress, Kawaguchiko lettuce, Narusawa greens, cabbage, and cucumbers. You can purchase them at the Fujiyoshida roadside station and supermarkets in the city, or enjoy them at restaurants. Whether you eat them on the spot or buy some to take home, we highly recommend it.

Fujiyoshida, the town closest to Mount Fuji, is full of gourmet foods and souvenirs shaped like Mount Fuji! Large Mount Fuji-shaped chiffon cakes, matcha pound cakes, and beautifully colored chocolates are just some of the visually appealing sweets that make great souvenirs. There are also plenty of other local delicacies you'll want to tell everyone about, such as Yoshida udon noodles topped with a generous portion of Mount Fuji-shaped tempura, and delicious, fluffy croquettes.

Fujiyoshida boasts a history of over 1000 years as a textile production area, and is renowned for its yarn dyeing techniques using natural water from Mount Fuji and for producing highly difficult, high-density woven textiles.

This is a rare production area that weaves a wide variety of textiles, including highly designed necktie fabrics, umbrella fabrics, and linings, while utilizing traditional techniques. In recent years, each company has developed its own factory brand, and various products have been created in collaboration with famous designers and students. On the third Saturday of every month, they hold an "Open Factory" event where visitors can tour the weaving factories and visit their directly managed stores. You can enjoy factory tours and hands-on manufacturing experiences, offering a unique experience only found in this weaving town.

In addition, events that allow visitors to experience the charm of textiles are held, such as the "Hataori Machi Festival," a market event that brings together various vendors mainly selling textiles, and "FUJI TEXTILE WEEK," a textile art festival that fuses textiles and art.

With a wide variety of options, from those using plenty of local fruits and vegetables to classic milk-based treats and unique, Instagrammable creations, you can enjoy refreshing sweets that are unique to Fujiyoshida.

How about taking a break from sightseeing or hiking?

Looking for souvenirs, birthday presents for loved ones, or even a treat for yourself? Why not explore the city while browsing through various shops? We'll introduce you to a variety of shops, from those selling Fujiyoshida's traditional textile products to those offering imported goods and unique items.

Fujiyoshida City, which attracts many tourists from both Japan and abroad who come to enjoy its retro Showa-era streetscape and the spectacular view of Mt. Fuji from its shopping streets, boasts many wonderful cafes. In recent years, stylish cafes have been opening one after another in both the Kamiyoshida and Shimoyoshida areas, renovating old buildings, and the diversity of cafes has expanded, ranging from long-established cafes to cafes where you can enjoy handmade Japanese sweets.