The Mount Fuji Lava Cafe, located in the Fujisan World Heritage Center in Yamanashi Prefecture, released a new Red Mount Fuji Curry on January 12 inspired by the woodblock print Fine Wind, Clear Morning from Hokusai's Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji series of landscape prints.

Red Mount Fuji Curry: ¥1,500 (Tax Included)

This red hot lava curry gets its vibrant colour from its picante spices and red chili oil. But it's not simply a bowl of spiciness - it also has typical Japanese flavours like a dashi made from skipjack tuna and kombu. It's also mixed with grape juice made from grapes grown in Fuefuki, Yananashi for deeper flavour. Upon ordering this curry you can pick from three different levels of spiciness. Those who order the highest level, dubbed "Mount Fuji's Peak," are offer to take part in an eating challenge. If you're able to devour the hottest version of this curry within 22 minutes and 30 seconds the price of your bill will be wiped and you will receive a free ice cream. The Red Mount Fuji Curry serves as a follow up to the cafe's original Blue Mount Fuji Curry which erupted in popularity on Japanese social media.

These 'Mount Fuji Pancakes' are cooked in lava furnaces at Mount Fuji. They're being sold at The Noborisaka Hotel.

Mount Fuji Pancakes

Price: ¥980 (Tax Included)

  Cooking the pancakes in a lava furnace causes the molecules to vibrate due to the far infrared effect. This means it cooks at a high temperature in a short period of time. Because of this, the necessary moisture ceases to evaporate, resulting in a soft, fluffy and deliciously cooked pancake. They're made with mascarpone which leaves a refreshing taste in your mouth  

Strawberry Chocolate Fondue Pancake

Price: ¥1,880 (Tax Included)

Mount Fuji European Style Curry (only 30 served per day)

Price: ¥1,280 (Tax Included)

There's other dishes cooked in the furnaces too including pizza, steak and fried vegetables. It's different from cooking in an ordinary furnace. The surface doesn't burn but the heat, juices and flavour remain inside.   Try this ultimate Mount Fuji meal for yourself.    

Fujiyama Onsen is currently undergoing renovation and will reopen on July 14. Located in Yamanashi Prefecture, the site sits at the foot of Mount Fuji. The facility is being fitted with a new stone sauna where you can have a clear view of Mount Fuji. There's also a new hammock resting spot as well as hot yoga classes amongst other things. All of these changes transform Fujiyama Onsen from a simple natural hot spring site into a full-day experience. The fourth and highest floor now has a relaxation area with a picturesque view. There's also other stone saunas in a quiet area with the lights dimmed for winding down, as well as break rooms called 'hot rooms.' Hot rooms are equipped with heated flooring and there's a reading corner with manga and magazines as well as cushions. Everyone is free to move between the sauna area and hot rooms.   *A separate fee of ¥600 is charged for use of the stone sauna area and hot room space. The third floor resting area has rooms with tatami flooring and a wide view of Mount Fuji as well as hammocks and a kid's room. There are 6 hammocks - three chair types and three for laying down. The menu of the site's restaurant, Fujiyama Dining, has also been updated. You can look forward to specially made Yamanashi Prefecture chicken and lots of locally source ingredients as well as beer.   Hot Yoga classes begin from July 21. By exercising at high temperatures, you'll be able to stretch your muscles much easier as well as get rid of any waste in your body. It's also good for dieting and your skin.   Gaze at Mount Fuji while having a relaxing time at Fujiyama Onsen.    

Fujikyu Unjokaku is a rest house located at Mt Fuji’s 5^th station up Fuji Subaru Line Road, which goes to the highest point of the mountain that’s accessible by transport. The start of this summer’s mountain climbing season begins on July 1, and in conjunction with this, new measures are coming into place. The number of climbers to Mt. Fuji increases year by year. A survey that was conducted showed that there are around 50 nationalities of people who climb the mountain, and that 1 in 3 people taking the Yoshida Trail are foreigners. Despite bringing in so many foreign tourists and visitors, many people are unsure of how to book reservations to stay in the mountain lodges and have highlighted how they cannot use their credit or debit cards up there, amongst other things. To tackle these issues, Fujikyu Unjokaku is introducing several services catered toward foreigners climbing Mt. Fuji. ・Foreign Currency Exchange Center – 158 Currencies Starting from July 1, a manned exchange center will be introduced onto the first floor of Fujikyu Unjokaku which will handle 158 different currencies. If you suddenly realise you need Japanese yen while you’re climbing, then you can have your money exchanged, meaning you no longer need to worry about not having cash on you for shops that don’t take card or if you want to shop up the mountain. They offer superior rates, and you don’t need to present your passport or fill out any documents either making it a very useful and convenient service.   Running: July 1, 2018 – September 10, 2018 (No holidays during mountain climbing season) Time: 7:00am-10:00pm   ・Mobile Payment Service ‘WeChat Pay’ Introduced WeChat Pay is a mobile payment service that will enable you to book accommodation with Fujikyu Unjokaku and can be used in restaurants and shops.     ・Online Accommodation Bookings Now Available Fujikyu Unjokaku’s capsule hotel service Mt. Fuji Lodge is introducing an online booking system. It’s a popular capsule-style hotel that guarantees privacy with semi-double size individual rooms, a women’s-only space, and more. Bookings will take place on the Fujikyu Unjokaku website and can be made in Japanese or English – with credit and debit cards too. Bookings are also possible via Japanese travel agents as well as non-Japanese online travel agents such as Expedia and Agoda. This will allow easier hotel booking for foreign travelers climbing Mt. Fuji.   Booking Timetable Running: July 1, 2018 – September 10, 2018 Booking Page (English): https://goo.gl/PwW2dABooking Page (Japanese):https://goo.gl/QzYnFx   ・Cyclist Services Improved There has been a recent demand for more cycling accessibility around the Fuji Five Lakes area. The Mt. Fuji 5^th station wants to be recognised as the holy ground for cyclists and so is introducing services aimed at cyclists including free bicycle tool rentals, merchandise related to bicycles and original bicycle safety omamori charms, bicycle stands, a photo spot, a photo panel exhibition of winners of the Mt. Fuji Hill Climb, and more.   Plenty of other services have been revamped for climbers and travelers too, including the restaurant, more souvenirs, increased guarantee of rental spaces for mountain climbing tools and more. Why not take the challenge of climbing Mt. Fuji this summer?    

The new bicycle activity shop BonVelo will open on June 1, offering a range of exciting activities including 'Mount Fuji Downhill' and 'Mount Fuji Hill Climb.'

Mount Fuji Downhill has mountain bikes delivered all the way up to Mount Fuji's 5th station so you can ride down without stopping. This new activity is aimed at people who've made the effort to go to Mount Fuji and want to have some fun. Daisuke Imanaka, the first Japanese person to compete in Tour de France, was appointed as the project adviser of this activity, which is sparking much attention.

 

The shop's name bon velo is French and means 'good bicycle.' Each activity they have on offer makes use of high grade mountain bikes and electronic sports bikes that can ride for you.

For example, if you take on the Mount Fuji Downhill Subaru Line course, a mountain bike will be delivered to the 5th Station at the entrance of the Yoshida Trail on Mount Fuji. From there, you will cycle down to the bottom, offering a truly special experience that you can't easily get anywhere else.

 

In some other courses, like the Hill Climb course, you'll get to use an e-bike. Since they are equipped with a motor, you won't have to exert yourself, meaning even bike beginners or novices can enjoy themselves. You can even enjoy your ride as a couple or with friends.

Another great aspect is that there are plenty of activities for people of all levels, as well as people of all ages.

Experience the thrill of cycling down Mount Fuji yourself!

The Lava Cafe, located in the north block of the Fujisan World Heritage Center in Yamanashi Prefecture, has introduced the new Mt. Fuji Curry to its menu.

 

The blue coloured curry dish is made to look just like Mount Fuji while the pickles represent the surrounding forest at the base of the mountain Aokigahara, also known as the 'Sea of Trees.' This Instagrammable meal is aimed at both Japanese and foreign tourists.

 

There have been many curry dishes on the market with rice formed in the shape of Mount Fuji, but this dish not only maintains the shape, but the colouring too. It took them over half a year to perfect the dish.

 

The cafe will also begin serving a 'mega size' version of the blue curry from June 22 to bring it closer to the size of Mount Fuji. They also plan to release a spicy red version in autumn to bring to life the scene when Mount Fuji appears red when the sun's rays shine over it. Make sure you don't miss out on this one either.

 

Head to the Lava Cafe to try eating this stunning curry that you can't get anywhere else!