Fujiyoshida lies at the northern base of Mount Fuji, and is built upon old lava flows. It is considered a high-elevation city in Japan, at 2,140 to 2,800 feet above sea level. The city is also located between two of the Fuji Five Lakes. The Katsura River flows through the eastern part of the city.
Per Japanese census data, the population of Fujiyoshida peaked around the year 1990 and has been in slow decline since.
Climate
The city has a climate characterized by hot and humid summers, and relatively mild winters. The average annual temperature in Fujiyoshida is. The average annual rainfall is with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around, and lowest in January, at around.
History
Following the Meiji restoration, the area around Fujiyoshida was organized into Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi per the cadastral reforms of July 22, 1878. With the establishment of the modern municipalities system on July 1, 1889, the villages of Mizuho, Akemi and Fukuchi were established. In 1939, Mizuho was raised to town status and renamed Shimoyoshida. Likewise, in 1947, Fukuchi was raised to town status and renamed Fujikamiyoshida and Akemi was raised to town status in 1948, retaining its original name. These three towns merged on March 20, 1951, to form the city of Fujiyoshida.
For several centuries, artisans around the Fujiyoshida area have produced high quality textiles, and now the city is the center of commerce and high technology in southern Yamanashi Prefecture.
Kitaguchi Hongū Fuji Sengen Jinja, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami of Mount Fuji, the Kitaguchi Hongū Fuji Sengen Jinja is the historical starting point for pilgrims climbing the mountain. The main structure was originally built in 788 and underwent reconstruction in the 17th century. Additional buildings include a shrine dedicated to Takeda Shingen, and a red torii which is taken down and rebuilt every "Fuji Year". The shrine has a local history museum which displays items from Fujiyoshida's past including household items, farm implements, clothing and samples of the cities' famous textiles.
Fuji-Q Highland an amusement park with a variety of attractions suitable for adults and children.
Mt. Fuji Visitors Center. It is home to interactive displays, videos, books and guides about Mount Fuji.
Mt. Fuji Radar Dome Museum. A tribute to the meteorologists who built a radar research facility at the summit of Mt. Fuji, which features a room which simulates the conditions at the summit of the mountain.
Arakurayama Sengen Park and the Chūrei-tō pagoda, built on a hilltop facing Mt. Fuji.
