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Fujiyoshida Museum of Local History

Introducing the Five Lakes Area and the Mt. Fuji Pilgrimage
Open Tuesday-Sunday, 9:30-5:00. Tel: 0555-24-2411

With an excellent view of Mt. Fuji from the rooftop observation room, this museum was built to introduce the history, industry and culture of Fujiyoshida and the Mt. Fuji pilgrimage to a wider audience. Outside the facility there are two traditional cottages and a replica of an old pilgrims' inn. Inside the museum, there are four exhibit themes:
● Sacred Mt. Fuji
● Textiles of the Fujiyoshida Area
● Local History
● Local Culture

Sacred Mt. Fuji
● Since ancient times, mountains in Japan were seen as divine manifestions, or sacred objects of worship, and thus off-limits to most people. Mt. Fuji was one such mountain that had its own sect of pilgrims, the Fujiko. During the 17th Century, Fujiyoshida became the center of Fujiko activity, and a base for purification and preparation for the climb.Those that were allowed to enter the sacred terrain of Mt. Fuji sought contact with the mountain's deity. This contact was supposed to bring safety to their households and cure afflictions.

Textiles
● The Gunnai Area, which curves around the north face of Mt. Fuji, has a modern economy based on toursm and industry. In olden times, inhabitants of this region attempted to sustain themselves with agriculture. Despite their best efforts, harsh conditions created an environment where farming was not very fruitful. This led to the development of a secondary economic activity: textile production. Weaving began as a home-based industry but with imrovements in technology evolved into a prosperous business that continues to compete at an international level. The area's textiles, called "Gunnai Orimono," are still famous today.

Local History
● The history of Fujiyoshida in inextricably woven into that of Mt. Fuji. This beautiful mountain is a symbol of the nation and its people. It has been celebrated in art and poetry, but also brought death and destruction to local settlements. Despite these odds, people were able to carve out a living here.

Local Culture
● Japanese life is divided into days dedicated to labor and festivities. During celebrations, individuals, families as well as local and regional communities worship and give thanks for their collective good fortune. Our museum has artifacts representing local foods, culture, festivals, and agriculture. It also hosts regalia associated with the famous Fire Festival, an annual event dedicated to the closing of Mt. Fuji's climbing season.

Osano House
● The Osano house is a replica of a well-preserved pilgims' inn that still stands in downtown Fujiyoshida. This version was painstakingly copied from the actual house plans of the Osano family. It contains an altar for the worship of the Mt. Fuji goddess. In 1976, it was designated an Important Cultural Asset by the national government.

Muto and Miyashita Cottages
● The Muto Cottage was the residence of a leader of one of the small villages in this area during the Edo Period (1600-1867). It is thought to have been built in the early 18th Century. The roof is unique in that it was altered to cultivate silkworms.
● The Miyahita Cottage is said to have been constructed in 1707. With its conservative, centralized layout to protect it against the harsh winterl, it is representative of the Gunnai Area's architecture and provides a glimpse into life in Fujiyoshida almost 300 years ago.