The Fujisan World Heritage Center in Yamanashi Prefecture is a facility that provides information about Mt. Fuji and the value of World Heritage Sites. The entire facility was built to be environmentally friendly and blend with the surrounding nature, and it consists of two separate buildings, the North Hall and the South Hall.

The North Hall provides general information on Mt. Fuji, the Fuji Five Lakes, and sightseeing. There are a number of facilities within the hall, including an observation square on the second floor that offers a view of the mountain, a cafe with food and drinks available for both eat-in and take-out, and a shop that sells Mt. Fuji and Yamanashi Prefecture souvenirs. There is also an exhibition room with several different areas: the Worship Zone, which details the part Mt. Fuji has played in faith and religion; the Nature Zone, which introduces the natural history of the mountain and its surrounding areas; the Art Zone, where visitors can use hands-on activities to learn about Mt. Fuji; and the Guidance Theater, where informational videos are screened in four different languages.

The South Hall is newer than the North, just built in 2016. One of the most prominent features of this hall is Fugaku 360, a large model of the mountain that uses lighting patterns to introduce how the look of Mt. Fuji changes over the course of a day and throughout the seasons and also allows visitors to view the mountain from all directions. There are also several distinct areas in the hall, such as Fujian, which details the history of the mountain up until its registration as a World Heritage Site; Ochudo Corridor, a replication of the pilgrimage route up the side of the mountain; Yoheijo, or place of worship from afar, which shows a video detailing the relationship and interaction between people and natural phenomena such as weather and volcanic activity; and Fujisan Station, where workshops, lectures, and special exhibitions are held. The History of Fujisan panels introduce the history of Mt. Fuji as far back as 10,000 years ago, and make sure not to miss out on Fujisan Sengen, where visitors can write and post their own words and thoughts about Mt. Fuji. Also found inside the hall is the Fujisan Library, which contains numerous books and documents about the mountain; Culture Treasure Boxes; and information about legends, preservation, and cultural assets.

Anyone looking to learn more about Mt. Fuji, World Heritage Sites, or Japan in general should make sure to stop by the center during their trip. Also, don't forget to download Fujimeguri, the guide app for the center, before visiting.

Photograph provided by Yamanashi Tourism Organization