Japanese Brews & Fuji Views: Panorama-dai and Fujizakura Heights Brewery

May is the perfect month for travel around Japan--the weather is starting to warm up, but without the heat and humidity of the summer rainy season. Beers at the Bottom spent the month of May making the most of weekends off by exploring the Kanto region of Japan, hiking and sampling the offerings of Japan's fledgling craft beer scene. If there's one peak synonymous with Japan, it's Mount Fuji--so here's a Fuji Go-Ko trail and ale pairing from the across the Pacific.

Panorama-dai

For a quick but steep hike with huge payout in the Fuji Five Lakes area, try Panorama-dai. The trailhead begins at a small parking area along Shojiko’s western shore (GPS coordinates: 35°29'25.9"N 138°36'09.3"E). The easiest way to find it is by checking your favorite maps app – just look for the only winding path shooting west off highway 706. Alternatively, take a local shuttle bus and get off at the Panorama-dai Shita stop.

Locating this hike is only half the battle. Once there, scope out the trailhead map. A network of trails runs throughout Fujisan’s foothills, and you don’t want to get lost. Fortunately the route to Panorama-dai is pretty straightforward: approximately 45 minutes up to a junction, where you stay left and continue 10-15 minutes to the lookout. The tree-lined trail climbs steadily and offers several viewpoints along the way. Watch your step – roots and rocks pave the route and it’s a long way down if you take an involuntary trip. 

Panorama-dai tops out at 1,325 meters. From here the views are spectacular: your reward for this hour-long climb is a 180°, picture-perfect view of lakes and foothills, with Mt. Fuji as the centerpiece. You can even catch a glimpse of the “1000 yen view” from here if you don’t have time to visit Motosuko. 

Drink in the sights, then head into town for another type of refreshment: Fujizakura Heights craft beer.

Fujizakura Heights

Located just 20km from Panorama-dai’s trailhead, you can reach Fujizakura Heights Brewery and Sylvans restaurant in 30 minutes by car. Well-known for their German-style brews, particularly brewmaster Miyashita Hiromichi’s smoked Rauch, Fujizakura Heights offers a unique craft beer experience in Japan. Where else can you sip world-class German brews surrounded by forest, gardens, and a tip-of-the-iceberg view of Mt. Fuji peeking over the trees? That’s right: nowhere.

We purchased a couple bottles to go and strolled through the brewery’s gardens, unable to resist the urge for an impromptu photoshoot. The grounds are truly beautiful here – away from the hustle and bustle of town and situated, oddly enough, next to a dog park. It’s worth a visit not only for the beer, but for the whole experience of drinking a beer next to nature.

As it was springtime during our visit, we opted for the Weizen and seasonal Sakura Bock. Both were excellent representations of their respective styles. The clovey-sweet Weizen goes down easy with warm citrus notes throughout its light, sessionable body. The Bock, dressed in a pink cherry blossom label, is proof that you should never judge a beer by its bottle. Simultaneously sweet and spicy, pretty in pink but bold and strong, this brew is deceptively drinkable for its 8% ABV punch.