中里富士塚(清瀬10景)

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Description

In a quiet residential corner of Kiyose, Tokyo, I turned a street corner and suddenly found myself standing before a bright red torii gate and a rugged little mountain of dark stone. This is Nakazato Fujizuka (中里富士塚), part of the “Kiyose 10 Views” (清瀬10景) and officially designated as a historic site. It sits at 3 Chome-991-1 Nakazato, Kiyose, Tokyo 204-0003, and it’s one of those places that reveals a layer of Tokyo you don’t often see on a typical city itinerary. Think of it as a miniature Mt. Fuji—built so locals could symbolically “climb” the sacred mountain without leaving town.

Fujizuka have a fascinating backstory. During the late Edo to early Meiji period, members of Fuji-kō (devotees of Mt. Fuji) constructed these man-made mounds across the Kanto region. The idea was simple and profound: by ascending a Fujizuka, you could share in the spiritual benefit of the real Fuji pilgrimage. Many of these mounds—including Nakazato Fujizuka—were built with porous, black volcanic stones meant to evoke Fuji’s lava fields. The steps are cut directly into the rock, and the path winds up to a small summit shrine, often dedicated to Konohanasakuya-hime, the deity of Fuji worship in the Shinto tradition.

At Nakazato Fujizuka, the climb is short—just a few minutes—but it’s surprisingly atmospheric. The stones underfoot are uneven and cool, and the air feels a bit different at the top, calmer somehow, even with the low hum of the neighborhood beyond. A modest hokora (miniature shrine) crowns the peak, and I watched locals approach the torii, bow slightly, and ascend with an unhurried, purposeful rhythm. It’s the kind of everyday spirituality that gives Tokyo’s suburbs a special texture. And while it’s not a sweeping viewpoint, the summit offers a tiny vantage over the street trees and tiled roofs, a momentary change of perspective that feels earned.

Because Nakazato Fujizuka is recognized as one of the Kiyose 10 Views, you’ll likely find a small signboard (in Japanese) explaining its history and cultural background. Even without a translation app, you can piece together the story from the stone markers planted around the base—dedications from local Fuji-kō groups and carved inscriptions that hint at decades of community care. I’ve visited a number of Fujizuka around Tokyo, and this one stands out for its tidy grounds, clear path, and the way it fits naturally into its residential setting. It’s a peaceful stop on a Tokyo day trip, especially if you enjoy historic sites that still breathe with local life.

Key Features

• Miniature Mt. Fuji climb: A compact, authentic Fujizuka experience created by Fuji-kō devotees, with a winding stone path and a summit shrine.
• Torii gate and Shinto atmosphere: The bright red torii at the entrance frames the ascent and sets a respectful tone for a short pilgrimage.
• Historic stones: You’ll notice dark, porous rocks reminiscent of Fuji’s lava and carved tablets that record the names of contributors and deities.
• Summit hokora: A small shrine at the top invites a quiet pause—offer a coin, clap softly, and take a breath before heading down.
• Part of the Kiyose 10 Views (清瀬10景): Officially recognized by Kiyose City for its cultural and scenic value.
• Neighborhood setting: The site sits in a calm residential area, making it easy to pair with a walk or a café stop around Kiyose.
• Annual cultural rhythm: Locals associate the site with seasonal rites; activity tends to pick up around early September, especially September 1.
• No admission fee: You can walk in at any time during daylight; evenings are not recommended due to low lighting and uneven steps.
• Compact visit: Expect 15–30 minutes on site, more if you linger, read the stones, or photograph the details around the torii gate.
• Respect required: This is a living Shinto space. Even if it feels like a tiny park, treat it as a shrine and keep voices low.

Best Time to Visit

Morning or late afternoon is ideal. In the morning, the stones are cool and the neighborhood is quiet—it feels more contemplative. Late afternoon sunlight paints the torii gate with a warmer glow, making photos more forgiving and the atmosphere more serene. I try to avoid midday in high summer because the stones can heat up and the glare flattens the textures that make the climb special.

If you’re timing a cultural visit, keep September 1 in mind. In Kiyose, early September has a subtle festive air tied to community events and seasonal rites, and locals often choose that date to pay a visit. The Fujizuka typically has a bit more foot traffic then, and you’ll see more offerings and a tidier approach path. Another good window is late June to early July, when many Fujizuka in the Kanto area traditionally “open” for the Fuji climbing season; while schedules vary by site, the spirit of Fuji worship is especially palpable around that time.

As for seasons, winter has the clearest skies in Tokyo, and although this little mound isn’t a viewpoint, the crisp air makes the stones look sharper and the climb feel fresh. Spring brings softer light and new leaves along the street—a gentle backdrop for photos around the torii. Rainy days can make the steps slick, so I’d skip wet conditions if you can.

How to Get There

Nakazato Fujizuka sits in Kiyose, on the northwestern edge of Tokyo. From central Tokyo, the simplest route is the Seibu Ikebukuro Line. I usually ride from Ikebukuro Station to Kiyose Station (about 25 minutes on a rapid train), then switch to local transport:

From Kiyose Station, you can take a short taxi ride—around 10 minutes—to the Nakazato 3-chome area. If you prefer buses, local routes run toward the Nakazato neighborhood; hop off near Nakazato 3-chome and walk a few minutes to the address: 3 Chome-991-1 Nakazato, Kiyose, Tokyo 204-0003. Walking all the way from Kiyose Station is also doable if you like stretching your legs; it’s roughly 25–30 minutes through residential streets. I’ve done the walk and enjoyed the glimpse of everyday Kiyose life along the way.

Cycling is another pleasant option. Kiyose is fairly flat, and rental bikes are sometimes available around the station area. The lanes are narrow but calm, and a bicycle makes it easy to link the Fujizuka with other stops around the city’s greenbelt. If you’re driving, be aware that there is no dedicated parking lot at the site and curb space is limited; it’s best to use coin parking near Kiyose Station and approach the last stretch on foot.

Tips for Visiting

• Treat it like a shrine, not a playground. This is a living Shinto space. Bow lightly at the torii before you pass under it, and keep conversation soft. If you make an offering at the summit, a small coin is fine. Two claps and a bow is the usual etiquette, though you’ll see locals do this in their own rhythm.

• Footwear matters. The steps are cut into rough stone and can be narrow in places. I wear shoes with decent grip; sandals can work in a pinch, but they’re not ideal for the descent. Skip the climb if it’s raining or if the rocks look damp.

• Accessibility info. The approach is level, but the mound itself is steep, with irregular stone steps and no ramp or handrail. The entrance and parking are not wheelchair accessible. If you’re visiting with someone who prefers a flat path, the base area by the torii is the best viewpoint.

• No facilities on site. There are no restrooms or vending machines right at the Fujizuka. I grab a drink at a convenience store near Kiyose Station before heading over. Bring water in summer and a light jacket in winter—there’s a bit of a breeze at the top.

• Photography etiquette. You can take photos freely, but avoid blocking the path or photographing people without permission, especially during visits around September 1 when more locals may be present. I like to focus on details—the grain of the stones, the shape of the torii, the inscriptions on the tablets.

• Combine with a Kiyose stroll. As part of the Kiyose 10 Views, Nakazato Fujizuka pairs well with a leisurely loop through the city’s green streets. Even a simple café stop or a park detour turns this into a relaxed Tokyo day trip, very different from central Tokyo’s pace.

• Learn a little Fuji-kō history. A quick read before you go will make the site more meaningful. Knowing that these mounds were a way for townspeople to share in the Mt. Fuji pilgrimage adds depth to the climb. You’ll notice how the stones simulate a miniature Fuji trail—an intentional design that bridges devotion and daily life.

• Be mindful of neighbors. This Fujizuka sits in a residential area with kids, pets, and delivery vans moving around. I avoid early-morning clatter or late-night visits. Daylight hours feel most respectful and safest for the climb.

• Plan for a short, rewarding stop. Even if you only have 20 minutes, the site is worth the detour. It’s a tactile piece of Tokyo history—something you do rather than just see. And it’s memorable in the way small, well-kept historic places often are: quietly, without fanfare.

If you’re collecting ideas for things to do in Kiyose or looking for a lesser-known historic site on a Tokyo day trip, Nakazato Fujizuka delivers a compact slice of cultural heritage. The torii gate, the stone steps, the summit shrine—each detail adds up to a miniature pilgrimage that still resonates. I left with dust on my shoes and a clear head, which is pretty much my favorite kind of travel souvenir.