Popular Sightseeing Tours in GOTEMBA PREMIUM OUTLETS

Gotemba PREMIUM OUTLETS is located at the gateway to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, with abundant surrounding tourist resources. You might consider visiting the Hakone area to explore classic sights such as Hakone Shrine, Lake Ashi cruises, and Owakudani, experiencing rich natural and cultural landscapes. Additionally, Gotemba Kogen Toki no Sumika is also a good option, featuring hot springs, diverse restaurants, and seasonal illumination events, suitable for family visitors. For stunning views of Mt. Fuji, the Sarira Hall at Peace Park is an excellent spot to gaze upon Mt. Fuji and the city of Gotemba. These attractions can be flexibly combined with your OUTLET shopping itinerary.

Gotemba PREMIUM OUTLETS indeed provides several convenient services for foreign visitors. The most significant is the tax-free service (Tax-Free), allowing you to process tax refunds at designated stores if you meet Japan's tax-free conditions. Furthermore, the visitor service center usually offers multilingual shopping guides and maps, and sometimes provides exclusive shopping brochures or privileges for international tourists. Upon arrival at the OUTLETS, it's recommended to visit the service center first to inquire about the latest exclusive services for foreign visitors to better plan your shopping experience.

Both Gotemba PREMIUM OUTLETS and Karuizawa PREMIUM OUTLETS are suitable for family visitors, but each has its unique characteristics. Gotemba PREMIUM OUTLETS is larger, offering a wider variety of brands, and is adjacent to popular tourist areas like Hakone and Mt. Fuji, making it easy to combine shopping with rich natural and cultural experiences. Its grounds include children's play facilities and diverse dining options. Karuizawa PREMIUM OUTLETS is known for its beautiful natural surroundings and resort atmosphere, featuring spacious lawns and an artificial lake, allowing for outdoor leisure alongside shopping. If your itinerary primarily focuses on shopping combined with Mt. Fuji and Hakone sightseeing, Gotemba would be a better choice; if you prefer leisurely shopping in a natural setting and enjoy the resort feel of Karuizawa, then Karuizawa is worth considering.

The shopping experience and crowd situation at Gotemba PREMIUM OUTLETS vary with seasons and holidays. Generally, January (New Year's lucky bags), July, and December (summer and winter seasonal sales) are periods of major promotional activities. During these times, product selection is wider, but crowds will be relatively dense, especially on weekends and Japanese national holidays. For a more relaxed and comfortable shopping experience, it's advisable to visit on weekdays. Spring and autumn (April-May and October-November) offer pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and scenic views of Mt. Fuji, making them ideal times to balance shopping and sightseeing.

One of the most convenient ways to travel from Shinjuku, Tokyo, to Gotemba PREMIUM OUTLETS is by highway bus. You can take a direct bus from the Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal. The journey typically takes about one and a half to two hours, depending on traffic conditions. Highway bus services are more frequent on weekends and holidays compared to weekdays. It is recommended to check the official websites of relevant bus companies in advance for the latest schedules and boarding information to ensure a smooth trip.

For a one-day trip to Gotemba PREMIUM OUTLETS, it's recommended to divide the area into East and West zones and utilize the shuttle buses for transit. Start your morning in the West zone, enjoy lunch there after visiting the main brands. In the afternoon, head to the East zone to continue shopping and allow time to browse your desired brands. If time is limited, it's advisable to make a list of brands you want to visit beforehand and prioritize them using the OUTLET map, focusing your efforts. Additionally, don't forget to set aside time for breaks and meals in the food court and make use of the tax-free services. In the late afternoon, if the weather is clear, you can also find the best photo spots for Mt. Fuji within the premises.

Gotemba PREMIUM OUTLETS features a wide array of international top luxury brands, covering diverse categories such as fashion apparel, sportswear, lifestyle goods, and beauty products. You can find internationally renowned luxury brands as well as popular Japanese fashion brands. As it's an OUTLET format, many brands offer past-season items or products specifically designed for outlets. At the same time, some Japanese domestic brands also release outlet-exclusive items or unique styles here, giving you the chance to discover distinctive souvenirs. It's recommended to consult the park map and brand list upon arrival to plan your shopping route.

There are various accommodation options around Gotemba PREMIUM OUTLETS. For ultimate convenience, consider resort hotels near the OUTLETS; some offer free shuttle services, making it easy to rest immediately after shopping, and their facilities are usually comprehensive, suitable for families. If you wish to experience hot springs and combine it with Hakone sightseeing, choosing a traditional hot spring inn in the Hakone area would be ideal, though you'll need to factor in travel time to and from the OUTLETS. Additionally, there are several business hotels in Gotemba city with high transport convenience, providing basic lodging needs. It is recommended to choose the most suitable accommodation based on your itinerary and expected experience.

It is feasible to include both Gotemba PREMIUM OUTLETS and the Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko area in a single day's itinerary, but it will be quite packed. It is recommended to depart for the OUTLETS as early as possible in the morning and focus on shopping until noon. After lunch, you can take a bus or drive to the Kawaguchiko area, focusing on key attractions like the shores of Lake Kawaguchiko, Chureito Pagoda (depending on time), or choosing one or two viewpoints that interest you the most. Given the distance between the two locations and the scattered nature of attractions around Kawaguchiko, dedicating a two-day, one-night trip would be more relaxed, allowing for a fuller enjoyment of both shopping and natural scenery.

Gotemba PREMIUM OUTLETS provides luggage storage services, primarily in the form of coin-operated lockers. These lockers are located in various areas within the complex, making it convenient for visitors to store personal belongings or recently purchased items while shopping. Lockers are usually available in different sizes to accommodate varying luggage dimensions. Using them is simple: insert the required amount of money to lock. During peak seasons with large crowds, larger lockers may be occupied quickly, so it's advisable to find and use one as soon as you arrive at the OUTLETS. The visitor service center can also provide guidance on locker locations.