No trip to Japan is complete without a visit to this destination

Just an hour outside Tokyo, another world awaits at Mount Fuji.

The early-morning sun has risen, bathing the mountain in gentle rays of light. Mount Fuji, the symbol of Japan, looks like a massive, molten chocolate cake dusted with icing sugar snow. The fluffy white clouds atop the peak are a big dollop of whipped cream.

From where I'm sitting by the window at Highland Resort Hotel and Spa, the spectacular, unobstructed view is all mine. Nobody else is up and about yet.

It's taken me until now, my fourth trip to Japan, to visit what's known as the Fuji Five Lakes Area. Many tourists just make do with a fleeting glimpse of the mountain as they whiz past in a Shinkansen bullet train on the way to Tokyo. They're really missing out on all there is to see and do in the region.

While it is possible to squeeze in a jam-packed day trip from Japan's capital, it's so much better to stay a couple of nights and experience all the area has to offer: UNESCO World Heritage-listed shrines and pagodas, delicious local cuisine and some of the most beautiful natural landscapes you'll see in Japan. Just an hour by Limited Express train from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo or 90 minutes by highway bus, it's an easy journey. In fact, buses stop right outside hotel reception.

Highland Resort Hotel and Spa, located at the foot of Mount Fuji, has the air of a luxurious alpine chalet in Europe, albeit one with wonderful Japanese onsen bathing facilities and restaurants serving tasty tempura and sashimi. In the breakfast buffet room, floor-to-ceiling windows offer a view of Mount Fuji that appears close enough to reach out and touch.

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My sister and I are very comfortable in a newly renovated suite for grown-ups, but I can't help peeking into one of the impressive Thomas the Tank Engine-themed rooms when the door is propped open by a cleaner. There are 10 Thomas rooms - so popular, they're booked out six months in advance - and a handful of other kid-themed accommodations.

That's not all there is to please the youngest family members. The resort is part of an enormous complex that includes locomotive-themed Thomas Land, a replica French town dedicated to the beloved children's characters Lisa and Gaspard, as well as interactive manga and anime attractions.

Adjacent to the kids' parks is Fuji-Q Highland, an amusement park with record-breaking rollercoasters for thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies. Should I feel a bit guilty that my amusement comes from sitting, watching and listening to the screams of riders as they endure the Takabisha rollercoaster? It boasts the steepest drop in the world.

From the ultra-modern to the ancient sacred, our two days and nights in the area are spent admiring yellow, red and orange autumn foliage, pausing for a moment's reflection at Shinto shrines, and slurping down thick noodle ramen, a regional specialty.

Ever since people first lived in the area, they have worshipped the mighty power of Mount Fuji and prayed that its active volcano will remain dormant. The last eruption was in 1707. It's possible to hike up certain sections of the mountain, some easier than others. The Yoshida trail is considered the most beginner-friendly, with facilities such as vending machines, rest huts and first-aid stations along the way.

The scenery would be incredible during cherry blossom season and in the summertime, when sunflowers are in bloom. It's a pursuit I might come back and tackle one day. Today, I'm very content to admire the mountain's beauty from my hotel room, morning cuppa in hand.

Seven fun things to do in Fuji Five Lake Area

Oshino Hakkai (Eight Ponds): Mount Fuji's aquifer water forms eight incredibly clear ponds in the Oshino area. Part of a World Heritage Site, Eight Ponds is the anchor for a thriving tourist district of souvenir shops and small cafes selling local foods.

Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway: Afraid of heights? Maybe skip this one. The aerial lift line, known as a ropeway, takes visitors on a steep five-minute ride to the top of Mount Tenjo. From there, enjoy spectacular views of Lake Kawaguchiko.

Lake Kawaguchiko sightseeing boat: Across the street from the ropeway, join a scenic cruise aboard a replica Atakebune ship (pictured), modelled on 16th-century vessels of warring samurai. On a clear day, enjoy unhindered views of Mount Fuji's peak.

Highland Resort and Spa has a variety of room types including Mount Fuji View Standard Double rooms from JY34,000 ($350) a night and Mount Fuji View Casual Double rooms from JY31,000.

Explore more: highlandresort.co.jp; www.fujiq.jp/en

The writer was a guest of Fuji-Q Highland.