Located in the city of Gotemba on the southeastern slope of Mount Fuji, the Gotemba Premium Outlets are a collection of discount boutiques for some of the world’s biggest brands, together with some unique Japanese labels. There are more than 200 stores set around an attractive courtyard area, together with restaurants and cafes where visitors can take in the iconic Mount Fuji views and its 50-metre high Ferris wheel.
Gotemba Premium Outlets are not only home to big-name fashion labels, but also household goods and electronics, sports equipment and accessories. Luxury brands such as Burberry, Laura Ashley and Anna Sui all have stores here, together with Gucci, Hugo Boss and Disney. While the prices aren’t incredibly budget-friendly, they are more affordable than those found in regular retail stores throughout Japan. The setting at the base of Mount Fuji is a large part of the allure at Gotemba Premium Outlets, whisking shoppers away from the chaotic bustle of Tokyo’s crowded shopping districts. One day tours from Tokyo, Haneda Airport and Narita Airport to the Gotemba Premium Outlets are available and often combined with a trip to the hot springs at Lake Yamanaka Onsen.
The Gotemba Premium Outlets are located around 100 kilometres to the south-west of Tokyo, just to the west of Hakone, and easily accessed by shuttle bus from JR Gotemba Station. There are bus connections to Shinjuku and Tokyo Stations, as well as services to Shizuoka further south-west.
The city of Gotemba served as a major base for the Imperial Japanese Army in the pre-World War II years, and extensive military training facilities can still be found in the area. The Gotemba Premium Outlets first opened their doors to shoppers in 2000, before undergoing a major expansion in March 2008.