Fuji Five Lakes
Get in
Access to the area usually involves passing through the town of Fuji Yoshida (富士吉田), located between Lakes Kawaguchi and Yamanaka. Fujiyoshida can be reached from Tokyo by taking the JR Chuo line to Otsuki and changing to the Fujikyu line, which passes through Fujiyoshida and terminates at Kawaguchiko. Starting 2019, there is regular limited express service between Shinjuku and Kawaguchiko. Weekdays have two roundtrips daily, while weekends and holidays have three direct roundtrips. This service is the Fuji Excursion, and trains are coupled and decoupled to Kaiji services at Otsuki Station.
Highway buses are available from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko and Yamanakako, and at certain times, directly to Kawaguchi Fifth Station (Go-gome) on Mt. Fuji. The bus from Shinjuku station takes approximately 1 hr 45 min. Buses are equipped with toilets and luggage compartments, and you get a seat assignment. Buses are also available to and from Tokyo station or Shinjuku station.
Get around
Bus service is available from Kawaguchiko Station to Kawaguchi Fifth Station, the most popular place from which to start a climb of Mt. Fuji. The bus takes about 50 minutes. Climbing is not recommended outside of official climbing season (July and August) and the buses are restricted to the daytime. This means that if you do intend to climb, you will need to arrange a taxi early in the morning or late at night to get to Fifth Station.
See
Most visitors come here for views of Mount Fuji, with many postcard shots taken from Lake Kawaguchi in particular.
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Aokigahara
address: along Highway 139Also known as Jukai (樹海) or the "Sea of Trees", this forest is famous for its volcanic caverns and infamous as Japan's top suicide spot — in an average year, over 70 corpses are found.
Lake ShojiLake Shoji is a small, horseshoe-shaped lake, idyllic-looking and with pretty views of Fuji. Boating and fishing rental available.
Lake MotosuLake Motosu is the furthest out, also the deepest and clearest lake. Boating rental (paddleboat, rowboat) and a sightseeing boat available. You're not allowed to go out very far if you do rent a boat, though.
View of Mt. Fuji on the ¥1000 billThe image of Mt. Fuji on the back of the ¥1000 bill is taken here from the northeast shores of Lake Motosu.
Lake KawaguchiThe easiest to reach and the most touristic of the five; it's also the only one to have an island. There are several views on the Fujisan around the lake. You can see its reflections in the water from the north shores surrounded by cherry blossoms (spring) or lavender field (summer). You can also see the remains of the old lava flows from the Fuji to several places around the lake (in particular on the south shore)
Mount Tenjō ropewayThis short cable car climbs to a viewing platform next to mount Tenjō. There you can enjoy a nice view on the lake below and on the mount Fuji, and also have a tea and eat dango (rice flour dumpling).
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address: 3026-1 Kawaguchi, Fujikawaguchiko-machi, Minami-tsuru-gunA museum of the popular Japanese children's book "Dayan the Cat" by Ikeda Akiko. Shows a lot of artwork from the artist's books in the world of Wachiworld. Has a lovely giftstore and cafe.
Momiji CorridorAnother celebrated tree-viewing spot. A variety of beautiful trees, including maples and gingkos, line a small river on a gentle slope. The trees are lit up at night during the autumn tree viewing season.
Itchiku Kubota Art MuseumThis small but gorgeous museum on the northeast shore of Lake Kawaguchi was designed by the artist himself. Kubota was Japan's premier modern kimono designer, and this museum houses his incredible series called "Symphony of Light." Well worth seeing. This renowned artist has part of his collection of carefully dyed and worked silk kimonos here, with others showing at galleries around the world. Each kimono is designed to have a picture flowing from one kimono to the next. Museum also has two different tea shops, one Western style, one Japanese style, that make a nice break in the sightseeing day. The grounds of the museum is an artwork in itself with stylised entranceway in the shape of a lone standing doorframe in the forest. Take the Retro Bus, ask the driver to let you off for the Kubota museum. Walk several steps in the direction away from the lake, and you'll see signs. The museum is off to the left in the woods, just another minute's walk, surrounded by beautiful gardens.
Momiji TunnelIn autumn, the beautiful orange and yellow tones of changing leaves ("momiji") are beautiful, and there is also a nice view on the lake and the mount Fuji.
Do
Fuji-Q HighlandOne of Japan's largest amusement parks and home to Fujiyama (1996), briefly the world's tallest rollercoaster, and Dodonpa (2001), briefly the world's fastest.
Ensoleille sightseeing boatThis boat runs frequent 20-minute sightseeing rides on Lake Kawaguchi during the day. A bit pricey for such a short ride, but the views of Fuji are excellent, and it's a good chance to see more of the lake. Tickets can be bought from the machine near the boat dock attendant will also be around to answer questions.
Hike to Mt. MitsutsogeThe hiking time is 3 hours there and 3 hours back. The path is fairly well maintained.
Eat
Sleep
Kawaguchiko Station InnSmall inn/hostel directly across from the train station, very convenient location. Single rooms available. Clean, friendly place with shared bathrooms on each floor, free internet, showers/laundry/Japanese baths on top floor, small restaurant.
Fuji Lake HotelGuests can enjoy the view of Mt. Fuji from both room and bathroom. The chartered barrier-free open-air baths are also popular.
Kozantei UbuyaA high class Japanese-style inn with views of Mt.Fuji and Kawaguchiko from both the bedrooms and the large bathrooms. The bathrooms also feature an open-air bath.
Kasuitei-OoyaKasuitei Ooya is contemporary Japanese style inn standing just on the shore of Lake Kawaguchi. It has renovated rooms with private open-air bath and observation bathroom. Guests can enjoy more hot springs than ever before.
Fuji-View HotelThe Fuji View Hotel stands just on the shore of Lake Kawaguchi. Guests can appreciate natural beauties including the garden in the hotel property. The garden accommodates gorgeous view of blossoms of over 300 cherry trees in over 99,000 m².
Shuhokaku KogetsuThis hotel is near Kawaguchiko and All rooms and hot springs have a magnificent view of Mt. Fuji. Guests can enjoy the beautiful Mt. Fuji changing its feature from season to season.
Fuji Royal Hotel KawaguchikoThe most reasonable hostel with hot spring in Kawaguchiko area.
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Fujiyoshida City Hotel
phone: +81 555-24-3300address: 2 Chome-7-12 Matsuyama, FujiyoshidaSimple hotel, clean rooms, very close to the Fujiyoshida train station. Some rooms have a Mt. Fuji view. Free Wi-Fi. Breakfast (self-serve) must be pre-ordered the night before, costs ¥300 and consists of bread, coffee, tea, jams and one hard-boiled egg per person.
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