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Lake Kawaguchi and snowy Mt. Fuji framed by cherry blossoms

Kawaguchiko and the Fuji Five Lakes guide

The region of five lakes at the northern foot of Mt. Fuji. From Lake Kawaguchi, sightseeing buses and trains reach lake views of Fuji, the Chureito Pagoda and Oshino Hakkai. Fuji is usually clearer in the morning.

Things to see 10 classics

Classics 10 places

"Classics" and "Hidden gems" are this site's editorial picks, not a measured popularity ranking.

By interest
By how you get there
By distance
  • 1

    Lake Kawaguchi (lakeshore and cruise boat)

    The only one of the Fuji Five Lakes you can reach by train. See Mt. Fuji from the cruise boat or the lakeside paths.

    • Views
    • Nature
    • Activities

    about 1.5 hrPartly paidWheelchair & stroller friendly

    Walk · About 15 min from Kawaguchiko ・ 800m

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  • 2

    Arakurayama Sengen Park (Chureito Pagoda)

    A viewing deck where a five-story pagoda and Mt. Fuji fit in one frame, up about 400 steps. Cherry blossoms join the view in spring.

    • Views

    about 60 minFreePartly step-free

    Train · About 40 min from Kawaguchiko ・ Fujikyu Railway to Shimoyoshida, about 10 minutes on foot, then the steps ・ 2.9km

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  • 3

    Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway (Mt. Tenjo)

    About 3 minutes from the lakeshore up Mt. Tenjo. The observation deck looks across to Mt. Fuji and down on Lake Kawaguchi.

    • Views

    about 60 minPaid entryPartly step-free

    Ropeway · About 25 min from Kawaguchiko ・ About 15 minutes on foot to the lakeside station, then the ropeway ・ 900m

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  • 4

    Oishi Park

    A park on the north shore of Lake Kawaguchi. Mt. Fuji rises straight ahead beyond flower beds and the lake. Lavender blooms in early summer.

    • Views
    • Nature

    about 45 minFreeWheelchair & stroller friendly

    Bus · About 35 min from Kawaguchiko ・ Sightseeing bus (Kawaguchiko route) to Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center ・ 3.4km

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  • 5

    Oshino Hakkai

    Eight ponds fed by snowmelt from Mt. Fuji, in a village of thatched houses and waterwheels. The water is clear to the bottom.

    • Nature
    • Views

    about 60 minFreeWheelchair & stroller friendly

    Bus · About 45 min from Kawaguchiko ・ Bus from Kawaguchiko Station to Oshino Hakkai ・ 7.1km

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  • 6

    Mt. Fuji 5th Station (Fuji Subaru Line)

    The end of the Fuji Subaru Line, at about 2,300 meters. The summit looks close, and clouds often lie below. Bring a jacket even in summer.

    • Views
    • Nature

    about 1.5 hrFree

    Bus · About 60 min from Kawaguchiko ・ Bus from Kawaguchiko Station bound for the Mt. Fuji 5th Station ・ 12km

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Show on map

ClassicsHidden gems

Suggested routes

Times assume a 9:00 start. Travel times are estimated from distance and vary with waiting and crowds.

  • Around Lake Kawaguchi by sightseeing bus

    Leave 9:00 → until about 15:17 (about 6.5 hr)

    1. 9:00Kawaguchiko

    2. about 15 min on foot

      9:15Lake Kawaguchi (lakeshore and cruise boat)stay about 1.5 hr

    3. about 10 min on foot

      10:55Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway (Mt. Tenjo)stay about 60 min

    4. about 20 min by transport

      12:15Kawaguchi Asama Shrinestay about 30 min

    5. about 25 min on foot

      13:10Itchiku Kubota Art Museumstay about 60 min

    6. about 22 min on foot

      14:32Oishi Parkstay about 45 min

    Clouds tend to cover Mt. Fuji in the afternoon, so ride the ropeway in the morning.

    Plan this route

  • Chureito Pagoda and Fujiyoshida on the Fujikyu Railway

    Leave 9:00 → until about 20:00 (about 11 hr)

    1. 9:00Kawaguchiko

    2. about 40 min by transport

      9:40Arakurayama Sengen Park (Chureito Pagoda)stay about 60 min

    3. about 20 min by transport

      11:00Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrinestay about 45 min

    4. about 15 min by transport

      12:00Fuji-Q Highlandstay about 8 hr

    Shimoyoshida, Mt. Fuji (Fujisan) and Fujikyu-Highland are all stations on the Fujikyu Railway. The pagoda is quieter in the morning, when Fuji is also clearer.

    Plan this route

When to go

Winter is cold (around 0°C on average) but the air is clear and Mt. Fuji is most visible. June–October is cloudy and rainy, so Fuji is often hidden.

Point at a month to see its temperature and precipitation.

Temperature (line: average; band: low to high)

Precipitation (mm)

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Typical seasons

Cherry blossoms (lakeshore)

Lavender (Oishi Park)

Autumn leaves (Momiji Corridor)

Snow-capped Mt. Fuji

Show as a table
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High (℃)5.56.610.516.120.62327.228.123.818.313.88.5
Avg (℃)-0.40.64.29.514.317.821.922.518.7137.52.3
Low (℃)-5.7-4.8-1.33.78.913.71818.514.88.72.2-2.9
Rain (mm)60.955.4107.6106.1123.2157.1178.4176.8264.72307649.8

Temperature and precipitation are Japan Meteorological Agency normals (1991–2020, Kawaguchiko). Seasons are typical timings and can shift by a week or two each year. JMA data

Main ways to get around

  • Fuji Excursion limited express and the Fujikyu Railway

    About 2 hours direct from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko by limited express. At other times, change at Otsuki from the JR Chuo Line to the Fujikyu Railway.

  • Highway buses (from Shinjuku and Tokyo Station)

    About 1 hour 45 minutes from the Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal to Kawaguchiko Station. Frequent and handy, but holiday traffic can cause delays. Booking ahead is wise.

  • Sightseeing loop buses (Kawaguchiko, Saiko, Narusawa and Motosuko)

    Three routes from Kawaguchiko Station cover the sights around the lakes. Hop-on, hop-off passes are sold. Service ends in the early evening, so check your return time.

  • Bus to the Mt. Fuji 5th Station

    About 1 hour from Kawaguchiko Station up the Fuji Subaru Line toll road. In winter, snow can cancel the bus or cut the route short.

  • Rental bicycles

    Rental shops are found around Kawaguchiko Station. The lakeshore is mostly flat, but a full circuit is about 20 km. An electric-assist bike makes it easier.

Getting to Kawaguchiko

“Classics” and “Hidden gems” are our editors' picks, not a measured popularity ranking. Travel times are estimates. Please check prices, opening hours and operating days with the official sources before you go.

Photo and data credits

Lake Kawaguchi and snowy Mt. Fuji framed by cherry blossoms Midori (CC BY 3.0) / The surface of Lake Kawaguchi with Mt. Fuji under clouds Suicasmo (CC BY-SA 4.0) / Red torii gates of Arakurayama Sengen Park with Mt. Fuji beyond Otto Domes (CC BY-SA 4.0) / A red ropeway gondola climbing the green slope of Mt. Tenjo 663highland (CC BY-SA 4.0) / Flowers of Oishi Park, Lake Kawaguchi and Mt. Fuji Alpsdake (CC BY-SA 4.0) / A pond and thatched houses at Oshino Hakkai with Mt. Fuji behind MaedaAkihiko (CC BY-SA 4.0) / Lodge-style buildings and the plaza at the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station Fabio Achilli from Milano, Italy (CC BY 2.0). Cropped and resized.

Local food

Regional dishes handed down in Yamanashi. Many are home and community cooking, so not every dish is served at restaurants.

See all regional dishes of Yamanashi (30)

“Find places serving it” opens a map app search for the dish name and the place name. The results are not chosen or recommended by this site. Please check with the shop whether it serves the dish.

Source: “Our Regional Cuisines” (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries), edited by this site (imported 2026-11-15) https://www.maff.go.jp/e/policies/market/k_ryouri/index.html. Names, areas and ingredients are as written on the source pages; descriptions are excerpts of the original text. No photos are used. This page is not made or endorsed by the ministry.

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