Kawaguchiko

Kawaguchiko (Lake Kawaguchi) is one of the best locations to view Mt Fuji. Kawaguchiko is part of Fuji Five Lakes system. Guide to accessing Kawaguchiko. Kawaguchiko is famous for its  unobstructed views of Mt Fuji making it is a very popular location to view and photograph Mt Fuji. Kawaguchiko (Lake Kawaguchi) is part of Fuji Five Lakes system and is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Kawaguchi, the township, is located on the Southern side of Kawaguchiko, between the lake and Mt Fuji (see Mt Fuji Map). Kawaguchiko has a train station so it is relatively easy to access from Tokyo (see below). Mt Fuji from FujiyoshidaKawaguchiko Attractions & Activities In addition to sight seeing and photographing Mt Fuji from Kawaguchiko and surrounding area, there are many other activities and attractions. - Ubuyagasaki Ubuyagasaki is considered to be one of the best locations for viewing Mt Fuji. Ubuyagasaki is located on the North Eastern side of Kawaguchiko, across the Kawaguchiko Bridge, about 2Km from Kawaguchiko Station (see Mt Fuji Map). Ubuyagasaki is popular and famous for its cherry trees which are used to frame Mt Fuji in photographs. Cherry blossom is normally out at Ubuyagasaki in the middle of April. - Hot Spring - Fuji Chobo-no-yu Yurari You can enjoy a onsen (hot spring) while viewing Mt Fuji! (8532-5 Narusawa-mura, Minami-tsuru-gun, Yamanashi) Admission: 1200 yen 10am-10pm Open 7 days - Fuji Omuro Sengen Shrine The oldest shrine around Mt Fuji. (3951 Katsuyama, Fuji-Kawaguchiko-cho, Minami-tsuru-gun, Yamanashi) Kawaguchi Sengen Shrine Kawaguchi Sengen Shrine was bulit in 865 to enshrine the Konohana Sakuyahime goddess. Today the shrine is famous for the Chingono mai (the children dance) during the Magomi matsuri festival (April 25th). (1 Kawaguchi, Fuji-Kawaguchiko-cho, Minami-tsuru-gun, Yamanashi) - Tenjo-Yama Park Mt. Kachi Kachi Ropeway (officially know as Kawaguchiko Mt. Tenjo Ropeway) is an aerial lift that climbs from the edge of Kawaguchiko (Lake) to the observatory on Mt Kachi Kachi. The observatory provides views of Mt Fuji and the Aokigahara forest. (1163-1 Asakawa, Fuji-Kawaguchiko-cho, Minami-tsuru-gun, Yamanashi) Fee: 400 yen 9am-5pm Open 7 days - Oishi Park - Lavender Farm backed by Mt Fuji Oishi Park is one of the best spots to view Mt Fuji. The view from Oishi Park consists of Mt Fuji in the background, Kawaguchiko in the mid ground and the lavender of Oishi Park in the foreground. The lavender blooms from the middle of June to the middle of July, which it means it is unlikely that Mt Fuji will have a snow cap. (2585 Oishi, Fuji-Kawaguchiko-cho, Minami-tsuru-gun, Yamanashi) Admission: free Open 7 days - Kawaguchiko UKAI Music Box MuseumFeatures old music boxes and assorted automatic musical instruments. (3077-20 Kawaguchi, Fuji-Kawaguchiko-cho, Minami-tsuru-gun, Yamanashi) Admission: 1300 yen 9am-5:30pm Open 7 days - Lake Kawaguchi Monkey Performance Theater (2719-8 Kawaguchi, Fuji-Kawaguchiko-cho, Minami-tsuru-gun, Yamanashi) Admission: 1500 yen 10am-3pm Open 7 days - Water Sports You can enjoy water sports such as fishing, canoe, motor boat, wake board and water ski - Tennis, golf, paragliding, lake cruise - Hiking There are many hiking courses you can enjoy panoramic views of Mt Fuji and surroundings. Kawaguchiko Access By train from Tokyo:Shinjuku Station take the JR Chuo Line (45min) Change trains at Takao Station to the JR Chuo Honsen Line (45min) Change at Otsuki Station take the Fuji Express (54min) Arrive Kawaguchiko Station for viewing. Optional - take Fujikyu Yamanashi Bus (50min) to Mt Fuji 5th Station 2390 Yen one way (JR Pass covers first two legs and Fuji Express is an extra 1,110 yen), 1500 yen for optional bus. **By train from Hakone:**There is no train line between Hakone & Mt Fuji. You have to go back to Hachioji (JR Chuo Honsen, 40min from Shinjuku Station) and change the line. By bus from Tokyo:Shinjuku Station take the Fujikyu Bus (145min) to Mt Fuji 5th Station 2600 yen or Shinjuku Station take the Fujikyu Bus (105min) to Kawaguchiko It goes to Lake Motosu and Lake Yamanaka as well. 1700 yen Kawaguchiko “Retro Bus” Once in Kawaguchiko you can take the “Retro Bus from Kawaguchiko Station to see the highlights of the region. Mount Fuji Tours If you want to see both Mt Fuji and Hakone in one day it is easier to take one of the organised tours from Tokyo to see Mt Fuji as accessing Mt Fuji area via public transport is more challenging and best done over two days. Of course trying to see Hakone and Mt Fuji is going to be a compromise as there is not enough time in one day to see both properly. We recommend doing this trip on a week day as the roads out of Tokyo can be packed on the weekends. Most organised tours include the near by Hakone and some include a return trip on the Shinkansen (bullet train). Mt Fuji and Hakone Day Tour from Tokyo: Return by Bullet Train Mt Fuji, Hakone and Onsen 2-Day Tour from Tokyo: Return by Bullet Train Mt Fuji Day Trip including Lake Ashi Sightseeing Cruise from Tokyo 2 Day Mt Fuji and Kyoto by Bullet Train from Tokyo 3 Day Mt Fuji, Nara and Kyoto by Bullet Train from Tokyo |