What is the best time to visit Lake Motosu for viewing Mount Fuji?

The best times to see Mount Fuji clearly from Lake Motosu are during the early morning hours and late autumn through winter months, particularly from November to February, when the air is crisp and clear. Spring and early summer often bring cloudy conditions that obscure the mountain. Clear, calm days provide the iconic mirror reflection on the lake's surface that appears on the 1,000 yen note. Weather conditions are unpredictable, so visitors should check forecasts and consider staying overnight to increase their chances of witnessing optimal views.

Can you swim in Lake Motosu?

Yes, swimming is permitted in Lake Motosu, and the lake's exceptionally clear waters make it an attractive spot for swimming during summer months. However, the water temperature remains quite cold year-round due to the lake's depth of 138 meters and high elevation of 900 meters. There are designated swimming areas along the northern and eastern shores. Visitors should be aware that the lake has no lifeguards on duty, and caution is advised as the depth increases rapidly from shore.

Is Lake Motosu suitable for families with children?

Lake Motosu is family-friendly and offers various activities suitable for children, including camping, easy shoreline walks, and shallow water areas for paddling. Several campgrounds around the lake provide facilities specifically for families. The calm atmosphere and natural surroundings make it ideal for outdoor education and relaxation. However, parents should supervise children closely near the water, as the lake deepens quickly and there are no lifeguards. The area is less commercialized than Lake Kawaguchiko, offering a quieter, more nature-focused experience.

What is the difference between Lake Motosu and the other Fuji Five Lakes?

Lake Motosu is the deepest and westernmost of the Fuji Five Lakes, distinguished by its remarkable water clarity and cobalt blue color. Unlike the more developed Lake Kawaguchiko, which has numerous hotels, museums, and tourist facilities, Lake Motosu remains relatively unspoiled and quiet. It shares underground water connections with Lakes Shoji and Sai, causing synchronized water level changes. Lake Motosu offers fewer tourist amenities but provides a more serene, nature-oriented experience with some of the most photogenic views of Mount Fuji, including the perspective featured on Japanese currency.

Are there accommodation options near Lake Motosu?

Accommodation options near Lake Motosu primarily consist of campgrounds and a limited number of lodges and guesthouses. Several established campgrounds around the lake offer tent sites, cabin rentals, and basic facilities, with Hamanokura Campground and Lakeside Camp being popular choices. For those preferring hotels or more extensive amenities, staying in nearby Kawaguchiko or Fujiyoshida provides more options while remaining within a 30-50 minute drive. Advance booking is recommended during peak seasons, particularly during summer holidays and autumn. Winter camping is possible but requires appropriate cold-weather equipment.

Yamanashi

Lake Motosu, Fujikawaguchiko

4.5 (1056)LakeNatural FeatureEstablishment

Last updated Aug 27, 2026

Lake Motosu is one of the Fuji Five Lakes located at the northern base of Mount Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. Situated at an elevation of 900 meters, it is the westernmost and deepest of the five lakes, reaching a maximum depth of 138 meters. The lake gained international recognition when its image, featuring Mount Fuji's reflection on its waters, was selected for the reverse side of the 1,000 yen banknote issued in 2004 and continued on the 2024 redesign. This iconic view was originally captured by photographer Okada Kōyō in the early 20th century.

The lake holds geological significance as part of a larger body of water that once existed before Mount Fuji's eruption in 864 AD divided it into three separate lakes: Motosu, Shoji, and Sai. Despite this division, the three lakes remain connected by underground waterways, causing their water levels to rise and fall in unison. Lake Motosu is renowned for its exceptional water clarity and striking cobalt blue color, with visibility often exceeding 10 meters depth, making it a popular destination for divers and nature photographers.

Visitors to Lake Motosu can enjoy various activities throughout the year. The northern shore offers the best vantage points for viewing and photographing Mount Fuji's reflection, particularly during calm weather conditions. The lake is popular for camping, fishing for black bass and rainbow trout, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding. In winter, the area hosts the Fuji Shibazakura Festival nearby, though the lake itself remains accessible year-round. Several walking trails around the shoreline provide opportunities for hiking and nature observation through surrounding forests.

Lake Motosu is accessible from Tokyo by taking the JR Chuo Line to Otsuki Station, then transferring to the Fuji Kyuko Line to Kawaguchiko Station, a journey of approximately two hours. From Kawaguchiko Station, the Omni Bus Blue Line operates services to Lake Motosu, taking roughly 50 minutes. By car, the lake is approximately two hours from central Tokyo via the Chuo Expressway. There is no admission fee to access the lake and its public shoreline areas, though some campgrounds and facilities charge separate fees for their services.

Yamanashi

Lake Motosu, Fujikawaguchiko

4.5 (1056)LakeNatural FeatureEstablishment

Last updated Aug 27, 2026

Traveler reviews

Lake Motosu is the deepest of the Fuji Five Lakes (about 121.6 meters) and is also known for having some of the clearest water. On a clear day, the deep blue lake with Mount Fuji in the background is absolutely stunning. If you visit on a calm morning with little or no wind, you may even be lucky enough to see the famous reflection of Mount Fuji on the lake. Many people know Lake Motosu as the location featured on the back of the old ¥1,000 banknote. You can drive directly to the lakeside viewpoint, where there is an information sign explaining the banknote scene, making it an easy stop for photos. If you’d like to recreate the exact composition shown on the banknote, you’ll need to hike about 20–30 minutes to the Nakano-kura Pass (Nakanokura Pass) Observatory.

Trina Shih

Jul 1, 2026

It is one of the Fuji Five Lakes and a picture on the backside of old 1000 ¥ note. I was recommended by my Japanese friend and the place was so surreal. There is a good parking space and camping area. If the weather is clear then you can view Mt. Fuji from a closer and wider view. We went to the shore and enjoyed our time there.

This is one of the Fuji Mountain five Lakes and it’s further away from all other tourist attraction. The road along the lake is well maintained and quite peaceful with much less tourists. The view of Fuji Mountain is extraordinary with the calming lake.

Absolutely loving this scenic place. Comfortable and relaxing. Dipping in water while watching the mountains views covered with fog is mesmerizing. Lots of water related sports was going on here.

Didn’t get a chance to see the full Mount Fuji at Lake Motosu, but honestly I loved it this way. The place still feels special even without the Fuji view, and the quiet atmosphere makes it really peaceful and calming. It’s one of the most tranquil lakes around the Fuji area, with beautiful scenery and a very local vibe. Most people there were locals fishing or just sitting by the water, taking their time and enjoying the moment. I loved how it’s much less touristy, with hardly any shops or restaurants nearby, which makes it feel untouched and serene.

Lake Motosu, Fujikawaguchiko

Lake Motosu, Fujikawaguchiko

Overview

Places & attractions near Lake Motosu, Fujikawaguchiko

Kawaguchiko Circular Hall, Fujikawaguchiko

Arakurayama Sengen Park & Chureito Pagoda

Fuji-Q Highland

Sun Meadows Kiyosato Ski Area

Places & attractions near Lake Motosu, Fujikawaguchiko

Kawaguchiko Circular Hall, Fujikawaguchiko

Arakurayama Sengen Park & Chureito Pagoda

Fuji-Q Highland

Sun Meadows Kiyosato Ski Area

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore tours near Lake Motosu, Fujikawaguchiko

Traveler reviews

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