Fuji Five Lakes Itinerary: Kawaguchiko, Yamanakako & Beyond
2026年3月3日
The Fuji Five Lakes region, known locally as Fujigoko, sits at the northern base of Mount Fuji at roughly 1,000 meters above sea level. These five volcanic lakes — Kawaguchiko, Yamanakako, Saiko, Shojiko, and Motosuko — were formed centuries ago when lava flows from Mount Fuji’s eruptions dammed up rivers and created some of the most photogenic landscapes in all of Japan.
This is not a region you just pass through. Whether you’re watching the sunrise paint Mount Fuji pink from the shore of Lake Kawaguchiko, cycling around the quiet edges of Lake Yamanakako, or standing at the exact spot where the image on Japan’s 1,000-yen bill was taken at Lake Motosuko, Fujigoko rewards those who slow down and explore properly.
Direct highway buses run frequently from Shinjuku Bus Terminal and Tokyo Station to Kawaguchiko Station. The ride takes about two hours and costs around ¥2,200 one way.
Some buses continue onward to Lake Yamanakako for a small additional fare. You can book tickets through Fujikyu Bus or Japan Bus Online. This is the easiest and most affordable option for most travelers.
Take the JR Chuo Line Limited Express from Shinjuku to Otsuki Station, then transfer to the Fujikyu Railway for the scenic ride to Kawaguchiko Station. The total journey takes about two hours and costs around ¥3,200–4,000 depending on the train you choose.
A few times each day, the Fuji Excursion Limited Express runs directly from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko with no transfer needed. Keep an eye out for the Thomas the Tank Engine-themed trains that occasionally run on the Fujikyu Line — kids love them.
If you’re coming from western Japan or already have a Shinkansen ticket, you can ride to Mishima Station and catch a connecting bus to Kawaguchiko. This takes about 2.5–3 hours total, but works well if you’re routing from Osaka or Kyoto.
Pro Tip: If you’re planning to explore multiple lakes over two or more days, pick up the Fujisan Fujigoko Passport at Kawaguchiko Station. It gives you unlimited rides on all Fujikyu buses in the region for two consecutive days and costs ¥3,300–4,700 depending on the version.
Kawaguchiko is the most accessible and developed of the five lakes, and it’s where most visitors base themselves. Aim to arrive early in the morning, because Mount Fuji is almost always clearest before midday. By afternoon, clouds and haze often roll in and block the view.
Start your trip with the most iconic view of Mount Fuji in Japan. The bright red, five-tiered Chureito Pagoda framed against the snow-capped peak is the shot you’ve seen on every Japan travel poster. The pagoda is inside Arakurayama Sengen Park, about a 15-minute taxi ride from Kawaguchiko Station. You’ll need to climb roughly 400 steps to reach the pagoda viewpoint, but the payoff is worth every step.
Get there by 8 AM if possible. By mid-morning, tour groups arrive, and the viewing platform gets packed. In cherry blossom season (mid-April), this place is breathtaking but extremely crowded, so even earlier is better.
Pro Tip: Grab a fresh Fuji apple from the vendors near the base of the stairs. They’re crisp, sweet, and surprisingly affordable.
Head back toward Kawaguchiko Station and walk 15 minutes to the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway (also called Kachi Kachi Ropeway). The cable car takes you up Mount Tenjo to an observation deck with sweeping views of Lake Kawaguchiko with Mount Fuji looming behind it. The ride takes about three minutes each way, and a round-trip ticket costs ¥1,000.
At the top, there’s a short walking trail and a shrine. On clear days, you can see as far as the Southern Alps. This is one of those spots where you realize just how massive Mount Fuji really is.
Hoto is the signature dish of Yamanashi Prefecture, and you’ll find it everywhere in Kawaguchiko. These are thick, flat udon-style noodles served in a rich miso-based broth loaded with pumpkin, mushrooms, and seasonal vegetables.
It’s hearty, warming, and perfect after a morning of sightseeing. Hoto Fudo is one of the most well-known restaurants in the area, with several branches around the lake. A bowl typically costs ¥1,000–1,500.
After lunch, take the retro bus (Red Line) along the northern shore of Lake Kawaguchiko. This is where the best views of Mount Fuji are, with the lake in the foreground. Stop at Oishi Park, a public garden filled with lavender (best in June–July) and other seasonal flowers. The park has a long lakeside promenade and is one of the best free viewpoints in the entire region.
Continue walking west along the shore toward the Momiji Corridor, which is spectacular during autumn (late October to mid-November) when the maple trees explode in red and gold. Even outside of fall, the walk is peaceful and the views are excellent.
If you want a more structured experience of Kawaguchiko’s highlights, a Kawaguchiko sightseeing tour covers Oishi Park, the ropeway, and other key viewpoints in a single organized route, which saves you time figuring out bus connections.
End your day at one of Kawaguchiko’s many hot spring baths. Kawaguchiko Kaiun no Yu is a popular public onsen with indoor and outdoor baths. If your hotel or ryokan has its own onsen with a Mount Fuji view, even better — few things in Japan beat soaking in hot water while watching the sunset light up the mountain.
For dinner, try the local beef cutlet (gyukatsu) at one of the restaurants near the station, or keep it simple with a convenience store haul from Lawson or 7-Eleven. The famous Lawson at Kawaguchiko with Mount Fuji in the background has become a tourist attraction in itself.
On your second day, head east to explore Lake Yamanakako and the charming spring village of Oshino Hakkai. Yamanakako is the largest of the five lakes and feels noticeably quieter and more local than Kawaguchiko.
Take the Fujikko Bus from Kawaguchiko Station toward Yamanakako and get off at Oshino Hakkai. This small village is built around eight crystal-clear ponds fed by underground snowmelt from Mount Fuji. The water is so clear you can see every pebble on the bottom, even in the deepest pools.
The village is surrounded by traditional thatched-roof buildings, many of which now serve as shops, galleries, and food stalls. With Mount Fuji as a backdrop, the whole scene looks like it belongs in a classic woodblock print by Hokusai. Don’t miss the fresh trout sashimi sold at the pondside stalls — it’s caught locally and incredibly fresh.
Oshino Hakkai is part of Mount Fuji’s UNESCO World Heritage designation, so it’s historically significant too. Visit the Hannoki Bayashi Shiryokan open-air museum to learn about the area’s role in Fuji pilgrimages.
Pro Tip: Oshino Hakkai gets busy by late morning. Arrive before 10 AM to enjoy the ponds without crowds and get the best photos with Mount Fuji reflected in the water.
Continue by bus to Lake Yamanakako. This is the best lake for water-based activities like windsurfing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. The northern shore offers great Mount Fuji views, especially the stretch near Hirano Beach.
One unique experience here is the KABA Amphibious Bus, which drives on land and then splashes into the lake for a cruise — it’s especially fun if you’re traveling with kids. You can also rent a swan boat or take a more traditional sightseeing cruise.
For those looking to experience the lake’s highlights without the hassle of coordinating public transport, a Lake Yamanakako and Oshino Hakkai tour covers both destinations in a comfortable half-day format with a guide who can point out details you’d otherwise miss.
On your way back toward Kawaguchiko, stop at Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine, one of the largest and most important forest shrines in Japan. This was historically the starting point for pilgrims climbing Mount Fuji from the north side. The shrine grounds cover nearly 100,000 square meters and are filled with towering cedars, some of them over 1,000 years old.
The shrine is free to enter and usually open from 9 AM to 5 PM. It’s a peaceful, shaded walk through the grounds, and the ancient atmosphere is a stark contrast to the more touristy areas around the lakes.
If you’re staying near Fujiyoshida, explore the local izakayas and ramen shops in the area near Shimoyoshida Station. This part of the region feels authentically Japanese and hasn’t been overly polished for tourists.
A bowl of Yoshida udon, the local specialty with firm noodles in a soy-based broth topped with cabbage and horse meat, makes for a memorable dinner.
On your third day, head west from Kawaguchiko to explore the three less-visited lakes. These are wilder, quieter, and feel like a completely different world from the tourist buzz of Kawaguchiko. Take the Omni Bus Green Line from Kawaguchiko Station, which connects all three western lakes.
Lake Saiko is just one kilometer west of Kawaguchiko, but it feels much more remote. The lake borders Aokigahara Forest (the famous sea of trees) and is surrounded by hiking trails. Stop at Iyashi no Sato Nenba, a reconstructed traditional village on the northeastern shore of the lake.
About two dozen thatched-roof farmhouses have been converted into shops, cafes, and small museums. With Mount Fuji framing the village, it’s one of the most photogenic spots in the entire region.
Nearby, you can explore three lava caves formed by ancient eruptions of Mount Fuji. The Saiko Bat Cave is the largest, with multiple chambers and tunnels. The Narusawa Ice Cave is fascinating in summer, when you can see icicles clinging to the walls even in the warmest months.
Lake Shojiko is the smallest of the five lakes and the least developed, with just a handful of hotels and restaurants along its northern shore. What it lacks in infrastructure, it makes up for in tranquility.
If you want a truly quiet lunch by the water with almost no other tourists around, this is the place. Fishing is popular here, and on calm days the lake’s surface reflects Mount Fuji beautifully.
Save the best for last. Lake Motosuko is where you’ll find the exact view of Mount Fuji that appears on Japan’s 1,000-yen bill. The viewpoint is on the northwestern shore, and seeing the real version of something you carry in your wallet every day is a surprisingly moving experience.
Motosuko is also the deepest and clearest of the five lakes, making it excellent for kayaking and canoeing in warmer months. Several lakeside camping areas operate from spring through autumn, and the lack of development means the night sky here is remarkably clear.
An interesting fact about the western lakes: Saiko, Shojiko, and Motosuko are connected by underground waterways and maintain the same surface elevation of about 900 meters above sea level.
Pro Tip: If you’re visiting on a day trip and can’t do all three western lakes, prioritize Motosuko for the 1,000-yen bill view and Saiko for Iyashi no Sato.
