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Home - Travel - Sightseeing Guide - Chubu - Fuji Five Lakes
Lake Kawaguchiko	# 1   of 19 most visited sights in Fuji Five Lakes
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Lake Kawaguchiko is the most easily accessible of the Fuji Five Lakes with train and direct bus connections to Tokyo. A hot spring resort town with various tourist attractions and views of Mount Fuji is located around the lake's eastern end, while the northern and western shores are mostly undeveloped. The best views of Mount Fuji can be enjoyed from the lake's northern shores and are particularly breathtaking during the cherry blossom season around mid April and the autumn colors around the first half of November. One of the nicest spots for cherry blossoms is the seaside promenade near the Kawaguchiko Music Forest, while photographers will enjoy the "Koyo Tunnel" for autumn colors, a maple tree covered road section along the lake's northern shore. Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchiko from the Koyo Tunnel Be warned that even though Kawaguchiko is located right at the base of Mount Fuji, the mountain is not always visible because of clouds. Visibility tends to be best in the early mornings (usually before 9am) and in the late afternoons, while clouds often obstruct the view during daytime even on days with fair weather, and especially so during the hazy summer months. Among the wide range of other tourist attractions available around Lake Kawaguchiko are hot spring baths, various museums, the Fuji Q amusement park, boat tours and a ropeway leading onto a small mountain next to the lake. Kawaguchiko is also a good base for climbing Mount Fuji, although most people start their ascent from Kawaguchiko 5th Station halfway up the mountain these days. Below is a list of some of the tourist attractions around Lake Kawaguchiko: Kachi Kachi Ropeway (more details) Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (Mar to Nov), 9:30 to 16:40 (Dec to Feb) Departures every 5-10 minutes Closed: No closing days Admission: 700 yen (roundtrip) The Kachi Kachi Ropeway ascends to an observation point near the summit of Mount Tenjo, from where Lake Kawaguchiko and Mount Fuji can be seen. The ropeway is one end point of the popular day hike to Mount Mitsutoge. Museums Kubota Itchiku Museum (more details) Hours: 9:30 to 17:30 (Apr to Nov), 10:00 to 16:30 (Dec to Mar) Entry ends 30 minutes before closing. Closed: Weds, Dec 26-28 (open holidays and everyday from Apr-Nov) Admission: 1300 yen A unique museum that displays kimono created by Kubota Itchiku, who spent his lifetime reviving the lost art of Tsujigahana silk dying. The kimono on display depict themes of nature and the cosmos and include his unfinished masterpiece "Symphony of Light", comprised of 80 kimono that together form a picture of Mount Fuji. Kawaguchiko Museum of Art Hours: 9:30 to 17:00 (admission until 16:30) Closed: Tue (unless Tue is a national holiday), New Year holidays Admission: 800 yen The Kawaguchiko Museum of Art houses rotating temporary exhibitions of Japanese and foreign modern artists as well as a small permanent collection of paintings and photographs featuring Mount Fuji. Kawaguchiko Music Forest (more details) Hours: 9:00 to 17:30 (admission until 17:00) Closed: No closing days Admission: 1300 yen More theme park than museum, the Kawaguchiko Music Forest is devoted to automatic musical instruments, such as music boxes and mechanical organs. The beautifully designed grounds with European styled gardens have nice views of Mount Fuji and are operated by the Ukai Group which also runs the Glass Forest in Hakone. Yamanashi Gem Museum Hours: 9:00 to 17:30 (Mar to Oct), 9:30 to 17:00 (Nov to Feb) Entry ends 30 minutes before closing. Closed: Wed (unless Wed is a national holiday), New Year holidays Admission: 600 yen The Yamanashi Gem Museum displays gems, precious stones, and large quartz crystals collected from Japan and around the world. Half of the museum is a store where you can purchase jewelry and other trinkets made with the same types of gems and precious stones on display. Herb Hall Hours: 9:00 to 18:00 (until 17:30 November to March) Closed: No closing days Admission: Free The Herb Hall is basically a store with a herb garden and greenhouse where you can view and purchase herbs, tea and dried flowers. Behind the Herb Hall stands the Perfume Hall where you can buy perfumes, aroma oils and soaps. Hot Spring Baths Hotel Mifujien Daytime Hours: 13:30 to 20:00 Closed: No closing days Daytime Admission: 1200 yen This aging hotel is the only among the ryokan and hotels along the northeastern shore of Lake Kawaguchiko, which opens its baths to non-staying guests during daytime. Its gender separated bathing facilities have seen better days, but the views of Mount Fuji are quite nice. Tensui Kawaguchiko Hours: Inquire with the operator Closed: No closing days Admission: 1000 yen Tensui Kawaguchiko is a public bath house in the forest above the Kubota Itchiku Museum. It features three large outdoor baths, indoor baths and a sauna for each gender. Unfortunately the baths do not have a view of Mount Fuji. Kaiun no Yu Daytime Hours: Inquire with the operator Closed: No closing days Daytime Admission: 1000 yen Kaiun no Yu is part of the Royal Hotel Kawaguchiko along the lake's southern shore. The baths are open to non staying guests, however, they are rather average and do not have views of Mount Fuji. Any Questions? Ask them in our question forum.

How to get there

Kawaguchiko Station is the terminal station of the Fujikyu Railway from Otsuki. The bus terminal for local buses and highway buses to/from Tokyo, Kofu, Gotemba and other destinations is located just in front of the station. From Kawaguchiko Station, two retro bus lines provide tourists with local transportation around Lake Kawaguchiko and neighboring Lake Saiko: The Kawaguchiko Line operates along Lake Kawaguchi's eastern and northeastern shores (2 buses/hour), while the Saiko-Aokigahara Line operates along Lake Kawaguchiko's southern shore and around Lake Saiko (1 bus/hour). Fares for the retro buses depend on the distance traveled, however, a 2-day pass for the Kawaguchiko Line is available for 1000 yen, while a 2-day pass for both lines costs 1300 yen. How to get to and around the Fuji Five Lakes Bus Network Map:

Hotels and Ryokan

Sponsor Hotels Backpackers Hostel K's House Mt.Fuji Newly opened hostel with spacious lounge, free internet, communal kitchen and bicycle rental. English spoken. Fuji Royal Hotel Kawaguchiko Budget accommodation with fully-fledged facilities next to Lake Kawaguchi at the foot of Mt. Fuji. Ideal for sightseeing & climbing. Fuji View Hotel Enjoy captivating lakeside views of Mt. Fuji at our charming Lake Kawaguchi hotel amid some of Japan�fs most beautiful scenery. Kawaguchi-ko Station Inn Just in front of Kawaguchiko Station. An inexpensive inn with beautiful views of majestic Mt. Fuji.

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News and Reports

November 8, 2011 Fujigoko Autumn Color Report by schauwecker April 20, 2011 Fujigoko Cherry Blossom Report by schauwecker Fujigoko Autumn Color Report November 9, 2010 Fujigoko Cherry Blossom Report April 14, 2010 Fuji Five Lakes Autumn Color Report November 9, 2009 Mount Fuji Autumn Color Report October 28, 2009 Fuji Five Lakes Cherry Blossom Report April 16, 2009

Travel Community

Ratings for Lake Kawaguchiko: japan-guide.com Rating:   outstanding   User Rating (by 324 users): 78/100   recommended Popularity of Lake Kawaguchiko: Users who have been to Fuji Five Lakes: 1258 Users who have been to Lake Kawaguchiko: 668 1st of 19 most visited sights in Fuji Five Lakes. 75th of 726 most visited sights nationwide. Have you been to Lake Kawaguchiko? No - I have not been there yetYes - no ratingYes - highly recommendedYes - recommendedYes - mildly interestingYes - nothing specialYes - not recommended User Feedback We strive to keep japan-guide.com up-to-date and accurate, and are always looking for ways to improve the user experience. If you have any updates, suggestions, corrections or opinions, please let us know:

Tours and Packages

1-Day Mt. Fuji Area Ski Tour Enjoy a view of Mt. Fuji as you ski or snowboard at Snowtown Yeti. Includes transportation, lift ticket and rentals. Only 5,500yen - Best Deal Mt.Fuji One Day Bus & Walking Tour Join us and visit the best scenic sites around the Fuji Five Lakes including the Lava Forest, Sengen Shrine and the 5th station of Mt.Fuji Mount Fuji and Hakone Tours Various tours and travel packages for Mount Fuji and surroundings.

English Links

Kachi Kachi Ropeway Official English website. Kaiun no Yu Official English website of the Royal Hotel.

Japanese Links

Kachi Kachi Ropeway Official website. Kubota Itchiku Art Museum Official website. Yamanashi Gem Museum Official website. Kawaguchiko Herb Hall Official website. Hotel Mifujien Official website. Tensui Kawaguchiko Official website. Kaiun no Yu Official website of the Royal Hotel.