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Lake Kawaguchiko (‰ÍŒûŒÎ) 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 "Momiji Tunnel" for autumn colors, a maple tree-covered road section further west.

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 during the hazy summer.

Among the wide range of tourist attractions available around Lake Kawaguchiko are hot spring baths, museums, the Fuji Q amusement park, boat tours and a ropeway leading up a small mountain. Kawaguchiko is also a good base for climbing Mount Fuji, although most people start their ascent from Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station halfway up the mountain these days.

Below is a list of some of the tourist attractions around Lake Kawaguchiko:

Ropeway

Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway

Hours: 9:00 to 16:00 (until 17:00 on weekends and holidays)
Departures every 5-10 minutes
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 900 yen (round trip), 500 yen (one way)

Museums

Kubota Itchiku Museum

See the Kubota Itchiku Museum page for admission details

Kawaguchiko Museum of Art

Hours: 9:30 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30)
Closed: Tuesdays, New Year holidays
Admission: 800 yen

Kawaguchiko Music Forest

See the Kawaguchiko Music Forest page for admission details

Yamanashi Gem Museum

Hours: 9:00 to 17:30 (Mar to Oct), 9:30 to 17:00 (Nov to Feb)
Admission ends 30 minutes before closing.
Closed: Wednesdays (except national holidays), New Year holidays
Admission: 600 yen

Herb Hall

Hours: 9:00 to 17:45
Closed: No closing days
Admission: Free

Hot spring baths

Hotel Mifujien

Daytime Hours: 13:00 to 21:00 (entry until 20:00)
Closed: No closing days
Daytime admission: 1200 yen

Kaiun no Yu

Daytime Hours: Inquire with the operator
Closed: Irregular closures for maintenance
Daytime admission: 1000 yen for 2 hours

Getting there and around

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, the Omni Bus lines provide tourists with local transportation around Lake Kawaguchiko and neighboring Lake Saiko: the Red Line (or Kawaguchiko Line) operates along Lake Kawaguchi's eastern and northern shores, while the Green Line (or Saiko Line) operates along Lake Kawaguchiko's southern shore before continuing to Lake Saiko.

How to get to and around the Fuji Five Lakes

Hotels around Fuji Five Lakes

    • Glamping Village Fuji Kawaguchiko
      A glamping resort with Mt.Fuji views. Surrounded by the vast forests with luxurious villas and spacious domed tents. All rooms equipped with private hot spring.
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    • Ururun Kawaguchiko
      Budget-friendly
      A 7-minute walk from Lake Kawaguchi, the 2-person cottages at Ururun have a quaint European charm and offer a spa bath with Mount Fuji views. Sleeping arrangements are Japanese-style, with futon bedding on a tatami (woven-straw) floor. Parking is free. Each cottage has a fully equipped kitchen with a microwave and a living area with a sofa, a TV and a DVD player. Each cottage comes with a spa bath with Mount Fuji views. Free Wi-Fi is available. Kawaguchiko Train Station is a 15-minute drive or a taxi ride and Fuji-Q Highland amusement park is a 15-minute drive away. Kawaguchi Asama shrine is a 10-minute walk from the property, and Nishikawa Bus Stop is a 3-minute walk. In warm weather, guests can unwind out on the patio. BBQ cost (4 person; 2500 Yen, 5 person ;3000Yen,6 person 3500 Yen )
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    • Kawaguchiko Cottage Minami
      Budget-friendly
      Offering free WiFi and a garden, Kawaguchiko Cottage Minami is located in Fujikawaguchiko. Lake Kawaguchi is 300 metres from the property. Free private parking is available on site. All units feature a dining area and a seating area with a flat-screen TV. There is also a kitchen, equipped with an oven. A microwave, a toaster and fridge are also available. Towels are provided. Mount Fuji is 18 km from Kawaguchiko Cottage Minami.
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    • •xŽmƒtƒ@ƒuƒŠƒbƒN ƒXƒeƒC
      Mid-range
      Boasting air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony, •xŽmƒtƒ@ƒuƒŠƒbƒN ƒXƒeƒC is situated in Fujikawaguchiko. This property offers access to a terrace, free private parking and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is set 3.1 km from Fuji-Q Highland. The holiday home features 2 bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen with a microwave and a toaster, and 1 bathroom with a bath and slippers. Towels and bed linen are available in the holiday home. The accommodation offers a fireplace. Lake Kawaguchi is 5.1 km from the holiday home, while Mount Fuji is 22 km from the property. The nearest airport is Shizuoka Airport, 121 km from •xŽmƒtƒ@ƒuƒŠƒbƒN ƒXƒeƒC.
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    • Fufu Kawaguchiko
      Luxury
      Set in Fujikawaguchiko, 4.8 km from Lake Kawaguchi, Fufu Kawaguchiko offers accommodation with a garden, free private parking, a shared lounge and a terrace. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, room service and a 24-hour front desk, along with free WiFi throughout the property. Guests can use the sauna and the hot spring bath, or enjoy mountain views. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a balcony and a private bathroom with a bidet. Fufu Kawaguchiko features certain units with lake views, and rooms include a patio. At the accommodation all rooms are fitted with bed linen and towels. Guests at Fufu Kawaguchiko will be able to enjoy activities in and around Fujikawaguchiko, like cycling. Fuji-Q Highland is 7.1 km from the hotel, while Mount Fuji is 28 km away. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 124 km from Fufu Kawaguchiko.
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    • Private Hotel Rei
      Mid-range
      Boasting mountain views, Private Hotel Rei features accommodation with terrace, around 7.1 km from Lake Kawaguchi. Each accommodation at the 3-star ryokan has lake views, and guests can enjoy access to free bikes and to a garden. The ryokan offers rooms with air conditioning, free private parking and free WiFi. All units come with a seating area, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with slippers, walk-in shower, hot tub and bidet. A fridge and kettle are also offered. At the ryokan, units are equipped with bed linen and towels. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Fuji-Q Highland is 10 km from the ryokan, while Mount Fuji is 31 km from the property. The nearest airport is Matsumoto Airport, 123 km from Private Hotel Rei.
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    • Hotel Asafuji
      Mid-range
      Boasting views of Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi for all rooms and hot-spring baths, Hotel Asafuji provides air-conditioned Japanese-style rooms with a green tea set. Free WiFi available throughout the hotel and free on-site parking is available. Free pick-up service is available from Kawaguchiko Station upon request. The air-conditioned rooms at Hotel Asafuji have Shoji paper screens and a low table with floor chairs and cushions. Each room includes a fridge, private toilet, and guests bathe at the hot-spring baths. Japanese-style futon bedding on a tatami (woven-straw) floor is provided. Yukata robes are offered for guests. Massages are available, and the reception can store luggage. The public hot-spring baths are open from 06:00-09:30 and from 15:00-23:30 daily. A Japanese set breakfast and kaiseki multi-course dinner are available at the on-site restaurant for an extra fee with an advance reservation. Kawaguchiko Station is a 10-minute drive, while Kawaguchiko Ropeway and Lake Kawaguchi's boat dock is a 3-minute drive away from the hotel. Kawaguchiko Music Forest and Kawaguchiko Museum Of Art is a 7-minute drive. Oishi Parkand is a 10-minute drive away, while Fuji-Q Highland amusement park is a 15-minute drive away.
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    • HOSTEL MICHIKUSA-YA
      Mid-range
      Set in Fujikawaguchiko, less than 1 km from Lake Kawaguchi, HOSTEL MICHIKUSA-YA offers accommodation with a garden, free private parking and a shared lounge. This 3-star hostel offers a shared kitchen and free shuttle service. The property is non-smoking and is located 4.6 km from Fuji-Q Highland. Featuring a shared bathroom with a bidet and a hairdryer, rooms at the hostel also have free WiFi, while selected rooms here will provide you with a mountain view. Mount Fuji is 25 km from HOSTEL MICHIKUSA-YA, while Fujiomuro Sengen Shrine is 700 metres away. The nearest airport is Shizuoka Airport, 121 km from the accommodation.
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    • Guesthouse Honobono
      Budget-friendly
      Renovated in September 2018, Guesthouse‚Ù‚Ì‚Ú‚Ì offers an accommodation with free WiFi in Fujikawaguchiko, 1.3 km from Lake Kawaguchi. Free private parking is available on site on a first-come, first-serve basis as well as prior reservation. Free shuttle service is available upon prior request from the property to Kawaguchiko Station. There is a shared kitchen and lounge at the property. Guests can make some coffee and tea free of charge. You will find a bath made from hinoki cypress, and underfloor heating is provided in the bathroom. Bath amenities including towels, toiletries and toothbrushes are available at the front desk for a fee. Mount Fuji is 16 km from Guesthouse‚Ù‚Ì‚Ú‚Ì, while Shimobe Hot Spring is 26 km away.
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    • JINYA Fujikawaguchiko
      Mid-range
      Just a 5-minute walk from Kawaguchiko Station, JINYA Fujikawaguchiko is located in Fujikawaguchiko. Free WiFi, private parking, a washing and drying machine are provided. All units in the hotel are equipped with a kitchenette with a fridge, microwave and an electric kettle. Guest rooms feature air conditioning, a private bathroom and a toilet. Bed linen, towels and a hairdryer are provided. Selected rooms feature a dining table and a sofa. Mount Fuji is 16 km away from the hotel, while Mount Fuji 5th Station is a 65-minute bus ride away.
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    • Cottage Pastorale
      Budget-friendly
      Featuring free WiFi and air conditioning, Cottage Pastorale is set in Fujikawaguchiko. Lake Kawaguchi is a 3-minute walk from the property. Free private parking is available on site. All units include a flat-screen TV. All units feature a kitchen equipped with a microwave and fridge. Each unit is fitted with a private bathroom with slippers and free toiletries. Towels and bed linen are available. Cottage Pastorale also includes a barbecue. Mount Fuji is 18 km from Cottage Pastorale, while Shimobe Hot Spring is 28 km away. The property offers a free shuttle service.
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Experiences around Fuji Five Lakes

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