Lake Saiko (¼ŒÎ) is smaller and much less developed than neighboring Lake Kawaguchiko. The views of Mount Fuji from Lake Saiko's shores are blocked by other mountains, except at the lake's western end from where there are beautiful, full views of the volcano.
Lake Saiko is surrounded by wooded mountains and a few camp sites, and is a popular destination for those interested in camping, boating, fishing and other outdoor activities. A network of hiking trails covers the mountains and hills surrounding the lake, as well as Aokigahara Jukai, an expansive forest south of the lake, infamous as a suicide spot and for people getting lost.
Several caves, formed during past eruptions of Mount Fuji, can be found around Aokigahara Jukai in the vicinity of Lake Saiko. Three of them, the Ice Cave, Wind Cave and Bat Cave, have been developed to be easily accessible to tourists. The area is also known for its autumn colors which are usually at their best around the first half of November.
Iyashi no Sato is a mixture between open air museum and craft village, built in the style of a traditional village with thatched roof farmhouses. Visitors can try their hand at or purchase different traditional handicrafts and learn about the local history and traditional lifestyle.
Koyodai
Hours: 8:30 to 17:00 Closed: When there is a lot of snow Admission: 200 yen
Koyodai is one of the smaller mountains south of the lake, which is famous for and named after its autumn colors (koyo). The Koyodai is accessible in an easy 30 minute hike from the nearest bus stops, and offers excellent views of Mount Fuji from a paid observation deck. It is also accessible by car via an unpaved road.
Yurari•
Hours: 10:00 to 22:00 Closed: No closing days Admission: 1300 yen (1500 yen on weekends and national holidays)
Yurari is a modern, beautifully designed public hot spring facility with a variety of gender segregated indoor and outdoor baths. The baths on the second floor have nice views of Mount Fuji. Private baths with views of the mountain are also available (50 minutes, 2000 yen).
The Bat Cave, named after its former winter inhabitants, is the most extensive of the three caves. In total the cave is nearly 350 meters long and has multiple large chambers and diverging tunnels to be explored. Some of the tunnels come with rather low ceilings.
Even during the summer, the temperature in the Ice Cave usually stays below freezing. Consequently the cave has been used since the early 1900s to store ice for use around the year. The circular walk through this cave is not very long, but contains passages with low ceilings and slippery stairs.
In the past, this cave was used as a natural storehouse and refrigerator, as the temperature inside stays at a relatively constant zero degrees Celsius throughout the year. The cave is furnished with a few shelves that store boxes of acorns and silkworm cocoons. It is the most easily walkable and least exciting of the three caves.
Getting there and around
The Omni Bus Green Line (or Saiko Line) connects Kawaguchiko Station with Lake Saiko, circles the lake in a clockwise direction and stops at Iyashi no Sato, at the trailhead to Koyodai and near the three caves.
Apart from the omni buses, there are a few regular buses that operate between Kawaguchiko Station and Lake Saiko. Buses bound for Shin-Fuji and Lake Motosuko stop at the Fuji Midorino Kyukamura bus stop near Yurari Onsen (20 minutes, 590 yen) as well as at the ice and wind caves a few minutes later. There is one bus about every hour. A second regular bus line connects Kawaguchiko Station with the northern shore of Lake Saiko, stopping near Iyashi no Sato and at the bat cave along the way.
Open from April 2017, and located in Fujikawaguchiko, KOKO boasts air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi. Free private parking is available on site. The villa features a kitchen, wardrobe, desk and sofa. There are 3 shower rooms on site. A hairdryer and free toiletries including toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner and body soap are provided. Kawaguchi Asama Shrine is a minute's walk from KOKO, while Lake Kawaguchi is a 5-minute drive away. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda International Airport, 90 km from the property.
Offering a Mount Fuji view from the garden, Lake Villa Kawaguchiko is a self-catering accommodation located in Fujikawaguchiko. Free WiFi access is available. The property is a 15-minute drive from Kawaguchiko Train Station. Each spacious cottage is fitted with a flat-screen TV, air conditioning and a terrace. There is a full kitchen with a microwave, a fridge and cooking stoves. The private bathroom comes with a bath tub, a shower and a hairdryer. Guests can enjoy barbecuing at the front yard at a surcharge. Guests can use luggage storage services and drinks vending machines on site. The property offers free parking. No meals are served at the property, but guests can prepare their own meals using the kitchen. The property is just a 3-minute walk to Lake Kawaguchi and a 10-minute walk to Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum. Itchiku Kubota Art Museum is located an 8-minute walk away.
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.
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.
Set in Fujikawaguchiko, less than 1 km from Lake Kawaguchi, HOSTEL MICHIKUSA-YA offers accommodation with a shared lounge, free private parking and a garden. Among the facilities at this property are a shared kitchen and luggage storage space, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The hostel features family rooms. The shared bathroom is equipped with a bidet, slippers and a hairdryer. Guests at the hostel will be able to enjoy activities in and around Fujikawaguchiko, like cycling. Popular points of interest near HOSTEL MICHIKUSA-YA include Fujiomuro Sengen Shrine, Kawaguchiko Muse Museum and Yagizaki Park.
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.
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.
Located in Fujikawaguchiko, 3.3 km from Lake Kawaguchi, Fuji Guest House Ao provides accommodation with a shared lounge, private parking and a terrace. Featuring free bikes, the 1-star hostel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. Local points of interest like Fujiomuro Sengen Shrine and Kawaguchi Asama Shrine are reachable within 2.9 km and 6 km, respectively. Guest rooms include bed linen. Mount Kachi Kachi Ropeway is 1.5 km from the hostel, while Lake Kawaguchi Ohashi Bridge is 2.8 km away.
Umeya Annex is a Japanese private home run by an oshi, or a religious teacher that guides and assists visitors on pilgrimages. The property is located next to the oshi's home that was built in 1776 and the only one existing in Kawaguchiko. Free WiFi is featured throughout the property. All units are air conditioned and have a flat-screen TV. A microwave and fridge are also provided, as well as a kettle. There is a shared bathroom with a shower in every unit. The Arakura Sengen Shrine and the iconic five storied Chureito pagoda are around 5 km away from the property. The location offers stunning views of Mt Fuji in combination with the pagoda, where guests can also enjoy gazing at cherry blossoms during the spring season. The property is located in Fujikawaguchiko, 2.4 km from Lake Kawaguchi. Mount Fuji is 19 km from the property.
Offering great views of Mount Fuji, Villa May Queen offers 2-storey self-catering accommodation located just a 3-minute walk to Lake Kawaguchi. Guests can borrow bicycles for free to explore the local area. WiFi is offered throughout the property. While staying at the property, guests can prepare their own meals using kitchen appliances like IH cooking stoves, a microwave and a rice cooker. The living room has a sofa, a table and a flat-screen TV. Barbecue facilities can be used in summer free of charge. May Queen Villa is a 7-minute drive from Kawaguchiko Train Station. Fujikyu Highland Amusement Park is a 15-minute drive away. A supermarket and a 24-hour convenience store are located nearby.
