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 (weekdays), 1500 yen (weekends and 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.
Set in Fujikawaguchiko, 5.1 km from Lake Kawaguchi, 22 km from Mount Fuji and 4.2 km from Lake Kawaguchi Ohashi Bridge, •xŽmƒtƒ@ƒuƒŠƒbƒN ƒXƒeƒC offers accommodation with a balcony and free WiFi. Situated 3.1 km from Fuji-Q Highland, the property features a terrace and free private parking. Offering 2 bedrooms, this air-conditioned holiday home features 1 bathroom with a shower, a bath and free toiletries. The holiday home also includes a well-equipped kitchen with a fridge, a microwave and a stovetop, as well as a hairdryer. Mount Kachi Kachi Ropeway is 4.7 km from the holiday home, while Fujiomuro Sengen Shrine is 4.7 km from the property. The nearest airport is Shizuoka Airport, 121 km from •xŽmƒtƒ@ƒuƒŠƒbƒN ƒXƒeƒC.
Set in Fujikawaguchiko, 7.1 km from Lake Kawaguchi, Private Hotel Rei offers accommodation with free bikes, free private parking, a garden and a terrace. The 3-star ryokan has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is situated 10 km from Fuji-Q Highland. All guest rooms at the ryokan come with a seating area and a flat-screen TV. At Private Hotel Rei all rooms include bed linen and towels. The accommodation offers an American or Asian breakfast. Mount Fuji is 31 km from Private Hotel Rei, while Kawaguchi Asama Shrine is 5.6 km from the property. The nearest airport is Matsumoto Airport, 123 km from the ryokan.
Set in Fujikawaguchiko, within less than 1 km of Lake Kawaguchi and 4.6 km of Fuji-Q Highland, HOSTEL MICHIKUSA-YA offers accommodation with a shared lounge and as well as free private parking for guests who drive. With a garden, the 3-star hostel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. The accommodation provides a shared kitchen, free shuttle service and luggage storage for guests. The area is popular for cycling, and bike hire is available at this 3-star hostel. Mount Fuji is 25 km from the hostel, while Fujiomuro Sengen Shrine is 700 metres away. The nearest airport is Shizuoka Airport, 121 km from HOSTEL MICHIKUSA-YA.
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.
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.
Offering beautiful Mount Fuji views from its hot-spring baths, guest rooms and hot tub, Mizno Hotel is a 5-minute drive from Kawaguchiko Train Station. Located on a hilltop and overlooking Lake Kawaguchi, the hotel serves Japanese cuisine with an advance reservation. Free Wi-Fi is available in all areas. Guests at Mizno Hotel can sleep in Western-style beds, or experience traditional futon bedding on a tatami (woven-straw) floor in one of the Japanese-style rooms. All rooms are air-conditioned and have an LCD TV and Yukata robes. The shore of Lake Kawaguchi is a 2-minute walk. Fuji-Q Highland amusement park and Fuji-Omuro Sengen Shrine are less than a 15-minute drive from the hotel. On-site parking is free, and free pick-up from Kawaguchiko Station is offered from 15:00-18:00. Mount Fuji 5th Station for climbing is a 1-hour bus ride from Kawaguchiko Station. Relaxation options include a sauna and massages. The hotel has English-speaking and French-speaking staff. A nightcap can be enjoyed at the bar.
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.
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.
Located in Fujikawaguchiko, 1.7 km from Fuji-Q Highland, 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. The property is non-smoking and is set 3.7 km from Lake Kawaguchi. Guest rooms include bed linen. Mount Fuji is 22 km from the hostel, while Mount Kachi Kachi Ropeway is 1.8 km away. The nearest airport is Shizuoka Airport, 122 km from Fuji Guest House Ao.
Featuring great views of Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi, Konanso boasts natural hot spring baths and large Japanese-style rooms with traditional tatami (woven-straw) flooring. It is only a 2-minute walk from a ferry stop, where guests can board sightseeing cruises. Free WiFi is offered in all areas. Konanso offers indoor and outdoor hot spring baths, a private-use bath (charges apply), and a foot bath on the rooftop. Relaxing massage services can be arranged. Other facilities include karaoke rooms, a game centre and a lounge bar. A souvenir shop can be found on the ground floor. Guest rooms at Konanso are fitted with futon bedding, a seating area and a flat-screen TV. A Fridge and an electric kettle are also provided. Guests can try on Yukata robes or enjoy free green tea in their room. Some rooms feature an open-air hot spring bath. The property is a 10-minute drive from Kawaguchiko Train Station. A free pick-up service from the station is available upon request. Mount Fuji 5th Station for climbing is a 1-hour bus ride from Kawaguchiko Station. Popular Fuji-Q Highland Amusement Park is a 5-minute drive away, while Gotemba Outlet Shopping Mall can be reached within a 40-minute drive. Seasonal Japanese multi-course meals are served either in a private dining room or in the guestroom. Breakfast can be enjoyed at the dining room.
