Caves

Caves created by past eruptions of Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji's past eruptions and resulting lava flows have created multiple caves in the Fuji Five Lake region around the mountain's northern base. Today, three of these caves have been developed and opened to tourists to be explored without special equipment or guides. Take caution, however, as some of the caves have passages with low ceilings and steep steps that can be slippery when wet.

Bat Cave

Hours: 9:00 to 17:00
Closed: December 1 to March 19
Admission: 300 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.

Ice Cave

Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (shorter hours in winter; longer hours in summer)
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 350 yen

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.

Wind Cave

Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (shorter hours in winter; longer hours in summer)
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 350 yen

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.

The Omni Bus Green Line (Saiko Line) connects Kawaguchiko Station with the caves. For the Bat Cave, get off at Saiko-Komoriana (35 minutes) in front of the cave. For the Wind Cave, get off at Fugaku-Fuketsu (50 minutes; also served by the infrequent Blue Line in 30 minutes from Kawaguchiko Station). The Ice Cave is a 15 minute eastwards along the main road from the Wind Cave or a short walk from the Narusawa Hyoketsu bus stop along the infrequent Blue Line.

Alternatively, the Ice Cave and Wind Cave can be accessed by regular buses from Kawaguchiko Station in the direction of Lake Motosuko and Shin-Fuji Station. For the Ice Cave get off at Hyoketsu and for the Wind Cave at Fuketsu bus stops. The one way ride takes about 15 minutes and costs around 650 yen one way. There are departures about every hour.

How to get to and around the Fuji Five Lakes

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English

Wind and Ice Caves

Official website.

Japanese

Wind and Ice Caves

Official website.

Read our Fuji Five Lakes Hotel Guide

Budget:

- Koko
  Budget-friendly
  
  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.
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- Lake Villa Kawaguchiko
  Budget-friendly
  
  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.
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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.
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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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- HOSTEL MICHIKUSA-YA
  Mid-range
  
  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.
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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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- Fuji Guest House Ao
  Budget-friendly
  
  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.
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- Umeya Annex
  Budget-friendly
  
  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.
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- Villa May Queen
  Budget-friendly
  
  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.
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