The touristy town around Lake Kawaguchiko offers an assortment of museums along the lake's southern and northern shores, varying in themes from conventional arts to herbs and music boxes. Below is a list of some of the museums found in the area:
Hours: 9:30 to 17:30 (Apr to Nov), 10:00 to 16:30 (Dec to Mar) Entry ends 30 minutes before closing. Closed: Tues, Dec 26-29 (open holidays and everyday in Oct and 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 dyeing. 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: 10:00 to 15:00 (entry until 14:30) Closed: Tuesdays, New Year holidays Admission: 800 yen
The Kawaguchiko Museum of Art houses temporary exhibitions of Japanese and foreign modern artists as well as a small permanent collection of paintings and photographs featuring Mount Fuji.
Fujiyama Museum
Hours: 10:00 to 17:30 (entry until 17:00) Closed: seasonal, check their website for a current schedule Admission: 1000 yen
The Fujiyama Museum is devoted to a wide variety of paintings and other illustrations of Mount Fuji. The museum is operated by and located just outside of the Fuji Q Highland amusement park behind the Fuji Resort Hotel and next to the Fujiyama Onsen.
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (seasonal variations; see details) Closed: No closing days Admission: Free
The Fuji Visitor Center at the entrance to the Subaru Line toll road to the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station contains a small museum with exhibits and a movie about the formation and ecology of Mount Fuji as well as the cultural history of the mountain.
Hours: 9:30 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30) Closed: Tuesdays (except national holidays) Admission: 400 yen (includes entry to the Former Togawa Residence)
The Fujisan Museum introduces the history and folk religion that surrounds Mount Fuji. On display are exhibits explaining the religious significance of the mountain and the history of climbing it.
Hours: 10:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:00) Closed: Infrequent, irregular holidays Admission: 1800 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 (except national holidays), New Year 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 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.
The Omni Bus Red Line (Kawaguchiko Line) connects Kawaguchiko Station with the Kawaguchiko Museum of Art (30 minutes). Get off at the Kawaguchiko Bijutsukan bus stop in front of the museum.
Fujiyama Museum
Occasional buses along the Omni Bus Red Line (Kawaguchiko Line) connect Kawaguchiko Station to the Fujiyama Museum (10 minutes). Get off at the Fujiyama Onsen bus stop, from where it is a short walk to the museum.
The Yamanashi Gem Museum and Herb Hall are a few steps from the Kawaguchiko Herbkan bus stop along the red and green Omni Bus lines. The bus ride from Kawaguchiko Station takes about 10 minutes.
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. This 3-star hostel offers a shared kitchen and luggage storage space. The hostel features family rooms. Featuring a shared bathroom with a bidet and slippers, rooms at the hostel also have free WiFi, while selected rooms here will provide you with a lake view. Guests at HOSTEL MICHIKUSA-YA will be able to enjoy activities in and around Fujikawaguchiko, like cycling. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Fujiomuro Sengen Shrine, Kawaguchiko Muse Museum and Yagizaki Park.
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.
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.
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.
Kawaguchiko Urban Resort Villa offers accommodation in Fujikawaguchiko, 40 metres from Lake Kawaguchi. Guests benefit from terrace. The kitchen features a microwave and a refrigerator and there is a private bathroom. A flat-screen TV with cable channels, as well as a CD player are featured. Other facilities at Kawaguchiko Urban Resort Villa include a barbecue. Mount Fuji is 11 km from Kawaguchiko Urban Resort Villa, while Notenburo Tensui hot spring is 2 km from the property. Guests can make use of barbecue facilities in the property's private garden for dinner. Depending on the weather the barbecue may be enjoyed indoors. An American-style breakfast is served. Guests can also use the property kitchen to make their own meals. Cutlery and dishes are supplied.
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.
