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: 9:30 to 17:00 Closed: Tue (unless Tue is a national holiday), 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, and in July and August) 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: 9:00 to 17:30 (entry until 17:00) Closed: Infrequent, irregular holidays Admission: 1500 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 July and August) 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 20:00 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.
