Lake Kawaguchi is a great place to enjoy (and fall in love) with Mount Fuji. Although the most famous symbol of Japan can be admired from many spots across the region, the view of both: the stunning lake and the snow-covered iconic peak is unique. And what’s the most amazing? Organizing a trip to Lake Kawaguchi is extremely simple. Here is my detailed report, a sure-fire recipe for how to spend 2 days at Lake Kawaguchi to quickly fall in love with Mount Fuji.
What's in this blog post?
My first weekend trip in Japan
The first three months in Japan were not easy for me. A lot was going on. Stressful job interviews, trying to learn both – the Japanese language and how to survive in Tokyo’s concrete jungle, the first winter after 6 years of living in the tropics – sad leafless trees outside the window took the place of evergreen tropical palm trees. The desire to get closer to nature to breathe the fresh air and forget about new life challenges, even for a brief moment, was very strong.
That’s why I decided to make a trip to Lake Kawaguchi and spend there 2 days. Even though it was only my first weekend trip since I moved to Japan, I couldn’t have made a better choice. Lake Kawaguchi with the snow-capped peak of Mount Fuji in the background has stolen my heart forever.
I loved it so much that I knew that sooner or later I would return at Lake Kawaguchi again. One time was not enough. And so it happened, I came back the year after in autumn just to understand that a second visit at Lake Kawaguchi is probably also not enough…
Why should you visit Lake Kawaguchi?
Lake Kawaguchi is one of the Fuji Five Lakes located at the foot of the most iconic and recognizable place in Japan – the sacred Mount Fuji. Japan’s highest peak (3776 m) and active stratovolcano (last eruption was recorded in 1707) has the incredibly symmetrical, snow-capped cone.
During the climbing period, from July to mid-September, this sacred mountain among the Shintō followers is not only a destination for pilgrimages, but for mountain climbers as well. Fujisan – as it is called in Japan – is perhaps the most popular theme in Japanese art thanks to Hokusai series “36 Views of Mount Fuji”.
You just can’t go to Japan and not see Mount Fuji
In good weather, Mount Fuji, which is situated only about 125 km from the center of Tokyo, can be visible from many places in the country including the capital of Japan. However, the Fuji Five Lakes region is the best place to enjoy Mount Fuji beauty in full glory.
Lake Kawaguchi is the most developed lake in the region in terms of accommodation and accessibility. Therefore, it’s a perfect place to stay when visiting this area for the first time. Thanks to the convenient connections with Tokyo, a one-day trip is also doable. However, a great choice of attractions and Mount Fuji’s captivating beauty will make you want to stay here longer.
LAKE KAWAGUCHI IN 2 DAYS: THINGS TO DO
1. Cycling around Lake Kawaguchi
Bicycle vs. sightseeing bus
The length of Lake Kawaguchi’s shoreline, dotted with countless beautiful spots, is less than 20 km. Therefore, if you like spending your time actively outdoors,
renting a bike is the best way to explore Lake Kawaguchi area
There are many bike-rentals in Fujikawaguchiko town. If you want to be more comfortable, although the area is mostly flat, you can also rent an electric bike. I rented a bike at my guesthouse (more details about this beautiful little place below). It wasn’t the most professional bicycle ever, but it was enough for a ride around the lake. Cycling allowed me to reach less frequented parts of the lake where most tourists do not usually go. I could enjoy nature in a more intimate way without any time limits. It gave me freedom.
Cycling around Lake Kawaguchi took me practically the whole day. However, I was never in a rush and moved very slowly.
It is not the destination that matters, but the journey, isn't it?!
I had a coffee, visited the shrine, had lunch at a local restaurant, bought souvenirs, took hundreds of photos, had a picnic on the rocks and watched a beautiful sunset. It was a great day! And if I wasn’t riding my bike, I wouldn’t:
If you don’t feel like renting a bicycle though, you can get around the lake quite comfortably by a local bus. A 2-day ticket for unlimited journeys costs 1,500 JPY (~ 15 USD). Buses depart every 15 minutes and can take you not only to Lake Kawaguchi, but also to other lakes: Saiko, Shojiko and Motosuko. Tickets can be purchased from the driver or at the Kawaguchiko station. More details about the sightseeing bus HERE.
Best spots to see Mount Fuji
The best spots to enjoy the breathtaking view of Mount Fuji with the lake in the background are situated on the northern shore. This is also where the bus (red line) stops. Various kinds of flowers, depending on the season, bloom along the promenade in the Oishi Park, which make the views even more magnificent.
Unfortunately, everyone who comes to Lake Kawaguchi seems to know about it. Therefore, because of the crowds, this park was the place, which I enjoyed a little bit less. By the way, I went to Lake Kawaguchi in the off-season at the end of February, so it was probably not that bad anyway… However, it was enough to walk a few meters away from the bus stop to have beautiful views just for myself again. All in all, my Oishi Park visit was successful as I bought there (in the Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center) nice souvenirs Made in Japan.
Nagasaki Park and North Bank Walking Trail are two other great places to enjoy the splendid Mount Fuji & Lake Kawaguchi all year round. Whereas in autumn I recommend visiting Momiji Tunnel for colorful maple tree leaves.
The southern part of the lake is also very interesting. This is where the perspective changes – Mount Fuji is on one side while the lake on the other, so you can’t get the view of both at the same time. Two main sightseeing spots – the oldest shrine in the area – Fuji Omuro Sengen Shrine and a picturesque grassy hill in Yagizaki Park are situated only 1 km away from each other.
Heading towards the west, Mount Fuji disappears from sight for a while, but the views over the lake are beautiful. Undoubtedly, this is the least visited part of the lake, which is still worth exploring.
Scroll to the end of this blog post to see the LAKE KAWAGUCHI MAP WITH THE BEST SPOTS TO VIEW MOUNT FUJI AND OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST.
2. Chureito Pagoda & Mt. Fuji: the most famous image of Japan
The view of the Chureito Pagoda with cherry blossoms and snow-capped Mount Fuji peak in the background is one of the most popular images that will probably come to your mind when thinking about Japan. Try searching images in Google by typing “Japan” and you will immediately understand what I am talking about. 🙂 This means one thing only. Visiting the Chureito Pagoda is simply a must.
It only takes 30 minutes to get to the famous pagoda from Kawaguchiko station. Travel time consists of a 15-minute train ride to Shimoyoshida (a one-way ticket costs 310 JPY ~ 3 USD) and a 15-minute walk from the station. The Chureito Pagoda, built recently – in 1963, stands on a hill and there are almost 400 steps to climb. The 15-minute walk may actually take you longer, and not because you are not in good shape, but because the views are stunning. You will probably stop to take many photos. If you visit the pagoda during the cherry blossoms period, it will probably look even prettier but it will definitely be more crowded as well. Regardless of the season, the best time to visit the pagoda is early in the morning.
3. Incredible sunsets & sunrise over the lake
During my visit in February, both the weather and the visibility were stunning. The sky was clear, so I could enjoy the view of the snow-capped Mount Fuji majestic cone all day long. Unfortunately, the visibility is not so splendid during most of the year. Sometimes the only time to see Mount Fuji is at dawn. Check weather forecasts before your trip and adjust your plans accordingly, if you can.
At sunrise, if you are lucky and the weather is good, Mount Fuji’s reflection in the lake’s surface can be seen from the northern shore. For those, who similarly like me, are not early birds, there is some good news though. If you decide to stay in a hotel with Mt. Fuji’s view, you can see the sunrise from your bed – or your futon – if you choose a traditional Japanese-style accommodation. As you probably can guess, I watched the sunrise from my room. Check it out – it was amazing!
If the weather is good enough, head to the lake’s northern shore to watch Mount Fuji at sunset. You can take a walk along the lake promenade or sit on the beach. The views are breathtaking!
And when I returned in Lake Kawaguchi in autumn, the sunset view was again amazing!
Sunsets at Lake Kawaguchi are stunning!
4. Try local sake: Ide Sake Brewery
Ide Sake Brewery, located near Lake Kawaguchi, is a small family-run brewery, which has been producing sake for 21 generations! If you are interested in learning about the production of this rice alcohol brewed in Japan for centuries, get to know different varieties, and more importantly, check which one suits you best :), visit Ide Sake Brewery. After all, sake is the national drink in Japan and an indispensable part of the local culture. Besides, sake breweries can only be found in Japan.
Mount Fuji spring water, which is used in sake production, is the unique feature of the Ide Sake Brewery. The quality of water used in the brewing process is crucial as it influences the taste of the alcohol. If you visit the brewery, in addition to the sake production knowledge, you will get a chance to see the brewery owners’ traditional house and the 300-year-old garden at the back of the brewery.
Tours are conducted in a very friendly, family-like atmosphere. If the weather is bad and Mount Fuji hides behind the clouds, make sure to visit this little brewery. And if the visibility is perfect, do your best to … come here as well!
The brewery shop, offering both sake and various accessories, is open from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm. The sake tasting experience costs 300 JPY (3 USD). Visiting the brewery combined with tasting, which takes around 45 minutes, costs only 800 JPY (8 USD). A small gift, a cute little sake glass, is included in the price. Brewery tours in English take place at 9.30 am, which is an option only for the bravest – drinking sake in the morning, and at 3.00 pm. Advanced booking i required.
More information on Ide Sake Brewery HERE.
5. Eat like a samurai: traditional hōtō soup
Visiting new places does not mean beautiful views only. It’s about meeting the locals, learning about local traditions and trying regional cuisine.
Yamanashi Prefecture, where Lake Kawaguchi is located, is famous for its delicious hōtō soup. Hotō is a combination of flat noodles and vegetables served in a traditional Japanese miso soup cooked with dashi broth and soybean paste. Although hōtō is widely recognized as a variant of udon, local residents disagree. At Lake Kawaguchi, it is believed that these are completely different dishes, as hōtō dough reminds more of dumplings than udon noodles. I am not a great expert on Japanese noodles (not yet :)) , but I must admit that hōtō noodles have something to do with dumplings.
The traditional hōtō served in an iron pot is usually made of seasonal vegetables and a pumpkin, but sometimes you can also order it with meat. The hōtō soup is very nutritious. Its history dates back to the Middle Ages, when samurai ate it before important battles. I ordered a hōtō soup set served with tempura and I also needed to fight a battle to… get up from the table. 🙂
There are many authentic hōtō soup restaurants in Lake Kawaguchi area. I had it in a few places and it was always delicious. Here are my recommendations.
Momiji Tei-Hōtō is a very nice, typical hōtō restaurant, which serves many kinds of hōtō soup, with meat as well. I visited it twice, and I particularly enjoyed hōtō soup with mushrooms. An English menu with pictures is available, which is always a plus in Japan. Opening hours: 10:30 AM – 7.30 PM. You can check out the website HERE (in Japanese).
O-Fukuro Udon (お ふ く ろ う ど ん) – A very local restaurant with family atmosphere. Like at home, after your meal you are supposed to put dirty dishes in the right place. Both soups – hōtō as well as udon are prepared by older Japanese ladies, so it feels a bit like grandma’s. A Japanese menu only, but Google Translate will do the job, if you need help. Open for lunch from 11 AM to 2 PM.
In both restaurants, you can either sit on the ground and eat at a low table (that’s the traditional Japanese way), or choose traditional Western seating. Surprisingly, eating hot noodles served in a bowl is sometimes easier at a low table.
Hirai Kiosk – A very decent place in front of the Kawaguchiko Station. Good for a quick hōtō soup upon your arrival or before taking the bus back. Apart from the famous hōtō soup, it serves many types of Japanese dishes and offers the Mount Fuji view.
Cheers to your Lake Kawaguchi adventure!
LAKE KAWAGUCHI IN 2 DAYS: PRACTICAL INFORMATION
My suggested itinerary for Lake Kawaguchi in 2 day
In 2 days you will be able to see all the higlights of Lake Kawaguchi. Have a look at this sample itinerary.
DAY 1
- Bike trip around the lake,
- Sunset and chill with Mount Fuji view,
- Dinner at the local izakaya
DAY 2
- Visit to famous Chureito Pagoda,
- Lunch in a local restaurant with hōto soup,
- Sake brewery tour in the afternoon.
A one-day trip to Lake Kawaguchi is also worth the effort! However, if you really can’t make it, check out some other locations closer to Tokyo (or even in the city) from where Mount Fuji can also be seen HERE.
Lake Kawaguchi in 2 days-when is the best time to go?
It largely depends on your expectations but each season has its advantages.
- WINTER: Best visibility, so chances of seeing Mount Fuji are the highest. Paradoxically, it is also when less tourists visit the area. On the flip side, it gets cold, however Japanese winters are dry and sunny, so during the day it’s still very pleasant.
- SPRING: The cherry blossom season is considered the most beautiful time in Japan and there are plenty of cherry blossom spots around Lake Kawaguchi. Unfortunately, this also means many tourists and higher prices.
- SPRING: The cherry blossom season is considered the most beautiful time in Japan and there are plenty of cherry blossom spots around Lake Kawaguchi. Unfortunately, this also means many tourists and higher prices.
- SUMMER: The climbing season is in full swing, so if you want to climb Mt. Fuji and stay at Lake Kawaguchi before or after your trek, come in summer. It is also the festival time in Japan. Unfortunately, the visibility is the worst in the summer. You might be able to climb Mt. Fuji, but not necessarily see it well from Lake Kawaguchi’s shore.
- AUTUMN: Japanese autumn is extremely colorful because of the red maple leaves and sunny weather. Besides, the visibility is good and there are slightly less tourists than in spring, so I can’t really think of any negative sides. I visited Lake Kawaguchi this year again – in November. The autumn colours were stunning.
- AUTUMN: Japanese autumn is extremely colorful because of the red maple leaves and sunny weather. Besides, the visibility is good and there are slightly less tourists than in spring, so I can’t really think of any negative sides. I visited Lake Kawaguchi this year again – in November. The autumn colours were stunning.
For more details on Mount Fuji visibility check out this great article HERE.
Getting to Lake Kawaguchi
Getting from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko is easy. You can take either a train or a bus. If you stay close to Tokyo Station, taking a bus is more convenient.
It takes 2 hours to travel by a direct bus from Tokyo Station. Buses depart every hour. A one-way ticket costs 2,000 JPY (18 USD). For more information and booking go to Japan Bus Online.
More information on:
Where to stay in Lake Kawaguchi?
There are many accommodation options around Lake Kawaguchi. My priorities in choosing a right place were: the Mount Fuji view, central location, good reviews and affordable price.
Minshuku Aoiso – a small guesthouse, run by a very friendly guy called Shogo, who, in addition, speaks excellent English, met all criteria. I couldn’t have found a better place! Minshuku Aoiso provides you with a typical ryokan experience with Japanese tatami mats, futon mattress and the hot bath with Mt. Fuji’s spring water. Shogo’s lovely and incredibly kind mum prepares the traditional Japanese breakfast. To tell the truth, I was initially sceptical about eating salmon and rice for breakfast, but this typical Japanese morning meal turned out to be both – pleasant and delicious. When I returned to Lake Kawaguchi for the second time this year in autumn, I stayed at Minshuku Aoioso again. Next time, I will do the same. This is how much I love this place. More information about Minshuku Aoiso HERE.
Hope you make time to see Mount Fuji during your trip to Japan and there is no better place to do so than Lake Kawaguchi. For me, Mount Fuji, seen from the Fuji Five Lakes region, is the most amazing sight in Japan. If I had to recommend a short trip from Tokyo it would definitely be Lake Kawaguchi.
