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Kawaguchiko and Mount Fuji

Day trip from Tokyo
Stays
  1. Lake Kawaguchiko Sakura Mount Fuji 4
  2. Mount Fuji view from Lake Kawaguchi 2024-12-01
  3. Mount Fuji @ Lake Kawaguchiko (10862992324)
  4. Arakurayama Sengen Park 09
  5. Mount Fuji, Arakurayama Sengen Park 20241022 (II)

A lake town with the best views of Mount Fuji. Clear mornings in autumn and winter are best.

Worth a day?

Maybe. Kawaguchiko gives a close view of Mount Fuji across a lake, with a park, a lake cruise and a ropeway nearby. It is a poor choice for anyone who needs a clear view of the mountain on a set day, because cloud often hides it.

Pick your pace

Kawaguchiko and Mount Fuji works as a slow day or a full one. Choose the pace that fits yours and the stops that suit it come first. Nothing is removed.

楽EasyShort stops and plenty of time to sit.歩ActiveWalks, outdoor places and more ground.寺CultureTemples, museums and history, with the reason for each.食FoodStreet food, sweets and a proper meal between sights.

Pick one and the stops reorder. Nothing is hidden. Clear

Temples, museums and history, with the reason for each.

A day in 3 stops

In the order that suits your pace.

  1. 2 hMorningKachi Kachi Ropeway Fuji view 富A short cable car to a hill with a wide view of the lake and Mount Fuji. Go in the morning.
  2. 1.5 hMorningOishi Park and the lake shore 花A flower park on the lake shore with Mount Fuji behind. Flowers change with the season.
  3. 1 hAfternoonHoto noodle lunch 麺A local dish of flat noodles and vegetables in a warm miso soup.

How to get there

From Tokyo

FastestJR East and Fujikyu Railway, Fuji Excursion Limited Express (JR Chuo Line and Fujikyu Railway Line) → Kawaguchiko

Time
113 min
Changes
None
Seat
Reservation needed
  1. Board the Fuji Excursion at Shinjuku. Book a reserved seat first, because the express seats are reserved.
  2. Get off at Kawaguchiko Station on the lake shore.
  3. Walk or take transport to Oishi Park on the north shore. The walk time is not confirmed by these sources.
A cheaper way

The JR Chuo Line to Otsuki, then the Fujikyu Line, takes about 2 hours 10 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes, and a JR Pass does not cover the private Fujikyu Line.

Coming back. Check the timetable for the last northbound train from Kawaguchiko, because the sources list departures near 15:00 and 17:00 but do not confirm the last train.

Typical times. Check the timetable before you go.

Stay a night

Sleep in Tokyo and come by train, because the Fuji Excursion takes under two hours. A night at the lake suits people who want an early morning view of the mountain.

Stay in Kawaguchiko and Mount FujiKawaguchiko stays are mostly hotels and ryokan on the lake shore, and some have baths that face Mount Fuji. Fuji is often hidden by cloud later in the day, and sources say views are usually clearest early in the morning and late in the afternoon. A night lets a visitor see the mountain at those times.Find stays in Kawaguchiko and Mount Fuji
Tokyo as your baseneon and noodles The train to Kawaguchiko and Mount Fuji takes about 113 minutes.Find stays in Tokyo

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