What are the first things that come to mind when you think of Japan? Perhaps it’s manga. Or maybe it’s sake or samurai culture. These are all great examples, but for me and many others, Mt. Fuji always stands out.
Fuji-san is an iconic landmark in Japan and considered to be one of the three sacred mountains there. So carving out some time to see it makes sense. And where’s the best place to do that? Kawaguchiko.
So after spending some time there myself, I put together this list of my favourite things to do in Lake Kawaguchiko.
But no more chit chat, let’s get to it!
Where Is Lake Kawaguchiko?
Lake Kawaguchiko is in Yamanishi prefecture, in Fujikawaguchiko, and it sits next to the base of Mt. Fuji.
It’s actually part of the Fuji Five Lakes, or Fujigoko as it’s called in Japanese (“go” meaning five). This whole Fujigoko area is full of lake resorts, hot springs and fun things to do. But Lake Kawaguchiko (and Kawaguchiko station) is known to be one of the most accessible areas to get to for tourists.
How to Get From Tokyo to Lake Kawaguchiko
Getting to Lake Kawaguchiko from Tokyo is pretty simple, since travelling across Japan by train is super easy and convenient. I just hopped on a train and after a few hours of nice views and some rest, I was there.
The simplest (most direct) way to get to Lake Kawaguchiko from Tokyo is by using the Fuji Excursion express train, which operates two round trips a day from Shinjuku station.
It’s worth noting though that Kawaguchiko station is not part of the JR lines. So if you’re using a JR Pass, a portion of this trip will not be covered.
You can ride the Fuji Excursion line up until Otsuki station on your JR Pass, but will need to purchase a separate ticket for the remainder of that trip. You can learn more here.
Once you’re in Kawaguchiko, the most convenient way to get around is by bus or walking. But I just used Google Maps most of the time and it always pointed me in the right direction.
9 Things to Do In Kawaguchiko
1. Oishi Park
No Kawaguchiko list would be complete without mentioning Oishi Park. It’s sort of the epicentre for a lot of famous sights and nearby attractions.
There are also some restaurants, souvenir shops and cafes inside the park. For example, Oishi Park Café has some amazing ice cream, which is the perfect way to have a break, grab a seat and take in the surroundings.
You can get to Oishi Park pretty easily by hopping on the Fujikyuko bus from Kawaguchiko station. But if it’s busy (especially on weekends or holidays), just be prepared to wait.
You can also grab a taxi I suppose, but as you may already know, taxis in Japan tend to be pretty expensive.
Tip: Did you know the Japanese word for delicious is “oishii”. Obviously, Oishi park is spelled differently and uses different kanji characters, so it doesn’t mean “delicious park”. But “oishii” (or “oishii ne”) is a very common phrase to say while eating in Japan.
2. Mt. Fuji Panorama Ropeway
If you’re looking for an even better view of Lake Kawaguchiko and Fuji-san, then you’ll love the Fuji Panorama Ropeway, which is a gondola that takes you to the top of Mt. Kachikachi for some seriously epic views.
The ride up didn’t take me much more than a few minutes, but seeing the lake and the city below was unforgettable. You can ride the gondola back down if you want, but I ended up just hiking down since the weather was pretty nice and buying a one-way ticket was a bit cheaper.
You can get to the Panorama Ropeway by bus or by foot (which is about 15 minutes from Kawaguchiko station).
While the line was a bit long when I was there, the views you get make it totally worth it.
3. Kawaguchi Asama Shrine
Japan has a lot of amazing things to do. And one of things is visiting historic temples and shrines. So if you love culturally immersive experiences, then you don’t want to miss the Kawaguchi Asama Shrine.
What makes this shrine extra special is the amazing view of Mt. Fuji behind a commanding red torii gate. It’s the perfect place for a quintessential Japanese photo (as if I didn’t have enough already).
You can also buy good luck charms there, which are called “omamori” in Japanese.
These make for great souvenirs and the ones at Asama Shrine are a bit unique. They represent two of the seven towering cedar trees at Asama Shrine (which are over 1,200 years old) and are said to bring you “matchmaking” luck.
I didn’t try these omamori myself, but if you do, let me know how they worked!
You can get there by taking the bus from Kawaguchiko station towards Kofu and getting off at Kawaguchiko-mae. From there, it’s just a short walk.
4. Fuji-Q Highland
Fuji-Q Highland (or just “Fuji-Q” as it’s known colloquially) is one of Japan’s more famous amusement parks, aside from Disneyland, of course. And it sits right next to Kawaguchiko.
In fact, it’s just a two-minute train ride to get from Kawaguchiko station to Fujikyu-Highland station.
So if you love rides and theme parks, then you may want to add this one to your list.
While I didn’t spend any time there myself, many of the locals and other tourists I spoke with recommended it. You can learn more about Fuji-Q on their official site here.
But if you plan on spending a day there, I’d recommend grabbing a hotel for the night, so you have more time to see Kawaguchiko. Or better yet, grab a ryokan.
5. Stay Over At A Traditional Japanese Ryokan
A Japanese ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn. And if you want to have a truly authentic Japanese experience, then I can think of no better way than staying at one.
So that’s what I did.
I stayed at Kasuitei Ooya in Fujikawaguchiko. And as you can see from my photo above, it’s an experience you really can’t get from any modern hotel. They even have a restaurant, gift shop and beauty salon to enjoy.
Sleeping on top of tatami mats and enjoying a private onsen bath with stunning lake views gave me some of the most memorable parts of my trip. Suffice to say, I’ll be doing this again.
If you want to know more about staying at a traditional Japanese Inn, then check out my post here where I share my full experience and key tips.
6. Aokigahara Forest
Want more nature and hiking on your Kawaguchiko trip? Then Aokigahara Forest has you covered.
Also known as the Sea of Trees, this is a dense forest full of trails and caves to explore – perfect for nature lovers. It’s a well-known spot by tourists and locals alike, but sometimes for slightly darker reasons.
Aokigahara Forest is also sometimes referred to as the “Suicide Forest”, due to the high number of suicides that have taken place there.
Because of this, some visitors have noted an “eerie” vibe. But looking past that, you’ll see the beauty of the forest.
You can get to Aokigahara Forest by bus from Kawaguchiko station.
7. Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum
Japan is full of unique museums, and the Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum is one more example of that.
Situated along Lake Kawaguchiko, it feels more like a scene out of Alice In Wonderland than a museum next to Mt. Fuji (in my opinion). But technically, it’s meant to represent a small and aristocratic European town and includes historical instruments and sounds to enrich the whole experience.
It’s definitely a unique place to check out and a nice change of pace from the other things on this list. Although, you’ll still get good views of Fuji in the background. It’s actually an interesting juxtaposition to see Mt. Fuji with a mini European city in front of it. That alone could make it worth it.
8. See Mt. Fuji From the Water With ‘Appare’ Boat Cruise
It’s hard to miss Mt. Fuji while you’re in Kawaguchiko. I saw it pretty much everywhere I went. But with all of the amazing places to catch a glimpse, there’s one more unique spot worth checking out.
Seeing Fuji-san from the water.
Lake Kawaguchiko provides a sightseeing boat experience (the boat is called ‘Appare’) and I don’t know why, but things just feel different from a boat.
You can also grab some more unique photos and angles this way. The boat ride lasts about 20 minutes and costs 1,000 yen. You can access the ‘Appare’ boat easily right from Lake Kawaguchiko. The boat tour’s official site has a map and some more information though.
9. Oar Blue Bar
I went to many amazing restaurants and shops while visiting Kawaguchiko, but I want to highlight one in particular – Oar Blue Bar.
It’s a bit tucked away, but the staff was incredible and the drinks were delicious. And the atmosphere was extremely relaxing. The bar has a very unique vibe, which makes sense since the building used to be an old warehouse.
Put another way, it’s definitely not your typical Japanese izakaya. But honestly, the service was just excellent and I had a really nice time there. Also, they have an English menu, which is always appreciated.
Oar Blue Bar takes less than 10 minutes walking from Kawaguchiko station and it was the perfect way to end my day.
So, Is Lake Kawaguchiko Worth Visiting?
Lake Kawaguchiko is absolutely worth your time. There’s so much to do there and it has some of the best views of Mt. Fuji.
You can head to the top of Mt. Kachikachi, take a hike through the dense Aokigahara Forest or explore Fuji-Q Highland for a day packed full of rides.
And with so much to do, it makes sense to spend a couple days here if you can swing it. That’s one reason I stayed overnight at a traditional Japanese ryokan, soaking in a private onsen while overlooking the lake.
So is Lake Kawaguchiko worth exploring? Absolutely, I wish I had stayed longer than 1 night. It’s not too far from Tokyo and it’s home to one of Japan’s biggest landmarks, Mt. Fuji. So how can you not visit?
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