Fuji Five Lakes Guide
By Tour in Japan editors · Updated
Explore the stunning Fuji Five Lakes region. Discover Lake Kawaguchiko, Lake Yamanakako, and the best Mount Fuji viewing spots.
Fuji Five Lakes Complete Guide: Kawaguchiko, Saiko, Yamanakako & More
The Fuji Five Lakes (富士五湖) offer the best views of Mount Fuji — from reflections on Kawaguchiko to hidden gem Saiko with camping and caves.
Overview of the Five Lakes
The Fuji Five Lakes sit at the base of Mount Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture. Each lake offers unique perspectives of Japan's iconic mountain, with Kawaguchiko being the most accessible and popular.
Quick Comparison
| Lake | Elevation | Size | Best For | Accessibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawaguchiko | 831m | 6.9 km² | Views, dining, museums | ★★★★★ |
| Yamanakako | 980m | 6.5 km² | Water sports, camping | ★★★★★ |
| Saiko | 902m | 2.1 km² | Nature, caves, camping | ★★★☆☆ |
| Shojinko | 900m | 0.5 km² | Photography, quiet | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Motosuko | 907m | 4.7 km² | Hiking, wild camping | ★★☆☆☆ |
Lake Kawaguchiko (河口湖)
Why Visit
- Most accessible lake from Tokyo (2 hrs by bus)
- Best views of Mt. Fuji reflected in the lake
- Most facilities: restaurants, museums, boat cruises
- Red Fuji phenomenon in autumn (when mountain glows red at sunrise)
Top Things to Do
1. Kawaguchiko North Shore Promenade
- Free lakeside walking path (6 km)
- Best Fuji views from the north side
- Cycle path runs alongside
- Best time: Morning (Fuji facing east, best light)
2. Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway
- Cost: ¥900 round trip
- Time: 3 minutes each way
- View: Panoramic views of lake and Fuji
- Tip: Go early (opens 9:00 AM) to avoid crowds
3. Boat Cruises
| Type | Price | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sightseeing boat | ¥1,500 | 20 min | Glass-bottom available |
| Paddle boat | ¥2,000/hr | Self-paced | Swan-shaped, fun |
| Row boat | ¥1,500/hr | Self-paced | Most scenic option |
4. Oishi Park (大石公園)
- Free park with lavender fields (June–July)
- Best photo spot for Fuji + flowers
- Restaurant and souvenir shops
- 📍 GPS: 35.5167, 138.7583
5. Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum
- Cost: ¥1,800
- Time: 1.5 hours
- Highlights: Automated musical instruments, garden
- Unique architecture resembling Alpine village
6. Kubota Itchiku Art Museum
- Cost: ¥1,300
- Time: 1 hour
- Highlights: Kimono art, Gaudi-inspired architecture
- Garden with Mt. Fuji views
Kawaguchiko Accommodation
| Type | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Ryokan | ¥20,000–80,000 | Traditional experience with onsen |
| Hotel | ¥10,000–30,000 | Comfort, views |
| Hostel | ¥3,000–5,000 | Budget travelers |
| Camping | ¥1,000–3,000 | Nature lovers |
Top Picks:
- Kozantei Ubuya — ryokan with best Fuji views (¥40,000+)
- Kawaguchiko Station Inn — budget-friendly near station (¥8,000)
- Hostel Crimson — modern hostel with cafe (¥4,000)
Where to Eat
| Restaurant | Specialty | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hoto Fudou | Hoto noodles | ¥1,200 | Must-try Yamanashi dish |
| Kubota Restaurant | French-Japanese | ¥3,000–5,000 | Museum restaurant |
| Gotoba no Yashiki | Traditional | ¥2,000–4,000 | Historic building |
| Café de Yamanashi | Café, pizza | ¥1,000–1,500 | Lake views |
Hoto Noodles (ほうとう): Flat noodles in miso broth with vegetables and pumpkin. Yamanashi's signature dish — thick, warming, and delicious.
Lake Yamanakako (山中湖)
Why Visit
- Largest lake in the Fuji Five Lakes area
- Water sports: SUP, kayaking, jet skiing
- Swan boats on the lake
- Easier access from Tokyo via Odakyu line
Top Things to Do
1. Water Sports
| Activity | Price | Duration | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUP | ¥3,000 | 1 hour | May–Oct |
| Kayak | ¥2,500 | 1 hour | May–Oct |
| Jet ski | ¥5,000 | 30 min | Jun–Sep |
| Banana boat | ¥1,500 | 15 min | Jun–Sep |
2. Panorama-Dai Observatory
- Free viewpoint on the south shore
- Best photo spot: Mt. Fuji reflected in lake
- 📍 GPS: 35.3417, 138.8583
3. Yamanakako Hananomiyako Park
- Cost: ¥400 (flower park)
- Seasonal flowers: lavender (June), sunflowers (August)
- Mt. Fuji views from flower fields
Access from Tokyo
- Odakyu Romance Car: 2 hours, ¥2,500 from Shinjuku
- Bus: 2 hours from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal
Lake Saiko (精進湖)
Why Visit
- Most undeveloped of the five lakes
- Camping in pristine nature
- Saiko Bat Cave — volcanic cave system
- Fewest tourists — peaceful atmosphere
Top Things to Do
1. Saiko Bat Cave (精進湖蝙蝠洞)
- Cost: ¥400
- Time: 30 minutes
- Highlights: Natural cave with thousands of bats
- Cool temperature year-round (11°C)
2. Saiko Iyashi no Sato Nenba
- Cost: Free (shops vary)
- Time: 1 hour
- Highlights: Restored traditional thatched-roof village
- Souvenir shops, workshops, tea houses
- Beautiful photo spot
3. Camping
| Campsite | Price | Facilities |
|---|---|---|
| Saiko Campground | ¥1,500 | Toilets, fire pits |
| Wild camping | Free | No facilities |
Access
- Bus: 40 minutes from Kawaguchiko (limited service)
- Car: 15 minutes from Kawaguchiko
- Note: Public transport is limited — car recommended
Lake Shojinko (精進湖)
Why Visit
- Smallest lake — most intimate experience
- Photography — rare Mt. Fuji reflection shots
- Aokigahara Forest nearby (with caution)
- Extreme quiet — almost no tourists
Photography Spots
- North shore: Best reflection shots (clear mornings)
- Access: Car only (very limited bus service)
- Best time: 5:00–6:00 AM for still water
Lake Motosuko (本栖湖)
Why Visit
- Deepest lake (121m) — clearest water
- 1,000 yen note Mt. Fuji view (back of banknote)
- Wild camping permitted in some areas
- Hiking to Mt. Fuji's northern trailhead
1,000 Yen Note View
The iconic Mt. Fuji image on the back of Japan's 1,000 yen note was taken from the north shore of Motosuko. Visit the exact spot:
📍 GPS: 35.4833, 138.6083
Access
- Bus: Limited service from Kawaguchiko (1 hour)
- Car: 30 minutes from Kawaguchiko
- Hiking: Access to Mt. Fuji's Subashiri trail
Getting to Fuji Five Lakes from Tokyo
From Shinjuku
| Transport | Time | Cost | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highway bus | 2 hrs | ¥2,200 | Every 30 min |
| Express bus | 1.75 hrs | ¥2,800 | Every hour |
| Train + bus | 2.5 hrs | ¥3,500+ | Various |
From Tokyo Station
| Transport | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| JR Chuo Line + bus | 2.5 hrs | ¥3,000+ |
Local Transport
- Fuji Kawaguchiko Retro Bus: ¥1,500/day pass
- Rental car: ¥5,000–8,000/day (recommended)
- Bicycle rental: ¥1,500/day (Kawaguchiko area)
Seasonal Guide
| Season | Highlights | Weather | Crowd Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (Apr–May) | Cherry blossoms + Fuji | 10–18°C | High |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Water sports, festivals | 20–30°C | High |
| Autumn (Sep–Nov) | Red Fuji, fall foliage | 10–20°C | Medium |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Snow Fuji, illumination | -5–8°C | Low |
Best Photography Seasons
- Autumn: Red Fuji phenomenon (October–November)
- Winter: Snow-capped Fuji with clear skies
- Spring: Cherry blossoms framing Fuji
- Summer: Greenery with Fuji backdrop
2-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Kawaguchiko + Saiko
- Morning: Arrive Kawaguchiko, walk north shore promenade
- Midday: Ropeway ride + lunch
- Afternoon: Drive to Saiko, explore bat cave + Nenba village
- Evening: Kawaguchiko dining + lake sunset
Day 2: Motosuko + Yamanakako
- Morning: Drive to Motosuko, 1000-yen note photo spot
- Midday: Drive to Yamanakako, water sports
- Afternoon: Panorama-Dai viewpoint, Hananomiyako Park
- Evening: Return to Tokyo or stay overnight
Budget Breakdown
2-Day Trip from Tokyo (per person)
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport | ¥4,400 | ¥6,000 | ¥10,000 |
| Accommodation | ¥3,000 | ¥12,000 | ¥40,000 |
| Food | ¥4,000 | ¥8,000 | ¥15,000 |
| Activities | ¥2,000 | ¥5,000 | ¥8,000 |
| Total | ¥13,400 | ¥31,000 | ¥73,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can you see Mt. Fuji from the lakes? A: Yes, but Fuji is often clouded in. Early morning and winter have the best visibility.
Q: Which lake has the best Fuji view? A: Kawaguchiko (north shore) and Motosuko (1000-yen note spot) are most famous.
Q: Do I need a car? A: Kawaguchiko is accessible by bus, but a car makes other lakes much easier to reach.
Q: Is it worth visiting in winter? A: Yes! Winter has the clearest skies, snow-capped Fuji, and fewer crowds.
Q: How many days should I spend? A: 2 days is ideal — 1 day for Kawaguchiko, 1 day for the other lakes.
Essential Japanese Phrases
| English | Japanese | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Mt. Fuji | 富士山 | Fujisan |
| Lake | 湖 | Miziuumi / Ko |
| Beautiful view | 素敵な景色 | Suteki na keshiki |
| Reflection | 水面写し | Minamo utsushi |
| Hoto noodles | ほうとう | Hoto |
| Boat ride | 乗船 | Jousen |
Packing List
- [ ] Camera + tripod (for reflection shots)
- [ ] Binoculars
- [ ] Light layers (temperature varies with elevation)
- [ ] Rain jacket
- [ ] Comfortable walking shoes
- [ ] Cash (many places cash-only)
- [ ] Sunscreen (high altitude = strong UV)
- [ ] Reusable water bottle
The Fuji Five Lakes offer an unforgettable perspective of Japan's most iconic mountain, with each lake providing its own unique experience.
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