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- Recommended Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi sightseeing itinerary
While gazing out on magnificent Mt. Fuji, take in the abundant natural beauty around Lake Kawaguchi.
Yamanashi has many sightseeing spots such as Lake Kawaguchi and Mt. Fuji that exemplify Japan's beauty. Mountains, plateaus, rivers and valleys. Yamanashi is blessed with water and nature that make for a unique visit in every season.
Trip Details
Day 1
Kawaguchiko
Station
Retro-style sightseeing bus – approximately 10 minutes
Retro-style sightseeing bus
The front-engine buses hail from an earlier time and are very popular. Kawaguchiko Excursion Retro Bus and Saiko Aokigahara Excursion Retro Bus depart Kawaguchiko Station and are convenient ways to travel around all the well-known places of Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi. And there is a great coupon for two days of unlimited riding.
Timetables
- See the related website below for details.
Fare
- Your fare is based on a number on a slip of paper you take from a machine as you board the bus. The number corresponds to where you boarded, and determines how much you will pay.
See the related website below for details.
Related websites
Kawaguchiko Hall of Herb & Fragrance
approximately 4 minutes on foot
Kawaguchiko Hall of Herb & Fragrance
Inside is a cornucopia of herb products, and the second floor has a hands-on area where you can create such items as your own wreaths and pressed-flower bookmarks. Step outside to the back yard and stroll around the herb garden and then perhaps have some herb tea in the tearoom.
Hours of operation
- 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., February to October
- 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., November to March
Open 365 days a year
Address
- 6713-18 Funatsu, Fuji Kawaguchiko-machi, Minami Tsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture
Entrance fee
- There is no admission charge
Related websites
Kawaguchiko Hall of Herb & Fragrance
Fudo Chaya
Retro-style sightseeing bus – approximately 4 minutes
(Travel from the Kawaguchiko Hall of Herb & Fragrance to the pleasure boats and ropeway entrance)
Fudo Chaya
The small Fudo Chaya building is a restored Japanese house made with a traditional thatched roof, something rarely seen these days. Amid the natural beauty of any season, enjoy a leisurely meal of udon, soba or one of the other dishes around the sunken hearth.
Hours of operation
- 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Fudo Chaya closes when the noodles are sold out, so arrive early to avoid disappointment.
If you are going to arrive after 3 p.m., it is recommended that you call first.
Open 365 days a year
Address
- 1222 Kodachi, Fuji Kawaguchiko-machi, Minami Tsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture
Related websites
Fudo Chaya
Kawaguchiko
Pleasure Cruise
Ensoleille
Kawaguchiko Pleasure Cruise Ensoleille
The Kawaguchiko Pleasure Cruise Ensoleille has three general areas, and the guest cabins on the first floor are furnished with tables and sofas. Take it easy and enjoy the cruise. On fair days, the second floor deck provides 360-degree panoramic views, including of majestic Mt. Fuji.
Hours of operation
- Regular hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – March 17 to July 13 and August 27 to November 18
- Summer hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. – July 14 to August 26
- Winter hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – November 19 to March 15
(Please note that days of operation are subject to change.)
Open 365 days a year
- Operation is subject to unscheduled cancellations due to bad weather.
Fare
- Adults – 900 yen
Time needed
- 20 minutes to navigate the lake once
Related websites
Kawaguchiko Pleasure Cruise Ensoleille
Kachikachi-yama
Ropeway
Retro-style sightseeing bus – approximately 9 minutes (departing from the pleasure boat and ropeway entrance)
Kachikachi-yama Ropeway
The Kachikachi-yama Ropeway is the scene of "Crackling Mountain," a story by Osamu Dazai, one of Japan's literary masters. In the story, raccoon dog and rabbit dolls are arranged on the gondola and around the observatory, welcoming the visitors. At an altitude of 1,075 meters, the observatory gives a complete view of Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi, making it the perfect location for sightseeing.
Ropeway hours
- 9:00 a.m. to 5:10 p.m. – March 1 to 31, April 1 to 15, October 16 to November 30
- 9:00 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. – April 16 to October 15
- 9:30 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. – December 1 to February 28
(Ropeway gondolas run every five to 10 minutes.)
Open 365 days a year
- Operation may be cancelled due to inclement weather or other circumstances.
Fare
- Adults – 700 yen (round-trip), 400 yen (one-way)
Travel time
- From Kohan Station to Fujimidai Station – approximately 3 minutes
Related websites
Kachikachi-yama Ropeway
View from the observatory at Kachikachi-yama
Kawaguchiko
Sarumawashi
Theater
Retro-style sightseeing bus – approximately 9 minutes (departing from the pleasure boat and ropeway entrance)
Kawaguchiko Sarumawashi Theater
Kawaguchiko Sarumawashi Theater has a large capacity, holding up to 655 people, and is a recommended sightseeing stop for tourists and locals alike. "Sarumawashi" means "monkey performance," a traditional Japanese art practiced for a thousand years. The impressive show has a lot of repeat visitors who come back to see it again. The monkeys are so cute, it is a highly recommended stop.
Performance times
- Weekdays – Six hourly performances, starting at 10:00 a.m.
- Weekends and holidays – Seven hourly performances, starting at 10:00 a.m.
(Performances last about 40 minutes.)
Open 365 days a year
Address
- 2719-8 Kawaguchi Fuji Kawaguchiko-machi, Minami Tsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture
Admission
- Adults – 1,500 yen
Related websites
Kawaguchiko Sarumawashi Theater
Kawaguchiko
Natural Living
Center
Retro-style sightseeing bus – approximately 30 minutes
Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center
The Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center is a blueberry cultural center. Each June, the Herb Festival is held here. With a direct view of Mt. Fuji, enjoy the beautiful fields of blueberries and lavender before your eyes. A hands-on classroom is available for learning to make blueberry, rhubarb, and blueberry-raspberry jams. From the start of July to mid-August, you can also experience picking blueberries yourself.
Hours of operation
- Shop – 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (to 5:30 p.m. between November and March)
- Jam classes – Seven times a day, last one at 4:00 p.m. Jam lessons take about 40 minutes.
- Tea corner – Until 5:00 p.m. (until 4:30 p.m. between November and March)
Closed
- Fridays except in June, July and August. Also closed during the end of year holiday
Address
- 2585 Oishi, Fuji Kawaguchiko-machi, Minami Tsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture
Admission
- There is no admission charge
Related websites
Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center
Springtime Fuji Moss Phlox Festival
The Fuji Moss Phlox Festival is a special spring attraction of Mt. Fuji with some 800,000 shibazakura (moss phlox or moss pink) plants spreading over the natural expanse of the mountain. It is one of the largest collections of shibazakura in the Tokyo area. The new spring growth in the forests, the blue skies, Mt. Fuji and the pink of the shibazakura create a colorful contrast that is a wonder to behold.
Period
- Mid-April to late May
Dates are subject to change according to the blooming season.
Admission
- Adults – 500 yen
There may be no admission charge depending on the state of the flowers. Please note that pets are not allowed.
Address
- Fuji Motosuko Resort, 212 Motosu, Fuji Kawaguchiko-machi, Minami Tsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture
Related websites
Springtime Fuji Moss Phlox Festival
Kawaguchiko
Station
Shuhoukaku
Kogetsu
Shuhoukaku Kogetsu
Built on the north shore of Lake Kawaguchi, Shuhoukaku Kogetsu provides views of Mt. Fuji from the guest rooms, bathrooms, outdoor baths and gardens. The kaiseki cuisine that incorporates seasonal ingredients is highly acclaimed, and helps make for a pleasant time.
Address
- 2312 Kawaguchi, Fuji Kawaguchiko-machi, Minami Tsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture
Related websites
Fuji-View Hotel
Fuji-View Hotel
With a direct view of Mt. Fuji's majesty and a grand garden about 10 hectares in size, Fuji-View Hotel is an excellent way to enjoy cherry blossom trees, rhododendrons, crape myrtle, the colors of autumn and nature whatever the time of year. With a short golf course and tennis courts on the grounds, the Fuji-View Hotel puts guests into a resort state of mind amid nature's beauty, an experience that cannot be had in the city.
Address
- 511 Katsuyama, Fuji Kawaguchiko-machi, Minami Tsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture
Related websites
Fuji-View Hotel
Day 2
Kawaguchiko
Station
Taxi – approximately 5 minutes or approximately 20 minutes on foot
Fuji Visitor Center
Taxi – approximately 5 minutes or approximately 20 minutes on foot
Fuji Visitor Center
Fuji Visitor Center is located at the entrance to the mountain, and serves as a base for people visiting the mountain or its northern foot. Sightseeing information is available for all of Yamanashi Prefecture.
The center is staffed with people who speak other languages.
Hours of operation
- 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – October 1 to June 30
- 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. – July 1 to 17, August 27 to September 30
- 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. – July 18 to August 26
(The last entrance to the center is 30 minutes before closing.)
Open 365 days a year
Address
- 6663-1 Funatsu, Fuji Kawaguchiko-machi, Minami Tsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture
Admission
- There is no admission charge
Related websites
Fuji Visitor Center
Kawaguchiko
Station
Fuji Tozan Bus – approximately 55 minutes
Fuji Tozan Bus
The bus travels from Kawaguchiko Station and Fujisan Station to Mt. Fuji 5th Trail Station (the fifth station on the Fuji Subaru Line toll road). This bus is recommended as a great way to enjoy Mt. Fuji.
Timetables
- See the related website below for details.
Fare
- Adults – 1500 yen (one way), 2,000 yen (round trip)
Related websites
Mt. Fuji 5th
Trail Station
Fuji Tozan Bus – approximately 55 minutes
Mt. Fuji 5th Trail Station
Mt. Fuji 5th Trail Station has many restaurants and shops, and even has its own post office. The area bustles with people enjoying casual sightseeing, as well as those setting out to conquer the mountain in summer (July 1 to mid-September).
Related websites
Mt. Fuji 5th Trail Station
Kawaguchiko
Station
Retro-style sightseeing bus – approximately 40 minutes
Saiko Iyashi no Sato Nenba
Retro-style sightseeing bus – approximately 35 minutes
Saiko Iyashi no Sato Nenba
To bring back a village of thatched-roof houses, an archetypal image of Japan, about 20 homes were built in Saiko Iyashi no Sato Nenba. Inside each house is a traditional craft that you can practice yourself, there are archives and gallery to browse, shops carry local goods, and there are restaurants and cafes to explore.
Hours of operation
- 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., March to November
- 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., December to February
Closed
- Wednesdays from December to February
Address
- 2710 Saiko Nemba, Fuji Kawaguchiko-machi, Minami Tsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture
Admission
- Adults – 350 yen
Related websites
Saiko Iyashi no Sato Nenba
Kawaguchiko
Station
Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum
In addition to many spectacular music boxes, the Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum has on display and for listening pleasure historical items such as one of the largest dance organs in the world, and an orchestrion that had been scheduled to ride aboard the Titanic. Every November to February, enjoy an illumination show with mystical lights.
Hours of operation
- 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (final entrance at 5:00 p.m.)
Open 365 days a year
Address
- 3077-20 Kawaguchi, Fuji Kawaguchiko-machi, Minami Tsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture
Admission
- Adults – 1,300 yen
Related websites
Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum
Itchiku Kubota Art Museum
The works of Itchiku Kubota, who perfected the Itchiku Tsujigahana dyeing technique using unique methods, are earning great acclaim in exhibits overseas as well as in Japan. In addition to the pyramid-shaped main building that exhibits representative pieces, the grounds include a gallery of glass beads (tonbo-dama) and Okinawa shells, and a cafe and a teahouse for relaxing. Take a stroll through the gardens with views of Mt. Fuji and enjoy the beauty of nature through the seasons.
Hours of operation
- 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., December to March (last entrance at 4:00 p.m.)
- 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., April to November (last entrance at 5:00 p.m.)
Closed
- Wednesdays, December to March (open on the first Wednesday of January and when Wednesday is a holiday)
- December 26, 27 and 28
- Other specially designated days
Address
- 2255 Kawaguchi, Fuji Kawaguchiko-machi, Minami Tsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture
Admission
- Adults – 1,300 yen
Related websites
Itchiku Kubota Art Museum
As of August 2012
Bus
On foot
Taxi
Limited time offer! The Mt. Fuji Round Trip Ticket, recommended for travel from Tokyo to Mount Fuji
- Good for day and overnight trips!
- Economical at only 5,500 yen!
For train travel from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi, use a JR Kanto Area Pass.
- Good for unlimited travel for three days with reserved seats on Shinkansen, limited express and other regular trains for 8,000 yen.
- Since this pass is also valid for travel from Narita and Haneda Airports, this is a great way to travel.
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