Mount Fuji & Hakone

Japan's icon Mount Fuji, reflections on Lake Kawaguchi, the Chureito Pagoda at Arakurayama Sengen Park and Hakone's hot springs—the classic day trip or two-day trip from Tokyo.

Mount Fuji & Hakone lies about 100 km southwest of Tokyo, spanning Yamanashi, Shizuoka and Kanagawa prefectures, and is the classic one- or two-day destination near Tokyo. The region falls into three parts: the Fuji Five Lakes on the north side (centered on Lake Kawaguchi, and including Lake Yamanaka, Lake Saiko, Oshino Hakkai, Arakurayama Sengen Park in Fujiyoshida and Fuji-Q Highland); Fujinomiya and Gotemba on the south side (Gotemba Premium Outlets, Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha); and the Hakone hot spring area to the east (Hakone-Yumoto, Gora, Owakudani, Lake Ashi). In terms of weather, Mount Fuji is clearest on crisp winter days from November to February, when morning visibility is best and the snowcap is most complete. From mid-April to May there are cherry blossoms by Lake Kawaguchi and the Fuji Shibazakura Festival at Lake Motosu; in early to mid-November, the Maple Corridor on Lake Kawaguchi's north shore is lit up at night. The climbing season runs from early July to early September; at other times the trails are closed and ascent above the Fifth Station is prohibited. Summer is often cloudy and misty, and the chance of seeing Fuji drops noticeably, so try to schedule your Fuji viewing for early morning. Getting there: highway buses run from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal directly to Kawaguchiko Station (about 2 hours, reserve in advance), or you can take the JR Chuo Line to Otsuki and change to the Fujikyuko Line. For Hakone, take the Odakyu Romancecar from Shinjuku for about 85 minutes to Hakone-Yumoto; the Hakone Free Pass (2 or 3 days) covers the mountain train, cable car, ropeway, pirate ship and buses. Buses connect Lake Kawaguchi and Hakone via Gotemba (about 1.5–2 hours). We suggest 2 days and 1 night: on the first day, Lake Kawaguchi (Arakurayama Sengen Park, Oshino Hakkai, a lakeside stroll), then stay overnight at a Hakone hot spring inn with dinner and breakfast; on the second day, take the Hakone Free Pass loop. Notes: day–night temperature swings are large in the mountains, and the Fifth Station is about 10 degrees cooler than the city. Owakudani may close temporarily due to volcanic gas levels, so check the Hakone ropeway website before you go. On weekends and in the autumn leaf season, queues for highway buses and cable cars are severe, so try to travel on weekdays.

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