Lake Kawaguchi
河口湖
The most accessible of the Fuji Five Lakes and the classic spot for viewing Mount Fuji. On windless mornings, the north shore offers the chance to photograph the Sakasa Fuji (Reverse Fuji) reflection.
Lake Kawaguchi is the most developed of the Fuji Five Lakes. At about 830 meters above sea level, its wide surface reflects Mount Fuji, which stands whole across the lake when seen from the north shore around Oishi Park and Nagasaki Park. On calm mornings, you can photograph the Reverse Fuji, with the mountain mirrored in the water. A suggested route: from Kawaguchiko Station, take the red line of the Loop Bus along the north shore. Visit the Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum or the Kubota Itchiku Art Museum first, then go to Oishi Park to see lavender (late June to early July) or autumn foliage. You can also rent a bicycle and ride around the lake, about 20 km and 2 to 3 hours. The Fuji panoramic ropeway at Tenjōyama Park (round trip about 1,000 yen) offers views over the lake and Mount Fuji. The lake itself is free, and boat cruises cost about 1,000 yen for 30 minutes. Getting there: the Shinjuku highway bus runs directly to Kawaguchiko Station in about 2 hours, and the Fujikyu Line also terminates at Kawaguchiko Station. Note that clouds often build up in summer afternoons, so go early to see the mountain. During autumn foliage and cherry blossom seasons, weekend accommodation must be booked one to two months ahead.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Itchiku Kubota Art Museum
- Oishi Park
- Lawson Kawaguchiko Station (Mt. Fuji Lawson)
- Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway
- Fuji-Q Highland
- Arakurayama Sengen Park
- Honcho Street, Fujiyoshida
- Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Jinja