Fuji Five Lakes: A Slow Deep Dive

Stay in Kawaguchiko and link Fuji Sengen Shrine, the Saiko Aokigahara ice and wind caves, the Fifth Station and Oshino Hakkai.

Using Lake Kawaguchi as your only base, take the Fujikyu Railway and sightseeing buses to explore the northern foot of Mount Fuji at an easy pace: Fuji Sengen Shrine and the old town of Fujiyoshida; the gassho-zukuri farmhouses of Saiko Negiba and the wind and ice caves in Aokigahara Jukai; the Fifth Station and museums on the north shore of Lake Kawaguchi; and finally Oshino Hakkai and Lake Yamanaka. No Hakone on this route, which means more chances to see Mount Fuji. Suited to repeat visitors and photography enthusiasts. The Lake Motosu bus runs infrequently, so it is not included.

The Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival takes place in early to mid November. In winter, buses to the Fifth Station may be suspended due to snow.

Day by day

Day 1 · Fuji Sengen Shrine and Fujiyoshida Old Town

Mount Fuji & Hakone（Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Jinja、Honcho Street, Fujiyoshida、Arakurayama Sengen Park）

From Kawaguchiko Station, take the Fujikyu Railway to Fujisan Station, then walk or take a bus to the shrine and Honmachi-dori. Continue to Shimo-Yoshida Station and head up to Chureito Pagoda, about 1 hour in total.

Stay: Lake Kawaguchi

Day 2 · Saiko Negiba and the Aokigahara Caves

Mount Fuji & Hakone（Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba、Fugaku Wind Cave、Aokigahara Forest、Narusawa Ice Cave）

Take the green-line sightseeing bus from Kawaguchiko Station to Saiko Negiba, then walk the Aokigahara forest trail to Fugaku Wind Cave and Narusawa Ice Cave. About 30 minutes by bus plus walking.

The caves stay cold year-round, so bring a jacket. In the forest, stick to the marked trails.

Stay: Lake Kawaguchi

Day 3 · Fifth Station and the North Shore of Lake Kawaguchi

Mount Fuji & Hakone（Mt. Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station、Itchiku Kubota Art Museum、Oishi Park、Lake Kawaguchi）

In the morning, take a bus from Kawaguchiko Station for about 50 minutes to the Fifth Station. Return in the afternoon, then take the red-line bus along the north shore to the museums and Oishi Park.

The Fifth Station sits at about 2,300 meters and is more than 10°C colder than the foothills.

Stay: Lake Kawaguchi

Day 4 · Oshino Hakkai and Lake Yamanaka

Mount Fuji & Hakone（Oshino Hakkai、Lake Yamanaka）

Take a bus from Kawaguchiko Station for about 30 minutes to Oshino Hakkai, then take another bus to Lake Yamanaka. Leave from Kawaguchiko Station in the afternoon.

Oshino Hakkai is quieter in the morning. Tour groups arrive in the afternoon.

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