I’ve been to Kawaguchiko (河口湖) several times and it’s always a great experience. Since spring is just around the corner, I would like to do a little spring edition here, but you can also visit these places at other times of the year – nature just will look a little bit different. I’ve also been to Kawaguchiko in the summer, but the bus tour in particular is actually worth another blog article. This article consists of spots I visited during two spring visits to Kawaguchiko, once in late March 2021 and once in mid-April 2023.
How to get to Kawaguchiko?
Lake Kawaguchiko is located in Yamanashi Prefecture. There are two ways to get there using public transport: by bus or by train! I have used both and both have their advantages and disadvantages.
Several buses run daily from Tokyo to Mount Fuji – most depart either from Shinjuku or Tokyo Station. The journey time takes around two hours depending on traffic conditions (which can be longer if there is a traffic jam, for example) and the cost is around 2,000 to 2,500 yen each way. Most also stop at the theme park Fuji-Q Highland and Fujisan Station, if you want to get off somewhere else. Depending on the season, it is advisable to book your seats early.
By train from Tokyo you can use the JR Chuo Line, which goes to Otsuki and then changes to the Fujikyu Railway Line, which ends at Kawaguchiko Station. There are also express trains on this route that you can use without changing trains and a limited express, the Fuji Excursion, which is very comfortable and fast, but also costs more. While the journey with the regional trains costs around 2,500 yen, the journey with the Fuji Excursion costs over 4,000 yen each way and it makes sense to reserve a seat early, otherwise in the worst case you will have to stand the entire route (unfortunately I have already done so…).
Which type of transport you choose is your choice. You can also combine both, e.g. go there by bus and head back by train. It is your choice how to go, but you should remember to reserve your tickets in time during peak times – cherry blossoms, autumn leaves – if you want to be on the safe side.
Take the Ropeway to Mount Tenji
For our first stop in Kawaguchiko, we chose the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway (富士山パノラマロープウェイ), a cable car that takes you up to the observation deck of Mount Tenji. To get to the lower cable car station, you can either take a bus from Kawaguchiko Station, but you can also easily walk there in 15-20 minutes as it is mostly downhill. Riding the Ropeway costs 500 yen one way or 900 yen if you buy a round-trip ticket. The opening times vary depending on the season, so it’s best to check the official website. On the way up you have a great view of the large Lake Kawaguchiko and the surrounding landscape.
After you get off the cable car, you have to walk a short way up to the viewing platform, where – in addition to the great view of Mount Fuji – there are also a few other things to discover. But honestly, the view is really the highlight of the visit! So keep your fingers crossed that the mountain isn’t shy when you plan your visit.
On the grounds of the observatory there is a small building with a shop to buy souvenirs and other things. There is also a toilet and another small observation deck on the roof. A love bell and binoculars are installed close to the fence towards Mt. Fuji. You aso can find a small rabbit shrine (うさぎ神社), which has rabbit figures in front of it. In the shop they sell special Goshuin to match the shrine. I was also very happy to see some cherry blossoms up here on the mountain – they bloom later at this altitude.
A little further uphill there is a swing where you have a wonderful view of Mount Fuji and you can practically swing towards the mountain. However, there was a long queue and it cost extra if you wanted to swing there. That’s why I only watched the spectacle from the side.
A Walk Along Lake Kawaguchiko
There is a combination ticket that allows you to use the ropeway and also take a boat trip on the lake. That was actually our plan for our visit, but the boats weren’t sailing on the day we went. So we continued on by bus to take a little walk.
Cherry Blossoms around Nishi River
We took the bus to the Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum and from there walked to the shores of Lake Kawaguchiko, where there were some paths and the last cherry blossoms were still in bloom (it was mid-April and the season was almost over). Of course, you can also use the stop here to visit the surrounding museums as well as small cafes and restaurants.
It was particularly beautiful around the Sakuyahashi Bridge (さくやはし), which crosses the Nishi River. There you have a great view of the small river that flows towards the lake and Mount Fuji in the background. Plus the pretty pink lanterns from the cherry blossom festival. It looks like a dream and is a wonderful photo opportunity. It was also nice to walk along the bank and enjoy the view. Some bridal couples took photos there.
Plum Blossoms in Amazing Colors
On our bus ride I saw a very colorful spot and decided to hop out of the bus there again on the way back. For orientation, if you want to search for this spot on maps, check for the Hotel Mifujien, but there are numerous hotels on that corner – no wonder given the great view of Mount Fuji that you can have from this side of the lake. We were at this spot for a while and took photos; the flowers there were just too beautiful. Some of these are my best photos I’ve ever taken of Fuji-san.
Cherry Blossoms at Oike Park
Another stop to see cherry blossoms around the lake is Oike Park (大池公園) on the Fuji side of Kawaguchi Lake. I was here at the end of March on a rather grey, windy and chilly day (Mount Fuji was hidden around midday). From here you also have a great view of the Lake Kawaguchi Great Bridge that crosses the lake.
The surrounding area also has museums and some hotels. There is a free foot bath very close to Oike Park if you want to take a short break and recover your feet from all the walking. The foot bath belongs to the Fujikawaguchiko Onsen Village Shiki no Yado Fujisan (富士河口湖温泉郷 四季の宿 富士山), where you can also rent bicycles in addition to staying overnight. At some point I would like to ride a bike around the lake.
The Famous Pagoda with Cherry Blossoms
One of the most popular photo motifs among tourists in Japan is “Mount Fuji with the pagoda”. No wonder it’s always pretty crowded there – especially when the cherry blossoms or autumn leaves are in bloom. The Arakurayama Sengen Park (新倉山浅間公園) with the Chureito Pagoda (忠霊塔) is located a bit further from Kawaguchiko Station. If you’re doing a day trip, you should stop there either on the way there or on the way back – the easiest way is to take the train to Shimoyoshida Station. From there it’s just a short walk to the entrance to Arakurayama Sengen Park, and from there it’s quite a bit uphill.
The main building of the Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine (新倉富士浅間神社), which was founded in 705, is halfway along the way up. There you can buy pretty seasonal goshuin, the corresponding books, but also omamori (amulets) and omikuji (oracles) and other things. Most have a beautiful design and it’s hard to resist.
Further up, about 400 steps, is the famous Chureito Pagoda, built in 1963 as a peace monument. In 2022 (after our visit there), a new observation deck was built behind the pagoda to better handle the many tourists who want to take photos of the cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. If there are too many visitors, access to the platform is regulated – about 50 people for 5 minutes each. This can lead to waiting times. But it’s also worth looking for other angles for photos and thus avoiding the crowd. Nevertheless, a visit there is always worth it – in the hope that the shy mountain shows itself.
Of course, the area around Kawaguchiko has a lot more to offer, but for this article I would like to leave it at these for now. I hope you enjoyed this spring edition. Feel free to save the article for future trips and share it with friends and acquaintances. See you next time!