Official Tourism Website of Mount Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture "Home of Mt.Fuji, Yamanashi" > Recommended Routes by Area > Fujikawaguchiko Area
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Fujikawaguchiko Area
The Fujikawaguchiko area is located on the north side of the sacred Mt. Fuji and is blessed with stunning natural greenery and mountains, and is swathed in woodland, the most well-known being Aokigahara Forest, also called the ‘sea of trees’, and wilderness. The area also has the Fuji Five Lakes – Lake Kawaguchi, Lake Yamanaka, Lake Sai, Lake Shoji and Lake Motosu, which were dammed by volcanic lava flows. The vast Aokigahara Forest and Fujigane Highland at the foot of Mt. Fuji make up a vast scenic spot that is one of Japan’s best.
The highland in between the slopes of Mt. Fuji to the south and the Mt. Misaka range to the north gets extremely cold in winter, however it is quite comfortable in summer, and many visitors come from within Japan and abroad to this international tourist spot to appreciate the beautiful nature throughout the seasons.
It continually charms visitors from around the world with its ever-changing colors and scenes of flowers, new greens, red leaves and snowy landscapes.
The area around the foot of the mountain, surrounded by the Fuji Five Lakes, has much more in addition to the natural beauty of the extensive foliage and caves created by volcanic formations. The region also has various tourist facilities including art museums, theme parks and ski slopes, and a range of activity programs.
Access
From Shinjuku in Tokyo, it takes approximately 2 hours 10 minutes to Kawaguchiko Station by train (Change to the Fuji Kyuko Line at Otsuki Station from the JR Chuo Line), around 1 hour 30 minutes by car to Kawaguchiko I.C. on the Chuo Expressway, or around 1 hour 50 minutes by Chuo Highway Bus from Shinjuku Station West Exit.
It takes approximately 50 minutes by car or around 1 hour by train from the Fujikawaguchiko area to the Kofu area.
From the Fujikawaguchiko area to the Isawa area it takes 40 minutes by car or 1 hour 15 minutes by train.
To the Fujikawaguchiko area it takes approximately 1 hour 40 minutes by car or 1 hour 50 minutes by train on the Fuji Kyuko Line from Otsuki Station (JR Chuo Line).
Recommended Route
These eight ponds are spring-fed by water running down from the sacred Mt. Fuji, and have long been revered as ‘springs of the Gods’. The clear water that takes around 80 years to filter down from the mountain has a mysterious beauty, and the changing of the seasons on Mt. Fuji is reflected on the ponds’ surfaces.
45 min. by car
Saiko Iyashino-Sato Nenba (Healing Village)
This was once Japan’s most beautiful thatched roof village.
The village, located near Lake Sai with views of Mt. Fuji and the mysterious Aokigahara Forest, has been restored and it is a healing and calming place.
In addition to admiring the scenery, there are activities to try in the individual buildings such as traditional paper making and making hina-doll mobiles, and a variety of exhibitions are also held.
25 min. by car
This art museum contains the works of Itchiku Kubota, a textile artist and leading expert on tsujigahana, a fabric dyeing technique from the Muromachi Period.
In addition to the works on display, the museum buildings and garden were designed by the artist, making the whole museum itself a work of art. It was awarded 3 stars in the Michelin Green Guide in 2009.
10 min. by car
Fujikawaguchiko Onsen-kyo Hot Spring Village
In Fujikawaguchiko there are five kinds of spring water Reihou (sacred mountain), Tensui (water of heaven), Reisui (water of the soul), Fuyo (cotton rose water) and Shurei (beauty water).
This is the closest mineral rich spa to Mt. Fuji, and you can relax while gazing out over the sacred mountain.