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The area just north of Mount Fuji gets more visitors than any other part of Yamanashi, not least thanks to its ubiquitous and unrivaled views of the sacred peak. This is the land of the famous Fuji Five Lakes – Lake Kawaguchiko, Lake Yamanakako, Lake Saiko, Lake Shojiko, and Lake Motosuko – a picture-perfect landscape most travelers to Japan will recognize from guidebooks and postcards.

But there’s more to the place than just great photo opportunities: the shores of Lake Kawaguchiko are home to several notable museums, including one featuring the life and work of the author Yukio Mishima, while ancient shrines dedicated to the deity of volcanoes speak to the religious significance of Mt. Fuji in Japanese history.

 

Adventurous visitors can explore the area’s several lava caves – wonders of nature where the temperature stays a cool 3°C year round – perhaps followed by an almost equally cold beer in the retro Nishiura bar district down in the city of Fujiyoshida.

  • Discover

    Lake Motosuko

    Lake Motosuko is the westernmost and deepest of the famous Fuji Five Lakes, and the ninth deepest lake in Japan. Part of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Motosuko is popular for a range of activities including windsurfing, canoeing, and yachting.

  • Discover

    Mount Mitsutoge

    Mount Mitsutoge is the collective name for a group of three mountains bordering the municipalities of Tsuru, Nishikatsura, and Fujikawaguchiko. Mitsutoge offers spectacular views of Mt. Fuji from its summit, while the cliffs of Byobuiwa just below the summit are popular with rock climbing enthusiasts.

  • Lake Yamanakako is the largest of the Fuji Five Lakes and has the third-highest elevation of any lake in Japan. It is also the closest of the five to Mount Fuji and offers spectacular views of the iconic peak.

  • This museum is dedicated to Soho Tokutomi, a prominent journalist and historian active from the late nineteenth to the mid-twentieth century. It offers a comprehensive, overarching look at his life and accomplishments, displaying around 200 items.

  • The Mishima Yukio Literary Museum celebrates one of Japan's most internationally renowned authors. It pays homage to Yukio Mishima’s life and works of literature, displaying a wide range of items including first edition prints of his books, autographed manuscripts, letters, and annotated first drafts.

  • The Narusawa area’s roadside rest and shopping hub offers the visitor splendid views of Mount Fuji and much more. The shop in the main building sells freshly harvested local highland fruits and vegetables, as well as locally brewed sake and ready-to-eat condiments.

  • The village of Narusawa is home to many lava tree molds, hollow lava formations formed around large tree trunks, which were formed in the great eruption of Mt. Fuji in the year 864.

  • Discover

    Lake Saiko

    Lake Saiko is the second smallest of the Fuji Five Lakes, though it is the second deepest with a maximum water depth of 71.7 meters. It is unusual compared to the other lakes in that it is surrounded by steep, wooded slopes on all sides.

  • Kawaguchi Asama Shrine is one of approximately 1,300 Asama shrines in Japan that enshrine the deity of volcanoes in general and Mount Fuji in particular. The shrine is part of the Mt. Fuji UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.

  • Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine is located amidst a dense old-growth forest, which denotes ties to the spirit world. The long, atmospheric approach to the main shrine is lined with mossy stone lanterns and shaded by tall cedar trees.

  • Uncover

    Sakana Park

    Sakana Park in Oshino was established in 2001 as a theme park celebrating forests and water: a nod to its rich natural surroundings and the clear spring waters originating from Mount Fuji. A stroll through the green space takes you past streams and fountains using groundwater from the sacred peak.

  • Shiki no Mori consists of two museums housed in a single building: one centers around the photographic works of Koyo Okada, who dedicated his life to photographing Mount Fuji, while the other features a collection of etegami (“picture letters”) by Kunio Koike.

  • As its name implies, this lookout point offers sweeping, panoramic views of Mount Fuji and Lake Yamanakako from an elevation of 1,090 meters. The views from Panorama-dai at sunrise and sunset are remarkable year-round.

  • Viewing Mount Fuji on its own is splendid enough, but it is in relation to the surrounding mountains that one can begin to comprehend the sheer scale and size of Japan’s most iconic mountain. This observation deck offers that opportunity.

  • By far the most visited of the Fuji Five Lakes, Lake Kawaguchiko serves as the main point of entry to this famous lake region. The area surrounding Lake Kawaguchiko is well-developed in terms of tourist infrastructure, with many lakeside hotels, hot springs, windsurfing facilities, campsites, and excursion boats.

  • Uncover

    Lake Shojiko

    Lake Shojiko is the smallest of the Fuji Five Lakes and was once dubbed the “Switzerland of East Asia” by visiting Englishmen for its uniquely beautiful views of Mount Fuji. The surrounding area is less developed than the other lakes in terms of tourist infrastructure, which gives it a tranquil and relatively untouched feel.

  • All throughout Aokigahara Forest are underground caves formed by lava from the massive eruption of Mount Fuji in 864 CE. One of these is the Fugaku Wind Cave, which has an average internal temperature of 3°C and was historically used as a natural refrigerator.

  • Nishiura is a nightlife district – a maze of alleyways crammed with dozens of tiny  bars, featuring architecture that’s remained largely unchanged since several decades ago, and bathed in the warm glow of lanterns and vintage street lights.

  • The Fujiyoshida area’s roadside rest and shopping area offers the visitor splendid views of Mount Fuji. The shop in the main building sells freshly harvested local highland fruits and vegetables, as well as locally brewed sake, ready-to-eat condiments, and souvenirs.

  • Aokigahara is a dense, primeval forest of mixed coniferous and broadleaf trees stretching across 30 square kilometers. The forest floor consists of volcanic rock, which is hardened lava that flowed from Mount Fuji when the volcano had a major eruption in the year 864.

  • Mother’s White Waterfall is part of a small Shinto shrine of the same name located right next to the waters. For centuries, worshipers seeking to climb Mt. Fuji have purified themselves at this waterfall and prayed for safe journeys.

  • Recover

    Oshino Hakkai

    Oshino Hakkai, or the Eight Seas of Oshino, are a set of eight ponds located in the Fuji Five Lakes area, on the site of a former sixth lake that dried out several centuries ago. The eight ponds are fed by snowmelt from the slopes of Mount Fuji that filters down the mountain through porous layers of volcanic rock.

  • This sprawling 300,000-square-meter flower field transforms into a veritable sea of color between spring and autumn, backgrounded by Fuji in the distance. Depending on the month and season, visitors can enjoy an astonishing variety of flowers.

  • The Narusawa Ice Cave was formed around 1,150 years ago. Inside, some of the tunnel sections have a ceiling just 90 centimeters high, forcing visitors to crouch or crawl through. The cave is covered in ice all year, and the temperature inside averages about 3°C.

  • The Teahouse in the Sky has long been a favorite local spot for spectacular views of Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchiko. It is noted for having hosted many Japanese literati, most notably twentieth-century authors Masuji Ibuse and Osamu Dazai.

More Venues in the Area

  • Kamaiwa-Kan (Mountain lodge)

    Kamaiwa-kan is located at the “lucky” 7th Station on Mt. Fuji’s Yoshida Trail.

  • Toyo-kan - 3000m Above Sea Level (Mountain lodge)

    Toyokan is a mountain hut located at the 8th Station on Mt. Fuji.

  • Satomidaira-Seikan-so (Mountain lodge)

    Seikanso is a mountain hut located at the 6th Station on Mt. Fuji’s Yoshida Trail, with an elevation of 2325 meters.

  • Mt. Fuji

    Fujisan’s value as a World Cultural Heritage arises from the fact that it has become an “object of worship” and a “source of artistic inspiration” through its magnificent landscape and its sacred aspect.

  • Lake Yamanakako

    Mt. Fuji World Cultural Heritage Site AssetThose two lakes are dammed lakes that were formed by Fujisan’s volcanicactivity and they both belong to the Fuji Five Lakes.

  • Diamond Fuji (Lake Yamanakako)

    Diamond Fuji can be seen from Lake Yamanakako as the sun sets behind Mt. Fuji in twilight colors.

  • Lake Saiko Bat Cave

    A nationally designated Natural Monument It was opened to the public in April 1998 and has lava stalactites and a ropy-lava bed.

  • Lavender on the shores of Lake Kawaguchiko

    In June, you can see the purple color of lavender near the shores of Lake Kawaguchiko, or by the side of the town road.

  • Fujisan World Heritage Center (Old Fuji Visitor Center)

    Yamanashi prefecture newly established the South Hall as “Yamanashi Prefectural Fujisan World Heritage Center, which opened in June 2016.

  • Kawaguchiko Muse Museum - Yuki Atae -

    Kawaguchiko Muse Museum ,considered as a brunch of Kawaguchiko Museum of Art, opened in 1993 and holds the regular exhibitions on the works of doll maker Atae Yuki’s.

  • Kawaguchiko Konohana Museum

    This is an art museum with the theme of Wachifield, a mysterious land created by Ikeda Akiko that is inhabited by Dayan the cat.

  • Yoshida no Udon

    With the pure spring water from Mt. Fuji and the severe cold of the winter, Fujiyoshida City has fostered an udon culture all its own.

  • Kawaguchiko Area Tour Retro Bus

    Kawaguchiko Town and a local bus company, Fuji Kyuko co.LTD, worked together and started this tour bus business in the spring of 2005 so that visitors can enjoy many sightseeing spots around Lake Kawaguchiko efficiently.

  • Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center

    Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center is located in an ideal spot surrounded by Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchiko.

  • Kawaguchiko Music Forest

    The museum exhibits music boxes and mechanical music instruments of global historic value: the world‘s largest dancing organ or orchestrion which were supposed to get on the Titanic.

  • Fuji-Q Highland

    With a collection of roller coasters listed in the Guiness Book of World Records -- Eejanaika, with the most inversions in the world, Fujiyama, the king of roller coasters, and Dodonpa.

  • Fujiten Snow Resort

    Fujiten Snow Resort extends over the foot of Mt. Fuji and has four lifts and seven slopes to entertain skiers from beginner to advanced level.

  • Saiko Wild Bird's Park

    This park, surrounded by the Aokigahara sea of trees, is a home to about 60 species of wild birds, including the Varied Tit, the Meadow Bunting, and the Japanese White-eye.

  • Fuji Motosuko Resort (Fuji Shibazakura Festival)

    Fuji Motosuko Resort offers charming spring sights, the combination of one of the World Heritages, beautiful Mt. Fuji, with the remaining snow, and about 800,000 shibazakura (moss phlox) plants, the richest in the capital region, which cover all over the area with beautiful pink flowers.

  • Cherry Picking (Fujikawaguchiko-machi)

    Cherries are early summer fruits.

  • Saiko Iyashi no Sato Nenba (Healing Village)

    The Nenba district, standing on the shores of Lake Saiko, with the stunning Mt. Fuji as a backdrop, was once an area lined with thatched roof houses.

  • Yamanakako Hirano Hot Spa-Ishiwari no Yu

    This hot spring is high alkaline ph of 10.0 hydrogen-ion concentration and its ingredient is mild.

  • Yamanakako Hot Spa-Beni Fuji no Yu

    Boasting the open-air bath in a  large garden that you enjoy  hot spring viewing Mt.Fuji close by.

  • Yurari-Hot Spring with a Great View of Mt. Fuji

    This hot spring facility has 16 types of baths with the idea of feng shui and Hado-art.

  • Kawaguchiko Yuransen Ensoleille (Lake Kawaguchiko pleasure boat “Ensoleille”)

    It is a gorgeous 20 minutes' cruising on the Lake Kawaguchiko.

  • Kawaguchiko Lakeside Cottage (Ashiwada Campsite)

    Kawaguchiko Lakeside cottage (Ashiwada camps site) is located at the back of Lake Kawaguchiko.

  • Saiko Kohan Campsite (Saiko Lakeside Campsite)

    Located 902 meters above sea level and facing lakeside of Saiko.

  • Cherry blossom in Arakurayama Sengen Park

    One of the most magnificent view points in Fujiyoshida city.

  • Arakura Sengen Shrine

    This scenic park located on the mountainside of Mt. Arakura and in front of Mt .Fuji, offers a panoramic view of the city.

  • Fuji Omuro Sengen Shrine

    Mt. Fuji World Cultural Heritage Site Asset (Registered in June 2013)The Hongu shrine was built against a background of Mt. Fuji, and the Satomiya shrine was built against a background of Lake Kawaguchiko.

  • Kawaguchiko Museum of Art

    The museum is at the foot of majestic Mt.Fuji and faces a beautiful lake.

  • Yamanashi Gem Museum

    Yamanashi is the number one prefecture of gem and precious metal industry in Japan.

  • Fujiyama Hot Spring

    The building of big bath is build with the Japanese traditional construction method which joints beams without nails, and its bathroom is the biggest class in Japan.

  • Koyo-dai (plateau)

    You will see Mt.Fuji just in front of you.

  • Oshi (Former Togawa Family House)

    The Togawa family is a family that served as a mentor of Mt. Fuji religion across generations, and the family’s house, which had supported the religion, still stands as a valuable building.

  • Sato-goya (Mountain lodge)

    Sato-goya is the closest mountain lodge from the parking lot of the 5th station of Mt.Fuji.

  • The 7th Station Hana-goya (Mountain lodge)

    The mountain lodge, located at 2,700 meters above sea level, is at the first location of the 7th station of Mt.Fuji.

  • Hinode-Kan (Mountain lodge)

    The mountain lodge located at the 7th station on Mt.Fuji Yoshida trail and directly below the first-aid station, opens only during the summer.

  • The 7th Station Tomoe-Kan (Mountain lodge)

    The 7th station Tomoe-kan (mountain lodge) is located at the 2,800 m above sea level and after 2hours walking from the 5th station.

  • Fuji-Ichi-Kan (Mountain lodge)

    This mountain lodge is located at the 7th station on the Yoshida trail of 2,800m above sea level.

  • Mt. Fuji Hon-7th Station Torii-So (Mountain lodge)

    The mountain lodge is located at the Hon 7th station of Mt.Fuji.

  • Mt. Fuji 8th Station Taishi-kan (Mountain lodge)

    The Taishi-Kan is located at 3,100m above sea level at the 8th station on the Yoshida trail.

  • Horai-Kan (Mountain lodge)

    Horai-Kan (Mountain Lodge) has a deep relationship with the Kame-iwa rock which enshrines Hachidai Ryuo (One of the Buddhism gods).

  • The 8th Station Hakuun-So (Mountain lodge)

    In the old days, Hakuun-So(Mountain Lodge) was called Sengyo-Muro.

  • Ganso-Muro (Mountain lodge)

    Jikigyo-Miroku is the father of Fuji faith, Fuji-ko Chuko.

  • Hon 8th Station Fujisan Hotel (Mountain lodge)

    Fujisan Hotel is located at the 8th station of Mt.Fuji.

  • Hon 8th Station Tomoe-Kan (Mountain lodge)

    Hon 8th station Tomoe-Kan was called ‘Shaka-Do’ in the Edo period.

  • Mt. Fuji 8th Station Half Point Goraiko-Kan (Mountain lodge)

    Goraiko-Kan (Mountain lodge) is the closest lodge to the summit of Mt.Fuji.

  • Yogan Onsen (Lava Hot Spa)

    The now-dead guitarist Masao Koga wrote Yogan Onsen (the Lava Spa) in the poem, ‘As the beauty, the mind of trip is good (YOGANSU: lava)'.

  • Fujisan Komitake Shrine

    Komitake is a historical mountain which used to exist before Mt.Fuji was born.

  • Funatsu Lava Tree Molds (Kawaguchiko Field Center)

    Kawaguchiko Field Center is located on the Ken-Marubi lava flow (1,050m above the sea level) at the northern foot of Mt. Fuji.

  • Kawaguchiko Herb Hall

    Kawaguchiko Herb Hall is an herb-themed sightseeing facility located near the Kwagucikohan-Oike Park.

  • Flower Street in Oishi Park

    In the Oishi Park of the scenic spot of Mt.Fuji, you can enjoy the flower street of 350 meters.

  • Kawaguchiko Craft Park

    Kawaguchiko Craft Park, located at the Lake Kawaguchiko area, is a craft center that offers 9 hands-on classes:: Glass beading : New stained glass crafting: Sandblasting: Gel candle making: Bottle art: Silver accessories making: Painting on pottery: Suncatcher making: Soba noodles makingAll of the classes are enjoyable.

  • Kawaguchiko Blueberry Garden

    At the lakeside of Kawaguchiko, we have blueberry picking between early July and late August, and it is ""all you can eat.""

  • Shiraito no Taki Waterfalls

    Shiraito no Taki waterfalls gushes out Fujisan's spring water across approximately 200m.

  • Fuji Sengen Shrine (Subashiri Sengenjinja Shrine)

    Fuji Sengen Shrine became the starting point of the Subashiri Ascending Route.

  • Mountaintop worship sites

    Religion-related facilities such as shrines are distributed around the crater wall at the top of the mountain.

  • Omiya-Murayama Ascending Route(present Fujinomiya Ascending Route)

    This ascending route begins at Fujisan HonguSengenTaisha shrine, goes past Murayama Sengen-jinja Shrine, and leads to the south side of the summit.

  • Suyama Ascending Route (present Gotemba Ascending Route)

    This ascending route begins at Suyama Sengen-jinja Shrine and leads to the southeast side of the summit.

  • Subashiri Ascending Route Description

    This ascending route begins at Fuji Sengen-jinja Shrine, converges with Yoshida Ascending Route at 8th station, and leads to the east side of the summit. Although the route's origin is unclear, a Buddhist tablet with the year 1384 carved on it has been excavated there.

  • Yoshida Ascending Route

    Mt. Fuji World Cultural Heritage Site Asset (Registered in June 2013)Yoshida Ascending Route is one of the essential components in demonstrating the outstanding universal value of Mt. Fuji as an “object of worship.”

  • Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine

    The shrines that were built to worship Fujisan as Asama no Okami are Sengen-jinja shrines, and Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha shrine is the headquarter of Sengen-jinja shrines.

  • Yamamiya Sengen-jinja Shrine

    According to the historical document of Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine, Yamamiya Sengen-jinja Shrine was the predecessor of Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine and was built by Yamato Takeru.

  • Murayama Sengen-jinja Shrine

    Once Mt. Fuji's volcanic activity subsided around the 12th century, people such as Matsudai began to conduct ascetic training on the mountain.

  • Suyama Sengen-jinja Shrine

    Suyama Sengen-jinja Shrine became the point of origin of the Suyama Trail.

  • Yoshida lava tree molds(Yoshida Tainaijjyukei)[Not open to the public]

    Mt. Fuji World Cultural Heritage Site Asset (Registered in June 2013)Yoshida Tainai (lava tree mold) were formed at the east end of a lava flow at the time of Mt. Fuji's eruption in 937 more than 1,000 years ago.

  • Hitoana Fuji-ko Iseki

    The Hitoana wind cave (lava cave) which, according to legend, are the "place where Sengen Daibosatsu (a name for the goddess of Fujisan) resides," are a sacred place.

  • Mihonomatsubara pine tree grove

    Mihonomatsubara pine tree grove was used as the subject of many Japanese poems after "Man-yoshu," and it also served as the scene for the "Noh" play titled "Hagoromo."

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