Fuji Five Lakes

The Fuji Five Lakes (富士五湖 Fuji-goko) are a group of five small lakes in Yamanashi prefecture, on the North side of Mount Fuji in Japan. From East to West, they are Lake Yamanaka (山中湖), Lake Kawaguchi (河口湖), Lake Sai (西湖), Lake Shoji (精進湖) and Lake Motosu (本栖湖).

Get in


Access to the area usually involves passing through the town of Fuji Yoshida (富士吉田), located between Lakes Kawaguchi and Yamanaka. Fujiyoshida can be reached from Tokyo by taking the JR Chuo line to Otsuki and changing to the Fujikyu line, which passes through Fujiyoshida and terminates at Kawaguchiko. Starting 2019, there is regular limited express service between Shinjuku and Kawaguchiko. Weekdays have two roundtrips daily, while weekends and holidays have three direct roundtrips. This service is the Fuji Excursion, and trains are coupled and decoupled to Kaiji services at Otsuki Station.

Highway buses are available from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko and Yamanakako, and at certain times, directly to Kawaguchi Fifth Station (Go-gome) on Mt. Fuji. The bus from Shinjuku station takes approximately 1 hr 45 min. Buses are equipped with toilets and luggage compartments, and you get a seat assignment. Buses are also available to and from Tokyo station or Shinjuku station.

Get around
Extensive local bus service is available, particularly in and from Kawaguchiko (Lake Kawaguchi) Station, which is the most popular launching point for exploration of this region or a climb of Mount Fuji. The Kawaguchiko Retro Bus (note the bus and bus stop signs say "Saiko Sightseeing Bus") serves the path around the lake, stopping at many of the local tourist attractions like the museums or parks. A two-day ticket costs ¥1,200 from the bus ticket office inside Kawaguchiko station. A regular local bus serves the five lakes and the caves, also popular tourist attractions.

Bus service is available from Kawaguchiko Station to Kawaguchi Fifth Station, the most popular place from which to start a climb of Mt. Fuji. The bus takes about 50 minutes. Climbing is not recommended outside of official climbing season (July and August) and the buses are restricted to the daytime. This means that if you do intend to climb, you will need to arrange a taxi early in the morning or late at night to get to Fifth Station.

There are many rental bicycle outlets outside Kawaguchiko Station. During periods of high traffic such as statutory holidays and the autumn leaves season, bicycles may be a faster way to move around the lake than the buses.

See
Most visitors come here for views of Mount Fuji, with many postcard shots taken from Lake Kawaguchi in particular.





Do
There are no real beaches, and no swimming is allowed in any of the five lakes. Paddleboats and rowboats are available for rental at most, and fishing equipment at some.



Eat
Fujiyoshida is famous for its udon noodles.