Features of the Five Lakes

Kawaguchiko: A tourist destination with convenient transportation​

Located in the center of the Five Lakes, Kawaguchiko is the core attraction of Fuji Five Lakes tourism. The transportation here is very convenient. You can take the JR Chuo Main Line Express Train from Tokyo to Otsuki Station and transfer to the Fujikyuko Line to arrive. You can also take a bus from Shinjuku Express Bus Terminal to Kawaguchiko Station, which takes about 2 hours. After arriving at Kawaguchiko Station, you can take a tour bus. ​

Kawaguchiko has the longest lakeshore among the Five Lakes, and there are abundant tourist facilities, shops, and cafes around it. You can enjoy the magnificent view from the Kawaguchiko Bridge. In spring, you can see the reflection of Mount Fuji and the beautiful scenery of cherry blossoms in full bloom. In autumn, you can enjoy the romantic scenery of maple leaves and Mount Fuji. There is also Arakurayama Sengen Park, where the beautiful photo of the five-story pagoda and Mount Fuji attracts countless tourists to check in; Oishi Park allows you to see the dreamy picture of lavender and Mount Fuji in the same frame; Fuji-Q Highland has many world records and is a paradise for tourists seeking excitement. ​

Lake Yamanaka: Paradise for Water Sports​

Lake Yamanaka is the largest lake in the five lakes, with an altitude of 981 meters, ranking third in Japan. It is the center of outdoor sports activities and is famous for summer entertainment activities. You can go boating, fishing, water skiing, windsurfing, and camping by the lake. There is a cycling trail on the north side of Lake Yamanaka. During the cycling, Mount Fuji and the lake accompany you all the way, and the scenery is beautiful.​

The Oshino Hakkai near Lake Yamanaka has a slow-paced atmosphere of the Showa era; many swans can be seen at Shiratorihama; the park is a popular online coffee shop that has recently become popular. However, there are few local buses in Lake Yamanaka, so it may not be convenient to travel. It is recommended to rent a car or ride a bicycle. ​

West Lake: A mysterious and quiet lake ​

West Lake, also known as Otome Lake, is surrounded by dense forests and extends to the northwest foot of Mount Fuji. It is quiet and elegant, with a hint of mystery. The Aoki tree forest on the west bank of the lake has been with it for centuries. ​

The uniqueness of West Lake is that there are the bone-chilling Narusawa Ice Cave in summer and the warm West Lake Bat Cave in winter. Friends who love snow sports can also experience sledding, skiing and snowboarding at Tenjinyama Ski Resort. ​

Shojin Lake: A paradise for outdoor enthusiasts ​

Shojin Lake is the smallest of the five lakes, but it has a unique charm. The Mount Fuji reflected on the lake is called "Inverted Fuji" and is very famous. This is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, where you can hike, camp and fish. There is a panoramic viewing platform "Eboshidake" in the southwest of Lake Shojin. The scenery is pleasant when you look around from the platform. In addition, Lake Shojin is famous for its large number of Gengoro carp and European carp. ​

Lake Motosu: A deep and clear lake​

Lake Motosu is 133 meters deep, the deepest of the five lakes and the ninth among the lakes in Japan. It is famous for its deep water and extremely high transparency. Its water temperature has never dropped below 4℃, making it the only lake among the five lakes that does not freeze in winter. The pattern of Mount Fuji and the lake on the 1,000 yen banknote was taken by photographer Kouyo Okada. After the spring, this is a good place for camping, diving, hiking or horseback riding. From April to May every year, local tourists will come to see the pink ocean formed by the needle-leaved sky blue hydrangea.

Recreation projects

Water sports​

You can enjoy a variety of water sports in Yamanakako and Kawaguchiko. Rent a boat, drift leisurely on the calm lake, and enjoy the magnificent view of Mount Fuji up close; or challenge water skiing and windsurfing to feel the thrill of speed and passion; friends who like fishing can also experience the fun of fishing in the lake and harvest fresh lake fish. ​

Hiking and Camping​

There are many hiking routes around the Fuji Five Lakes, with picturesque scenery along the way, allowing you to deeply feel the charm of nature. The camping sites at Yamanaka Lake and Shojin Lake are well-equipped and ideal for camping enthusiasts. At the foot of Mount Fuji, fall asleep accompanied by the bright starry sky and wake up by the singing of birds in the morning. This unique experience will definitely make you unforgettable. ​

Visiting Attractions​

In addition to enjoying the lake view, there are many attractions worth visiting around the Fuji Five Lakes. For example, the art museum in Kawaguchiko allows you to appreciate the charm of art; the Music Box Forest Museum is full of romantic atmosphere, and various exquisite music boxes play pleasant music; the Kubota Itchiku Museum, which collects beautiful kimonos, shows the unique charm of traditional Japanese costumes.

Food Recommendation

Fujinomiya Fried Noodles​

This is a specialty food of Fujinomiya City, Shizuoka Prefecture. It occupies an important position in the local food world and won the championship in the first and second B-1 Championships. The unique noodles are sprinkled with meat scraps (de-fat meat scraps) and shaved fish powder, which has a rich taste and is endless aftertaste. ​

Shizuoka Oden​

Shizuoka Oden has a unique flavor, rich ingredients, and delicious soup. After a day of fun, a bowl of steaming hot Oden can warm up the body and satisfy the taste buds. ​

Baked rice cakes and baked glutinous rice balls​

The sweet and soft rice cakes and glutinous rice balls are baked, with a golden and crispy skin and a soft and sweet inside. It can be sprinkled with soybean powder or drizzled with syrup according to personal taste. It is a delicious dessert.

Transportation Guide

To travel from Tokyo to Fuji Five Lakes, you can take the JR Chuo Main Line Express to Otsuki Station and transfer to the Fujikyu Line (Japan Rail Pass is not available for this section); you can also take a bus from Shinjuku Express Bus Terminal to Kawaguchiko Station or Yamanakako Station. After arriving, you can choose to visit the lakes by bus, bike or car rental according to the location of each lake.

Fuji Five Lakes has become a great choice for traveling in Japan with its unique natural scenery, rich attractions and tempting food. Whether you are a nature lover, outdoor sports fan, or food explorer, you can find your own fun here. Come to Fuji Five Lakes and start an unforgettable journey!