Lake Kawaguchiko in Japan

Lake Kawaguchiko is one of the Fuji Five Lakes near Mount Fuji, Japan where most of the tourists visit to catch a glimpse of the beautiful mountain. 

Travelling to Kawaguchiko is easy with a two hour bus available from Shinjuku West Exit Bus Terminal if you are coming from Tokyo or Mishima Station if you are coming from Kyoto (take Shinkansen from Kyoto to Mishima Station). I would personally recommend you to visit Lake Kawaguchiko only if you are coming from Tokyo due to the time taken to reach Kawaguchiko Station. 

To tour around Lake Kawaguchiko, you can purchase the 2 days unlimited Kawaguchiko Sightseeing Bus and Saiko Sightseeing Bus (Red Line and Green Line) bus pass at 1,200 yen for adult. This is highly recommended as there are many stops around the lake for you to explore! However do take note of the timing of the last bus which ends quite early from 5+pm or 6+pm (depends on which stop), opening hours of the attractions (usually closed around 5pm or 6pm too) and the timing of sunset! I visited Lake Kawaguchiko in November and the sun had set even before 5pm. 

Here are some of the stops I went when I was there. 

Red line bus-stop no 7: Kawaguchiko Herb Hall

Went to Herb hall on my 2nd day in Kawaguchiko as I did not have enough time on the first day. Reached at 9am (the opening time) sharp. 

Herb hall is divided into 2 sections. The first section is selling gifts and souvenirs and the second section is the cafe which is also selling herb/plant. The cafe is famous for its lavender soft serve ice cream. Hence, I guess it is worth as a breakfast on 8 degree celsius day? 

Cheese cake garden along red line bus-stop no 11: Pleasure Cruiser/Ropeway Ent. 

Taking a break at the cheese cake garden. They have both indoor and outdoor seating. The cheese cake is delicious and they even give us free coffee.

Maple corridor along red line bus-stop no 19: Itchiku Kubota Art Museum 

Along the way before reaching Maple corridor. So pretty right.

Autumn is the best season for maple corridor as its full of autumn leaves (and people).

Best Mount Fuji view along red line bus-stop no 22: Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center 

This is the best location to view Mount Fuji. I am so lucky to be able to see the mountain as the clouds will cover the entire mountain on some of the days. The above photo is taken during autumn. The lavender had dried up.

This is Mount Fuji View during summer (June).

Suggested itinerary at Lake Kwaguchiko 

Day 1 

7am: Travel from Shinjuku Bus Terminal to Kawaguchiko Station 

10am: Purchase bus pass and proceed to red line bus-stop no 22: Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center for Mount Fuji View. 

12pm: Lunch 1pm: Red line bus stop no 19: Kubota Itchiku Museum and Maple corrider. 

3pm: Red line bus stop no 17: Kawaguchiko Music Forest and Museum. 

5pm: Head back to hotel, dinner and onsen. 

Day 2 

9am: Red line bus stop no 11: Kachi Kachi Ropeway and cheese cake garden 

12pm: Red line bus stop no 7: Kawaguchiko Herb Hall

1pm: Lunch 

2pm: Either red line bus stop no 16: Kawaguchiko Museum of Art or red line bus stop no 8: Yamanashi Gem Museum. 

5pm: Head back to hotel, dinner or travel back to Tokyo. 

If you are staying for more than 2 days, do visit the other lake surrounding Mount Fuji. Otherwise, you can drop by Fuji-Q Highland for some exciting roller coaster. It is definitely worth staying more than 2 days around here as there are a lot more places to visit and explore. 

Do check out the website for monthly activities around Lake Kawaguchiko.