15+ Best Things to Do in Lake Kawaguchi with Mount Fuji Views (2026)!

If you want to visit a place with incredible views of Mount Fuji in Japan, then look no further than Lake Kawaguchi.

This natural paradise makes an easy day trip from Tokyo and, on clear days, provides magical views of Fuji-San around every corner.

It’s especially magical in the cherry blossom and autumn seasons when the colourful foliage transforms the area and is stunning for photography.

My friend and I visited Kawaguchiko during momiji season and loved every second.

The entire area was awash with red, orange and yellow hues, and we saw Fuji every single day. It was enchanting, and a dream come true.

Here are all the best things to do in Lake Kawaguchi with views of Mount Fuji in Japan. 

Why visit Kawaguchiko?

There are many places where you can get charming views of Mount Fuji in Japan from all over the Fuji Five Lakes.

But Lake Kawaguchi is by far the most popular due to the number of incredible attractions found in this area of natural beauty. 

Most people make a beeline to Chureito Pagoda, which is arguably the most beautiful view of Mount Fuji but also in all of Japan. 

But there are plenty of things to do here with views of Mount Fuji, which make it worth a visit.

There are lush parks, cable cars, leisure cruises, cafés, farm resorts and cascading waterfalls to name a few.

It also makes a very easy day trip from Tokyo, and you must include it in your Japan itinerary.

How to get to Lake Kawaguchi from Tokyo

Lake Kawaguchi is a very easy drive from Tokyo, and you can reach it in around 90 minutes.

If you’re visiting Kawaguchiko from Tokyo without a car, you can take the Mount Fuji Express that runs directly from Shinjuku Station. 

The journey will take around two hours, and you can alight at Kawaguchiko Station.

The closest stop to Chureito Pagoda is Shimoyoshida on the Fujikyuko Line. 

From this station, it will take you around 20-30 minutes on foot to reach the Mount Fuji viewpoint.

As this is a limited express train, there are only four excursions per day, so tickets for the earlier trains sell out quickly.

Also, you can’t use a JR Rail Pass for the entire journey as you travel over private ‘non-JR’ tracks. 

This means you have to pay a small supplement. But the convenience of a direct train often outweighs this fee. 

A budget option is to take the Fuji Highway Bus. But know that tickets for these sell out far in advance. Thus, less flexibility in your schedule.

Why not book a guided tour?

If you’re not driving and don’t want to organise public transport, you can always book a guided tour that explores Lake Kawaguchi from Tokyo.

These tours will take you to the famous Chureito Pagoda viewpoint as well as other points of interest in one day.

Do you know about the Mount Fuji lottery?

Did you know that Mount Fuji is visible for approximately 80 days per year?

Many call it a ‘Fuji lottery’ as it can be very shy and hides behind clouds! 

The best seasons to visit for visibility are autumn, winter and spring during the cherry blossom season (October – April). 

But even if you visit in these months, seeing Fuji is never a guarantee. It could also be visible in the morning and covered by the afternoon. 

In summer and rainy seasons, it’s almost impossible to see it due to the constant cloud cover. Plus, there will be no snow cap. 

It’s definitely worth checking the forecast before you go, but not just for the weather. It’s not always enough to visit on a sunny day.

You also need to check the visibility percentage for Fuji based on meteorological data, and I recommend the SeeMtFuji website to do that.

We based ourselves in Lake Kawaguchi for three days in November for the best chances, and thankfully saw it fully every day. I felt very lucky. 

Things to do in Lake Kawaguchi

Most people make a beeline to Lake Kawaguchi to visit Chureito Pagoda for iconic views of Mount Fuji.

But there are plenty of things to do in this stunning place otherwise that make it worth visiting.

We spent a gorgeous few days here during momiji season and loved exploring the attractions with all the red autumn leaves.

Here are the very best things to do in Lake Kawaguchi, and most of them have stunning views of Mount Fuji!

1. Chureito Pagoda

One of the best things to do in Lake Kawaguchi is visit the famous Chureito Pagoda.

It’s a monument on the mountainside that has a magical and iconic view of Mount Fuji in the distance.

I’ve had this place on my travel bucket list for years, and it was a dream come true to finally see it for myself. 

From here, you can take that magical, iconic photo of the pagoda with Fuji-San in the backdrop.

It’s especially stunning during cherry blossom season and fall when the colourful foliage adds a whimsical touch to the frame.

Just be prepared for this place to be really crowded during the day. So, I recommend visiting at sunrise for the best experience. 

2. Oishi Park

Oishi Park was another one of my favourite things to do in Lake Kawaguchi.

It’s located on the northern shore and offers a stunning location to take in views of Mount Fuji over the lake.

It’s also famous for its unusual flowers, and you can find pink grass or moss phlox called Shibazakura when it’s in season during May.

As we visited during autumn, we found some gorgeous autumn trees to frame our photos. This location was hard to beat after that!

3. Oishi Park Café

Just beyond Oishi Park, I highly recommend stopping by the Oishi Park Café.

You must try their colourful soft serve ice cream. The lines can be really long here, but it moves fast, and the sweet treats are worth it. 

There were all sorts of maple flavours on our visit. I tried a pink and purple ice cream, which was maple syrup and grape, with a black ice cream cone.

It was definitely a bold flavour combination, but it was utterly delicious, so I had no regrets.

They have a great viewpoint on the second floor where you can snap some amazing photos of Mount Fuji through their mini torii gate. 

4. Kawaguchiko Maple Corridor 

If you’re visiting Lake Kawaguchi during autumn, you must stop by the Kawaguchiko Maple Corridor or Momiji Tunnel. 

It’s a very popular attraction in fall when you can find a 150-metre-long corridor filled with gorgeous Maple Trees.

It’s a blanket of red, orange and yellow hues, and you’ll find shed leaves all over the floor. 

Nearby, you can find the Kubota Itchiku Art Museum. Even if you don’t go inside, the gates and park surrounding it are stunning in autumn. 

5. Nagasaki Park

Another place that you can get some incredible views of Mount Fuji over the lake is Nagasaki Park.

There are plenty of places along the shore that you can find with stunning views of Fuji-San over the lake.

Usually you can take photos right on the waterfront with pampas grass and reeds. We loved framing our photos with the colourful trees during fall. 

6. Mount Fuji Lawson

One of the coolest things to do in Lake Kawaguchi is take some photos of the Mount Fuji Lawson.

But I will warn you this place can get extremely crowded during the day. So, I would visit in the morning to capture it.

It is a controversial location, but only due to tourists breaking rules by not using designated pedestrian crossings and causing road accidents.

They’ve put up a black screen to stop tourists illegally running over the road.

As long as you follow traffic rules and don’t annoy anyone, you will be fine.

Just remember that this is still a supermarket that residents use. So, don’t block parking spaces or prevent them from entering the shop. 

7. Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway

Another place where you can get incredible views of Lake Kawaguchi is the Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway.

It costs ¥1000 a ticket, and you take a cable car for 400 metres to an incredible observation deck.

There are departures every 5-10 minutes. Just note that on clear days, there can be really long queues to get both up and down. 

Unfortunately, when I finally made it to the top, the tip of Mount Fuji was covered with clouds. But it was still fun to wander around.

They had all sorts of photo zones around the main station, as well as dazzling viewpoints you could access up the hillside.

I particularly loved their gift shop that sold all sorts of exclusive Sanrio Mount Fuji merchandise. I could’ve spent so much money. 

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also hike around Tenjozan Park and visit the Mount Tenjo shrine or even further to Mount Mitsutoge.

8. Honcho Street

Another popular place to take photos in Lake Kawaguchi is Honcho Street.

This is a long road that has a postcard-worthy view of Mount Fuji in the background. It does look really cool with a zoom lens. 

Again, I recommend visiting in the early morning to avoid the masses of crowds waiting to take photos here.

Make sure to obey traffic rules and don’t cross anywhere other than the designated pedestrian crossings. Or, you’ll be whistled at by wardens.

9.  Ubuyagasaki Bridge 

My friend and I walked around Lake Kawaguchi during our visit, and one of my favourite views of Mount Fuji was the one from Ubuyagasaki.

It’s a really long road bridge that crosses the lake, where you can get some incredible views of Fuji-San.

If the water is still, you can take photos of a perfect Fuji reflection, which looks so gorgeous.

For us, it was too windy to stay here for long; the biting winds were strong, and we were freezing!

It’s a popular place for hikers and cyclists in the area, and you’ll most likely drive over it if you’re on a road trip.

10. Tenku no Torii

Tenku no Torii is a very popular photography location in Lake Kawaguchi.

It’s a local farm that has installed a red torii gate on a hillside with Mount Fuji in the background. 

You do have to hike for around 30 minutes from a bus stop to visit if you’re not driving and pay a small fee to enter.

Also note that the queues to take photos here on clear days can be well over an hour. I’ll let you decide if it will be worth your time.

11. Lake Kawaguchiko Sightseeing Boat

Of course, one of the best ways to explore Lake Kawaguchi is by taking a boat ride on the water.

You can find the Lake Kawaguchi Sightseeing Boat called “Appare” on Funatsuhama Pier; this is 10 minutes walk from Kawaguchiko Station.

It offers a scenic cruise that lasts 20 minutes and costs ¥1,600 for adults. On a clear day, you can get a panoramic view of Mount Fuji.

They also had some really cool boats you could hire, like gold swans and pink convertible cars, if you wanted to paddle on the lake in style. 

12. Shiraito Falls

Just a short drive away from Kawaguchiko is Shiraito Falls, which looks like an oasis during autumn. It’s often voted the most beautiful falls in Japan. 

It’s a natural waterfall fed by the snowmelt from Mount Fuji with a series of enchanting cascades stretching 150 metres wide.

There are plenty of viewing platforms around the site that have a gorgeous backdrop of Fuji-San.

As it’s located quite far away from the main tourist hub, it’s a bit of a hidden gem where you can escape the crowds. It’s also free entry!

13. Fujisan Yume No Okashi Bridge 

Fujisan Yume No Okashi Bridge is a popular stop if you’re on a road trip around Kawaguchiko.

Although it’s just a normal pedestrian bridge, most visitors stop here as it has incredible views of Fuji-San in the background.

I would visit this place early in the morning or later in the day around sunset to avoid the crowds of people waiting to get unobstructed photos. 

14.  Mikaino Farm Resort

Mikaino Farm Resort is another place I wish we had time for near Lake Kawaguchi.

It’s a gorgeous farmstead with many aesthetic photography locations all with a backdrop of Mount Fuji.

You’ll find swings, giant chairs, and photo frames to pose with, which look stunning on a clear day.

Plus, they also sell their locally made ice cream fresh from their dairy farm. It’s on my list for next time as it was really hard to get to by bus. 

15. Tourist Base Kawaguchiko

Lastly, another great thing to do in Lake Kawaguchi is visit the Tourist Base Kawaguchiko.

It’s located right next to Kawaguchiko Station and acts as both a visitor information centre and café with views of Mount Fuji.

They have a selection of luggage lockers that you can use, which are really handy if you only want to spend the day in the area.  

We decided to wait inside for our bus to Kyoto for a few hours, and we really enjoyed our time here.

They had a great buffet you could help yourself to for a small fee. You could even order a Mount Fuji curry!

There’s also a great selection of drinks, including wine and beer. They have a panoramic rooftop with views of Mount Fuji too. 

It’s a great traveller’s rest stop and so cosy. The staff are also lovely. Just note that you have to wear traditional wooden sandals inside.

Is Lake Kawaguchi worth visiting?

Yes, Lake Kawaguchi was a highlight of my trip to Japan, and I would return in a heartbeat.

The views from Chureito Pagoda are unforgettable and something I will cherish. But there are plenty of amazing things to do here as well.

Although you can visit as a day trip from Tokyo, staying for a couple of days is ideal for the best chances of seeing Mount Fuji.

We stayed for three days, and we got to see Fuji-San fully every single day. I wasn’t expecting this but felt very blessed.

Don’t skip Kawaguchiko in Japan. On clear days, it’s a paradise filled with magical views of Mount Fuji around every corner!

How to get around Lake Kawaguchi

By far the easiest way to get around Lake Kawaguchi is to drive.

Having your own means of transport lets you get things done much more efficiently during your trip, and you can stay flexible.

Taxis are available to hire through platforms like Uber, but they are extremely expensive as they add on a lot of service fees.

There are public buses that run around Lake Kawaguchi, but these are limited and so can be very packed throughout the day.

You can hire bicycles to get around the lake, or you can simply walk around if it’s a sunny day.

This is what my friend and I did as the weather was so fine. We found it manageable (if a bit tiring) as there were flat paths the whole way around. 

Where to stay in Lake Kawaguchi 

Most people visit Lake Kawaguchi as a day trip from Tokyo. But I recommend staying the night in the area if you have the time. 

Not only is it a wonderful break from city crowds, but it also means you have more chances of seeing a clear view of Mount Fuji. 

We stayed at Fuji Lake Hotel, a famous historic property on Lake Kawaguchi. It’s centrally located near the Fuji Panoramic Ropeway.

Their breakfast room had an incredible view of Fuji-San, and we loved eating here with the dreamy backdrop. I still dream about their egg toast!

In the lobby, there is a complimentary afternoon snack bar every day with unlimited tea, mochi and Fujiyama cookies. I felt spoiled.

They also have a public onsen and private hot tub experiences you can take advantage of. I would definitely stay there again.

Important tips for your visit

• Book your journey from Tokyo in advance if you’re taking the Mt Fuji Express Train. Book seats D or E for a Mount Fuji view.

• Make sure to check the live webcams and weather forecast before you visit to ensure the best chance of seeing Fuji-San.

• Respect the rules put in place at popular photo spots like Lawson and Honcho Street.

• Have a stamp book ready to collect some Eki Stamps at the popular viewpoints and train stations. There are many to collect. 

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