Kawaguchiko - Stunning Views of Mount Fuji
Kawaguchiko is the most bustling of the Fuji Five Lakes, thanks to its proximity to the train station. On our last day, we had to wake up early to head to the eastern side of Kawaguchiko and look south towards Mount Fuji, waiting for the sunrise to reflect the mountain in the lake. To catch the sunrise, we stayed at a ryokan in Yamanakako Azagawa, located on the eastern side of Kawaguchiko. From the ryokan, it was just a short walk to the lakeside to see Mount Fuji.
~ Kawaguchiko ~
The highlight of viewing Mount Fuji from the Fuji Five Lakes is its reflection. We were very fortunate to have clear weather at sunrise, with the sunlight casting a reddish glow on the mountain's peak, creating a breathtaking sight. As expected, Mount Fuji was perfectly reflected in Kawaguchiko. Despite the cold temperatures, it did not deter us from enjoying the elegant view.
~ Kawaguchiko Tenjozan Park ~
After watching the sunrise, we returned to the ryokan for a brief rest and a hearty breakfast before heading out again. We took the cable car to Kawaguchiko Tenjozan Park to enjoy a panoramic view of Kawaguchiko and Mount Fuji. Note that this cable car ride is not covered by the travel pass, marking our first out-of-pocket transportation expense in three days, highlighting the value of the pass. From the top, the view was even more expansive, but unfortunately, clouds had started to gather around Mount Fuji's peak, obscuring the clear view we had just two hours earlier.
~ Chureito Pagoda ~
As we left Kawaguchiko, we took the Fujikyu Railway to another famous spot, Chureito Pagoda in Shimoyoshida. Although the pagoda is located on a hill, the path is manageable with either a slope or stairs, making it accessible for most, though not ideal for the elderly. The unique feature of this spot is the ability to capture both the pagoda and Mount Fuji in one frame, blending traditional Japanese shrine architecture with the iconic mountain.
Direct trains from Mount Fuji to Tokyo, such as the Fuji Express or Fuji Excursion, are limited and often fully booked, so it's essential to reserve in advance. The last train departs before dusk, so we had to leave Mount Fuji in the afternoon on our fourth day. This trip was incredibly fulfilling, allowing us to view Mount Fuji from various angles, including from the Enoden train, Shichirigahama Beach, Hakone Pirate Ship, the old Yoshida Shopping Street, the shores of Kawaguchiko, and outside Chureito Pagoda. It covered all the quintessential Japanese experiences. If you're a Mount Fuji enthusiast like me, I highly recommend this four-day, three-night leisurely trip around Mount Fuji. With just one pass, you can explore multiple locations without much hassle, making it very convenient!
very good view in this amazing place!enjoy the view and the weather here.the Fuji mountains is amazing!with good weather is a good experience!
the park is easy to get around once you are up the mountain after the cable car you will see the park , good for photo takings
Kawaguchiko Tenjozan Park offers stunning views of Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi, making it a picturesque destination for nature lovers. Accessible via a short cable car ride, the park features beautifully landscaped gardens and walking paths, perfect for a leisurely stroll.At the top, visitors can enjoy panoramic vistas, particularly striking during cherry blossom season or autumn when the foliage changes color. The park also has a small observation deck and areas for relaxation.
A highly recommended place!! The entrance to the trail is about a 10-minute walk from the Kawaguchiko bus station. Compared to the crowds at the top of the mountain, there are fewer people on the trail. There is a rest area facing Mount Fuji on the way, which is very quiet with few people. You can take photos of Mount Fuji very comfortably. There is a literary monument of Dazai Osamu halfway up the mountain. The whole climbing process takes about 1.5 hours. After reaching the top of the mountain, you can buy a one-way ticket for the cable car to go down the mountain.
Among the five lakes near Mount Fuji, Lake Motosu, Lake Shojin, Lake Saiko, Lake Kawaguchi, and Lake Yamanaka are excellent maple viewing spots. Although they are close to each other, the best viewing period for each place is actually different. It was dusk when I arrived at the most famous red leaf corridor in Kawaguchiko. I was lucky to see it both before and after it got dark. The corridor will be lit up at night, and the red leaves I took after the lights were turned on became more vivid.
In the morning, we rode Mobikes around the lake to enjoy the view. Standing on the Kawaguchiko Bridge, we saw the most beautiful Mount Fuji under the rising sun. After breakfast, we hiked along the lake to continue enjoying the beautiful scenery. We came to the foot of Tenjo Mountain and took the cable car to Tenjo Mountain on the shore of Kawaguchi Lake. From here, we could see Mount Fuji in the summer. The sacred volcano Mount Fuji was even more majestic under the blue sky and white clouds. It was so beautiful.
If the weather is good, I think Tenjoyama Park is the most unmissable attraction in Kawaguchiko. It takes about 3-5 minutes to get to the mountaintop observatory by cable car. In addition to the beautiful view of Mount Fuji, the Tenjo Bell is also a good place for taking photos. There is also the famous Tanuki Tea House, whose grilled meatball skewers and ice cream are delicious and worth a try.
There were so many people taking the cable car that we chose to walk up the mountain. We could also enjoy the autumn mountain scenery. When we reached the top of the mountain, unfortunately the weather was bad and we could only vaguely see Mount Fuji. When we took the cable car down the mountain, there were so many people on the cable car that we could only see everyone's heads and couldn't really enjoy the scenery.