Mt Fuji and Kawaguchiko, Yamanashi · Things to do
Things to Do around Mt Fuji and Kawaguchiko: 12 Places with Hours, Prices and Access
12 things to do · checked October 20, 2026
12 things to do around Mt Fuji and Kawaguchiko, from the lake outward
Hours, prices and access checked against each place's own page on October 20, 2026. They change; check before you go.
1Lake Kawaguchi河口湖
Lake · Kawaguchiko
The most visited of the Fuji Five Lakes and the main way into the region: second largest of the five by surface area, only 14.6 m deep, with lakeside hotels, hot springs, excursion boats and cycling routes. Lavender at Yagizaki Park and Oishi Park runs from late June to mid-July.
- Access
- Kawaguchiko Station is the Fujikyu Line terminus. Loop buses from the station run to the lakeside sights: Red-Line to the north shore, Green-Line to Lake Saiko, Blue-Line to Lake Shoji and Lake Motosu.
2Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway富士山パノラマロープウェイ
Ropeway and viewing deck · Lake Kawaguchi, south shore
A 3-minute gondola ride from the lakeshore up Mt. Tenjo (1,075 m). The deck at the top looks across Lake Kawaguchi to Mt. Fuji; the Kachi-Kachi swing and tower are open from 9:30 to 16:00 except in rain or strong wind.
- Access
- Red-Line loop bus from Kawaguchiko Station, about 15 minutes to the Yuransen (Sightseeing Boat) stop, then a short walk. About 15 minutes from Kawaguchiko IC by car.
- Hours
- 8:30–17:00, last ropeway down 17:20 (varies by season). Short days: 21–22 October and 25–26 November 2026, last up 15:00 and last down 15:20
- Closed on
- 7–18 December 2026 (annual inspection). Can stop without notice for lightning, gusts or strong wind
- Price
- Round trip: adults ¥1,000, children ¥500 until 31 October 2026; from 1 November 2026 adults ¥1,200, children ¥600
3Oishi Park大石公園
Lakeside park · Lake Kawaguchi, north shore
A park on the north shore of Lake Kawaguchi with Mt. Fuji across the water. Lavender blooms in early summer and red kochia in autumn; a flower path of about 350 m runs through it, and the Kawaguchiko Nature Living Center next door sells local goods and light food.
- Access
- Red-Line loop bus from Kawaguchiko Station, about 30 minutes to the Kawaguchiko Nature Living Center stop. About 15 minutes from Kawaguchiko IC by car; about 100 car spaces.
- Hours
- Always open
- Closed on
- None
- Price
- Free
4Kawaguchiko Momiji Kairo (Maple Corridor)河口湖もみじ回廊
Autumn-colour walk · Lake Kawaguchi, Kawaguchi
About 150 maples planted along both banks of the Nashi River. The colour usually peaks from late October to mid-November, and the Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival adds night lighting during its run. Mt. Fuji can be seen over the leaves in clear weather.
Autumn only. Usual peak late October to mid-November.
- Access
- Red-Line loop bus from Kawaguchiko Station, about 20 minutes to the Kubota Itchiku Museum stop, then 5 minutes on foot. About 15 minutes from Kawaguchiko IC by car; nearby car parks.
- Hours
- Always open to walk
- Price
- Free
5Itchiku Kubota Art Museum久保田一竹美術館
Textile art museum · Lake Kawaguchi, Kawaguchi
A museum of Itchiku Kubota's dyed kimono art, with a main building built around a hiba (arborvitae) pillar over 1,000 years old, a curved new building and a Japanese garden laid with Ryukyu limestone and Fuji lava, with a tea room. The 2026 exhibition, “Autumn at Oirase”, runs until mid-December.
- Access
- Red-Line loop bus from Kawaguchiko Station, about 30 minutes to the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum stop, then 5 minutes on foot. About 15 minutes from Kawaguchiko IC by car. Coach groups must book ahead.
- Hours
- April–November 10:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30); December–March 10:00–16:30 (last entry 16:00)
- Closed on
- Open days are set on the museum's own calendar page
6Chureito Pagoda (Arakurayama Sengen Park)新倉山浅間公園・忠霊塔
Viewpoint and park · Shimoyoshida, Fujiyoshida
The viewpoint for Mt. Fuji with a five-story pagoda and, in spring, cherry blossom. The observation deck is reached by 398 steps. Fujiyoshida's tourist guide calls the green season a hidden gem and the autumn colour and snow scenes just as good.
- Access
- About 25 minutes on foot from Shimoyoshida Station on the Fujikyu Line. Buses (including minibuses) cannot use the park's car parks; they set down and pick up in front of Shimoyoshida Station. Car parks P1–P4 are paid, ¥1,000–1,500 per 6 hours.
- Hours
- Open 24 hours
7Oshino Hakkai忍野八海
Spring ponds · Oshino village
Eight small spring-fed ponds. Rain and snow that fell on Mt. Fuji soaks into the ground for more than 20 years before coming up here. The ponds are a component of the Mt. Fuji World Heritage site, a Natural Monument and one of Japan's 100 famous waters.
- Access
- Chuo highway bus from Busta Shinjuku: about 100 minutes to Fuji-Q Highland, then about 40 minutes more to Oshino Hakkai (village tourist association). About 5 minutes from Yamanakako IC by car. Car parks nearby: Osada car park ¥300 per car; Oshinoya car park free with a ¥500 purchase.
8Fugaku Wind Cave and Narusawa Ice Cave富岳風穴・鳴沢氷穴
Lava caves · Aokigahara forest
Two lava caves in the Aokigahara forest, both National Natural Monuments. Fugaku Wind Cave is 201 m long and 8.7 m high, about 3°C inside all year, with a 15-minute visitor course. The forest grew on lava from the eruption of 864.
- Access
- Route bus from Kawaguchiko Station, about 30 minutes (get off at the Fuketsu or Hyoketsu stop). About 20 minutes from Kawaguchiko IC by car; each cave has its own car park.
- Hours
- Both caves: 16 October–15 November 9:00–17:00; 16 November–15 February 9:00–16:30; 16–28 February 9:00–16:00. May change with weather and conditions inside
- Price
- Each cave: adults ¥350, children (elementary school and under) ¥200
9Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba西湖いやしの里根場
Thatched-house village · Lake Saiko
A village of rebuilt thatched farmhouses on the site of Nenba, which was lost in a typhoon in 1966. Houses hold craft workshops, shops and restaurants. The tourism federation lists it as usable in rain.
- Access
- Green-Line loop bus from Kawaguchiko Station, about 40 minutes to the Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato stop. About 20 minutes from Kawaguchiko IC by car; free parking.
- Hours
- March–November 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30); December–February 9:30–16:30 (last entry 16:00)
- Closed on
- Open all year; occasional temporary closures
- Price
- Adults (high school and over) ¥500; children (elementary and junior high) ¥250
10Fuji-Q Highland富士急ハイランド
Amusement park · Fujiyoshida
The Fujikyu group's amusement park, with its own station on the Fujikyu Line. Entry can be bought alone (rides then need ride tickets bought in the park) or as a One Day Pass that covers unlimited rides; pass prices change by date.
- Access
- Fuji-Q Highland Station on the Fujikyu Line (change from JR at Otsuki). The highway bus terminal is in the car park of the Highland Resort Hotel & Spa next to the park; Busta Shinjuku to Fuji-Q Highland takes about 100 minutes.
- Hours
- Varies by day: monthly calendar on the park's schedule page (9:00–19:00 was shown for 20 October 2026)
- Price
- Free admission ticket plus ride tickets, or a One Day Pass priced by date (see the park's monthly price list)
11Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station富士スバルライン五合目
Mountain road and viewpoint · Mt. Fuji, Yoshida side
The toll road to the Yoshida-side 5th Station at about 2,300 m, with the Fuji Five Lakes below and sometimes a sea of clouds. Shops and restaurants sell Fuji-shaped curry and melon bread. The road closes in heavy rain, strong wind, ice and snow, and tolls are not refunded. The 2026 private-car restriction period has ended.
Hours change month by month. The road's own page has the table.
- Access
- By car, about 50 minutes from Kawaguchiko IC or Fujiyoshida IC along the Subaru Line; about 1 hour from Fujisan Station. Fujikyu Bus has a page for 5th Station buses (timetable not recorded here). Free parking: 330 cars, 40 buses.
- Hours
- Toll road in October 3:00–18:00 (last down 19:00); 1–15 November 4:30–17:00 (last down 18:00); 16–30 November 9:00–17:00 (last down 18:00); December 9:00–16:00 (last down 17:00). Nobody may stay on the road outside hours
- Price
- Toll, round trip for the full line: ordinary car ¥2,800; medium vehicle ¥4,600; large ¥6,400
12Lake Yamanakako山中湖
Lake · Yamanakako
The largest of the Fuji Five Lakes (6.57 sq km), at 982 m the third highest lake in Japan and the closest of the five to Mt. Fuji. A cycle path covers about 80 percent of the 14 km shore; rental bikes are on the north-west shore. The full loop takes about 3.5 hours on foot or 1.5 hours by city bicycle.
- Access
- Yamanakako IC on the Higashi-Fuji Five Lakes Expressway. Highway buses from Busta Shinjuku, Tokyo Station and Yokohama Station stop at the lake (Hotel Mt. Fuji's access page lists them).
Good to know
Use Kawaguchiko Station as the base. The north-shore sights hang off one loop bus: the Panoramic Ropeway is about 15 minutes from the station on the Red-Line, the Momiji Kairo about 20, and the Itchiku Kubota Museum and Oishi Park about 30. Lake Saiko is 40 minutes on the Green-Line and the two lava caves about 30 minutes by route bus. Chureito Pagoda and Fuji-Q Highland are on the Fujikyu Line, at Shimoyoshida Station and Fuji-Q Highland Station.
Several dates move in the next two months. The ropeway fare rises on 1 November (adults ¥1,000 to ¥1,200), it runs short days on 21–22 October and 25–26 November, and it is shut 7–18 December. The Subaru Line toll road moves to 9:00–17:00 from 16 November. The caves close at 16:30 from 16 November, the Momiji Kairo colour usually peaks from late October to mid-November, and the Itchiku museum's autumn exhibition runs to mid-December.
Two notes from the official pages. The ropeway can stop without notice for lightning or strong wind, and it and Narusawa village both post warnings about bear sightings around the northern foot of Mt. Fuji, so check them before a forest walk.
In depth
North shore, Fujiyoshida, the west side or the 5th Station
Getting there, what it costs and the hours each group keeps. Adult prices; children's prices are on each card above.
| Where | Getting there | Cost (adult) | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Kawaguchi north shore: Panoramic Ropeway, Momiji Kairo, Itchiku Kubota Museum, Oishi Park | Red-Line loop bus from Kawaguchiko Station: ropeway about 15 min, Momiji Kairo about 20, museum and Oishi Park about 30 | Ropeway round trip ¥1,000 (¥1,200 from 1 November) · Momiji Kairo and Oishi Park free · museum fee not recorded here | Ropeway 8:30–17:00 · Oishi Park always open · museum 10:00–17:00 (April–November) |
| Fujiyoshida: Chureito Pagoda | Fujikyu Line to Shimoyoshida Station, then about 25 min on foot and 398 steps | Entry not stated; car parks ¥1,000–1,500 per 6 hours | Open 24 hours |
| Fujiyoshida: Fuji-Q Highland | Fujikyu Line to Fuji-Q Highland Station; highway bus from Busta Shinjuku about 100 min | Free admission ticket plus ride tickets, or a One Day Pass priced by date | Varies by day; see the park's calendar |
| West side: Fugaku Wind Cave, Narusawa Ice Cave, Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato | Route bus about 30 min to the caves; Green-Line bus about 40 min to Iyashi-no-Sato | Caves ¥350 each · Iyashi-no-Sato ¥500 | Caves 9:00–17:00 until 15 November, then 9:00–16:30 · Iyashi-no-Sato 9:00–17:00 to November |
| Oshino Hakkai and Lake Yamanakako | Highway bus from Busta Shinjuku: about 100 min to Fuji-Q Highland, then about 40 min more to Oshino Hakkai | Pond fee not stated; Lake Yamanakako shore is open to walk | Not stated |
| Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station | By car about 50 min from Kawaguchiko IC; buses run from Fujikyu Bus | Toll ¥2,800 round trip for an ordinary car | October 3:00–18:00 · 16–30 November 9:00–17:00 · December 9:00–16:00 |
By kind of trip
A first day on Lake Kawaguchi
These sit on the Red-Line loop bus from Kawaguchiko Station. The ropeway is 15 minutes out and shuts at 17:00 (last ropeway down 17:20), so go there first.
Autumn colour
The Momiji Kairo has about 150 maples, usually at their best from late October to mid-November. Oishi Park has red kochia in autumn, and Fujiyoshida's guide calls Chureito's autumn colour charming.
Kawaguchiko Momiji Kairo (Maple Corridor) · Oishi Park · Chureito Pagoda (Arakurayama Sengen Park)
Rain or low cloud
The Itchiku museum is indoors. The caves stay at about 3°C inside, and the tourism federation lists Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato as usable in rain.
Itchiku Kubota Art Museum · Fugaku Wind Cave and Narusawa Ice Cave · Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba
Closer to Mt. Fuji itself
The Subaru Line reaches about 2,300 m. The ropeway deck is at 1,075 m, and Chureito Pagoda is reached by 398 steps. Lake Yamanakako is the closest of the five lakes to the mountain.
Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station · Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway · Chureito Pagoda (Arakurayama Sengen Park) · Lake Yamanakako
With children
Children pay ¥500 on the ropeway (¥600 from 1 November), ¥250 at Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato and ¥200 per cave. Fuji-Q Highland sells a free admission ticket with ride tickets bought in the park.
Fuji-Q Highland · Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway · Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba · Fugaku Wind Cave and Narusawa Ice Cave
Questions
How do I get around Lake Kawaguchi without a car?
Loop buses leave Kawaguchiko Station: the Red-Line to the north shore (ropeway about 15 minutes, Momiji Kairo about 20, Itchiku Kubota Museum and Oishi Park about 30), the Green-Line to Lake Saiko (Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato about 40 minutes) and the Blue-Line to Lake Shoji and Lake Motosu. Route buses reach the caves in about 30 minutes.
How much is the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway, and when is it closed?
A round trip is ¥1,000 for adults and ¥500 for children until 31 October 2026, and ¥1,200 and ¥600 from 1 November. Normal hours are 8:30–17:00. It runs short days on 21–22 October and 25–26 November (last up 15:00) and is closed 7–18 December 2026.
Until what time can I drive up to the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station?
In October the toll road is open 3:00–18:00 with the last descent at 19:00. From 1 to 15 November it is 4:30–17:00, from 16 to 30 November 9:00–17:00, and in December 9:00–16:00. The toll for an ordinary car is ¥2,800 round trip, and it is not refunded if the road closes for weather.
How do I get to Chureito Pagoda?
Take the Fujikyu Line to Shimoyoshida Station and walk about 25 minutes; the observation deck is up 398 steps. Buses cannot use the park's car parks, so tour buses set down in front of Shimoyoshida Station. The park is open 24 hours.
Are the lava caves open in winter?
Yes. Fugaku Wind Cave and Narusawa Ice Cave are open 9:00–17:00 until 15 November, 9:00–16:30 from 16 November to 15 February and 9:00–16:00 from 16 to 28 February. Each costs ¥350 for adults and ¥200 for children, and hours can change with conditions inside.