For many generations, Mount Fuji has been considered the great symbol of Japan. After all, the mountain that the Japanese say every person born in the country must climb to its summit at some point in their life is an icon that has been seen in television series, films and much more.
There is no shortage of reasons: Fuji-san – as the locals call the mountain, considering it an illustrious Japanese person – enjoys a beauty that is difficult to match.
Therefore, if you are in the Japanese capital, it is highly recommended to travel to Mount Fuji from Tokyo. It is so close that you can sometimes catch a glimpse of its silhouette from the skyscrapers of Shibuya.
However, the bad news is that when you visit the sacred mountain you risk missing the views, especially if you go to Kawaguchi, the little town with a lake where the views are beautiful.
In these lines we will explain how to visit Mount Fuji from Tokyo by travelling to Kawaguchi, which is the most recommended place to enjoy its views in an exceptional natural environment.
Kawaguchi has much to offer besides the impressive views of Fuji-san and can be visited both ways in a single day or, much better, by spending a night. Of course, we warn you that you will have to avoid the tourist hordes.
The town bordering Lake Kawaguchi is a beautiful place about two or three hours from Tokyo, well known for its location at the foot of the imposing Mount Fuji.
We won’t be explaining how to climb the sacred mountain here, but instead, we’ll focus on the key elements for enjoying a truly Japanese experience while facing this iconic landmark.
Furthermore, Kawaguchi is beautiful even without seeing the iconic Japanese snow. The entire town and its lake are stunning and there is plenty to see.
Kawaguchi, however, can either be a terrible tourist trap or a very pleasant experience, depending on how you approach the visit. In fact, the Japanese government has had to intervene in 2024 because large groups of disrespectful tourists started flocking to a Lawson convenience store to take photos, disrupting the daily lives of the local residents.
As is often the case with all tourist attractions, taking a photo with the mass of people is a mundane thing to do. Because there are countless places from which to see Mount Fuji in all its splendor, there is no need to go where everyone else goes or disturb the routine of the locals. Kawaguchi is big and has a lot to offer.
We understand that if you want to fully enjoy the views of Mount Fuji in a beautiful place like Kawaguchi, you’ll want to go when the views are at their best. It is said that you can only truly appreciate the sacred mountain’s beauty every third day, as the area is often shrouded in clouds and fog, so it will depend on how lucky you are.
However, there are some times that are better to visit the Japanese mountain:
The proximity of Tokyo to Mount Fuji makes it possible to visit it in one day, that is if you get up early. And even if you want to rent a car in the complex Japanese capital, the options for traveling from Tokyo to Kawaguchi are basically by bus and train. The former is faster and more direct, and the latter is much more scenic.
The bus option is easy to book, although Tokyo is a gigantic city and it is important to keep in mind a couple of recommendations. There are buses from 6.30 in the morning until sunset, which, depending on the station you leave from, will take between a little less than two hours and a little more. It is almost essential to book in advance if you do not want to be left without a ticket, you can do so at 12GoAsia. The price is around 13 $.
There are several options for getting the train from the capital. There are several stations such as Ikekuburo, Shibuya and a few more, but the main one is Tokyo Station, which is the main terminal in the country. The problem is that all these stations are chaotic and huge. We recommend the main one and that you go to the JR Expressway Bus area (map), where you need to arrive a quarter of an hour before departure.
If you decide to go by train, it will take a little longer and you will also have to change trains, but the trip will be much more idyllic. In this case, you cannot buy tickets online, you have to do it in person. The line that takes you to Kawaguchi station is the Fujikyuko, and on the last stretch you will see Mount Fuji in all its splendor from the train.
We recommend that you buy your ticket at the JR station you are considering, where you can get a ride to Otsuki. There you will have to transfer (it’s very easy) and board the line that will take you to Kawaguchi. The total price will depend on where you are leaving from and whether or not you take a high-speed train to Otsuki, but it is usually around 3,500 ¥.
From here, enjoy the views and the town of Kawaguchi. Keep in mind that it is a small town in terms of population but large in size, so we recommend renting a bike if you feel up to it and exploring the area at your own pace. If you prefer to opt for public transport, there is a route that goes all the way around the lake and the all-day pass costs 1,500 ¥. It is well worth it.
We recommend exploring the area at your own pace, where you’ll come across interesting shrines and temples. However, we will at least point out the busiest place, Oishi Park (map), which offers some spectacular photo opportunities of Fuji-san. The downside is that it is usually quite crowded, but it is definitely worth going.
Finally, if you decide to stay in Kawaguchi, it’s a good idea to visit an onsen – the popular Japanese baths – or even stay in a hotel that includes one. For a full Japanese experience, we recommend the Koryu hotel, which has two outdoor Onsen areas, a manga library, purely Japanese spaces and traditional rooms with futons.
In any case, if you decide to go to Kawaguchi you will have a good experience of Mount Fuji on your trip to Tokyo. We only insist that you do not get carried away by the tourist hordes and decide to go at your own pace, either by bike or by bus.
In this article we have told you how to visit on your own, but if you want to have everything organized you can also book Mount Fuji, Kawaguchi Lake and Oshino Hakkai. It’s up to you.
