Kawaguchiko

Lake Kawaguchiko is one of the Five Lakes that are found in Yamanashi prefecture on the Northern side of Mt Fuji or Fuji San as she is known to the Japanese. Just a couple of hours from the capital, this is a popular weekend get away for Tokyoites and has a resort atmosphere.

“I'll never forget sitting in a communal hot spring bath gazing at Mount Fuji. As the wispy clouds cleared to reveal the mountain's summit, I knew that there was nowhere in the world I'd rather be.”

Tim Grisbrooke-Campbell, Expert Travel Consultant

An area full of natural beauty, this is THE place to get that perfect shot of the sacred mountain as she dominates the skyline. There are many observation points in the area but the best has to be from Mount Tenjo which is easily accessed by cable car.

Kawaguchiko itself is a small village on the banks of the lake and boasts a wide range of accommodation from small family run pension to large ryokan hotels. There is a regular tourist bus that does a loop around many of the main sightseeing spots in the area and a free pass can be purchased so that you can hop-on and off at will.

Why not take a relaxing bath in one of the areas many hot springs which are famed for their healing properties as well as their location. Most of the ryokan and hotels in the area have a great many baths to choose from, some with views over the lake and to Fuji San. Most hotels will allow the public to use their baths during the day for a few hundred yen.

If you wish to make the pilgrimage to the top of Mt Fuji then this is the ideal base. Buses run from Kawaguchiko to the fifth station and from here you can climb to the summit in around 6 hours. Although the climbing season is only during July and August. It is well worth making the trip to the fifth station at other times of year as again you will be treated to magnificent views.

As well as the amazing views and hot springs, Kawaguchiko also boasts a number of other attractions such as art galleries, water sports, museums, caves and hiking. Last but not least, Kawaguchiko is home to the amusement park Fuji Q High Land, featuring one of the world's tallest roller coasters and other thrilling rides with Mount Fuji as backdrop.

Recommended Accommodation in Kawaguchiko

The following are our favourites from among the western-style hotels and Japanese-style inns of Kawaguchiko.

Kawaguchiko

Hoshinoya Fuji

Deluxe

Experiences in Kawaguchiko

Kawaguchiko offers a wealth of exciting experiences that will help you get beneath the surface of Japan's fascinating culture. See below for a few of our favourites

Weather in Kawaguchiko

The Climate Guide for Kawaguchiko, Japan is perfect for planning your holiday. Monthly weather averages give the best indication of what the weather is usually like for every month of the year including figures for temperature, rainfall and sunshine.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

Max Daytime Temperature (°C)	7	7	10	16	20	23	26	28	24	19	14	9
Min Night-time Temperature (°C)	-4	-3	0	6	10	15	18	19	16	10	4	-1
Hours of Sunshine (Daily)	6	6	6	6	6	4	4	5	4	4	5	6
Hours of Daylight (Daily)	10	11	12	13	14	14	14	13	12	11	10	10
Heat and Humidity Discomfort	None	None	None	None	None	None	Low	Moderate	None	None	None	None
Days with some Rainfall	10	12	16	16	15	19	21	17	19	15	11	8
Monthly Rainfall (mm)	51	68	132	143	143	204	222	250	249	153	88	37
UV Index (Maximum)	3	4	6	8	9	10	11	10	8	6	3	2

Featured trips including Kawaguchiko

Self-Guided Adventure

Japan Arts Trail (Classic)
- Tokyo
- Kawaguchiko
- Matsumoto
- Kyoto
- Matsue
- Naoshima
- Tokyo
The best of Japan's arts scene, from Naoshima "Art Island" to the Adachi Museum, with moderate accommodation and some delicious meals included.

14 nights: from US$3750 pp (twin share) Read more >

View more Self-Guided Adventures
Self-Guided Adventure

Japan Arts Trail (Superior)
- Tokyo
- Kawaguchiko
- Matsumoto
- Kyoto
- Matsue
- Naoshima
- Tokyo
A superior 14-night itinerary for those who want to discover Japan's exciting arts scene in comfort and style.

14 nights: from US$6384 pp (twin share) Read more >

View more Self-Guided Adventures
Self-Guided Adventure

Through the Floating World (Superior)
- Tokyo
- Kawaguchiko
- Matsumoto
- Obuse
- Kanazawa
- Kyoto
- Tsumago
- Tokyo
Journey across Honshu Island to visit the towns and landscapes depicted in the ukiyo-e woodblock prints of Hokusai and Hiroshige.

15 nights: from US$6596 pp (twin share) Read more >

View more Self-Guided Adventures