The Fuji Five Lakes (富士五湖 Fuji-goko) are a group of five small lakes in Yamanashi prefecture, on the North side of Mount Fuji in Japan. From East to West, they are Lake Yamanaka (山中湖), Lake Kawaguchi (河口湖), Lake Sai (西湖), Lake Shoji (精進湖) and Lake Motosu (本栖湖).
Most visitors come here for views of Mount Fuji, with many postcard shots taken from Lake Kawaguchi in particular.
- Aokigahara, along Highway 139 (western shore of Lake Sai. Also known as Jukai (樹海) or the "Sea of Trees", this forest is famous for its volcanic caverns and infamous as Japan's top suicide spot — in an average year, over 70 corpses are found.
- Lake Shoji. Lake Shoji is a small, horseshoe-shaped lake, idyllic-looking and with pretty views of Fuji. Boating and fishing rental available.
- Lake Motosu. Lake Motosu is the furthest out, also the deepest and clearest lake. Boating rental (paddleboat, rowboat) and a sightseeing boat available. You're not allowed to go out very far if you do rent a boat, though.
- View of Mt. Fuji on the ¥1000 bill. The image of Mt. Fuji on the back of the ¥1000 bill is taken here from the northeast shores of Lake Motosu.
- Lake Kawaguchi. The easiest to reach and the most touristic of the five; it's also the only one to have an island. There are several views on the Fujisan around the lake. You can see its reflections in the water from the north shores surrounded by cherry blossoms (spring) or lavender field (summer). You can also see the remains of the old lava flows from the Fuji to several places around the lake (in particular on the south shore)
- Mount Tenjō ropeway. This short cable car climbs to a viewing platform next to mount Tenjō. There you can enjoy a nice view on the lake below and on the mount Fuji, and also have a tea and eat dango (rice flour dumpling).
- Kawaguchiko Konohana Museum, 3026-1 Kawaguchi, Fujikawaguchiko-machi, Minami-tsuru-gun (retro bus - Fuji Kyuko line. Mar–Nov: daily 09:00-17:00; Dec–Feb: M-F 10:00–16:00, Sa Su holidays 09:00-17:00. A museum of the popular Japanese children's book "Dayan the Cat" by Ikeda Akiko. Shows a lot of artwork from the artist's books in the world of Wachiworld. Has a lovely giftstore and cafe. Adults ¥500, children ¥300 (discount for groups of over 15 people).
- Momiji Corridor. Another celebrated tree-viewing spot. A variety of beautiful trees, including maples and gingkos, line a small river on a gentle slope. The trees are lit up at night during the autumn tree viewing season.
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- Itchiku Kubota Art Museum. This small but gorgeous museum on the northeast shore of Lake Kawaguchi was designed by the artist himself. Kubota was Japan's premier modern kimono designer, and this museum houses his incredible series called "Symphony of Light." Well worth seeing. This renowned artist has part of his collection of carefully dyed and worked silk kimonos here, with others showing at galleries around the world. Each kimono is designed to have a picture flowing from one kimono to the next. Museum also has two different tea shops, one Western style, one Japanese style, that make a nice break in the sightseeing day. The grounds of the museum is an artwork in itself with stylised entranceway in the shape of a lone standing doorframe in the forest. Take the Retro Bus, ask the driver to let you off for the Kubota museum. Walk several steps in the direction away from the lake, and you'll see signs. The museum is off to the left in the woods, just another minute's walk, surrounded by beautiful gardens. Adult ¥1300.
- Momiji Tunnel. In autumn, the beautiful orange and yellow tones of changing leaves ("momiji") are beautiful, and there is also a nice view on the lake and the mount Fuji.
Aokigahara, along Highway 139 (western shore of Lake Sai. Also known as Jukai (樹海) or the "Sea of Trees", this forest is famous for its volcanic caverns and infamous as Japan's top suicide spot — in an average year, over 70 corpses are found.
Lake Shoji. Lake Shoji is a small, horseshoe-shaped lake, idyllic-looking and with pretty views of Fuji. Boating and fishing rental available.
Lake Motosu. Lake Motosu is the furthest out, also the deepest and clearest lake. Boating rental (paddleboat, rowboat) and a sightseeing boat available. You're not allowed to go out very far if you do rent a boat, though.
View of Mt. Fuji on the ¥1000 bill. The image of Mt. Fuji on the back of the ¥1000 bill is taken here from the northeast shores of Lake Motosu.
Lake Kawaguchi. The easiest to reach and the most touristic of the five; it's also the only one to have an island. There are several views on the Fujisan around the lake. You can see its reflections in the water from the north shores surrounded by cherry blossoms (spring) or lavender field (summer). You can also see the remains of the old lava flows from the Fuji to several places around the lake (in particular on the south shore)
Mount Tenjō ropeway. This short cable car climbs to a viewing platform next to mount Tenjō. There you can enjoy a nice view on the lake below and on the mount Fuji, and also have a tea and eat dango (rice flour dumpling).
Kawaguchiko Konohana Museum, 3026-1 Kawaguchi, Fujikawaguchiko-machi, Minami-tsuru-gun (retro bus - Fuji Kyuko line. Mar–Nov: daily 09:00-17:00; Dec–Feb: M-F 10:00–16:00, Sa Su holidays 09:00-17:00. A museum of the popular Japanese children's book "Dayan the Cat" by Ikeda Akiko. Shows a lot of artwork from the artist's books in the world of Wachiworld. Has a lovely giftstore and cafe. Adults ¥500, children ¥300 (discount for groups of over 15 people).
Momiji Corridor. Another celebrated tree-viewing spot. A variety of beautiful trees, including maples and gingkos, line a small river on a gentle slope. The trees are lit up at night during the autumn tree viewing season.
Itchiku Kubota Art Museum. This small but gorgeous museum on the northeast shore of Lake Kawaguchi was designed by the artist himself. Kubota was Japan's premier modern kimono designer, and this museum houses his incredible series called "Symphony of Light." Well worth seeing. This renowned artist has part of his collection of carefully dyed and worked silk kimonos here, with others showing at galleries around the world. Each kimono is designed to have a picture flowing from one kimono to the next. Museum also has two different tea shops, one Western style, one Japanese style, that make a nice break in the sightseeing day. The grounds of the museum is an artwork in itself with stylised entranceway in the shape of a lone standing doorframe in the forest. Take the Retro Bus, ask the driver to let you off for the Kubota museum. Walk several steps in the direction away from the lake, and you'll see signs. The museum is off to the left in the woods, just another minute's walk, surrounded by beautiful gardens. Adult ¥1300.
Momiji Tunnel. In autumn, the beautiful orange and yellow tones of changing leaves ("momiji") are beautiful, and there is also a nice view on the lake and the mount Fuji.
There are no real beaches, and no swimming is allowed in any of the five lakes. Paddleboats and rowboats are available for rental at most, and fishing equipment at some.
- Fuji-Q Highland. One of Japan's largest amusement parks and home to Fujiyama (1996), briefly the world's tallest rollercoaster, and Dodonpa (2001), briefly the world's fastest.
- Ensoleille sightseeing boat. This boat runs frequent 20-minute sightseeing rides on Lake Kawaguchi during the day. A bit pricey for such a short ride, but the views of Fuji are excellent, and it's a good chance to see more of the lake. Tickets can be bought from the machine near the boat dock -- attendant will also be around to answer questions. Adult ¥950.
- Hike to Mt. Mitsutsoge. The hiking time is 3 hours there and 3 hours back. The path is fairly well maintained.
Fuji-Q Highland. One of Japan's largest amusement parks and home to Fujiyama (1996), briefly the world's tallest rollercoaster, and Dodonpa (2001), briefly the world's fastest.
Ensoleille sightseeing boat. This boat runs frequent 20-minute sightseeing rides on Lake Kawaguchi during the day. A bit pricey for such a short ride, but the views of Fuji are excellent, and it's a good chance to see more of the lake. Tickets can be bought from the machine near the boat dock -- attendant will also be around to answer questions. Adult ¥950.
Hike to Mt. Mitsutsoge. The hiking time is 3 hours there and 3 hours back. The path is fairly well maintained.
Fujiyoshida is famous for its udon noodles.