Lake Kawaguchi is one of the Fuji Five Lakes and a very popular destination for visitors coming from Tokyo hoping to catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji!
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The lake is located in the town of Fujikawaguchiko, which sits at the foot of Mount Fuji (about 110km west of Tokyo). The excellent transport options there make it an easy day trip or short break.
In this Tokyo to Lake Kawaguchi guide we will explain all the different ways of reaching Lake Kawaguchi to see Mount Fuji, plus some accommodation options if you wish to stay for a longer trip.
How to get to Lake Kawaguchi to see Mount Fuji
The Lake Kawaguchiko area is one of the best places to see Mount Fuji.
Popular photo spots to see Mount Fuji by the lake include Oishi Park (for a view of the lake and mountain) and Oike Park (for a view of the mountain). Other popular photo spots located a few train stops away from the lake include Arakurayama Sengen Park Observatory and Shimoyoshida Honcho Street.
The nearest train station to Lake Kawaguchi is Kawaguchiko station which is a short walk away from the lakefront. This is also where the highway buses from Tokyo stop too.
Kawaguchiko station is the final station stop on the Fujikyuko Line.
The stations before Kawaguchiko station will also be of interest as you can access some viewpoints and attractions from there:
- Mount Fuji station (for Kana-dorii Gate)
- Fujikyu-Highland station (for Fuji-Q Highland theme park)
- Shimoyoshida station (for Arakurayama Sengen Park Observatory / Chureito Pagoda and Shimoyoshida Honcho Street)
For the best chance of seeing Mount Fuji you will need to be visiting on a clear day (it is often hidden behind clouds).
Mount Fuji visibility is best in the early morning between 6am and 9am, after this time the clouds start to roll in.
The months of December to February are good for clear skies, giving you a better chance of seeing a winter snowcapped Mount Fuji. The rainy season (June to July) is not an ideal time to visit as many days will have cloudy skies and low visibility.
The autumn months of October to November are also some of the best months to visit for beautiful fall colours.
Many of the popular viewing points have a real-time webcam which you can view here >
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How to get from Tokyo to Lake Kawaguchi transport quick comparison table
| Transport | Journey duration | Journey cost |
|---|---|---|
| Fuji Excursion Limited Express train (direct train) | 1 hour 53 minutes | 4,130 yen one way |
| JR train + Fujikyu Railway train (non-direct train) | Around two and a half hours | From 2,500 yen one way |
| Highway Bus | Around two hours depending on traffic | From 2,000 yen per person one way |
| Organised group tour | Full day trip including return transport to Tokyo | From around 7,000 yen per person |
| Rental car | 1.5 hours to 2 hours depending on traffic | From around 11,000 yen for one day car hire (excluding road toll fees) |
Tokyo to Kawaguchiko Station / Lake Kawaguchi options
Option 1: By direct Fuji Excursion Limited Express train from Shinjuku
- Best for: A comfortable and direct journey to Kawaguchiko Station.
- Journey duration from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko Station: 1 hour 53 minutes .
- Cost: 4,130 yen one way.
———–
This is the fastest route to get to Kawaguchiko Station and there are 5 return train journeys a day from Shinjuku station.
This service runs directly all the way from Shinjuku station to Kawaguchiko Station without having to change trains.
The carriages have spacious seating, large luggage racks, free Wi-Fi and power outlets.
The Fuji Excursion train is only available to ride with reserved seating. Seats on this train sell out very fast and go on sale 30 days in advance (at 10am). You can buy tickets for this train from any JR East ticket counter, JR East ticket vending machines or online.
The easiest way to book your seat is through Klook. You can purchase your ticket 90 days in advance, and they will confirm your reservation 30 days before your selected travel date. You can pick up your paper ticket at Shinjuku station using a QR code that Klook will provide you.
If you are using a booking a seat using a JR Rail Pass, only part of the journey to Kawaguchiko Station is covered. The section of the journey between Shinjuku station and Otsuki Station is included in the pass.
The rail track between Otsuki Station and Kawaguchiko Station is privately owned and not operated by JR, therefore the JR Rail Pass will not be accepted. You will need to pay an additional 1,770 Yen to cover this part of the journey (I’ve read that you can purchase this additional ticket on board the train, but have not personally done this myself).
However if you have purchased the JR Tokyo Wide pass this will cover the entire trip between Tokyo and Kawaguchiko Station.
Option 2: By non-direct train (JR train + Fujikyu Railway train)
- Best for: A cheaper and slower alternative to the Fuji Excursion Limited Express train
- Journey duration from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko Station: Around two and a half hours.
- Cost: Prices range from 2,500 yen to 4,123 yen (one-way) depending on train type.
———–
From Tokyo’s Shinjuku train station you can take two separate trains to reach Kawaguchiko Station:
- Take the JR Chuo Line (Kaiji or Azusa Limited Express train) from Shinjuku station to Otsuki Station (55 minutes)
- At Otsuki Station transfer to a Fujikyuko Line train (local or limited express train) to Kawaguchiko Station (55 minutes)
You can also take a cheaper and slower local train from Shinjuku station to Otsuki Station which roughly takes 1 hour 40 minutes.
When riding the local trains on the Fujikyuko line, you might be find some of them to be decorated! We’ve rode on Thomas the Tank Engine themed trains (click here for the Thomas themed timetable). We also rode on a fancy wooden Fuji Tozan Densha limited express train.
Again, If you are using a JR Rail Pass you can only use it on the JR Chuo Line between Shinjuku to Otsuki Station. The Fujikyu Line between Otsuki Station and Kawaguchiko Station is not operated by JR, and the the Japan Rail Pass will not be accepted and you will need to pay an additional 1,770 Yen to cover this part of the journey.
There is a transfer gate to the Fujikyuko Line at Otsuki Station where you can pay for the additional fare in cash (cards such as Suica and Pasmo are not accepted).
However if you have the JR Tokyo Wide pass this will cover the entire trip between Tokyo and Kawaguchiko Station.
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Option 3: By Direct Highway Bus
- Best for: Budget travellers
- Journey duration from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko Station: Around 2 hours depending on traffic.
- Cost: Prices start from 2,000 yen per adult one way
———–
Multiple bus companies offer the Tokyo to Kawaguchiko Station route with multiple departures every day from these Tokyo neighbourhoods:
- Tokyo Station – Yaesu South Exit
- Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal (the faster buses leave from here)
- Ikebukuro Station East Exit
- Shibuya Expressway Bus Terminal
- Akihabara Station
- Haneda Airport
We recommend you book your highway bus tickets in advance online as this route tends to sell out quickly. Many bus companies do not allow you to purchase at the bus station so you will need to purchase online on the following websites:
The buses have storage underneath for you to place your large items of luggage.
Option 4: By Organised Group Tour
- Best for: An easy day trip where the itinerary and transport is organised for you
- Cost: Tours start from around 7,000 yen per person.
———–
Many online tour reseller websites offer a variety of day trip options to Lake Kawaguchi and the surrounding areas. These include:
Some examples of Tokyo to Lake Kawaguchi tours include:
Mount Fuji Panoramic day tour >
Mount Fuji Instagrammable spots day tour from Tokyo >
Mt. Fuji Tours with Kawaguchi Lake Ropeway view >
Option 5: By Rental Car
- Best for: Flexibility.
- Journey duration from Tokyo to Lake Kawaguchi: 1.5 hours to 2 hours depending on traffic.
- Cost: From around 11,000 yen for a 1 day car hire (not including road toll fees).
———–
From Tokyo, you can take the Chuo Expressway to Lake Kawaguchi.
A mix of free and paid for parking is available near many of the major Lake Kawaguchi attractions.
Aim to avoid travelling on a weekend morning as traffic can be very busy, and remember you will need an International Driving Permit (IDP).
Check discovercars.com or rentalcars.com for car rental quotes.
Accommodation near Lake Kawaguchi
Here are some accommodation options near to Lake Kawaguchi:
Luxury ($$$)
Hotel Asafuji
Fancy accommodation right by Lake Kawaguchi, offering an authentic Japanese ryokan experience.
The 13 traditional Japanese style rooms have tatami-mats, futon bedding, low tables, and shoji screens. Some of the rooms have private panoramic baths and some room rates include kaiseki multi-course dinners.
On the top floor there is a gender-separated large public onsen with Mount Fuji and lake views.
There is free parking onsite, and a complimentary shuttle bus to the train station.
Check rates and availability for Hotel Asafuji on agoda.com, booking.com, hotels.com and expedia.com
Mid-range ($$) to Luxury ($$$)
Fuji View Hotel
This highly rated hotel offers 79 rooms with a choice of Mount Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi or garden views.
Some of the rooms have traditional tatami floors, futons and chabudai dining tables.
Facilities include a 10-hectare garden, large indoor and open air hot spring pools, spa, wine tasting sessions, restaurants, a bar, 2 tennis courts and a 10-hole golf course.
Check rates and availability for Fuji View Hotel on agoda.com, booking.com, hotels.com and expedia.com
Mid-range ($$)
Fujisan Station Hotel
This is the hotel we stayed at for 3 nights. The hotel is located next to Mount Fuji station (Fujisan Station) which is just two train stops away from Kawaguchiko Station (about a 6 minute train journey). The hotel also offer a free shuttle bus service to Kawaguchiko Station at set times.
We were lucky and were allocated a room with a view of Mount Fuji. The room was quite dated, but spacious. Breakfast was also included.
As well as being easily accessible by train from Mount Fuji station, some highway buses from Tokyo also make a stop at Mount Fuji station.
Check rates and availability for Fujisan Station Hotel on agoda.com, booking.com, hotels.com and expedia.com
Mid-range ($$)
Fuji Kawaguchiko Resort Hotel
This popular hotel offers comfortable rooms with mountain views. Some of the rooms have tatami floors and futons, whilst the more expensive rooms have Mount Fuji views.
Hotel facilities include a garden, indoor and outdoor communal hot spring baths and restaurant serving Chinese, Japanese, and European cuisine.
Check rates and availability for Fuji Kawaguchiko Resort Hotel on agoda.com, booking.com, hotels.com and expedia.com
Budget ($)
Hostel Michikusa
Located a short walk from Lake Kawaguchi, this hostel offers both dorms and private rooms.
Facilities include car parking, a complimentary bus to the train station, shared kitchen, laundry, garden, dining room and bike rental.
Check rates and availability for Hostel Michikusa on agoda.com, booking.com, hotels.com and expedia.com
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