Mount Fuji and the Five Lakes region Mount Fuji and the Five Lakes region

Mount Fuji, the highest peak in Japan, is a perfectly symmetrical volcanic cone. This national symbol has been immortalized, among others, by the “36 Views of Mount Fuji”, the series of Hokusai images. At its base there is a region of lakes, plateaus, waterfalls and caves, offering beautiful natural landscapes. Near Tokyo, the Five Lakes region is a very popular summer resort. Also, climbing to the top of Mount Fuji (Fuji-san in Japanese) is the dream of many Japanese. The ideal is to see the sunrise from the top of the mountain. But be careful, the mountain is only “open” from July 1 to August 28.

Places to visit

Fuji Yoshida

The city of Fuji-Yoshida is mainly known for the Kitaguchihongu-Fuji-Sengen Shrine, or simply the Fujin-Sengen or Fuji-Asama Shrine. It is from this shrine, dedicated to the tutelary Shinto deity of Mount Fuji, that pilgrims departed to the top of the mountain. Apparently, it was founded in 788 to protect local populations from the eruptions of Mount Fuji. The truth is that it is built in the majestic setting of a cedar forest, among which some, multicentennial, are sacred.

• Accessing the Fuji Sengen Shrine: 20 minutes on foot from Fuji-Yoshida station, or 5 minutes by bus (take the Fujikyu bus to Lake Yamanaka and get off at Asama Jinja-mae).

Kawaguchi Lake

Lake Kawaguchi is located in the center of the Five Lakes. It is very famous because it reflects, as in an inverted mirror, the north face of Mount Fuji. From Mount Tenjo, you can get a splendid view of the lake if you take a cable car from the east bank.

Itchiku Kubota art museum

This museum presents the works of Itchiku Kubota, who used the dyeing techniques of the Muromachi period (14th-16th centuries) for the creation of contemporary kimonos, as well as the collection of antique glass paste jewelery made by this master. This museum is also worth a visit for its garden, its impressive architecture and its tea room.

• 25 minutes by bus or 15 minutes by taxi from Kawaguchiko Station.

Kawaguchiko art museum

Paintings, prints and photographs on the theme of Mount Fuji.

• A 7 minute walk from Kawaguchiko Station.

Lake Kawaguchi Cruises

Boat trip from Lake Kawaguchi, with an approximate duration of 30 minutes.

• A 10 minute walk from Kawaguchiko Station.

Sai Lake

The peaceful Sai Lake is bordered on its southwestern shore by the Aokigahara Jukai Forest (Aokigahara’s Sea of ​​Trees). It is a place full of mystery, where you can appreciate the exuberant nature at the foot of Mount Fuji. Sai Lake is the second smallest after Lake Shoji.

Shoji Lake

With a circumference of 5 km, Lake Shoji is the smallest of the Five Lakes. A dozen hotels are concentrated on its left bank, while on the south bank there is a town of rural houses. The view of Mount Fuji from the north shore is spectacular.

Lake Motosu

The deepest of the Five Lakes offers from its north shore an exceptional view of Mount Fuji, which is depicted on 1,000 yen bills. Tourism development is less in this lake, so you can enjoy the tranquility of nature. Here the original flora and fauna proliferate, especially on the western shore.

Cruises on Lake Motosu

The boats depart from the southeast shore of Lake Motosu. The bottom of the boats is made of glass, which allows you to contemplate the underwater view of the crystal clear waters of the lake.

• Mandatory reservation at 0555-72-0029
  5 minute walk from Lake Motosu bus stop.

Yamanaka Lake

Lake Yamanaka is the largest of the Five Lakes and the highest, at 982 meters. It is one of the most popular summer destinations in Japan, with many guesthouses, country houses, shops and restaurants.

Lake Yamanaka Cruises

A 35-minute walk from Asahigaoka Jetty (on the south bank) or Yamanaka Jetty (on the northwest bank).

• 22 minutes by bus from Fuji-Yoshida station to Kankousen Noriba bus stop.

Lake Yamanaka Culture Forest

On the south bank, a park has been built that includes the surrounding forests and includes a nature trail and two literary museums, one dedicated to the journalist Tokutomi Soho and the other to the famous writer Yukio Mishima.

• 5 minutes from Bungaku-no-Mori Koen bus stop.

Hana no Miyako Park

On a plateau at an altitude of 1,000 meters, you can admire many varieties of flowers with Mount Fuji in the background.

• 15 minute walk from Hananomiyako-Koen bus stop (20 minute bus from Fujinomiya station or 45 minute bus from Gotemba station).

Asagiri High Plains

This prairie region, lying west of Mount Fuji, is especially pleasant in summer due to its altitude of between 700 and 1,000 meters, which makes it an ideal destination for leisure and sports.

Shiraito Falls

With a height of 200 meters, they owe their name (white threads) to the fact that they give the impression of being made of silk threads.

• 33 minutes by bus from Fujinomiya Station.

Tanuki Lake

A 13-minute taxi ride from Shiraito Falls, a beautiful man-made lake where Mount Fuji is reflected.

Mount Fuji 5th Station

Situated on the Kawaguchiko-Yoshida-guchi Climbing Path at an altitude of 2,305 meters, Mount Fuji 5th Station is accessible by bus with the Fuji Subaru Line. From here, you can clearly see the top of Mount Fuji. For this reason, the station has become a tourist destination for people who do not want to climb Mt.

Mount Fuji climbing

Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest peak, peaks at 3,776 meters. The average temperature at the summit is 4.8 ° C in July and 5.8 ° C in August. Even in summer it can snow suddenly. It is officially open for climbing in July and August. The most common formula is to start the climb in the early afternoon from the 5th station, spend the night in a shelter on the summit and finish the climb before dawn to see the sun rise. (about 4 hours and 30 minutes) It takes about 6 hours to go up and 3 to 4 hours to go down.

Mount Fuji has been considered sacred since Edo times, and pilgrims still climb it. The climb is relatively easy, which explains the presence of children or the elderly, but requires a minimum of preparation (problems related to altitude may occur) and you should not forget warm and waterproof mountain clothing, suitable footwear and enough drinking water . For your safety, do not go off the marked paths. Mountain huts (with common bedrooms only) are in high demand and must be booked several months in advance. Please note: camping on Mount Fuji is strictly prohibited.

The different paths

• The Kawaguchiko-Yoshida-guchi path
  5 hours and 30 minutes of ascent and 3 hours of descent.
  The traditional way and, therefore, the most frequent. From Kawaguchiko station and after 1 hour by bus, we reached the starting point of this road from the 5th Kawaguchiko station (2,305 meters). The zigzag path passes through volcanic landscapes, rocks and dust. The way down is different from the way up.
  20 mountain huts on this trail.>>
• The Gotemba-guchi path
  8 hours of ascent and 3 hours of descent.
  The longest and most difficult path. From Gotemba station and after 40 minutes by bus, you access this road at the new 5th Gotemba-guchi station. Between the 5th and 7th stations, the path crosses a huge ash field, reminiscent of the 1707 eruption. Passing through the rocks between the 7th and 8th stations can be difficult.
  2 mountain huts on this trail.
• The Fujinomiya-guchi path or Mishima-guchi path
  5 hours of ascent, 3 hours of descent.
  The shortest route, but on the “wrong” side: the sunrise can only be seen at the top. From the Mishima station and after 2 hours and 5 minutes by bus, the starting point of this road is reached at the new 5th Fujinomiya station (2,400 meters).
  10 mountain huts on this trail.
• The path of Subashiri-guchi
  5 hours and 30 minutes of ascent, 3 hours of descent.
  From the Gotemba station and after 1 hour by bus, the starting point of this path is reached at the new 5th Gotemba-guchi station. This route joins the Yoshida-guchi road at the 8th station level.