Kawaguchiko travel blog — The fullest Kawaguchiko travel guide & Lake Kawaguchiko itinerary 2 days for the first-timers

If anyone asks me about the most impressive place in Japan? I will answer immediately that is Fuji Mount. The highest mountain in Japan and the pride of the people here that makes me passionate, beautiful at every angle. In this article I will share my travel experiences of Lake Kawaguchiko area and the best Fuji Mount photography spots (best place to take pictures of Mount Fuji). So, are you looking for a day trip from Tokyo to Lake Kawaguchiko (Lake Kawaguchiko day trip, day trip to Kawaguchiko from Tokyo, day trip to Lake Kawaguchiko from Tokyo)? Let’s check it out our Kawaguchiko travel blog (Lake Kawaguchiko travel blog, Lake Kawaguchi blog) with the fullest Kawaguchiko travel guide for a budget trip and suggested Kawaguchiko itinerary (Lake Kawaguchiko itinerary) for 2 days from how to getting there, where to stay, best places to visit, and what to do in Kawaguchiko to find out the best answer!

Lake Kawaguchiko is one of five lakes surrounding Mount Fuji, also known as Fuji Five Lakes, in which Kawaguchi has the longest shore strip and at the lowest position. It can be said that the Lake Kawaguchiko and surroundings has the most beautiful scenery of the 5 lakes around Fuji Mount, as a charming painting. Kawaguchiko’s four seasons with distinct nuances, can’t help but bewitching when just look at the postcards and see the charming, wonder scenes.

Kawaguchiko travel guide: How to get to Lake Kawaguchiko from Tokyo?

Usually those who plan to go to Kawaguchiko often depart from Tokyo, because of convenient transportation and Tokyo is the largest city near Kawaguchiko. You can also start from other points but travel is more difficult. In the mountain areas, there are few public transport options.

Bus from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko (Tokyo to Kawaguchiko bus)

From central Tokyo to Lake Kawaguchi you can take a bus. There are many departing points from the city you can consider depending on the location of your hotel. You should buy tickets online at least 3 days in advance because the tickets will running out quickly, you can reserve via www.bus.fujikyu.co.jp or www.kosokubus.com.

From Tokyo Station: The central point but the Tokyo station is too big so you need to go early to walk to find the way to the bus stop. The final point is Lake Kawaguchi / Mt. Fuji / Fuji-Q Highland, ticket price of 1.800 JPY ($16.56) and travel time is about 2-2.5 hours. I take Fujikyuko bus, the pick up point at Yaesu South Exit.

From Shinjuku Station: Follow the direction of South Exit or New South Exit and then go to Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal. You can buy tickets directly at the automatic ticket machines for 1.750 JPY ($16.11) / person.

From Shibuya Station: Follow the direction of Tamagawa Exit, then find the escalator to the 3rd floor of Shibuya Mark City. Then go to Avenue Exit and go up to the 5th floor you will see the bus stop.

Train from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko

The easiest way to take a train from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko Station is departs from Shinjuku Station. Take the JR Chuo Line-Limited Express to getting to Kofu and stop at Otsuki Station. This line is JR Line, so if you have JR Pass, it’s free.

From Otsuki Station you change the line to Fujikyuko Line to getting to Kawaguchiko Station. This line is not covered by JR Pass, so you have to buy a ticket at 1.140 JPY. The total travel time is about 2 hours 30 minutes.

Lake Kawaguchiko travel blog: Events and festivals in Mount Fuji you should know

Around the area of Kawaguchiko Lake is a series of days with year-round festivals and events, vibrant and beautiful as Japanese comic books. If you have the opportunity to come here at the right festive seasons, it is wonderful.

April: Fuji Kawaguchiko Cherry Blossom Festival

Cherry blossoms may bloom a little early in late March, but the full blooms may be in mid-April. There will be cherry blossom festival and detailed on the advertising posters that you can see everywhere in town. Many food stalls will serve snacks for visitors. Cherry blossoms bloom throughout the roads around the lake Kawaguchiko, looming in the shadow of Mount Fuji creating a beauty that is nowhere to be found.

April – May: Fuji Shibazakura Festival

Right after the cherry blossom season is the Shibazakura flower season (phlox moss or pink moss in English). The dominant pink color of this flower can be found in many national parks in Japan.

June – July: Fuji Kawaguchiko Herb Festival

The festival takes place in Yagizaki Park and Oishi Park. Oishi is the final point of a Tourist Bus route in Kawaguchi and you can easily getting here to see purple lavender flower beds around the lake.

November: Fuji Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival

Autumn festival (red leaf season, momiji festival) takes place in many countries like Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan too. The areas with the most beautiful red leaves around Lake Kawaguchi are in the north of the lake. Don’t forget to pose the best shots of Fuji Mount on the background of beautiful red leaves.

November – March: Winter – the coldest season of the year

This is the coldest season of the year with dense covered snow, but it is sometimes a favorite time for tourists. Winter creates a beautiful layer of white snow on top of Mount Fuji, in contrast to the summer when the snow melts, it also loses a part of the feeling when watching Mount Fuji.

Kawaguchiko travel blog: Where to stay in Kawaguchiko?

Although I found the hotel room quite close to the departure date, luckily, I still found my favorite hotel. The hotel I choose is Plaza Inn Kawaguchiko only a few dozen meters from Kawaguchiko station, right by the road.

This hotel is not too big but quite ok, clean room, friendly staff. I travel alone so I only rented a single room, full of necessary services and equipment. The small toilet is beautiful and very clean. The price for this single room is US$50/night.

A top rated 3-star hotel with room rates from $45/night. You can check rates, reviews and book this hotel on Agoda.com or Booking.com

If you plan to stay in Kawaguchiko for 1 or 2 nights, you should choose a hotel near Kawaguchiko station where there are many services, restaurants around and convenient to move. If you want to live slowly, then you can choose a hotel closer to the lake, experience cycling around the lake in the morning to breathe the fresh air that not anywhere to be found.

Below we recommend more best cheap, budget, mid-range and upscale hotels in Kawaguchiko from $38/night with good ratings and reviews you can refer to.

Fuji Kawaguchiko Onsen Hotel Konansou (Address: 4020-2 Funatsu, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0301, Japan / Phone: +81 555-72-2166), a top rated and best seller 5-star hotel with room rates from $382/night. (You can check rates, reviews and book on Agoda.com or Booking.com).

Fuji View Hotel (Address: 511 Katsuyama, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0310, Japan / Phone: +81 555-83-2211), a top rated 4-star hotel with room rates from $171/night. (You can check rates, reviews and book on Agoda.com or Booking.com).

Kawaguchiko Hotel New Century (Address: 180-1, Asakawa, FujiKawaguchiko-machi, MinamiTsuru-gun,, Fujikawaguchiko, Fujikawaguchiko, Japan, 401-0303 / Phone: +81 555-72-1422), a top rated 3-star hotel with room rates from $248/night. (You can check rates, reviews and book on Agoda.com or Booking.com).

Lavista Fuji Kawaguchiko (Address: 2395 Kawaguchi, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0304, Japan / Phone: +81 555-76-5220), a top rated 4-star hotel with room rates from $236/night. (You can check rates, reviews and book on Agoda.com or Booking.com).

Wakakusa no Yado Maruei (Address: 498 Kodachi, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0302, Japan / Phone: +81 555-72-1371), a top rated 3-star hotel with room rates from $398/night. (You can check rates, reviews and book on Agoda.com or Booking.com).

Kaze no Terrace Kukuna (Address: 70 Azagawa, Fujikawaguchiko-cho, Minamitsuru-gun, Fujikawaguchiko, Fujikawaguchiko, Japan, 401-0303), a top rated 4-star hotel with room rates from $399/night. (You can check rates, reviews and book on Agoda.com).

Asafuji (Address: 358 Azagawa, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0303, Japan / Phone: +81 555-72-1259), a top rated 4-star hotel with room rates from $255/night. (You can check rates, reviews and book on Agoda.com or Booking.com).

Hotel Regina Kawaguchiko (Address: 5239-1 Funatsu, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0301, Japan / Phone: +81 555-20-9000), a top rated 4-star hotel with room rates from $165/night. (You can check rates, reviews and book on Agoda.com or Booking.com).

In addition, you can refer to one of the best Airbnb in Lake Kawaguchi: Traditional stay experience with best Fuji view! at $42/night or New Construction/Private House/Fujinokura B at $93/night.

–> Airbnb link discount up to $35 for the first booking here: https://www.airbnb.com/c/anht5185

You can find more, check rates, availability & book for Kawaguchiko hotels on Agoda.com or Booking.com or Airbnb.com.

Kawaguchiko guide: Getting around Kawaguchiko

By Bus

With a Kawaguchiko itinerary for 2 day in Kawaguchiko you should buy Kawaguchiko Day Pass (1 Day Pass, 2 Day Pass, 3 Day Pass) with unlimited rides for Sightseeing Bus routes around the lake. There are 3 main lines: Kawaguchiko Bus (Red-Line), Saiko Bus (Green-Line), Narusawa / Shojiko / Motosuko Bus (Blue-Line), covering almost of the attractions in Kawaguchiko. For 2 Day Pass you will be able to use the all bus routes for 2 days from the date of Pass purchase, priced at 1.500 JPY ($13.81). The details of the bus routes schedule you can see here.

By Train

This means of transport is for attractions not covered by 2 Days Pass above. Including attractions such as Arakurayama Sengen Park, the town center (you can also take a bus but it is better to take a train). This train and local train, not belong to the JR Line, so you cannot use the JR Pass. A small secret, the train in Kawaguchi is very beautiful, colorful, and very cute.

Lake Kawaguchiko travel blog: What to eat and where to eat?

This Lake Kawaguchi area has a signature dish that is Houtou noodles, which food you definitely must-try when coming here. Houtou is made from udon noodles and vegetables, broth. However, people do not consider this as udon noodles because the noodles are slightly different.

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