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About
The Fuji Five Lake area (in Japanese; Fuji Goko 富士五湖) is an area just north of Mt. Fuji and about 2-3 hours from Tokyo depending on your mode of transportation. The area has 5 lakes, therefore it is called "Fuji Goko" or "Fuji Five Lakes". The five lakes are named Kawaguchiko, Saiko, Yamanakako, Shojiko and Motosuko all formed by the eruptions of Mount Fuji. Most of the area is quite rural with lots of nature offering some beautiful and quiet views of Mt. Fuji. In this lake resort area you can hike, camp, fish and ski, soak in hot springs, visit museums and ride World Record roller coasters at Fuji-Q Highland Amusement Park.
The Fuji Five Lake area is in Yamanashi Prefecture and the main city in the Fuji Five Lake area is Fujiyoshida (the main train station being Fujisan), has a population of roughly 54,000 and is famous with the Japanese for it's Udon noodles. The Five Lakes Region is a relaxing destination for a day or two, especially for those who need a bit of a "Nature Break" from the big city of Tokyo. In the region you can find serenity, beautiful photo opportunities, romance and fresh air!
Although you can get to and around the Fuji Five Lakes Region by train or bus (see "Getting to Fuji Five Lakes" below), the area is quite rural and the best method for getting around would be by rent-a-car or a "Day Tour" by car. However, if you don't want to drive and or don't want to pay the extra expense of a rental car and you plan well using the local bus system, you can get to most all the key destinations in the area by bus.
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Private tour guides available at reasonable rates! Explore Tokyo hassle and worry free with a native English speaking guide that speaks Japanese. Guides available for Private Tours and Day Trips. Visit Japan Travel Packages for more information.
Access
Getting there
Researching online it seems many people are confused as how to get to and around the Fuji Five Lakes area. The problem is that there are so many different companies jumping into the tourist boom and creating ticket options, it complicates things. There are 3 basic things you needs to know, 1.) First you have to get there, 2.) Once you get there you have to get around OR 3.) you can just join a tour that does both and makes your life a lot easier. Of course paying for a tour will cost you slightly more but will save on confusion, aggravation and missed opportunities.
Train
- From Shinjuku Station take the JR Chuo Line to Otsuki. On a direct "Limited Express" it is about 2,500 yen and a 70 min. ride. On a regular local train is is about 1,320 yen and a 100 min. ride. You can use a JR Pass for this portion of the trip (Japan Rail Pass is valid) but the pass will not cover "panorama seats" on limited express trains so just sit in a normal seat.
- Transfer at Otsuki Station to the Fujikyu Railway Line to Kawaguchiko Station. It costs about 1,140 yen and will ride for about 55 minutes. Japan Rail Passes are not valid on this portion of the trip.
- Once you get to Kawaguchiko you will have to ride buses to get around the Fuji Five Lake area. See below, "Once your there".
Bus
- from Shinjuku
- Fujikyu and Keio Bus operate one to two direct buses per hour between Shinjuku Bus Terminal and Kawaguchiko Station.
- Costs around 1,750 yen.
- Takes about 2 hours.
- Most buses stop at Fujisan Station and Fuji Q Highland before Kawaguchiko Station. Some buses continue on to Lake Yamanakako (the cost will be around 2,050 yen from Shinjuku).
- from Shibuya
- Fujikyu operates one bus every 2 hours between Shibuya (Mark City) and Fuji Q Highland, Kawaguchiko and Fujisan Stations.
- Costs around 1,800 yen.
- Takes about 2.5 hours.
- from Tokyo
- Fujikyu and JR Kanto Bus have about 2 direct buses per day between Tokyo Station (Yaesu South Exit) and Kawaguchiko.
- Costs around 1,800 yen.
- Takes about 2.5 hours.
Once your there
Rental Car
A quick check at TOYOTA Rent a Car came up with around 8,000 yen for a compact car, full insurance, use from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. from (and return) to the Fujikawaguchiko rental shop. If you would like to check yourself, go to the TOYOTA Rent a Car website and in the "Pick-up" section select "Prefecture" > Yamanashi > Fujikawaguchiko Town and then just follow through the screens. (SnapJapan.com is in no way affiliated with TOYOTA Rent a Car, this information is merely for our site users benefit)
Local Area Buses
From Kawaguchiko Station there is a line of buses called "retro bus buses". They leave every 15-30 min. and are the easiest way for tourists to get around (although there is a system of local buses too). There are two lines; the Kawaguchiko Line runs along the eastern and northern shores of Lake Kawaguchiko, while the Saiko Line runs along the southern shore of Lake Kawaguchiko and around Lake Saiko. You can get an unlimited use 2 day pass for both lines for 1,200 yen.
Special Passes
Special Passes not only make getting around much more convenient, you can save money too!
- Fuji Hakone Pass - 8,000 yen
Use for three consecutive days, It provides unlimited use of designated buses, trains, boats, cable-cars and rope-ways in the Hakone and the Fuji Five Lake areas. You also get discounted admission to selected tourist attractions. Please visit the Official Site for up-to-date details and prices. - Fujigoko Enjoy Ticket - 4,350 yen
Purchase the Fujigoko Enjoy Ticket at the bus terminal in Shinjuku. It is a 2 day pass that It combines a round trip (by highway bus) from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko or Yamanakako and a choice of either the retro bus bus OR the Fujikko-go bus. You also get some discounts at selected attractions. Here is the Official Fujigoko Enjoy Ticket page (Japanese only). There is an English version of the Fujikyuko Bus page but could not find mention of the Fujigoko Enjoy Ticket in English. You can call first (0555-73-8181, 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.) to reserve a ticket/seat and then when you get to the station pay for it. - Fujisan Fujigoko Passport - 3,550 yen or 2,550 yen
Use for two consecutive days, purchase at Fujikyu ticket counters at Kawaguchiko Station, Fujisan Station, Mishima Station, Shin-Fuji Station, Fujinomiya Station, Gotemba Station and the Asashigaoka/Yamanakako bus stop. Provides unlimited use of Fujikyu buses around the Fuji Five Lakes, including the retro buses and the Fujikko bus.
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Area Map
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Attractions
Here is a list of some of the top Attractions in & nearby Fuji Five Lakes. View all Attractions in Fuji Five Lakes.
Oshino Hakkai
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Closed: No closing days
Cost: 300 yen
Map: Google Map
Nagoya Tarou (CC BY-SA 3.0) Oshino Hakkai is a small "Theme Park" type attraction built specifically for tourists. There are "Eight Ponds" (fed by snow milt from the slopes of Mt. Fuji), a small "Open Air Museum" (Hannoki Bayashi Shiryokan) with some traditional ... more details
Fuji-Q Highland
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (until 6:00 p.m. on Holidays and Weekends)
Closed: Small number of irregular days
Cost: Unlimited Rides: 5,700 yen | Entrance fee only: 1,500 yen (individual ride tickets cost between 400 and 1,000 yen each)
Map: Google Map
funk bass (CC BY 3.0) Fuji-Q Highland is a "Thrill Seeker" Amusement Park and one of Japan's most popular parks. The park is located in the "Five Lake" region at the base of Mt. Fuji (on the Northern side). Fuji-Q Highland has some very scary haunted attractions ... more details
Iyashi No Sato
Hours: March - November: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.December - February: 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Closed: No regular closing days (very rarely an irregular closing day)
Cost: 18+: 350 yen | Under 18: 150 yen
Map: Google Map
Yoshihide Urushihara (CC BY-SA 2.0) Iyashi No Sato sits on the site of a former farming village on the western shores of Lake Saiko. The original village was destroyed by a typhoon in 1966 but in the early 2000's the village's traditional thatched roofed houses were reconstructed and then t... more details
