a tall pagoda with a mountain in the background

Fuji Five Lakes

Five lakes on the north side of Mount Fuji, at about 1,000 m above sea level on the Yamanashi Prefecture side.

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Fuji Five Lakes is a group of five lakes at the foot of Mount Fuji, on the Yamanashi Prefecture side, at about 1,000 m above sea level. Motosu, Shoji, Sai, Kawaguchi and Yamanaka sit in an arc around the northern half of the mountain, and they are part of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. All five are volcanic dam lakes, formed when lava flows blocked rivers and valleys. Lake Kawaguchi is the best known. It is the only one of the five with an island, and hotels line its shore.

Visitors come for the views of the mountain, boat rides, lake fishing, hiking and onsen hot springs. Lake Yamanaka is the largest and easternmost of the five, and it is the only one with a natural outflow river. Fujiyoshida, the main town of the region, is known for its udon noodles. The Oshino Hakkai spring ponds are a well-known nearby attraction, but they are not counted among the five lakes. You can make it a day trip or stay a night by the water.

Fuji Five Lakes in five

Stay a night at Lake KawaguchiFuji is clearest at dawn, and a day trip from Tokyo arrives after the cloud builds. One night by the lake gives you a morning view and a rested start.Where to see Mt Fuji
Take a highway bus from ShinjukuBuses run to Kawaguchiko in about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2.5 hours depending on traffic. The Fuji Excursion limited express takes about 2 hours. Reserve seats on weekends and in autumn.
Climb Chureito Pagoda before 9amThe viewpoint above Shimoyoshida is about 400 steps up and fills by mid-morning. Cherry blossom in mid-April and autumn color in November draw the biggest crowds.
Ride the loop buses around the lakeSightseeing loop buses circle Lake Kawaguchi from the station. Ask about a day ticket if you plan three or more hops, and check the last bus before you go far.
Add Oshino Hakkai for the pondsThe village of eight spring-fed ponds is about 30 to 40 minutes from Kawaguchiko by bus. It works as a half day with Lake Yamanaka on the way.

Things to do in Fuji Five Lakes

See all attractions in Fuji Five Lakes

Sight · Fuji Five LakesSai-ko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba

gray concrete road near body of water during daytime

Sight · Fuji Five LakesFugaku Fuketsu

Sight · Fuji Five LakesFujisan World Heritage Center

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to Fuji Five LakesPut the places you like in Fuji Five Lakes on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Getting there: Bus from Shinjuku, about 1 hr 45 min to 2.5 hr
Getting around: Fujikyu trains and loop buses around Lake Kawaguchi
Best base: Kawaguchiko; Fujiyoshida for budget and Chureito
Time needed: 1 night; a day trip works but limits the view
Fuji views: Clearest November–February, mornings

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days
Days with storms
Festival

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryPartly cloudy9 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh5°Low-4°Clear, cold
FebruaryRain12 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh6°Low-3°Snow cap, clear
MarchRain16 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh10°Low0°Cold, hazy days
AprilRain16 rainy daysHigh15°Low5°Cherry blossom
MayRain15 rainy daysHigh19°Low10°Green, cloud
JuneRain19 rainy daysHigh22°Low14°Rainy season
JulyRain21 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh26°Low18°Climbing opens
AugustRain22 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh27°Low19°Haze, fireworks
SeptemberRain19 rainy daysHigh23°Low16°Typhoon risk
OctoberRain17 rainy daysHigh18°Low10°Clearer skies
NovemberRain12 rainy daysHigh13°Low4°Autumn color
DecemberClear9 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh8°Low-1°Clear, cold

Average daily high and low in Kawaguchiko, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Festivals: Apr Shingen-ko Festival

Right now in Fuji Five Lakes

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 5°
Humidity: 94%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 80%

Kawaguchiko

07:41 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+9

Today15°8°80%Tuesday: Partly cloudy. High 15°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 80%.
Wed14°7°84%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 84%.
Thu16°9°98%Thursday: Rain. High 16°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 98%.
Fri21°10°6%Friday: Drizzle. High 21°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 6%.
Sat16°6°22%Saturday: Drizzle. High 16°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 22%.
Sun16°7°37%Sunday: Fog. High 16°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 37%.
Mon13°5°32%Monday: Partly cloudy. High 13°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 32%.

Updated 06:52 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 157.5 JPY

Amount

Converted to

JPY · Japanese Yen

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Fuji Five Lakes

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Coming up

Tokyo, JapanGrand Sumo in TokyoJan 10 – 24, 2027 · Read the event guide

Every year

AprShingen-ko FestivalFuji Five Lakes
MayKanda MatsuriTokyo, a day trip
MaySanja MatsuriAsakusa, a day trip
JunSannō MatsuriTokyo, a day trip
Jul–AugTokyo Idol FestivalTokyo, a day trip
AugFukagawa MatsuriTokyo, a day trip
AugKōenji Awa OdoriTokyo, a day trip
AugJingu Fireworks FestivalTokyo, a day trip

Day trips by train

Before you go to Fuji Five Lakes

Guided Fuji day tripTransport from Tokyo and a guideCompare day trips

Rooms at Lake KawaguchiRyokan and onsen hotelsCheck availability

eSIM for JapanData before you landRead the guide

Travel insuranceMedical cover for JapanRead the guide

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Rules for Fuji Five Lakes, checked

Check visa-free entry and passport rules on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan website before you fly.Source
Tipping is not the custom in Japan. Do not leave cash for taxi drivers, hotel staff or restaurant servers.
Bass and smelt fishing on the lakes follow local rules. Ask your boat operator before you cast a line.
Dial 110 for police and 119 for fire or an ambulance. These numbers work from any phone in Japan.

Plan around Fuji Five Lakes

Where to see Mt Fuji

Chureito, the lakes, Hakone and the shinkansen, by season.

Read the guide Climbing Mount Fuji

The season, four trails, fees and booking a hut.

Read the guide Best time to visit

Blossom, autumn color, rainy season and typhoons.

Read the guide Is the JR Pass worth it?

Price your route first: singles often win.

Read the guide Best eSIM for Japan

Plans compared, so you land online.

Read the guide

Fuji Five Lakes FAQ

Can you visit Fuji Five Lakes as a day trip from Tokyo?

Yes. Leave Shinjuku by 7:30am to reach Kawaguchiko before 10am, see Chureito Pagoda and one lake, and return in the evening. You risk cloud on the summit by midday, so a night in the area gives a better chance of a view.

How many days do you need at Fuji Five Lakes?

One night and two days is the comfortable minimum. That covers Chureito, Lake Kawaguchi and Oshino Hakkai. Add a night for Lake Yamanaka, cycling or a Fuji climb in season.

How do you get from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko?

The highway bus from Shinjuku takes about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2.5 hours. The Fuji Excursion limited express from Shinjuku takes about 2 hours and needs a reserved seat. The JR Pass does not cover the Fujikyu line.

When is the best time to see Mt Fuji from Kawaguchiko?

November to February gives the clearest mornings, and April brings cherry blossom at Chureito. Summer and the June rainy season often hide the cone. Go early, since cloud builds by late morning.

Is Kawaguchiko or Hakone better for Mt Fuji views?

Kawaguchiko gives a closer, more direct view of the cone. Hakone adds onsen and Lake Ashi, but Fuji is farther away and partly hidden. Choose Kawaguchiko for Fuji, Hakone for hot springs and variety.