Fujikawaguchiko Attractions | Activities by Fuji Five Lakes & Mount Fuji

Nestled in the foothills of Mount Fuji, the resort town of Fujikawaguchiko is famed for its front-row views of Japan’s tallest peak and Lake Kawaguchi, the biggest and most tourist-friendly lake that makes up the area known as Fuji Five Lakes. As the gateway to Lake Kawaguchi, Fujikawaguchiko contains several fun activities and things to do, like Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum and the awe-inspiring Maple Corridor. Bonuses to vacationing in this region of Mount Fuji is that Fujikawaguchiko attractions extend to other lakes, and getting around the Fuji Five Lakes area is easy.

Lake Kawaguchi

One of the first things travelers staying in Fujikawaguchiko will want to do is explore Lake Kawaguchi. The north side of the lake features the best views of Mount Fuji, and activities are scattered all around the 12.4-mile (20-kilometer) perimeter. Just a short ride (or 15-minute walk) from Kawaguchiko Station is Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway and Kawaguchiko Tenjozan Park, where many visitors like to begin their sightseeing journey around Lake Kawaguchi. The ropeway provides views of Mount Fuji, and the park contains a hiking course and observation area. Other can’t-miss things to do around Lake Kawaguchi include tours of Lake Kawaguchi Art Gallery Lawn Square and Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum on the east side of the lake. During fall, the Maple Corridor, Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center and Momiji Tunnel on the north bank are must-see attractions.

Getting around Lake Kawaguchi: one of the best ways to enjoy the abundant nature around Lake Kawaguchi is to cycle. Several bicycle rental shops are located just outside Kawaguchiko Station. It takes about three hours to bike around Lake Kawaguchi. A dedicated pedestrian trail, with opportunities to grab alternate transportation, also is available for guests who want to see the area on foot. Travelers also can hop on a bus from Kawaguchiko Station. Buses run about every 15 minutes and stop at different tourist attractions around the lake.

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Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum

While vintage organs and antique music boxes may seem a little out of place on the banks of a lake, this whimsical museum is a must-see attraction when in Fujikawaguchiko. Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum is more than a lesson on musical instruments. This park features an entire experience that includes one-of-a-kind shows and opera performances, European-style gardens, a winding canal, restaurants and magical views of Mount Fuji. On permanent display at the museum is a rare collection of music boxes and automatic musical instruments, plus the world’s largest dance organ, which takes up an entire hall! Visitors can enjoy hands-on activities, like making their own music boxes to take home and strolling through the gardens dressed as a princess.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (last entry 4 p.m.)
Admission fees: 1,800 JPY (16.60 USD) for adults and 1,300 JPY (12 USD) for students

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Itchiku Kubota Art Museum

An entire structure dedicated to the work of a celebrated textile artist, Itchiku Kubota Art Museum is a fascinating way to learn about the history of the Japanese kimono. The museum not only exhibits several of Itchiku Kubota’s most unique kimono creations, but it is set in a complex that is considered an artistic masterpiece itself. Many of the structures on the grounds of Itchiku Kubota Art Museum are constructed with Okinawan coral and limestone, and the gardens, designed by Itchiku Kubota himself, take on an otherworldly feel with ornate gateways, pebbled pathways and a waterfall. Itchiku Kubota dedicated his life to reviving and perfecting the art of the Tsujigahana dyeing technique, which involves painting on tie-dyed fabrics. The method was popular during the Muromachi era (1336 to 1573) and died out in the Edo era (1603 to 1868). Itchiku Kubota spent more than 40 years recreating the art, and Itchiku Kubota Art Museum is a testament to his dedication to the textile industry and his country’s traditions.

Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from April through November and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from December through March (closed Tuesday, except for public holidays)
Admission fees: 1,300 JPY (12 USD) for adults, 900 JPY (8.30 USD) for high school students and 400 JPY (3.70 USD) for junior high and elementary school students

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Aokigahara Forest

For adventure travelers seeking a little mystery with their serenity, a jaunt through Aokigahara Forest is a must. Also known as the Sea of Trees, Aokigahara Forest is a dense forest that sets on a foundation of lava rock, created from Mount Fuji’s last major eruption in the year 864. The region spreads between Lake Motosu, Lake Shoji and Saiko Lake, three of the lakes that make up Fuji Five Lakes, and is bountiful with rugged lava formations and winding caves, two of the most popular being Fugaku Wind Cave and Narusawa Ice Cave. Through the years, Aokigahara Forest has developed a reputation as being home to yurei, or ghosts of the dead in Japanese mythology. Rare wildlife, like the Japanese mink, Japanese mole and the occasional Asian black bear, also have been spotted in the forest.

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Lake Motosu

Though it takes some planning and probably a private driver (if you don’t have your own transportation) to reach Fuji Five Lakes’ westernmost body of water, spending a day in the confines of Lake Motosu comes with great rewards. The lake sits in a remote area and offers camping, hiking and boating along with plenty of privacy. The lakeside also offers stupendous views of Mount Fuji, which is amplified in the fall when the lake reflects the brilliant oranges, yellows and reds that sweep over the region. Of all the Fuji Five Lakes, Lake Motosu is the deepest, and its bright blue water and striking surroundings earned the lake a place on the back of the 1,000-yen bill. Those wanting to spend time outdoors will find a hiking trail that goes from the east to the north side of the lake, where views of Mount Fuji are best.

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