| Fujigoko ((ja)富士 五 湖) | |
 | |
| Fujigoko and Mount Fuji Kawaguchi Lake Motosu lake sai lake Shōji Lake Yamanaka lake | |
| Information | |
| Country |  Japan |
|---|---|
| Region | Chūbu |
| Location | |
 35 ° 25 ′ 26 ″ N 138 ° 42 ′ 19 ″ E | |
| Touristic site | |
The region of Fujigoko (the "5 lakes of Fuji") is located at the northern end of the natural park of Fuji-Hakone-Izu, in the Yamanashi prefecture. In the middle of various mountain ranges and volcanoes, there are 5 lakes that were created during an eruption of Fuji-san: there used to be only one large lake that lava flows split into several pieces. To the south of these lakes sits the majestic 1 Mount Fuji .
Understand
The lakes are famous in particular for the views they offer on the latter.
To go
Accessing the region usually involves passing through the small town of Fujiyoshida (富士 吉田), located between Lakes Kawaguchi and Yamanaka.
Main approaches to Mount Fuji
By train
Since Shinjuku in Tokyo, count around 2 h by express train. Take the train limited express Azusa or Super Azusa on the JR Chūō Line to Ōtsuki (1 per hour), then change to the Fujikyuko private line which goes through Fujiyoshida and ends at Kawaguchiko (1 140 JPY one way, not covered by the JR Pass).
- 1 Kawaguchiko Station (河口湖 駅, kawaguchiko-eki)
By bus
Since Tokyo: a bus service connects the train station Shinjuku at the station Kawaguchiko and Yamanakako. The journey takes a little less than 2 h and costs 1 700 JPY (in 2009). There is a bus every hour from 7 h - 19 h. Buses are equipped with toilets and luggage compartments, and you will be assigned a seat. There are also buses leaving from Tokyo Station and Tokyo Station. Shinjuku in Tokyo.
Circulate
By bus
- Retro-bus / Omni-bus – These small tourist buses go around the Kawaguchiko and Saiko (note that it is written "Sightseeing Bus" on the bus and the bus stop). Please note, the bus service stops from 17 h. It is possible to buy a pass at Kawaguchiko station (the retro-bus free coupon) at 1 200 JPY allowing free circulation on both lines for 2 days.
- The one around Kawaguchiko serves the eastern half of this lake, giving access to many tourist attractions such as museums or parks. 1 bus every 30 min.
- The one from Lake Saiko passes by the shore on Lake Kawaguchi before taking a tour of Lake Saiko (1 bus per hour). It also stops at the caves to the west of this lake.
- Buses connect the train station Kawaguchiko to the lakes of Shojiko and Motosuko, but the traffic is more irregular. There too the buses no longer run after 17 h. There are passes for these lines.
- There is also a bus service from Kawaguchiko station to the 5e Kawaguchi station (approximately 50 min), the most popular place to start the ascent of the Mount Fuji. This hike is not recommended outside of the official season (July and August) and the buses only run during the day. Therefore, if you want to make the ascent you will have to book a taxi to leave early in the morning or late at night to arrive at the 5e station. In September 2009, the outward journey cost about 13 000 JPY.
By bike
The roads which separate the lakes are not too steep, it can be practical to rent a bike to go from one lake to another without worrying about the bus schedules (and possibly for less too…).
By car
The lakes are well connected by roads and a car can be a good option for getting around the area.
See
Volcanoes and mountains
- The Mount Fuji, the highest and most sacred mountain in Japan, clearly visible from many vantage points in the region (in good weather), offers magnificent panoramas. It is also possible to climb to the top of the volcano but the climb is not easy, even during the season when the mountain is open (from May to August). It is not advisable for inexperienced climbers to attempt the climb out of season, every year people get injured or die trying to reach the top.
Lakes
Old lava flow frozen in basalt at the edge of the Motosuko
The five lakes are as follows. Note that the suffix "ko" (湖) means "lake". You can therefore find for example the name "Yamanakako" as the name "Lake Yamanaka".
- 1 Yamanakako (山 中 湖; Yamanaka lake) – The largest and easternmost of the five lakes.
- 2 Kawaguchiko (河口湖; Kawaguchi Lake) – It is the most accessible and most touristic lake of the five; it is also the only one to have an island in its middle. It is possible to see the Fujisan from several vantage points by the lake, watch it reflected in the water from the northern shores surrounded by cherry blossoms (spring) or lavender fields (summer). Traces of ancient Fuji lava flows can also be seen in various places along the lake (in particular, this time, on the southern shores). The following attractions are from closest to farthest from the station.
Momiji tunnel and view of Mount Fuji by Lake Kawaguchi
- 3 Mount Tenjo Cable Car (天上 山 公園 カ チ カ チ 山 ロ ー プ ウ ェ イ tenjōyama kōen kachikachiyama rōpuwei) (east of Lake Kawaguchi) – This short cable car leads to a viewpoint near Mount Tenjō. You can enjoy a beautiful view of the lake below and Mount Fuji, and drink tea and eat dango (sticky rice balls).
- 4 Kawaguchiko Konohana Museum (河口湖 木 ノ 花 子術館, kawaguchiko konoha bijutsukan) 3026-1 Kawaguchi, Fujikawaguchiko-machi, Minami-tsuru-gun (retro bus - Fuji Kyuko line)
Tue-Nov: 9 h - 17 h; Dec-Feb: weekdays 10 h - 16 h, weekends and holidays 9 h - 17 h. 
adults 500 JPY, children 300 JPY. – A museum on the popular children's book “Dayan the Cat” by Ikeda Akiko. Shows many works from the artist's books about the world of Wachifields. Has a nice gift shop and cafe.
Tue-Nov: 
adults - 5 Momiji corridor (も み じ 回廊momiji kaitei) (on the north shore, a short walk from the museum heading west) – Another famous place to admire the trees. A variety of beautiful trees, including maples and gingkos, line a small river on a gentle slope. The trees are illuminated at night during the fall tree viewing season.
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Momiji corridor
- Itchiku Kubota Art Museum (久保 田 一 竹 子術館, kubota itchiku bijutsukan) (on the northeast shore of Lake Kawaguchi; take the Retro Bus and ask the driver to stop at the Kubota Museum. Walk a few steps away from the lake and you will see signs. The museum will be on the left in the woods, just outside 01 min walk, surrounded by beautiful gardens) adults: 1 300 JPY. – This small but beautiful museum was designed by the artist himself. Kubota was a major designer of modern kimono. This museum houses his incredible series called “Symphony of Light”. Worth to be seen. Some of the collection of carefully dyed and crafted silk kimonos can be found here, with others on display in galleries around the world. Each kimono is designed to have an image flowing from one kimono to another. Museum also has two separate tea rooms, one Western-style and one Japanese-style, which make a pleasant break from a day of sightseeing. The place itself is a work of art with its stylized entrance in the form of a doorframe standing alone in the forest.
- 6 Momiji tunnel (紅葉 ト ン ネ ルmomiji thundered) (on the north shore of Lake Kawaguchiko, just across the road; on foot, from the last retro bus stop in the north, walk (cautiously) west by the side of the road with no sidewalk.) – In autumn, this wood takes on magnificent yellow and orange colors (“momiji” designating the leaves in their autumn colors). In addition, there is also a good view of the lake and Mount Fuji from here.
- Itchiku Kubota Art Museum (久保 田 一 竹 子術館, kubota itchiku bijutsukan) (on the northeast shore of Lake Kawaguchi; take the Retro Bus and ask the driver to stop at the Kubota Museum. Walk a few steps away from the lake and you will see signs. The museum will be on the left in the woods, just outside 01 min walk, surrounded by beautiful gardens)
- 7 Saiko (西湖; sai lake) – Neighbor of Kawaguchiko, it is a quieter lake bordered by dense forests. Her light blue coloring, reminiscent of some beautiful eyes, has earned her the nickname "young girl". The view of the Fujisan is often obstructed from the shores of the lake because of the mountain range that surrounds it but it is nevertheless possible to see it from the east shore.
- 8 Shōjiko (精進 湖; Shōji Lake) – East of Saiko, it is the smallest of the five lakes. You can also see the basaltic remains of ancient flows plunging into the water. The lake offers some views of the Fujisan but more timid than since its neighbors. It has been a place of tourism since the end of the XVIIIe century famous for its “herabuna” carp fishing.
Motosu Lake
- 9 Motosuko (本 栖 湖; Motosu lake) (bus every 30 min-1 h) – The most remote lake of the five is east of Shojiko. The ninth deepest lake in Japan, it is famous for never freezing in winter (certainly heated by local geothermal energy). Once again you can see the remains of the ancient lava flows by the lake and the shores offer beautiful views of the Fujisan. The view of Mount Fuji on the tickets 5000 h Japanese is notably a photo taken from the north shore of this lake.
- 10 View of Mount Fuji on the ¥ 1,000 bill (千 円 札 の 富士山) (From Kawaguchiko station, take the bus going to the tourist office on the eastern shore of the lake, and it will be at 1 h walk northwest of the lake on a flat course. Bike rental available at the tourist office. One direct bus per day to this place from Kawaguchiko station: bus to Shimobe-onsen (下部 温泉), get off at Kōwansō-mae (浩 庵 荘 前). Note the return time or you will have to walk 1 h to the east bank to return to Kawaguchiko) – The image of Mount Fuji on the back of the ticket 1 000 JPY was taken here on the northeast shore of Lake Motosu.
Forest
Aokigahara Jukai grows on an ancient lava flow.
 | Note: Aokigahara is a very dense and frightening forest. You can get lost in it very easily and there isn't much you can do if you get lost. Trying to use a GPS, mobile phone or WiFi will be in vain because of the density of the trees. Do not venture off the trail or into blocked access areas. In summary, as long as you follow the proper precautions, you will be fine. |
- 11 Aokigahara Forest (青木 ヶ 原; Jukai (海 海, ocean of trees)) – This forest that surrounds the lakes of Saiko, Shojiko and Motosuko grew on the ancient lava flow that cut an ancient primeval lake into three (giving rise to the Saiko, Shojiko and Motosuko). This forest is renowned as being a place where walkers get easily lost (nothing like this will happen to you if you follow the paths) and a very popular suicide spot (more than 70 bodies found each year) ... nevertheless with its soil atypical basalt, it offers a pleasant and unusual decor. You can find a few caves there, some of which are described below and can be visited, in the frozen basalt of the old flow.
Caves
Some basaltic caves of Aokigahara Jukai have been arranged for tourists, there is not always much to see there but at least it is original.
- The Lava cellar: small cave where you can observe some ice stalagmites (it's not hot in there, cover up if you can!) and olivine crystals on the basalt which constitutes the walls.
- The Bat cave.
- the Ice cave : cave where you will walk towards a small collection of very pretty ice stalagmites (but unfortunately hidden behind a hideous fence). Ice walls have been built along the way.
These caves are found to the west of Saiko, we can get there by taking the line Saiko of retro bus. There are many other caves hidden under the "ocean of trees" but, not being developed and consolidated, it can be very dangerous to try to explore them.
Make
- Hiking – The site is full of hiking trails. You can tour the lakes at your leisure, climb the mountains that border them or wander in the Aokigahara Jukai. A trunk of the Tokai Nature Path, a long hiking route that crosses central Japan through many sites of historical or aesthetic interest, crosses the region. Hiking trails often connect points where Fuji offers its most beautiful panoramas. Go to the local tourist office to get a map of the trails available and the viewpoints available to you.
- Onsen
- Climbing Mount Fuji officially, from July to mid-September. – The ascent of the roof of Japan, a 6-12 h round trip, is covered by the page dedicated to this one. Many climbers climb to the top of Fujisan at night to watch the sunrise from its summit.
- 1 Fuji-Q Highland – One of the biggest amusement parks in Japan. Here you'll find the Fujiyama (1996), one of the world's largest roller coasters, and the Dodonpa (2001), which was at its fastest construction.
- Sunny tourist boat adults: 950 JPY. – This boat makes frequent tourist trips from 20 min on Lake Kawaguchi during the day. A bit pricey for such a short ride, but the views of Mt Fuji are excellent, and it's a good opportunity to get a better view of the lake. Tickets are on sale at an ATM near the platform; an attendant will also be there to answer questions.
Hike to Mount Mitsutsoge
- 2 Hike to Mount Mitsutsoge (三 つ 峠 山, mitsusoge-yama) (take the Mount Tenjo ropeway cable car) 3 h go and 3 h return. – Fairly well maintained path.
Eat
Housing
Hotels and hostels
Cheap
- K's House mt Fuji (at 10 min walk from the "Kawaguchiko" railway station, and 02 min walk to the shore of the lake of the same name) from 2 500 JPY for a dormitory bed. – In this hotel, a kitchen is available with crockery (which must be washed after use, of course!), Internet access, washing machines and discounts for various local attractions (onsen, caves, ...). The quality to price ratio is excellent.
Camping
There are many sites for camping all over the lakes.
Around
- Hakone (a bus line connects Kawaguchiko to Hakone) – The neighboring region of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is not very far from the Lake District and is fairly easy to access.
| Routes via Fujigoko |
| Otsuki ← | NOT  S | → END |
joined  ← | NOT  S | → END |
| END ← | NOT  S | → Gotemba → Hakone |
| Okutama ← Otsuki ← | NOT  S | → Fujinomiya → Fuji |
| END ← | NOT  S | → Minobu |
| END ← | O  E | → Doshi → Sagamihara |
