Mt. Fuji Day Trip: Lake Kawaguchiko and Chureito Pagoda

When you embrace Japanese culture but also suffer from hayfever

LAKE KAWAGUCHIKO

Lake Kawaguchiko is the biggest of Fuji’s five lakes and is a popular spot with beautiful, open views of Mt. Fuji. There is plenty to do (and lots of pictures to take!) so I’d recommend making your visit a day trip.

After a long trip with several buses and train from Hakone, we finally made it to Lake Kawaguchiko. Mt. Fuji is notorious for being shy so we were lucky to be able to see Mt. Fuji on a sunny, clear day and we were early enough (around 10am if I recall correctly) that weren’t too many people around yet. We found a completely empty spot by the water to take some photos and even managed to get a few self-timer snaps by resting my camera on a pole. I didn’t bring a tripod with me for this trip, but I’ll definitely have to invest in lightweight one so that Kevin and I can get good shots together when we travel!

We then headed to Kachi Kachi Ropeway but by this time there was a huge crowd. We waited around 30 minutes before calling it quits unfortunately since we were short on time. Since it took us so long to get to and from Lake Kawaguchiko, it felt like we had very little time to explore and enjoy ourselves properly, so next time I’d love to stay in the area or somewhere closer (Connie also recommends this in her post!) and hire bikes to ride around Lake Kawaguchiko!

chureito pagoda

Our next stop was Chureito Pagoda.

After climbing up some steep stairs (you could take the flatter, windier but longer path instead), you’ll soon be rewarded with a breathtaking view of Chureito Pagoda with Mt. Fuji. I can only imagine how much more amazing it would look in Cherry Blossom season or with autumn leaves.

There was a small crowd at the top but thanks to Kevin’s framing and angles, he managed to ‘hide’ the guy that was enjoying the view for a bit too long and the groups next to me (the raised seating helped!).

The view of Mt. Fuji from Chureito Pagoda

The view of Mt. Fuji walking to Shimoyoshida Station

HOW TO GET THERE

The simplest and most direct way to get to Kawaguchiko is via the Fujikyuko Bus which takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes and costs 2,650 yen one way.

Since we were already in Hakone and had the Fuji Hakone Pass (5,650 yen ~$70), we took local trains and buses from Hakone-Yumoto Station which took around 2 hours and 45 minutes. That wasn’t too bad but the way back was exhausting because it took 4 hours (!!) to get back because of an insane amount of traffic and missed connections.

Other buses:

• Omni Red Line Sightseeing Bus (to get around Lake Kawaguchiko)

• Mt. Fuji World Heritage Loop Bus (to get to Chureito Pagoda from Lake Kawaguchiko)

I love the minimal aesthetic of Shimoyoshida Station

jess.

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