Nationwide (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto/Koshin, Kansai, Tokai, Chugoku/Shikoku, Kyushu)For glamping reservations, go to Resort Glamping.com
Nationwide (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto/Koshin, Kansai, Tokai, Chugoku/Shikoku, Kyushu)For glamping reservations, go to Resort Glamping.com
2024/ 11/ 21
Lake Kawaguchi, one of the representative "Fuji Five Lakes," is easily accessible from Tokyo and is always ranked highly as a popular tourist spot. Not only can you enjoy the beautiful view of Mt. Fuji, but there are also plenty of spots to enjoy with all five senses, such as seasonal scenery, art museums, and restaurants. Here, we will introduce how to access Lake Kawaguchi from Tokyo, how to purchase tickets and board the express bus and bus convenient for sightseeing around Lake Kawaguchi, and recommended local sightseeing spots.
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To get to Lake Kawaguchi from Tokyo, you can take local trains, express trains, or even an express bus.
If you take the train, it will take 2-3 hours and the one-way fare will be around 3,000-4,000 yen. On the other hand, if you take the highway bus, the travel time will be around 2 hours and the fare will be around 2,000 yen. Considering this, using the highway bus is convenient and economical.
Below, we will explain in detail about the recommended express buses for traveling from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko.
In addition to express buses from Tokyo Station, there are also express buses operating between Tokyo and Lake Kawaguchiko from Shibuya Station, Ikebukuro Station, Shinjuku Station, etc. There are also buses to Lake Kawaguchiko from Narita Airport and Haneda Airport, so another reason to recommend the express bus is that you can easily choose your departure and arrival points according to your travel plans.
Below is a summary of express bus operators, fares, and travel times from major stations in Tokyo to Lake Kawaguchi.
| Departure Station | Bus company | Bus fare to Lake Kawaguchi (adult) (As of 2024 month of 10) | Bus ride time to Lake Kawaguchi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo Station | Fujikyu JR | 2,200JPY | 2 hours 2 minutes |
| Shibuya Station | Fujikyu | 2,100JPY | 2 hours |
| Ikebukuro Station | Fujikyu Western part | 2,100JPY | 1 hours 55 minutes |
| Shinjuku Station (Shinjuku Bus Terminal) | Fujikyu Keio | 2,200JPY (Late night flight: 3,350 yen) | 1 hours 45 minutes |
There are many express buses from Tokyo Station and Shinjuku Station, so you have many options. Please note that bus ride times may vary slightly depending on road congestion.
Some bus companies offer a discount of around 150 to 200 yen if you purchase your express bus ticket online.
Express bus tickets can be purchased at the ticket counters of bus terminals in various locations. For buses departing from and arriving at Tokyo Station and Shibuya Station, you can also reserve tickets at convenience stores using multi-copy machines and purchase tickets by paying at the register. In some cases, tickets can be purchased through travel agencies, although there may be an additional handling fee.
The most recommended isExpressway Bus Net,highwaybus.comYou can purchase tickets online at the following online stores. As mentioned above, you may be able to get a discount online. Also, during busy periods such as cherry blossom viewing and moss pink seasons, tickets may be fully booked if you purchase tickets on the day, so it is safer to purchase tickets online in advance.
Show your ticket to the bus driver and board the bus. Express buses have reserved seats, so be sure to check the seat number on your bus ticket before boarding.
If you want to store your luggage in the trunk of the bus, there may be an attendant there to assist you, but if there is no one there, you will have to carry your luggage on the bus yourself. If the trunk door is not open, check with the driver.
When getting off the bus, you usually don't need to show anything, but some drivers may ask you to show your ticket, so it's best to have your ticket ready to go.
Fujikyu Bus operates local buses around Lake Kawaguchi, but there are many other sights to see in the area, so we recommend using the sightseeing bus that runs routes not only to Lake Kawaguchi, but also to Lake Saiko, Lake Shojiko, and Lake Motosu. From here, we will explain the sightseeing bus in detail.
There are three types of sightseeing buses for each route:
As the buses that run on each route are three colors, red, green, and blue, the routes are also displayed in three colors on the bus route map. Each bus runs on its route at a fixed time.
| Bus type (route) | Service Schedule |
|---|---|
| Lake Kawaguchi sightseeing bus (Red Line) | Departing from Lake Kawaguchi every 9 minutes between 00:17 and 45:15 |
| Saiko Tour Bus (Green Line) | Departing from Lake Kawaguchi every 9 minutes between 10:16 and 10:60 |
| Narusawa / Lake Shoji / Lake Motosu Tour Bus (Blue Line) | 河口湖発 9：35、10：35、11：35、13：35、15：35 |
Most of the sightseeing spots are concentrated around Lake Kawaguchi, so if you can use the Red Line effectively, you can see quite a lot of spots.
*Depending on the route, vehicles with different colors may be used.
The sightseeing bus ticket, the "Sightseeing Bus Common Free Coupon," comes in two types: a 1-day pass and a 2-day pass, and the pricing is as follows:
| Ticket type | Adult rates (As of 2024 month of 10) | children's fare (As of 2024 month of 10) |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Kawaguchi, Lake Saiko, and Lake Motosu Tour Coupon (1 Day Pass) | 1,500JPY | 750JPY |
| Lake Kawaguchi, Lake Saiko, and Lake Motosu Tour Coupon (2 Day Pass) | 2,000JPY | 1,000JPY |
Tickets can be purchased online, at the Kawaguchiko Station bus ticket booth, or on the bus.
◼︎If you purchase online:
Fujikyu Bus purchase pageYou can purchase from here. Payment can be made by credit card, PayPay, or Alipay+.
◼︎If purchasing at the Kawaguchiko Station bus ticket booth:
Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office during opening hours. Payment by credit card is also accepted.
If you have a sightseeing bus common free coupon, you can ride the sightseeing bus as much as you like.
You board the bus through the rear door and exit through the front door. When you board the bus, make sure to check the destination display on the front of the bus to make sure you are on the right track. When you exit the bus, show the driver your free coupon.
If you use the sightseeing bus effectively, you can efficiently visit not only Lake Kawaguchi, but also the sights around Lake Saiko and Lake Shojiko. From here, we will introduce some recommended sightseeing spots for sightseeing by bus.
The Mt. Fuji Panorama Ropeway takes you from the shores of Lake Kawaguchi to Fujimidai Station, where you can enjoy a trip through the sky while looking down at the lake. From an altitude of 1,075m, you can see the beautiful scenery of Mt. Fuji and the lake.
You can enjoy the spectacular views in any season, but we recommend going during the autumn foliage season in early November, when you can take an aerial stroll while admiring the beautifully colored trees, offering a view unique to this season.
From the dock on the shores of Lake Kawaguchi, you can board a pleasure boat modeled after a naval ship from the Warring States period. During the 20-minute voyage on the water, if you go out to the observation deck, you can enjoy the magnificent scenery of the lakeside landscape and the majestically towering Mount Fuji right before your eyes.
With Mount Fuji towering in the distance, the Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum boasts a view reminiscent of Europe. You can spend a relaxing time listening to the sounds of one of the world's largest automatic organs and precious music boxes. The gardens are also beautiful with seasonal flowers in full bloom, and you're sure to have an elegant time enjoying concerts and luxurious menus in the restaurants.
Oishi Park, located on the north side of Lake Kawaguchi, is the last stop on the Red Line sightseeing bus. From this park, you can see both Lake Kawaguchi and Mt. Fuji. It is not only a popular photo spot, but also a place full of nature where you can enjoy seasonal flowers. Lavender season is from late June to mid-July, and during the Herb Festival, you can enjoy the view of the lake and Mt. Fuji beyond the lavender fields.
The Kawaguchiko Museum of Art is a national art museum where you can enjoy paintings, prints, and photographs with Mt. Fuji as a motif. You can also see the works of the "Mt. Fuji Photography Grand Prix," which has been running since 1999, and appreciate the various expressions of Mt. Fuji. The museum also has a cafe called "Cafe Kawaguchiko View," where you can see Lake Kawaguchi from all seats, making it perfect for an adult date.
Take the Red Line sightseeing bus to the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum, then walk for 20 minutes to reach Kawaguchi Asama Shrine. This shrine was built to calm the eruption of Mt. Fuji in 864, and is registered as a World Heritage Site. It is also home to Seven Cedars, a 1200-year-old tree that is a natural monument, and is very popular as a power spot.
If you take the Blue Line sightseeing bus towards Lake Saiko, you will arrive at Narusawa Ice Cave. The temperature inside the vertical cave is an average of 3°C, and the inside is covered in ice all year round. The icicles reach their maximum size around April, with some reaching over 4m in height. Since being designated a national natural monument, it has become a precious site on a global scale, and is a place you should visit at least once.
Fugaku Wind Cave is located in the Aokigahara Jukai forest, along with Narusawa Ice Cave. Like Narusawa Ice Cave, Fugaku Wind Cave is also designated as a national natural monument. The interior is made of rocks that have sound-absorbing properties, making it a mysterious space where sound does not reverberate. Unlike the vertical-type Narusawa Ice Cave, Fugaku Wind Cave is a horizontal-type cave, making it easy for children and the elderly to walk through.
Glamping is also recommended if you want to enjoy a luxurious time surrounded by the rich nature of the Kawaguchiko area. Kawaguchiko BASE DOME GLAMPING Uphill is located very close to the Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum and the Kawaguchiko Museum of Art. Here you can experience a luxurious space while staying in a dome tent or cabin.
Above, we have summarized how to access Fujikawaguchiko from Tokyo, recommended buses for touring Lake Kawaguchiko, and information on surrounding sightseeing spots.
The area around Lake Kawaguchi, where you can see Mt. Fuji up close, is full of nature, and the scenery is beautiful no matter where you look, so you can enjoy a variety of different views even while traveling by bus. Make good use of the sightseeing bus and enjoy many unique experiences around Lake Kawaguchi!
*This column was created based on information as of June 2024.Please check the official website for the latest information on each facility.
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