Whether or not visitors to the Fuji area plan to climb the mountain itself, the Fuji Five Lakes (Fuji Go Ko in Japanese) area is a pleasant place to spend a day or two. Lake Yamanaka is the largest lake, but Kawaguchi is the most developed, with many hotels along its shores. The lakes area is fun for travelers with a range of interests, with hiking, camping, and boating, as well as cultural attractions and one of the most popular amusement parks in Japan, Fuji-Q Highland. Travelers often visit on an overnight trip from Tokyo, although it can also be enjoyed on a day trip too as it’s just a couple of hours away.
For a day trip, the best way to get to the Fuji Five Lakes from Tokyo is on a guided tour, as you won’t waste time finding transport. For longer independent trips, there are many train and bus connections from the Tokyo area to Kawaguchiko and Fujisan stations (among others). Tourist services leave from Shinjuku, Tokyo, and Shibuya stations in central Tokyo, plus there are numerous local services.
As the lakes area is at altitude, it can be a nice place to head in the summer for cooler temperatures. The spring, summer, and autumn are also the best times to enjoy outdoor activities like camping and hiking. The winter is cold at the lakes, but this can be a good time to get clear and impressive views of Mount Fuji, as well as to enjoy hot spring onsen baths.
Mount Fuji is one of Japan’s most iconic sights, and it can be climbed from early July to mid-September. It’s moderately challenging but requires no technical skills. On clear days, the views from the top spread for many miles across Honshu. Fuji is an extremely popular destination for Japanese tourists and is definitely not a wilderness experience.
