Spending a weekend in Kawaguchiko is a great idea while in Japan! We will never forget the 2 days we spent in the area and cannot recommend it enough. The town is full of delicious food, endless nature, and breathtaking views of Mount Fuji.
Many people will tell you to plan a trip to Hakone for the onsen experience and Fuji-spotting but we say skip it. Yes, it has its appeal but the Fujikawaguchiko area has so much more to offer. It is close enough to be a day trip from Tokyo but we recommend spending a weekend in Kawaguchiko to truly experience it all.
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How to Get to Kawaguchiko
From Tokyo
Getting to Kawaguchiko from Tokyo is really easy. It takes anywhere from 1.5 to 2.5 hours to reach Kawaguchiko Station from Tokyo with most departures from Shinjuku Station. You can get there by car but we recommend taking either a train or the bus.
Tokyo to Kawaguchiko by train
Train service in Japan is the stuff of legend and the Fuji Excursion Limited is no exception! This train gets you from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko in just under 2 hours with no transfers. You can board the train at Shinjuku Station and ride in comfort until you reach Kawaguchiko Station.
The Fuji Excursion Limited costs ¥4,130 one-way for adults and ¥2,065 for children. Luckily, part of this trip is on a JR Line. This means you could use your JR Pass to bring the cost down to ¥1,570! So if you’re thinking “is the JR Pass worth it” then this adds to your savings.
Tokyo to Kawaguchiko by Bus
If you don’t have a JR Pass you can get from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko by bus to save money. The buses in Japan are surprisingly clean and comfortable compared to what we’re used to in North America. The bus will make the trip in just over 2 hours (depending on traffic) and cost between ¥1,750 and ¥3,600.
You can catch the bus at either Tokyo Station or Shinjuku Station. Once you get to the station, look for signs pointing you towards the buses or ask the information desk. You can book tickets in advance at either Kosoku Bus or Highway-Buses to guarantee a seat.
From Kyoto/Osaka
Kyoto to Kawaguchiko
We decided to add a weekend in Kawaguchiko on our way back to Tokyo from Kyoto. The trip is not as direct and requires a bit of planning. Don’t worry, though, because it’s not overly complicated. You will transfer from the Shinkansen to a bus and everything can be booked in advance.
Kyoto to Mishima
Part 1 of your journey will have you taking the Shinkansen from Kyoto Station to Mishima Station. You can book your seat on the direct Hikari train that will take about 2 hours. This part of the journey is included with your JR Pass or else it will cost ¥11,000.
Mishima To Kawaguchiko
You have 2 options once you arrive in Mishima but they both have the same result. If you have a JR Pass you can transfer to a local train heading to Gotemba Station. You’ll then have to transfer to the Kawaguchiko-bound bus for an hour and ¥1,540.
We decided to save ourselves another transfer and just take the bus right from Mishima Station. This makes the journey 1.5 hours and ¥2,300 but it is more straightforward – just head from the train to the bus and relax! The bus makes a few stops but Kawaguchiko Station is at the end of the line so you won’t miss it.
Timing is Everything
The Mishima to Kawaguchiko bus only leaves a few times per day so you’ll need to time it just right. Your best bet is to aim for the 2:10 PM bus leaving Mishima which will get you to Kawaguchiko just as hotel check-ins start. You will need to catch either the 11:10am Kodama Train or the 12:08pm Hikari Train to get you there in time.
Both trains arrive with less than 20 minutes before the bus leaves. Don’t worry, though, because this is more than enough time. The Shinkansen in Japan are notoriously on time so it arrives exactly when it says it will. If you book your bus ticket online then you’ll be sitting in your seat within 10 minutes of reaching the station.
Getting Around Kawaguchiko
By Car
Driving around Kawaguchiko is easy if you arrived by car or plan to rent one. The roads are well maintained, ample parking, and directions are straightforward. There is also only one road that goes all around the lake so you can do it in one loop. Keep an eye out for pedestrians because sidewalks can either be very narrow or gone completely in some spots.
By Bus
Most people spending a weekend in Kawaguchiko will be taking the bus. The buses leaving from Kawaguchiko Station can get you to just about anywhere in the area. We use Google Maps to help us find out which buses to take and it worked like a charm in Kawaguchiko. Just like most other cities in Japan, you can use your SUICA Card to pay your bus fare.
Get Around Lake Kawaguchiko
There is only one bus that will take you around to the other side of Lake Kawaguchiko. If you want stunning views of Mount Fuji reflected off the lake then take the Red Line Bus from Kawaguchiko Station. The bus runs in a constant loop with departures every 10-20 minutes. They offer a 2-day Unlimited Pass for ¥1,500 but it’s not worth it if you only take the bus once or twice.
By Train
You will need to take the train if you plan on reaching some further away sights like Chureito Pagoda or Fuji-Q Highland. All of the trains you will need leave from Kawaguchiko Station with some being covered by your JR Pass. We chose to stay near the Station so we could easily get anywhere we wanted.
Where to Stay in Kawaguchiko
Close to Kawaguchiko Station
Kawaguchiko is not a large city but it’s far from a small town. Luckily, Kawaguchiko Station is the main hub so you can get virtually anywhere from there. Most shops, hotels, and restaurants are on this side of the lake so we recommend staying there.
One great option is the Jinya Hotel just 5 minutes from Kawaguchiko Station. It’s a 3-star hotel so there are not a lot of amenities but it has what you need. The staff are friendly, the rooms are large and clean, and the beds are super comfortable. Each room comes with a mini-fridge and kettle with a Family Mart only steps away.
The Jinya Hotel is centrally located so you can get around the area easily. It’s also within walking distance of some of the best cafes, yakiniku, and tempura restaurants. You will also never get tired of Mount Fuji down the street!
The Onsen Experience
The Fujikawaguchiko area is also home to some of the best hidden-gem onsen in Japan. Most of the onsen and ryokan are on the other side of Lake Kawaguchiko so plan to take a bus or taxi if your hotel doesn’t offer a free shuttle. There really is no better place to relax with a postcard view of Mount Fuji!
Both onsen and ryokan are more expensive than regular hotels. This is because it’s an all-inclusive experience so you get your money’s worth. Visit either the Hotel Konansou or the Mifujien for an unforgettable stay.
Where to Eat in Kawaguchiko
There are so many great restaurants in Kawaguchiko that it’s hard try them all in a weekend. No matter your taste or budget, there will always be a delicious option available for you. Most of the restaurants in Kawaguchiko are found on the Fuji-side of the lake.
Kawaguchiko Tempura
We quickly became obsessed with all things fried in Japan. Each new place will open your eyes to the possibilities of what tempura can be. Who knew tempura eggs existed??
If you’re staying in Kawaguchiko then you should head to Fuji Tempura Ida-ten. They serve a wide range of perfectly-fried concoctions that come with rice and miso. Their specialty is the Fuji-san Tendon with 6 large prawns shaped to look like Mount Fuji! They also have live music on some nights which adds another layer to the experience.
Kawaguchiko Yakiniku
You will quickly become familiar with yakiniku during your trip to Japan. This style of restaurant is basically ‘Japanese BBQ’. You sit at a table with a hot grill in the middle. Once you put your order in, you get the raw ingredients to cook up yourself.
We had an amazing meal (and maybe ate a little too much) at Wagyu Yoritomo. The staff are ready to help you navigate the menu and light the grill for you. Yakiniku is one of the most affordable ways to enjoy Wagyu beef since it comes thinly sliced. It is an absolute must-try if you haven’t experienced it!
Lunch In Kawaguchiko
If you’re looking for a delicious lunch or to indulge your sweet tooth head over to Cafe Crema. All of their pastries and dishes are expertly made in-house using fresh, local ingredients. They also make seriously tasty coffee-based drinks for that mid-afternoon pick-me-up.
Their menu changes quite often but it’s worth planning a stop while you are visiting Kawaguchiko. The owners were so friendly and recommended great options. You won’t be disappointed!
Mount Fuji Fluffy Pancakes
We saw a sign advertising “Mount Fuji Pancakes” after arriving in Kawaguchiko so we had to try them. These cloud-like pancakes are even cooked in a oven made of lava rocks from Mount Fuji! Head to Fujisan Pancake located at the Noborisaka Hotel and bring your appetite because they are filling.
What to do in Kawaguchiko
Sunrise over Mount Fuji
Hot take: sunrises are better than sunsets! You get the same beautiful colours with less than a quarter of the people you’ll get at sunset. Sure, you have to wake up at an unmentionable hour but it is SO worth it. You must plan to take in a sunrise over Mount Fuji while you’re in Kawaguchiko for an experience you’ll never forget.
There are a lot of great sunrise vantage points but we recommend getting to Chureito Pagoda. This viewing spot gets really busy as the day goes on so daybreak is a perfect time for some peace and quiet. Follow in our footsteps by taking the 5:49am train from Kawaguchiko Station to Shimoyoshida Station arriving at 6:03am for ¥310 on your SUICA Card. This gives you just enough time to walk from the station to Chureito Pagoda.
The walk from Shimoyoshida to Chureito Pagoda is well-marked but it’s no picnic. Things get real at the entrance to the Chureito Pagoda grounds because it’s all uphill from there…literally! You can either take the almost 400 steps to the top or follow the winding path upwards. You might be a bit winded by the time you reach the summit but there’s no better place to catch your breath.
Mount Fuji Panorama Ropeway
If you want a different view of Mount Fuji or want to hike through nature then head to the Mount Fuji Panorama Ropeway. You can reach the entrance either by bus or by 10 minute walk from Kawaguchiko Station. A roundtrip to the top of Mount Kachi Kachi will cost you ¥900 and is only open during daylight.
Once you’re at the top, you can marvel at Fuji-san from a few different vantage points. This area is quite popular so expect crowds as the day goes on. Most people stay around the immediate area so you can avoid them if you walk a bit further down one of the trails.
Make sure to stop at the heart-shaped Bell of Tenjo for a unique Mount Fuji selfie. After that, grab a souvenir from the shop and a rabbit-themed dango before visiting the shrine. The entire area pays homage to the rabbit and the raccoon which you’ll notice by the motif.
Fuji-Q Highland
Japan is world-famous for its theme parks among many other things. One of the more popular destinations for thrill-seekers on their trip to Japan is Fuji-Q Highland. This roller coaster wonderland is full of record-breaking rides. You will find the world’s fastest accelerating coaster as well as the world’s steepest drop.
You can get from Kawaguchiko Station to Fuji-Q Highland on the Fujikyuko Line. It only costs ¥180 when you get off at Fujikyu-Highland Station. You could also take one of several buses from Kawaguchiko Station to Fujikyu-Highland Station that cost about the same as the train. Both will drop you off within 50m of the park. You’ll be upside down on a coaster in no time!
Sunset Behind Mount Fuji
Even though we said sunrises are better, we still appreciate a great sunset. We recommend Chureito Pagoda for sunrise because it gets too crowded at sunset. Instead of the Pagoda, hop on the Red Line Bus around Lake Kawaguchiko. Get off the bus at the Sunnide Resort (¥440) and walk over to Nagasaki Park.
Bring a conbini picnic with you to enjoy while you watch the sun dip behind Mount Fuji. This is another lifelong memory for us that ranks among our Top Travel Moments. Even the fact that we just lost our drone in the lake (looong story) couldn’t take away from the fairytale view.
A Weekend in Kawaguchiko is a perfect escape
We are so happy with our decision to spend a weekend in Kawaguchiko during our trip to Japan. It was a much-needed breath of fresh air (literally) after 2 weeks of busy travel. We were able to escape the skyscrapers of Osaka and Tokyo to hang out with nature instead. It’s no secret that Mount Fuji is usually covered by clouds so we were lucky to have a full day of a clear Fuji-san!
Have you spent any time in the Fujikawaguchiko area and have other tips to share? Let us know in the comments! In the meantime, don’t forget to subscribe to our monthly roundup newsletter to hear about new posts and giveaways.
