Kawaguchiko Fuji Tour 2026: Day Trip Itinerary & View Stays

A Mount Fuji tour is absolutely essential when you're exploring Tokyo!

This time, I visited Kawaguchiko, a fantastic destination where you can enjoy observation decks, parks, and even the atmosphere of traditional villages, all centered around its beautiful lake.

It's the kind of place that's perfect for a relaxed day trip or a 1-night, 2-day itinerary, making it a popular choice for many travelers.

---

---

Kawaguchiko is a charming city near Tokyo, famous for its captivating lake scenery with majestic Mount Fuji in the background.

While it's a great spot for first-time Mount Fuji visitors, as many of you might know, Mount Fuji is incredibly sensitive to weather changes.

It often appears crystal clear in the morning but can quickly get obscured by clouds in the afternoon. That's why I highly recommend planning your itinerary to start early if possible.

01. Location & How to Get There

There are two main ways to get from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko: by train or by highway bus.

If you take the Limited Express Fuji Excursion from Shinjuku, you can travel directly to Kawaguchiko Station without any transfers, which is incredibly convenient. However, the fare is on the pricier side at 4,130 yen.

The highway bus also takes you there directly with no transfers, and the fare is much more affordable at 2,200 yen. Just be aware that there might be traffic congestion on weekends and holidays.

⭐Pro Tip⭐

Reservations for the Fuji Excursion open 30 days before the boarding date, starting at 10 AM. When traveling from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko, seats D and C offer the best views of Mount Fuji! >Book Fuji Excursion here<

02. Travel Itinerary

Lawson Convenience Store

One of the best places to make your first stop on a Kawaguchiko trip is the Lawson convenience store with a view of Mount Fuji.

It's a common convenience store you'd find anywhere in Japan, but the specific angle with Mount Fuji in the background has become so incredibly famous that it's now known as an iconic photo spot representing Kawaguchiko!

Actually, there are several Lawson convenience stores in Kawaguchiko that offer a view of Mount Fuji. However, all of them tend to get extremely crowded with people and cars, making it quite challenging to get a clean, beautiful shot.

I only checked out the Lawson near Kawaguchiko Station before heading to other locations.

Tenjoyama Park

For our second stop, Tenjoyama Park is a fantastic spot where you can take in panoramic views of Lake Kawaguchiko and Mount Fuji. You'll reach it by taking the Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway.

​

The price is 1,000 yen per person!

It was quite busy, so we waited about 15 minutes before boarding.

The ride up to the summit takes about 2 to 3 minutes, and

The view overlooking the entire lake and village was absolutely breathtaking!

It was wide open without any obstructions, offering a wonderful sense of space,

and it was one of those fantastic spots where photos turned out perfectly!

Arakurayama Sengen Park

Famous for its iconic view of the red five-storied pagoda and Mount Fuji together,

this is the renowned Arakurayama Sengen Park.

With a path involving 398 steps up to the observation deck,

it's quite a strenuous climb,

so I decided to skip it this trip.

But I definitely plan to make the climb during cherry blossom season!

Oshino Hakkai

While the previous spots were all about capturing Mount Fuji in the background,

Oshino Hakkai offers a slightly calmer,

more traditional atmosphere.

Oshino Hakkai is comprised of eight ponds

formed by Mount Fuji's melted snow

that has filtered through volcanic rock layers over a long period. The pond water is incredibly clear,

and if you gaze into it, you can see right to the bottom.

Surrounded by buildings in a traditional Japanese style and quaint little shops,

it's a perfect spot to take a break during your trip – grab a snack, browse for souvenirs,

and capture some lovely photos.

Oishi Park

Our final stop was Oishi Park.

Located on the northern side of Lake Kawaguchiko,

Oishi Park offers a combined view of the lake, Mount Fuji, and seasonal flowers.

It's also a great place to explore cafes and souvenir shops,

making it ideal for a short break before heading back to Tokyo.

03. Mount Fuji View Accommodation

If you're considering an overnight stay in Kawaguchiko,

I highly recommend booking a ryokan with a Mount Fuji view.

I stayed at a ryokan called 'Green Lake',

where both the guest room and the open-air bath offered stunning Mount Fuji views.

I was able to book it for ~$95.

There was no breakfast or dinner included, but the room was spacious,

and there weren't many Korean guests, so I could relax comfortably.

You can find a detailed review attached below.

I highly recommend it if you're planning a 2-day, 1-night Mount Fuji tour :)