# Kawaguchiko and the Fuji Five Lakes: events through the year, getting there, where to stay

[Kawaguchiko](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%B2%B3%E5%8F%A3%E6%B9%96%20%E5%B1%B1%E6%A2%A8%E7%9C%8C%E5%8D%97%E9%83%BD%E7%95%99%E9%83%A1%E5%AF%8C%E5%A3%AB%E6%B2%B3%E5%8F%A3%E6%B9%96%E7%94%BA) is the most visited of the Fuji Five Lakes, about two hours from Shinjuku by bus or train, with a hot spring town on its eastern shore and Mt Fuji across the water from the north. Its year runs on seasons: moss phlox and lavender in spring and early summer, fireworks in August, maples in November and fireworks again on winter weekends. Here is what is on and when, how to get there, how to deal with the crowds and where to stay. For Fuji itself, the photo spots and climbing, see our Mt Fuji guide. The list below is updated daily with events around Kawaguchiko and the Five Lakes.

## Kawaguchiko and the Five Lakes at a glance

The five lakes curve along the northern foot of Fuji in Yamanashi, at about 800 to 1,000 m. From east to west: Yamanakako, the largest, with campsites and water sports; Kawaguchiko, the busiest and easiest to reach; quiet, wooded Saiko, with a village of restored thatched houses; Shojiko, the smallest, known for Fuji 'holding a child', a smaller peak in front of it; and Motosuko, the clearest, whose view of Fuji was on the old 1,000 yen note.

[Kawaguchiko Station](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E5%AF%8C%E5%A3%AB%E6%80%A5%E8%A1%8C%20%E6%B2%B3%E5%8F%A3%E6%B9%96%E9%A7%85%20%E5%B1%B1%E6%A2%A8%E7%9C%8C%E5%8D%97%E9%83%BD%E7%95%99%E9%83%A1%E5%AF%8C%E5%A3%AB%E6%B2%B3%E5%8F%A3%E6%B9%96%E7%94%BA%E8%88%B9%E6%B4%A53641) and the hot spring district of Funatsu sit at the eastern end of the long, narrow lake, and the Kawaguchiko Ohashi bridge crosses it a little further west. The north shore (Kawaguchi, Oishi, Nagahama) faces Fuji across the water and holds the museums, [Oishi Park](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E5%A4%A7%E7%9F%B3%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92%20%E5%B1%B1%E6%A2%A8%E7%9C%8C%E5%8D%97%E9%83%BD%E7%95%99%E9%83%A1%E5%AF%8C%E5%A3%AB%E6%B2%B3%E5%8F%A3%E6%B9%96%E7%94%BA%E5%A4%A7%E7%9F%B32585) and the maple corridor. Most events happen at [Oike Park](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E5%A4%A7%E6%B1%A0%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92%20%E5%B1%B1%E6%A2%A8%E7%9C%8C%E5%8D%97%E9%83%BD%E7%95%99%E9%83%A1%E5%AF%8C%E5%A3%AB%E6%B2%B3%E5%8F%A3%E6%B9%96%E7%94%BA%E8%88%B9%E6%B4%A5) near the station, Yagisaki Park by the bridge on the south shore, or Oishi Park.

- The lake is several degrees colder than Tokyo. From November to March, mornings are often below freezing, so pack a warm layer even for a day trip.

- → [Mt Fuji from Tokyo: views, Kawaguchiko and climbing rules](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/mt-fuji.md)
- → [Festival day trips from Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/day-trips.md)
- → [Hakone day trip from Tokyo: the loop, onsen and views](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/hakone.md)
- → [Events in Yamanashi](https://eventstokyo.com/en/yamanashi.md)

## What is on through the year

Winter: the Kawaguchiko Winter Fireworks run on Saturdays and Sundays from mid or late January to late February, plus February 23, Mt Fuji Day: about 20 minutes from 8pm, launched from Oike Park, Yagisaki Park and the Tatami-iwa rocks, free and with no paid seats. In the same weeks the Saiko Ice Festival (long called the Ice Tree Festival) fills [Saiko Wild Bird Forest Park](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E8%A5%BF%E6%B9%96%E9%87%8E%E9%B3%A5%E3%81%AE%E6%A3%AE%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92%20%E5%B1%B1%E6%A2%A8%E7%9C%8C%E5%8D%97%E9%83%BD%E7%95%99%E9%83%A1%E5%AF%8C%E5%A3%AB%E6%B2%B3%E5%8F%A3%E6%B9%96%E7%94%BA%E8%A5%BF%E6%B9%962068) with ice 'trees' several metres tall, lit from sunset to 7pm, with food stalls at weekends.

Spring: cherry trees on the north shore bloom around early to mid April, when the town's cherry blossom festival on the lakeside path near [Kawaguchiko Round Hall](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%B2%B3%E5%8F%A3%E6%B9%96%E5%86%86%E5%BD%A2%E3%83%9B%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB%20%E5%B1%B1%E6%A2%A8%E7%9C%8C%E5%8D%97%E9%83%BD%E7%95%99%E9%83%A1%E5%AF%8C%E5%A3%AB%E6%B2%B3%E5%8F%A3%E6%B9%96%E7%94%BA%E6%B2%B3%E5%8F%A33030) adds an evening light-up, crafts and food. From mid-April to late May the Fuji Shibazakura Festival at [Fuji Motosuko Resort](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E5%AF%8C%E5%A3%AB%E6%9C%AC%E6%A0%96%E6%B9%96%E3%83%AA%E3%82%BE%E3%83%BC%E3%83%88%20%E5%B1%B1%E6%A2%A8%E7%9C%8C%E5%8D%97%E9%83%BD%E7%95%99%E9%83%A1%E5%AF%8C%E5%A3%AB%E6%B2%B3%E5%8F%A3%E6%B9%96%E7%94%BA%E6%9C%AC%E6%A0%96212) spreads about 500,000 moss phlox plants below Fuji. It is the one big event here that charges admission, and a seasonal bus runs to it from Kawaguchiko Station.

Summer: lavender blooms in Oishi Park and Yagisaki Park from mid or late June to mid-July, long the season of the town's herb festival. In early August the lakes take turns with fireworks: Yamanakako's Hokosai on August 1, then Kawaguchiko's Kojosai on August 5, about 10,000 shells over the lake, watched from the Funatsu shore and Oike Park. It is free, and a storm cancels it rather than postponing it.

Autumn and December: the round kochia bushes in Oishi Park turn red around October, and the Autumn Leaves Festival at the maple corridor runs through most of November, with a big walking event mid-month. In December the Fuji Mountain Marathon closes roads around the lake; from 2026 it takes two days.

- Dates shift by a week or so each year and depend on the flowers. The town posts the current ones on its [official tourism site](https://www.fujisan.ne.jp/).

- → [Kawaguchiko autumn leaves: the Momiji Corridor and the Autumn Leaves Festival](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/kawaguchiko-autumn-leaves.md)
- → [Kawaguchiko Winter Fireworks: fireworks over Lake Kawaguchi below Mt Fuji](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/kawaguchiko-winter-fireworks.md)
- → [Flower day trips from Tokyo, month by month](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/flower-day-trips.md)
- → [Fireworks festivals in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/fireworks.md)
- → [Fireworks (Hanabi) events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/fireworks.md)
- → [Flowers, autumn leaves and seasons in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/nature.md)

## Crowds and overtourism measures

Kawaguchiko is now one of the busiest day trips from Tokyo, for Japanese and foreign visitors alike. The peaks are predictable: Golden Week and the moss phlox weeks, the summer holidays and weekends in the first half of November. Expect queues for the sightseeing buses at the station, slow traffic on the north shore and full buses back to Tokyo on Sunday afternoons.

The town has started to push back. It asks drivers not to park on roads or in shop and hotel car parks; in October 2026 it told tour buses to use a temporary lot instead of the Oishi Park car park; and for the 2026 autumn festival the main car park by the maple corridor became paid and cashless. From April 1, 2027, Fujikawaguchiko charges an accommodation tax of 200 yen per person per night (as announced in 2026), paid at the hotel. The crowds at the convenience store with a famous Fuji view and at Chureito Pagoda are covered in our Mt Fuji guide.

- Go on a weekday if you can, and reach the lake before 9am, ahead of the buses from Tokyo and the midday cloud on Fuji.
- Bins are rare around the lake. Take your rubbish back with you.

- → [Tokyo etiquette for visitors: the rules that matter](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/etiquette.md)
- → [Mt Fuji from Tokyo: views, Kawaguchiko and climbing rules](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/mt-fuji.md)
- → [This weekend in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/this-weekend.md)

## Getting there from Tokyo

Highway buses are the simplest way: from [Busta Shinjuku](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E3%83%90%E3%82%B9%E3%82%BF%E6%96%B0%E5%AE%BF%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%8B%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E5%8D%83%E9%A7%84%E3%83%B6%E8%B0%B75-24-55) to Kawaguchiko Station in about one hour 45 minutes to two hours without traffic, and since autumn 2026 as often as every ten minutes in the morning peak. Keio and Fujikyu run the route together but sell seats on separate sites, and a booking cannot be moved to the other company's bus. There are also buses from Tokyo Station and Shibuya. On weekends, book the return seat with the outbound one.

By train, a few Fuji Excursion limited expresses a day run straight from Shinjuku in about two hours; they usually leave coupled to a Kaiji limited express and split at [Otsuki](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=JR%20%E5%A4%A7%E6%9C%88%E9%A7%85%20%E5%B1%B1%E6%A2%A8%E7%9C%8C%E5%A4%A7%E6%9C%88%E5%B8%82%E5%A4%A7%E6%9C%881-1-1&query_place_id=ChIJA-H8pMlDGWARQKXVcN-ewlk). Otherwise take the JR Chuo Line to Otsuki and change to the Fujikyu line, about an hour by local train; since March 2026 Fujikyu runs its own limited expresses mostly in the morning. The Japan Rail Pass covers only the JR part to Otsuki; the JR Tokyo Wide Pass for visitors from abroad covers the whole way, with a seat reservation.

By car, the Chuo Expressway reaches Kawaguchiko IC in about 90 minutes in light traffic, but Sunday evening jams near the Kobotoke tunnel can double the trip back.

Around the lakes, three sightseeing buses leave Kawaguchiko Station: the Red Line loops Kawaguchiko, the Green Line goes to Saiko and the Blue Line to Narusawa, Shojiko and Motosuko. Two-day passes for these buses, with or without the Fujikyu trains, are sold at the station.

- The Red Line is frequent; the Green and Blue lines are not. Check the last bus back from Saiko or Motosuko before you go.

- → [Getting around Tokyo: trains, Suica and taxis](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/getting-around.md)
- → [Is the JR Pass worth it for a Tokyo trip?](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/jr-pass.md)
- → [Festival day trips from Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/day-trips.md)
- → [Suica, Welcome Suica and PASMO: which IC card to get and how](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/suica.md)

## Day trip or one night

A day trip is enough for Kawaguchiko alone: an early bus, the Red Line along the north shore, a museum or Oishi Park, a bowl of hoto (thick noodles in miso broth, the local dish) and a bus home in the late afternoon. Adding the moss phlox at Motosuko or the thatched village at Saiko makes a long day, as buses there are less frequent.

Stay a night if your event is after dark: the August and winter fireworks start around 8pm and the autumn light-up runs to 9pm, after the last sightseeing bus. A night also gives you the morning, when Fuji is most often clear and the shore is quiet. With two days, do Kawaguchiko first and Saiko, Shojiko and Motosuko or Yamanakako next. Hakone, on the other side of Fuji, is a separate trip.

- → [Sento, onsen and saunas in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/onsen-sento.md)
- → [Hakone day trip from Tokyo: the loop, onsen and views](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/hakone.md)
- → [How to spend a weekend in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/weekend.md)
- → [Tokyo events on the 3-day weekend (Nov 21–23)](https://eventstokyo.com/en/long-weekend.md)
- → [This weekend in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/this-weekend.md)

## Where to stay

Kawaguchiko Onsen's ryokan line the east shore in Funatsu and Asakawa, a walk or a short hotel shuttle from the station, with Fuji across the lake to the southwest and the summer and winter fireworks close by. Examples: [Fuji Lake Hotel](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E5%AF%8C%E5%A3%AB%E3%83%AC%E3%83%BC%E3%82%AF%E3%83%9B%E3%83%86%E3%83%AB%20%E5%B1%B1%E6%A2%A8%E7%9C%8C%E5%8D%97%E9%83%BD%E7%95%99%E9%83%A1%E5%AF%8C%E5%A3%AB%E6%B2%B3%E5%8F%A3%E6%B9%96%E7%94%BA%E8%88%B9%E6%B4%A51), about ten minutes on foot from the station, and [Kozantei Ubuya](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%B9%96%E5%B1%B1%E4%BA%AD%E3%81%86%E3%81%B6%E3%82%84%20%E5%B1%B1%E6%A2%A8%E7%9C%8C%E5%8D%97%E9%83%BD%E7%95%99%E9%83%A1%E5%AF%8C%E5%A3%AB%E6%B2%B3%E5%8F%A3%E6%B9%96%E7%94%BA%E6%B5%85%E5%B7%9D10) in Asakawa.

The north shore around Kawaguchi and Oishi looks straight across at Fuji and is quieter at night, near the maple corridor and Oishi Park; [Shuhokaku Kogetsu](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E7%A7%80%E5%B3%B0%E9%96%A3%E6%B9%96%E6%9C%88%20%E5%B1%B1%E6%A2%A8%E7%9C%8C%E5%8D%97%E9%83%BD%E7%95%99%E9%83%A1%E5%AF%8C%E5%A3%AB%E6%B2%B3%E5%8F%A3%E6%B9%96%E7%94%BA%E6%B2%B3%E5%8F%A32312) is one example. Without a car you rely on the Red Line or taxis, so ask about a shuttle.

Business hotels and guesthouses around the station and in Fujiyoshida suit late arrivals and first buses home, and Saiko has small family-run minshuku. For festival weekends and November, book months ahead.

- → [Where to stay in Tokyo: the best areas and how to choose](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/where-to-stay.md)
- → [Sento, onsen and saunas in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/onsen-sento.md)
- → [Tokyo on a budget: free things to do](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/budget.md)

## All events, soonest first

- **[Autumn Foliage at Lake Kawaguchi](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/autumn-foliage-at-lake-kawaguchi)** — Sat, Nov 7, 2026 – Sun, Nov 29, 2026 (JST) · Lake Kawaguchi (Fujikawaguchiko) · Free entry
- **[28th Fujikawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/28th-fujikawaguchiko-autumn-leaves-festival)** — Sat, Nov 7, 2026 – Sun, Nov 29, 2026 (JST) · Momiji Corridor (within Fujikawaguchiko Town) (Fujikawaguchiko) · Free entry
- **[Sasaichi New Sake Festival 2026](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/sasaichi-new-sake-festival-2026)** — Sat, Nov 7, 2026 – Sun, Nov 8, 2026 (JST) · Sasaichi Sake Brewery (Otsuki) · price on the official site
- **[Narusawa Autumn Thanksgiving Festival](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/narusawa-autumn-thanksgiving-festival)** — Sat, Nov 14, 2026 (JST) · Roadside Station Narusawa (Narusawa) · price on the official site
- **[Retriever Meetup 2026 for Dog Lovers at Fuji Subaru Land](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/retriever-meetup-2026-for-dog-lovers-at-fuji)** — Sat, Nov 7, 2026 (JST) · Fuji Subaru Land (Fujikawaguchiko) · price on the official site
- **[Whippet Play and Relaxation Gathering – November 14, 2026 (Saturday)](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/whippet-play-and-relaxation-gathering-november-14)** — Sat, Nov 14, 2026 10:00 (JST) · Village Kagetsuen (Yamanakako) · Free entry
- **[Upside-Down Mount Fuji Hot Air Balloon Rides at Lake Yamanaka](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/upside-down-mount-fuji-hot-air-balloon-rides-at)** — Tue, Oct 20, 2026 – Sun, Dec 27, 2026 (JST) · Yamanakako Exchange Plaza Kirara Field (Yamanakako) · price on the official site
- **[Autumn Foliage at Lake Yamanaka](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/autumn-foliage-at-lake-yamanaka)** — Wed, Oct 21, 2026 – Fri, Nov 20, 2026 (JST) · Lake Yamanaka (Yamanakako) · Free entry
- **[Yamanakako Sunset Shore Autumn Leaves Festival](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/yamanakako-sunset-shore-autumn-leaves-festival)** — Fri, Oct 30, 2026 – Sun, Nov 15, 2026 (JST) · Asahigaoka Lakeside Green Park (Yamanakako) · price on the official site
- **[Autumn Leaves in Ashigawa Gorge](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/autumn-leaves-in-ashigawa-gorge)** — Thu, Oct 1, 2026 – Mon, Nov 30, 2026 (JST) · Ashigawa Valley (Kofu) · Free entry
- **[Autumn Foliage Peak Viewing at Maple Hill](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/autumn-foliage-peak-viewing-at-maple-hill)** — Wed, Oct 21, 2026 – Fri, Nov 20, 2026 (JST) · Momijidai (Narusawa) · price on the official site
- **[Autumn Foliage at Koyodai](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/autumn-foliage-at-koyodai)** — Wed, Oct 21, 2026 – Tue, Nov 10, 2026 (JST) · Momijidai (Narusawa) · Free entry
- **[Autumn Foliage at Lake Motosu](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/autumn-foliage-at-lake-motosu)** — Sun, Nov 1, 2026 – Mon, Nov 30, 2026 (JST) · Lake Motosu (Fujikawaguchiko) · Free entry
- **[Thomas Land Christmas 2026](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/thomas-land-christmas-2026)** — Mon, Nov 2, 2026 – Mon, Jan 11, 2027 (JST) · Fuji-Q Highland (Fujiyoshida) · price on the official site
- **[Autumn Foliage at Kane-yama Waterfall](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/autumn-foliage-at-kane-yama-waterfall)** — Wed, Oct 21, 2026 – Tue, Nov 10, 2026 (JST) · Kaneyama Waterfall (Fujiyoshida) · Free entry

## Questions people ask

**How long does it take from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko?**
About two hours, by highway bus from Busta Shinjuku or the Fuji Excursion from Shinjuku; a little longer with a change at Otsuki. Weekend traffic can add an hour to the bus.

**When is the best time to visit Kawaguchiko?**
November for maples with a snow-capped Fuji, mid-April to May for cherry blossoms and moss phlox, and December to February for the clearest views and the winter fireworks. Summer is cool, but Fuji often hides in cloud.

**Is Kawaguchiko a good day trip, or should I stay?**
A day trip is enough for the lake and one or two sights. Stay a night for fireworks, the autumn light-up or a clear morning view of Fuji, or to see the other lakes.

**Do the festivals cost anything?**
Most do not: the fireworks, the autumn leaves festival, the ice festival and the lavender in the parks are free. The Fuji Shibazakura Festival charges admission, and some festival car parks are paid.

**Does the Japan Rail Pass cover the Fuji Excursion to Kawaguchiko?**
Only the JR part between Shinjuku and Otsuki. The Fujikyu section to Kawaguchiko is paid separately. The JR Tokyo Wide Pass for visitors from abroad covers the whole route.

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Tokyo Events: https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/kawaguchiko