10 Close-Up Spots to Seek the Best View of Mt. Fuji (and how to get to them)

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There are already as many “best views of Mount Fuji” LISTS as there are claimed best places to see Mt. Fuji. Personally, I don’t think any single one is best, but for this list, I have focused on the best places to see Mount Fuji if you want a good chance to ACTUALLY SEE Mt. Fuji.

That means all of these places are close-up, offering the highest possibility of a clear view, so you can marvel at Mt. Fuji in its full glory. Sure, you can on rare occasion spot Mt. Fuji from places further afield, like Enoshima Island, Yokohama, and even all the way from Tokyo. And you can even go skiing on the side of Mt. Fuji, but you won’t see the entire mountain when you’re right on it!

For my Fuji experience, I wanted to get up close and personal with the legendary mountain, and maximize my chances of several great views, from different angles, in a short period of time. Below I’ll tell you how to do the same!

Besides simply seeing Mount Fuji, check out my article on 5 Mount Fuji day trip itinerary ideas for other things to do in the Mount Fuji area. Also see my article on another great day trip from Tokyo: Kamakura.

Mt. Fuji summit from Koyo-Dai
View of Mt. Fuji summit from Koyo-Dai (see #3 below)

All of these spots are very easy to get to and fairly close together. I only spent three days (two nights) in the Fuji Five Lakes area on my trip to Japan in winter, and managed to see Mt. Fuji from most of the spots on this list.

I’ve also included Hakone in the #10 spot, which also has many different viewpoints, but is further away than Fuji Five Lakes. Also note that you can see pretty good views of the Mt. Fuji peak from Fuji 5th Station on the side of the mountain.

If you are looking to actually climb to the summit, here’s an great article on hiking Mount Fuji. I would also recommend picking up a copy of Hiking and Trekking the Japan Alps and Mount Fuji (see it here on Amazon), which covers the various Mount Fuji hiking routes, as well as other treks in the region.

Traveling around Japan and like to save money? We always use Klook to find good deals and discounts on travel passes, entrance tickets, activities, and more, such as this Japan Rail Pass deal. Use my sign up link to get ¥337 off your booking!

For getting to Mt. Fuji and the Five Lakes Area on your own, I recommend booking your bus or train tickets here.

Best Time to Visit Mt. Fuji

When considering the best places to view Mt. Fuji, remember that when to visit Mt. Fuji is an even more important factor, because the mountain is often not visible. Generally speaking, you’ll have the highest chance in winter, lowest in summer, and early mornings are best. This website gives the percentages of times of full/partial/no visibility of Mt. Fuji in each month of the year.  

As you can see, Mt. Fuji is frequently obscured by clouds. Many people visit the region and don’t even get one glimpse of the elusive mountain. Therefore, staying for more days can also increase your chances of getting a good view.

If you do want to try to see Mt. Fuji in one day, I would suggest taking a day tour from Tokyo, so you don’t waste time on the logistics. Both this Mount Fuji day tour from Tokyo and this similar one include a view from Lake Kawaguchiko (#1 below), a visit to Mt. Fuji 5th station, and Oshino Hakkai (#5 below).

If you want to visit Hakone (#10) as well, try this Mt. Fuji and Hakone day tour by Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo.

Mount Fuji Exceptional Views

–See Mt. Fuji from a sea of pink flowers at the Fuji Shibazakura Festival in April and May.

– For onsens with Mt. Fuji views, this Fuji day tour has the option of an onsen with Fuji view. You can also try Onsen Benifuji no Yu on Lake Yamanaka or Fuji Yurari Hot Spring near Lake Saiko (note that most onsens don’t allow people with tattoos, but some travelers have reported being able to use the private hot spring rooms at Fuji Yurari).

– Looking for supreme comfort? Why not charter a private car from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji?

Hotels with Views of Mount Fuji

One of the best hotels with views of Mount Fuji
View of Mount Fuji from onsen at La Vista Kawaguchiko

Luxury

La Vista Kawaguchiko (see on Agoda / Booking / Klook / TripAdvisor): Top quality service and incredible views over Kawaguchiko and Mt. Fuji from private baths in room or outdoor onsen.

Fuji Lake Hotel (see on Agoda / Booking / Klook / TripAdvisor): From this convenient property on the south side of the lake near the Kawaguchiko bus stop and train station, you can see the lake from the window on one side of your room, and Mt. Fuji from your bath on the other side!

Wakakusa no Yado Maruei (see on Agoda / Klook / Tripadvisor): Another convenient and luxurious choice on the south side of the Kawaguchi with great Fuji views, especially from the private onsens on the roof.

Mid-Range

Hotel Mt. Fuji (see on Agoda / Booking / Klook / TripAvisor): Here’s a choice in removed from the crowds of Kawaguchiko, with an onsen overlooking Laka Yamanaka and of course Mt. Fuji.

Minshuku Murahamasou (See on HotelWorld / TripAdvisor): I loved my stay at this very traditional Japanese accommodation, which is off-the-beaten track on Lake Shoji and has incredible views of Mt. Fuji from right in front of it (see the ones below I shot from there). It has a traditional onsen, incredible meals included, and the hosts were extremely hospitable. No English is spoken, but they have a Western family member who can reply to English inquiries.

Budget Hostels with a Mount Fuji View

Kagelow Mt.Fuji Hostel Kawaguchiko (see on Agoda / Booking / Klook / TripAdvisor): Highly recommended hostel near the bus station in Kawaguchiko with Fuji vies from some rooms.

Hostel Michikusa-Ya (see on Agoda / Booking / Klook / Tripadvisor): Friendly Hotel with Fuji views from the dining area

Off-the-Beaten Track

Shoji Mount Hotel (see on Agoda / Booking / TripAdvisor) Far fewer tourists make it over to beautiful Lake Shoji. Enjoy uninterrupted views for Fuji from your room in this mid-range hotel.

The 10 Best Places to View Mt. Fuji

  • Shores of the Fuji Five Lakes (Kawaguchiko, Yamanakako, Saiko, Shojiko, and Motosuko)
  • Mt. Fuji Panorama Ropeway
  • Koyo-Dai Lookout Platform
  • Sanko-Dai Lookout Platform
  • Iyashi no Sato Open Air Museum and Oshino Hakkai
  • Fuji Q Highland Amusement Park
  • Rooftop of Fujisan (Mount Fuji) Station
  • Chureito Pagodo, Arakura Sengen Shrine
  • Shin-Fuji Station Platform
  • Hakone

 

So here’s my list of places to try for the best view of Mount Fuji, going (roughly) from closest to furthest from the mountain, and directions for how to reach each of them.

1. From the Shores of the Fuji Five Lakes

Mt. Fuji viewed from the shore of Lake Kawaguchi (Kawaguchiko)
Viewed from the shore of Kawaguchiko, the most popular lake in the Fuji Five Lakes region

1. Lake Kawaguchi (Kawaguchiko): This is the most accessible of the Fuji Five Lakes and the one you will hear about most. It has the most facilities and hotels to choose from, but it’s also the most touristy, and you’ll have to pay an arm and a leg if you want a room with a view.

The train station in Kawaguchiko, on the southeast side of the lake, is a transportation hub for the Fuji Five Lakes region, but the best place to view Mt. Fuji is from the north side of the lake.

How to get there: The Red Line of the Fujikyuko sightseeing bus departs from in front of the station every 20 minutes. The Kawaguchiko Museum of Art (23 mins) is a good point to get off and just keep walking along the shore from there.

2. Lake Yamanaka (Yamanakako): The largest and second most developed lake, Yamanakako also offers great Fuji views, also from its northern shore, and is actually the closest of the five lakes to Mt. Fuji. Go here if you want to hop on a bike; there’s a dedicated biking path all the way around the lake.

How to get there: Take the Fujikko-Go bus from Mount Fuji (Fujisan) Station to Mt. Fuji Yamanakako stop (40 min). You can rent a bicycle near the stop for 1500-2000 yen for 4 hours.

Yamanakako, Mt. Fuji
Cycling around Kawaguchiko

3. Lake Sai (Saiko): Undeveloped Lake Sai only offers views of Fuji from one section of the western shore, which is near Iyashi-no Sato (see #5 below). Come to this lake for outdoors activities and camping. There are two other amazing Fuji views near Lake Sai (see #3-4 below), which are easily combined with a visit to Lake Sai.

How to get there: Take the Green Line of the Fujikyuko sightseeing bus from Kawaguchiko to Nenba Minshuku stop (37 minutes, leaves every 30 minutes).

4. Lake Shoji (Shojiko): After doing lots of research, I decided to stay at Lake Shoji when I visited the Fuji region. It’s the smallest of the five lakes, but offers what some say is the best view of Mt. Fuji. I chose it because it is remote but still connected by bus, has Murahamasou Minshuku (see reviews), an incredible guesthouse with amazing food and super hospitable hosts, and of course for the Fuji view.

Every evening around sunset, the beach on the western shore of Lake Shoji seemed to be a gathering spot for photographers seeking the perfect Fuji sunset shot. There is also 4-hour return hike from Lake Shoji called Panorama-Dai, offering a full view of the lake and Fuji, but the view from the highway and beach on the western side is already quite impressive.

I shot all of the below photos from just in front of my accommodation at Murahamasou Minshuku:

Mt. Fuji reflected on Lake Shoji in winter
The famous reflection of Mt. Fuji on the Fuji Five Lakes. I managed to find an unfrozen patch on Lake Shoji in winter to get this reflection shot.
View of Mt. Fuji from road around Lake Shoji
A shot from the road leading around Shojiko, near where you’d get off the bus
Mt. Fuji and Lake Shoji at night
All my photos were shot using my favorite mirrorless camera for travel

How to get there: The local Fujikyu bus that runs all the way from Shin-Fuji Station to Kawaguchiko and Fujisan drives around Lake Shoji on the way, passing by four times per day, with a few more services per day that start at Lake Motosu. The blue line of the Fujikyuko sightseeing bus adds another four services per day.

Get off at the Panorama Observatory stop for the Panorama Dai hike,  Kodaki Fuji View stop for the western shore with Fuji views, and Shoji stop for Murahamasou Minshuku. It isn’t far to walk between the stops.

Note that the last bus of the day from Lake Shoji back to Kawaguchiko or Fujisan departs at 5:36pm, which gives you enough time to catch the early stages of the sunset (in winter especially), but not the full thing.  

View of Mt. Fuji from Lake Motosuko, with trees on the left in autumn
This view of Motosuko appears on Japan’s 1000 yen banknote.

Lake Motosu (Motosuko): This lake is the least accessible if you don’t have a car. The bus only stops at the entrance to the lake and one more stop 2 minutes in, but if you want to get to the famous 1000-yen-bill viewpoint, you are looking at a 1-hour walk in each direction along the side of the road.

How to get there: Same as for Lake Shojiko. The famed viewpoint is next to Motosu Central Lodge and Koan Campground on the northwestern side.

Where are you headed after Mt. Fuji? Here are some other articles I’ve got for you:

– See cherry blossoms in Osaka

– Explore the amazing temples of Kyoto with this easy Kyoto itinerary

– Geek out in Akihabara, Tokyo

– Do a temple stay at Koyasan

– Soak in onsens, go on a pilgrimage, or explore the Kumano Sanzan temples of remote Wakayama

2. Mt. Fuji Panorama Ropeway

View of Mt. Fuji from the top of the Mt. Fuji Ropeway (also called the Kachi Kachi Ropeway Cable Car
View looking down on Kawaguchi and Mt. Fuji from the top of the cable car

To gain some easy elevation (400m) for a more panoramic view of Mt. Fuji, catch the Mt. Fuji Panorama Ropeway (aka Kachi Kachi Yama Ropeway or Mt. Tenjo Ropeway) from the eastern shore of Lake Kawaguchiko to the peak of Mt. Tenjo.

You can also opt to walk up instead of taking the ropeway (40 min-1 hour) or back down (30 minutes). The ropeway is also included on this day tour from Tokyo, which also includes all-you-can-eat fruits at a fruit orchard and a visit to Fuji 5th statio.     

From the observation deck, you can ride the giant swing with a view of Mt. Fuji, walk up another 300 meters to a small shrine on the summit, or continue on the two-hour (one-way) ridgeline ascent to Mount Mitsutoge, which offers a different perspective. This hike can also be done in reverse, starting at Mitsutoge train station, up Mt. Mitsutoge, and down to the Fuji ropeway (6 hours total).

How to get there: Take the red line of the Fujikyuko sightseeing bus from Kawaguchiko to “Pleasure Cruiser/Ropeway Entrance” stop (16 min, departs every 15 min) or walk (20 minutes). The ropeway runs 9am-5:10pm (9:30 to 4:40 in winter), ¥800/450 return/one-way.

3. Koyo-Dai (紅葉台)

Koyo-Dai, one of the best places to see Mount Fuji
View of Fuji from Koyo-Dai

If you want an elevated view with few to no other people, I would recommend the easy, 30-minute hike to Koyo-Dai, a lookout from a mountaintop between Lake Saiko and the Fuji Panaroma Line (highway 139) which goes around Mt. Fuji, connecting the main lakes.

The trek follows an unpaved road up to a small café (closed when I visited in winter). I had to climb over a short fence to the café’s large balcony, which offers a stunning view of Mt. Fuji (elevation 1666m). When the café is open, you can pay ¥150 to go up to the rooftop for a higher view, so you likely wouldn’t get the trees in the way like in the above photo.

I shot the Fuji close-up image at the very top of this article from Koyo-Dai zoomed in to 150mm. In both images, the road up to Fuji 5th Station is visible on the mountain.

The walk is easily combined with a visit to the impressive Narusawa Hyoketsu (Ice Cave) and Fugaku Fuketsu (Wind Cave) nearby. If you time it well, you can get back on the same bus for 1/2 stops to reach either one. To walk from Koyo-Dai entrance to the Ice Cave, you can walk along the highway (15 min), but there is a lovely path through the forest (20 min) connecting the two caves.  

There is also an onsen spa in the area called Fuji Yurari Hot Spring, where you can soak in hot springs with a Mt. Fuji view. Note that people with tattoos are not permitted, but you can possibly get around this rule by (paying quite a bit more and) getting a private hot spring room with a view.

How to get there: Take the blue line of the Fujikyuko sightseeing bus or the regular Fujikyuko bus (same buses for Lake Shojiko and Motosuko), with about a dozen departures per day from Kawaguchiko.

Get off at Koyo-Dai Entrance stop (27 minutes), which is one stop before Narusawa Hyoketsu (Ice Cave) and two stops before Fugaku Fuketsu (Wind Cave).

After getting off the bus, walk north along the little road, and this will lead right up to Koyodai. You can budget an hour return (or less for faster walkers), plus however much time you’d like to spend up there.

The Green Line for Lake Saiko and Iyashi no Sato (see #5 below) also stops at the Wind Cave. For Fuji Yurari Hot Spring, get off the Blue Line at the Michi-no-eki Narusawa (roadside rest and shopping area) stop, one stop before the Koyo-Dai Entrance stop.

4. Sanko-Dai (三湖台)

Sanko-Dai, offering one of the best views of Mt. Fuji
Like my selfie skills? I set my timer and ran into this shot. Took a couple tries…

If you trek up to Koyo-Dai (#3), you might as well continue on another 10 minutes past it to an even better view at Sanko-Dai (“three lakes platform”), which offers a 360° view from 1203m that includes Lakes Kawaguchiko, Saiko, and Motosuko, and of course Mt. Fuji.

You can’t see the bottom half of Fuji from here, nor can you really get a shot of Fuji with one or more lakes in it, but the view looking in every direction from up here is stunning nonetheless.

I didn’t make it past there, but the trail continues for another hour to Gokodai (五湖台), which the name suggests offers a view of all five lakes from one spot.  

How to get there: Follow directions for #3 and continue another 10 minutes.

5. Iyashi no Sato and Oshino Hakkai

Cherry blossoms and Mt. Fuji viewed from Iyashi No Sato
Mt. Fuji viewed from Iyashi No Sato during cherry blossom season

If you want to get a shot of Fuji behind houses that look straight from the Edo period, visit Iyashi no Sato Nenba Traditional Japanese Village on Lake Saiko, northwest of Mt. Fuji. This open-air museum consists of 20+ houses reconstructed in a traditional village that was destroyed by a typhoon in 1966.

As if the views weren’t enough, you can also rent kimonos or samurai gear to dress up and complete the shot. Entrance is ¥350, and there are snacks and souvenirs for sale.

You can enjoy a similar experience at Oshino Hakkai, east of Mt. Fuji between Lakes Kawaguchiko and Yamanakako, a tourist facility featuring eight ponds, with traditional thatched farmhouses built around the largest one. Locals like to drink the fresh water from one of the ponds.  

Iyashi-no-Sato, Mt. Fuji
Oshino Hakkai, a view of Mt. Fuji behind Edo era-style houses

Oshino Hakkai is included on both this Mt. Fuji day tour from Tokyo and this one.

How to get there: There are eight buses per day from Kawaguchiko on the green line of the Fujikyuko sightseeing bus, taking 40 minutes. Iyashi no Sato is one stop (or a short walk) past Nenba Minshuku stop, where you would get off for a view of Mt. Fuji over Lake Saiko.    

These buses also go on to Fugaku Fuketsu (wind cave), making it possible to combine your trip with #3 and 4 on this list.  

For Oshino Hakkai, catch one of the buses bound for Gotemba from  Kawaguchiko (but double check, since only some stop at Oshino Hakkai. From Fujisan station, catch a bus bound for Uchino and Hirano, the Fujikko bus to Lake Yamanakako, or the Mt. Fuji World Heritage Loop bus.

6. Fuji Q Highland

Roller coaster at Fuji Q Highland, one of the best places to see Mt Fuji
“Fuji-q Highlander + Fujisan” by Cesar I. Martins under CC BY 2.0 license

Did you know you can ride a roller coaster while enjoying one of the best views of Mt. Fuji? In fact, there are SIX roller coasters at Fuji Q Highland, including the steepest one in the world, a haunted hospital, and much more. Fuji Q Highland and has a brand-new, 55-meter observation deck for viewing Mt. Fuji!

How to get there: If you visiting the area just for Fuji-Q, you can take a direct bus from Shinjuku on the Chuo Highway Bus Fujigoko Line (100 min, ¥1750 one way). There are also direct connections from Haneda Airport, Osaka, and Kyoto.

The regular Fujikyuko bus from Shin-Fuji connects Kawaguchiko, Fuji-Q, and Fujisan (Mount Fuji) stations. See all the transportation details here.  

You can get discounted Fuji-Q tickets online or book this deal that includes transfer from Tokyo!

7. Rooftop of Fujisan (Mount Fuji) Station

The rooftop of the Fujisan Train Station offers a great view of Mt. Fuji
About to crack a jar of Mt. Fuji Sake while enjoying the Mt. Fuji view before getting on the direct bus to Narita Airport

I was thrilled to learn that there is a new direct bus from Fujisan Station to Narita Airport, where my flight departed from, so I didn’t have to transfer in Tokyo when departing. The bus did pass over Tokyo, so I got to enjoy some good city views in the drive to the airport.

And I was even more thrilled to learn, when I got there a bit too early, that the rooftop lounge of the train station offers a fine, unobstructed view of Mt. Fuji, a perfect way to say goodbye to the mountain getting on the bus to leave Japan.

How to get there: The station is a major gateway to the Fuji Five Lakes region. Upon arrival, take the elevator in the station up to the rooftop observation deck.

Shopping Tip: The main floor of Fujisan station has shops selling a decent range of non-tacky souvenirs and local delicacies. I stocked up before getting on the bus to avoid the hassle of doing it at the airport.  

8. Chureito Pagoda, Arakura Sengen Shrine

Many say this is the best view of Mt. Fuji, from Chureito Pagoda
Perhaps the most iconic view of Mt. Fuji.

This is one of, if not THE most iconic views of Mt. Fuji, and you really can’t miss it. If you come during the cherry blossom season (or autumn, especially the first two weeks of November), you can expect mobs of people, but when I visited in February, there was only a sprinkling of other visitors.

Arakura Sengen Shrine is a small, interesting shrine, but what you really come here for is the view from behind the five-story Chureito Pagoda, 400 fairly steep steps up the mountain from the main shrine.  

Do come in the morning for the best light—the earlier the better—it’s open 24h. When I visited in the midday, the sun was at a terrible angle for getting good shots, and the peak of Mt. Fuji was already partially obstructed with clouds, as in the photo above.

How to get there: Catch a 10-min train from Kawaguchiko to Shimo-Yoshida. From the station, follow the signs for a 10-minute walk to the shrine. The steps up to the Pagoda are just before the shrine.

This Fuji day tour includes a stop at Chureito Pagoda.

9. Shin-Fuji Station Platform

Shin-Fuji train station, one of the best places to see Mt. Fuji
The platform of the Shin-Fuji train station is, surprisingly, one of the best places to see Mt. Fuji

If you arrive to the region by Shinkansen (bullet train) from either Tokyo or Osaka (as I did), then your first view of Mt. Fuji (and for those just passing by, your only view of Mt. Fuji) will be from the window of the train.

It’s almost impossible to get a decent shot from the moving train window, but if you get off at Shin-Fuji station to catch the bus up to the Fuji Five Lakes (see below), the view from the Shin-Fuji Station platform of Mt. Fuji towering over the city is surprisingly awesome.

I was able to get clear pictures through the windows by putting my camera right up to the glass and then changing the angle until there was no reflection.

Summit of Mt. Fuji
See which camera lens I used to get this shot of Mt. Fuji from so far away.

The side with the trains heading north is the side to be on. If you are just passing by, try to sit on the correct side (left side going north, right going south).

How to get there: Shin-Fuji is on the main Toyo to Osaka route.

To get from here to the Fuji Five Lakes, there are four Fujikyu buses per day (departing 7:15am, 9:45, 11:45, and 1:45pm. Don’t miss the last one! These buses pass Lakes Motosuko, Shojiko, and Saiko before arriving at Kawaguchiko and Fujisan. For the bus fares, schedule and route, see here.

To book your tickets from Tokyo to Shin-Fuji station, I recommend using 12Go.

10. Hakone and Lake Ashi (Ashinoko)

A great place to view Mt. Fuji: Ashi Lake, Hakone
Not a “close-up” Fuji view, but Hakone must be mentioned because it is easy to get to an one of the most popular places to view Mt. Fuji!

Hakone is now getting further away from Mt. Fuji to be considered a “close-up view” of Mt. Fuji, and while Hakone is not the best place to see Mt. Fuji, due to the distance and reduced chance, it is still regarded as one of the best and is a very popular choice.

The classic Hakone Fuji view is from the shore of Lake Ashi (Ashinoko), with the lakeside orange torii of Hakone Shrine in the foreground.

You can enjoy the view of Mt. Fuji from Hakone on this Hakone day trip from Tokyo. Visiting on your own, check out this guide to making a day trip to Hakone from Tokyo.

Some people say that in the case that Fuji is obscured (which is always a possibility, especially in summer), Hakone offers a greater amount of other interesting activities, such as onsens, forest railways, museums, and Old Tokaido Road than the Fuji Five Lakes area. For more information on planning your trip, see this detailed Hakone itinerary!

How to get there: From Tokyo, the fastest way is by Shinknasen (30 min, ¥3500). The Shinjuku to Hakone limited express takes 85 minutes (¥2280), or you can take a slower train with one transfer at Odaware in two hours (¥1190). You can book your train tickets here on 12Go. You can also take a bus from Shinjuku to the Ashinoko area (2 hr, ¥2000).

Hakone covers a large area and there are many ways to get around it. See here for more transportation information.

Mt. Fuji, shot from Shojiko
My artistic shot of Mt. Fuji, shot from Shojiko

If you are staying in Tokyo before or after your Mt. Fuji visit, try these 3-day or 5-day Tokyo itineraries to help you plan your trip!

16 thoughts on “10 Close-Up Spots to Seek the Best View of Mt. Fuji (and how to get to them)”

  1. WOW Nick. The first shot feels perfect. You capture the light brilliantly from that angle. We have been snapping the Southern Alps over the past week here in New Zealand. You need that early morning, just after sunrise light to reflect off the mountains to capture the snow white….snow 😉 Really pops when you contrast with the darker shade on the mountain. Thanks for sharing dude!

    Ryan

    Reply
  2. I am heading to Japan in a month and this post is the most informative. Definitely using some pointers over here. Thanks!

    Reply
  3. Hi nick ,

    This is Pinakj from Singapore . Seeking info of taking sunrise pics of Fujisan . Was thinking of Miho beach or the grassland of fujisan station . . What do u think ?

    Reply
    • Hi Pinaki,
      Based on my research, these both seem like good choices (the grassland is not at Fujisan station, but a little near, right? But I haven’t personally been to either spot for sunrise, so I can’t say for sure. Good luck!

      Reply
  4. Great article and stunning photos. I think that two of your photos are mislabeled with the locations. The bicycle shot is from Kawaguchiko not Yamanakako, the thatched buildings are Oshino Hakkai no Iyashi-no-sato 🙂

    Reply
    • Thank you so much Natalie! Both are creative commons photos. The cycling one was labeled as Yamanakako, and for the other one, I actually did label it Oshino Hakkai originally, then thought I got it wrong so I switched it. I’m going to confirm and make the change. Much appreciated!

      Reply
  5. Thanks, Nick, for all the info & the great photos. My husband & I had the pleasure of visiting #1 & #10. Indeed, Kawaguchiko offers a great view of Mount Fuji. When we visited the lovely resort, the sky was not clear & Mt. Fuji seemed to be hiding. Besides the sun was behind us , so we don’t have a shot that we are proud of. But we are ecstatic just being there, a place so peaceful & beautiful! In fact, I did not want to leave! We enjoyed good weather & clear view of the Mountain while cruising on Lake Ashi in Hakone. Due to the distance & the hills between us, we only saw the snowy top (you did a splendid job capturing the crown of the mountain). But that’s enough to get everyone on board excited. With your list we now have more choices during our future visits. Happy travelling, everyone!

    Reply
    • Hi Maggie, thanks for your comment and positive words! Indeed it is truly a special place. I had been concerned about not getting a good view for my trip, so I added a few extra days in the area to my itinerary to increase my odds. I was lucky with the weather too, but definitely it helps to go in winter when there are more clear days. Glad you still got a peek at it, and hope you make it back again!

      Reply
  6. Hi Nick,
    Thanks so much for very helpful write-up on way to Kawaguchiko and particularly your highly recommendation to stay in Minshuku Murahamasouto in Shoji. I clicked both TripAdvisor and Booking.com but the former one asking me to write directly to hotel, while the latter one said no availability on those dates. I went to Murahamasouto homepage, but there is only telephone no. without email for me to write to them. Would you be able to tell me how else we can get through to them in English. They have a remark “speak Japanese only” under their homepage contacts.
    Appreciate your guidance, Nick. Thanks in advance.

    Reply
    • Unfortunately the hotel no longer seems to have any way to accept English reservations. When I stayed there (2018), they had a daughter in law helping with English emails but I think that is no longer the case. The email I used to contact her before no longer works. They are an elderly couple, and she told me that they are not keen on using any kind of booking platform. The only possible way is that you could have a Japanese person try to call on your behalf.

      Reply

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