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The Best of Fuji’s Five Lakes

When travelers tell me they want to “visit Mt. Fuji,” they’re referring (in 9 cases out of 10, anyway) to Fujigoko, or the Fuji Five Lakes region. They don’t want to climb Fujisan (or, if they do, they’re visiting in the wrong time of year); they just want to get a good view.

However, even once they have this vocabulary and this guidances, it’s somewhat misleading. After all, only two of Fuji’s five lakes have the infrastructure or attractions to justify a visit, be it for the day or overnight.

As a result, the Yamanakako vs Kawaguchiko debate takes on outsized importance, even if both of these terms are new to you. Read this post for help in making this crucial decision for your own trip.

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Understanding the Geography of Fuji Five Lakes

In terms of geography, deciding between Yamanaka or Kawaguchi doesn’t seem logical. After all, when viewed from west to east, the lakes are arranged as follows: Motosuko, Shojiko, Saiko, Kawaguchiko and Yamanakako. You’d think that you would want to compare Lake Yamanaka with Motosuko or Shojiko, since they are located on the opposite sides of Mt. Fuji, both north-south and east-west wise.

Indeed, the other thing you have to look at it the size of the lakes. Kawaguchiko and Yamanakako are by far the largest two lakes, which is why it makes sense that they attract the largest numbers of tourists. There’s also the reality that maps can’t tell the whole story: Most of the “attractions” in Fuji Five Lakes (besides the mountain itself) are located in one of these two lakes.

 
 
Kawaguchiko

Ways to Compare Lakes Kawaguchi and Yamanaka

Location relative to Mt. Fuji

Kawaguchiko is located due north of Mt. Fuji, which in some ways is good. For one, you have a clear view of the mountain from everywhere around the lake, and even when the sky is not completely clear. Yamanakako, on the other hand, is basically due east of Mt. Fuji. Which seems immaterial, but trust me: It is not. And not just because the mountain takes on a different shape depending on where you see it from.

Typical lighting conditions

Indeed, as a photographer, lighting is a big factor in how I compare Lake Yamanaka vs Lake Kawaguchi. And the sad truth is that during the winter months, when Fujisan has its attractive snow cab, a sun that rises and sets to the south as it does over Lake Kawaguchi creates an ugly backlight. At Lake Yamanaka, on the other hand, you’ll enjoy direct light at sunrise and a gorgeous “Diamond Fuji” at sunset.

Things to do

Objectively speaking, there is more “to do” in the vicinity of Kawaguchiko than there is at Yamanakako. In Kawaguchiko, you can start the morning at Chureito Pagoda, spend the afternoon at Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway and end the evening along the North Shore. By contrast, the only must-see place at Lake Yamanaka is Hirano Beach, which is really only noteworthy in the morning because of its swans.

NOTE: If you happen to visit Lake Yamanaka in August, the sunflower fields at Yamanaka Hanamiyako Flower Park are worth seeing, though unless you can visit in the early morning, lighting conditions will be less than ideal.

Accommodation

When thinking about Lake Kawaguchi or Lake Yamanaka, where to stay is an important consideration. Accommodation in Yamanakako is basic but also basically on the water, whether you choose one-star Guest House Zen, or the slightly higher-end Ryokan Shizuku. It is only in Kawaguchiko, to be sure, that five-star lodging like Tominoko Hotel and Hotel Asafuji are even on the table.

Ease of access

Direct buses and trains run from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko Station several times per day. From here, you can travel onward to Lake Yamanaka by bus, but this can be a two-step process that is too complicated for some travelers. By contrast, if you are renting a car, Lake Yamanaka is less than an hour’s drive away from Mishima Station, which is itself just an hour from Tokyo by Shinkansen.

 
 
Yamanakako

What About the Other Fuji Five Lakes?

I have a lot of love for lakes Saiko, Shojiko and Motosuko. This is particularly the case if I have time in my trip to spend an extra night somewhere. Hotels along these lakes, while more spartan than those in Kawaguchiko especially, simply aren’t as popular among foreign tourists. As a result, whether at Kou-an along Lake Motosu or Shoji Lake Hotel along Lake Shoji, you get a lot of bang for your buck.

At the same time, if you don’t have your own set of wheels (or a great deal of patience to navigate local buses), it’s difficult to escape the paradigm of Yamanakako or Kawaguchiko. These are the only two of Fuji’s five lakes to have mass tourism primarily because they are the only two with acceptable infrastructure. So please keep this in mind if you feel compelled to beat yourself up.

 

Other FAQ About Visiting Fuji Five Lakes

Is Lake Yamanaka worth it?

Lake Yamanaka isn’t quite as famous as Lake Kawaguchi, but it’s worth the slight bit of extra inconvenience you need to access it. As a photographer, I find this to be the case primarily because of lighting. Fujisan gets illuminated directly from the east over the lake in the morning; in the afternoon, Lake Yamanaka is simply the best place to see the sunset behind Mt. Fuji.

What is the best lake to view Mount Fuji?

In my opinion, as a photographer, Lake Yamanaka offers the best views of Mt. Fuji. While it doesn’t have the world-famous attractions that are closer to Lake Kawaguchi, lighting conditions here are simply much more favorable to taking excellent pictures of Mt. Fuji.

Is Kawaguchiko worth visiting?

Kawaguchiko is absolutely worth visiting. However, do take a couple of steps before your trip to ensure it goes smoothly. First, make train or bus reservations well in advance. Secondly, if you plan to stay overnight, book your accommodation a minimum of three months before your trip, lest you get stuck in some spartan hotel near the station.

The Bottom Line

Comparing Yamanakako vs Kawaguchiko can yield surprising results. While these are by the far the most popular two of Fuji’s five lakes, Lake Kawaguchiko tends to dominate the conversation in nine cases out of 10. There’s goos reason for this—many of the most scenic views of Fujisan are adjacent to here—but there’s also a compelling case that Lake Yamanaka is superior, particularly for travelers who value good lighting. The reality is that Lake Kawaguchiko is located due north of Mt. Fuji, which means the mountain is almost always backlit and washed out. Need personalized guidance for visiting Fuji Five Lakes? Commission a custom Japan itinerary!

 

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