Today we are going back to last October, when my friends and I took a trip to Kawaguchiko. I was traveling alone in Tokyo at the time, and we all met up later at our Airbnb in Kawaguchiko. We visited Oishi Park and of course our main goal was to see Mount Fuji! I had already been there twice, but the beautiful mountain had always been hiding behind clouds. This time, though, I was incredibly lucky!

The only downside – well, sort of – was that the temperatures last year were unusually warm, so Fuji-san had not gotten any snow yet lol. He looked very… unique, haha. We also made a quick stop at the Chureito Pagoda, that iconic viewpoint – definitely a must. And, at the request of one friend, we also visited the Maglev Exhibition Center.

You can find all the details below :) Enjoy reading!

How to get to Kawaguchiko from Tokyo

There are several ways to get to Kawaguchiko from Tokyo. For my convenience, I always took the expressway bus from Shinjuku Station. The price is somewhere in the middle compared to other options, and the travel time is also average when you compare it to going by train or car.

🚌 Highway Bus (direct)

• I used the highway bus from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal (Busta Shinjuku) to Kawaguchiko Station
• The operator is Fujikyuko Bus (高速バス).
• Approximate travel time: 1h 45min
• Fare: One Way Ticket: 2’450 Yen (Adult)

☆ Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal
5 Chome-24-55 Sendagaya, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-0051

🚈 Train

• The Fuji Excursion train runs directly from Shinjuku Station to Kawaguchiko Station, with no transfers needed.
• Travel time: about 1h 55min
• Fare: around 4’130 Yen for Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko
• The train via Otsuki is way cheaper, but with a transfer (approx. 2h 10min depending on train type and connections)

🚗 Driving / Rental Car

• You could drive from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko
• According to sources, it is about 1h 24min by car (depending on traffic)
• It is useful if you want flexibility, but you will need to factor in tolls and parking!

When I arrived in Kawaguchiko, I went to look for our Airbnb. We had a very spacious apartment with an amazing view of Mt. Fuji! We were totally out in the countryside, which was quite the contrast to Tokyo, haha. It almost reminded me of Tottori. It was also noticeably cooler than in the city. The place was just a few minutes’ walk from Oishi Park, in a nice and quiet area.

Oishi Park | Lake Kawaguchiko

For the best view of Mt. Fuji at sunrise, we wanted to head out early in the morning. Well – a photographer friend and I did; the others were not exactly thrilled about waking up that early, haha. I got up at 4:30 a.m. that day! The village was still completely asleep and I actually really enjoy those peaceful morning hours. Funny enough, there were already a few people at Oishi Park (mostly photographers, of course lol) waiting for the perfect moment to capture Mt. Fuji.

Chureito Pagoda | The Iconic Mt. Fuji Photo Spot

Chureito Pagoda is one of the most famous viewpoints in all of Japan. Perched on a hillside overlooking Fujiyoshida City, the pagoda forms a perfect frame with Mt. Fuji in the background – an image that appears on countless postcards, posters and travel guides. It is especially popular during cherry blossom season, when soft pink sakura surround the pagoda and again in autumn when the maple leaves turn a vibrant red. Because of this, the area can get very crowded, so it is good to be prepared.

We visited it because it is simply a must-see. The view of Mt. Fuji from the top can be stunning – though in our case, clouds rolled in suddenly, hiding the mountain just as we reached the viewpoint. Classic Mt. Fuji luck, haha.

To reach the pagoda, you have to climb a long staircase – around 400 steps – so it is definitely an uphill walk (there is also a sloped path that is slightly gentler). But the effort is worth it, not only for the iconic panorama but also for the nice atmosphere of the surrounding Arakura Sengen Shrine. Even on cloudy days, the combination of the pagoda, the cityscape below, and the sacred feel of the area makes it a memorable stop.

☆ Chureito Pagoda
2-chome-4-1 Asama, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi 403-0011, Japan

Yamanashi Prefectural Maglev Exhibition Center

One of my friends is a train enthusiast, so he really wanted to visit the Yamanashi Prefectural Maglev Exhibition Center. To my surprise, it was actually much more interesting than I expected! You can learn a lot about the maglev system there – how these trains use powerful magnetic forces to levitate above the tracks, allowing them to travel extremely smoothly and at incredibly high speeds. They are designed to reduce friction, increase efficiency and represent the future of high-speed rail in Japan. The staff even did a live demonstration using dry ice, which I found super fascinating! And my personal highlight? The Sanrio stationery featuring maglev trains that I bought there, hahaha!

☆ Yamanashi Prefectural Maglev Exhibition Center
2381 Ogatayama, Tsuru, Yamanashi 402-0006, Japan
linear-museum.pref.yamanashi.jp

Opening Hours
Monday to Sunday, 09:00 – 17:00

Entrance Fee
Adult: 420 Yen
High School Stundent: 320 Yen
Elementary/Junior High School Stundent: 200 Yen
*discount with groups of more than 20 people