山梨Yamanashi
富士五湖Fuji Five Lakes
Five lakes at the foot of Mount Fuji, each with its own view of the mountain. Come early, when the water is still and the car parks are empty.
- From Tokyo
- About 1 h 50 by car
- Give it
- 2 days
- Best in
- Autumn to spring
The five lakes sit in a ring on Fuji's northern side, and a car is the easiest way to see more than one of them. Kawaguchiko is the busiest and has the most places to stay; Saiko, Shojiko and Motosuko are quieter and wilder.
The light is best at dawn, and with a car you can be there for it. Stay the night and you can be on the shore at Kawaguchiko or up at the Chureito Pagoda before the day buses arrive.
The Chuo Expressway gets you there in about two hours. The roads around the lakes are open and easy, and on the way home you can stop at an onsen with a view of the mountain.
The Fuji Subaru Line up to the fifth station can close in heavy snow, and it is shut to private cars from early July to early September. Tell us your dates and we will check for you.
季節Seasons
Fuji Five Lakes through the year
- Spring 春Best
Cherry blossom in mid to late April, a little later than Tokyo, with snow still on the peak.
- Summer 夏
Green and mild, but Fuji often hides in cloud by mid-morning.
- Autumn 秋BestNow
The Momiji Corridor at Kawaguchiko turns red in November, and the clear days return.
- Winter 冬Best
Crisp air and the sharpest views of the year. Snow is possible; snow tyres are worth adding from December to March.
Know when Fuji Five Lakes is at its best
A short note from our family before the best weeks in Fuji Five Lakes and the rest of the Drives near Tokyo, with any offers. A few times a year, by email.
祭り・行事Festivals
Festivals and events in Fuji Five Lakes
Dates come from each organiser’s own site and are added as they are announced. Big events bring crowds and road closures, so plan your Drive around them.
Fujikawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival
North shore of Lake Kawaguchi · 富士河口湖紅葉まつり
Stalls set up beside the maple corridor on the north shore, and the maples are lit up each evening.
Expect queues for parking on peak-colour weekends.
Official siteMt. Fuji Marathon
Around Lake Kawaguchi · 富士山マラソン
A long-running marathon around Lake Kawaguchi, held over two days for the first time in 2026.
The lakeside roads close during the races, so plan routes around the lake on both days.
Official siteWeekends from late January to late February, 20:00 to 20:20 · Date not announced yet
Lake Kawaguchi winter fireworks
Oike Park, Lake Kawaguchi · 河口湖・冬花火
Twenty minutes of fireworks over the lake with snow-covered Fuji behind.
Roads by the lake are restricted during each show. Nights are below freezing, so snow tyres are needed.
Official siteMid-April to late May · Date not announced yet
Fuji Shibazakura Festival
Near Lake Motosu · 富士芝桜まつり
About 500,000 moss phlox plants flower in pink fields with Mount Fuji behind them.
Official siteLake Kawaguchi summer fireworks
Lake Kawaguchi · 河口湖湖上祭
The largest fireworks on the Fuji Five Lakes, about 10,000 shells over the lake. It closes five nights of lake fireworks that start at Lake Yamanaka on 1 August.
More than 100,000 people come, and roads around Kawaguchiko IC and the station jam from the afternoon.
Official siteYoshida Fire Festival
Fujiyoshida · 吉田の火祭り
On the evening of 26 August about 80 tall torches are lit along the old pilgrim street to close the Mount Fuji climbing season. Portable shrines are carried through town the next day.
The main street through Kamiyoshida is lined with torches on the evening of 26 August, with heavy crowds.
Official site
旅の相談Plan this Drive
Drive to Fuji Five Lakes
Tell us your dates and who is coming.
他の行き先More Drives
