Kawaguchiko

Tour Stops

Kubota Itchiku Art Museum

A one-of-a-kind museum dedicated to the life work of Kubota Itchiku, a textile artist who spent decades reviving tsujigahana — a lost Muromachi-era (14th–16th century) silk dyeing technique. The building itself is a work of art: a Gaudí-inspired structure of coral limestone and ancient Okinawan wood nestled in a forested hillside near the lake. Inside, Itchiku’s monumental kimono series depicts Mount Fuji across the four seasons in panels meant to be viewed side by side, creating a continuous landscape in fabric. The surrounding garden, with its views toward the mountain, is just as contemplative as the art.

Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine

Home to one of the most photographed views in Japan: the Chureito Pagoda framed against Mount Fuji. The five-storied vermillion pagoda sits partway up the hillside and requires a climb of nearly 400 stone steps from the shrine entrance, but the reward is an unobstructed panorama of Fuji rising beyond the Fujiyoshida cityscape. The shrine itself, founded in 705 AD, is dedicated to the deity of Mount Fuji. In spring, hundreds of cherry trees bloom along the stairway; in autumn, the hillside turns to red and gold.

Oishi Park

A lakeside park on the northern shore of Lake Kawaguchi, Oishi Park is known for its seasonal flower gardens — lavender fields in early summer and kochia bushes that turn crimson in autumn. The park offers one of the most direct, unobstructed views of Mount Fuji across the lake, making it a favorite photo spot. A walking path runs along the waterfront, and there’s a small café where visitors can enjoy the view at a slower pace.

Oshino Hakkai

A small village at the base of Mount Fuji, famous for its eight crystal-clear spring ponds fed by snowmelt that has been filtered through volcanic rock over 80 years. The water is so transparent that the pond floors seem to hover beneath the surface. The village retains a traditional thatched-roof atmosphere, with old farmhouses, small craft shops, and stalls selling local treats like mochi grilled over charcoal. On clear days, Mount Fuji towers directly over the village — one of the closest ground-level views available.