If you are wondering, “Where can I get a good view of Mount Fuji?” Kawaguchiko town, named after one of Fuji’s five lakes, is your answer. But what are the best places in Kawaguchiko with Mt. Fuji views?

From Kawaguchiko station, Honcho Street, Chureito Pagoda, and Onshirin Garden to the lake itself, every corner of Kawaguchiko has the best views of Mount Fuji. 

As I reached Kawaguchiko from Tokyo, luck played in my favour – Mount Fuji graced me with its surreal view. Indeed, it was a dream come true moment for my solo travel diaries. The snow-capped conical top of Mount Fuji is a masterpiece of nature.

To admire, adore and appreciate this masterpiece, in Kawaguchiko, I explored a mixed bag of spots to get the best view of Mount Fuji. 

In this blog, I have shared all the top spots with Mount Fuji views in Kawaguchiko, followed by some frequently asked questions to help you make an informed decision on your solo Japan trip. 

1. Lake Kawaguchiko – The Ultimate Mount Fuji View Point 

Lake Kawaguchiko itself offers the most epic view of Mount Fuji! 

So do as I did – get up early, grab some food, walk around the lake, cross the Kawaguchiko Ohashi Bridge, and explore different angles of Lake Kawaguchiko to get the best Mount Fuji views! 

Talking about different angles, the north side of the lake outshines the rest of the parts. The lake view of Mount Fuji creates magic. Oishi Park, with its seasonal flowers, is a great place to enjoy Mount Fuji views. 

Apart from that, Yagizaki Park and Oike Park on the southern shore of Lake Kawaguchiko also boast some good spots with Mount Fuji views. 

As you soak the Mount Fuji view from Lake Kawaguchiko, here are some must-do activities: 

• Visit the Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum
• Paddle in one of the swan or panda boats on Lake Kawaguchiko
• Take the Mount Fuji ropeway to view the lake from the top
• Enter Itchiku Kubota Art Museum for $10 and explore different Japanese kimonos

2. Honcho Street – A Spectacular Criss-Cross of Power Lines and Mount Fuji

If you have searched for images of Mount Fuji on Google, you must have come across the picture-perfect frame of a straight, long street with Mount Fuji looming at the end. 

The Fuji connector – Honcho Street is undoubtedly one of the popular photogenic places to frame Mount Fuji. 

As a result, the footfall of tourists on Honcho Street is extremely high! If you happen to join the crowd, please be mindful of the traffic. Before you form a long queue, keep in mind road safety.

Alternatively, you can explore the adjacent streets parallel to Honcho Street. They make good spots for Mount Fuji views too. And you can easily take photos in peace.

3. Chureito Pagoda – An Observation Deck with the Best Views of Mount Fuji 

In Arakurayama Sengen Park, climb up for about 15 to 20 minutes to Chureito Pagoda, approximately 398 steps, to get the view synonymous with Japan and Mount Fuji – the famous red pagoda with Mount Fuji peeking from the side. 

Being one of the must-visit places in Kawaguchiko, there’s no way I could skip Chureito Pagoda from this list! No matter how touristy this spot gets, it’s worth living the Mount Fuji dream. 

That said, if you want to get it empty, visit as early as you can.

And if you want the place all by yourself, climb a little further to get one of the rare views of Mount Fuji in Kawaguchiko.

Tip: If you are visiting Kawaguchiko in cherry blossom season, do not miss this place.

4. Kawaguchiko Station – Mount Fuji Stands Tall to Welcome You

As you reach Kawaguchiko Station from Tokyo, you are welcomed by one of the best views of Mount Fuji. 

Walk a little from the station, there are cafés, souvenir shops and restaurants, all with stunning Mount Fuji views. Plus, this station is around ten minutes by foot to Lake Kawaguchiko.

However, the station itself is very packed. In addition to a few trains, some buses take you from Kawaguchiko station to Mishima and Shinjuku. 

5. Onshirin Garden – A Myriad of Colours with Mount Fuji as a Backdrop

Within walking distance from Fujiyoshida station and a short drive from Kawaguchiko, Onshirin Garden boasts one of the most vibrant colour palettes.

Once an imperial property of the Meiji era, now a European-style garden where you can view a solid combination of pink Shibazakura and blue Nemophila with the white snow-capped Mount Fuji in the background. 

Of all, Onshirin Garden is the little less known spot to see one of the best views of Mount Fuji.

6. Bonus: Admire Views of Mount Fuji in Kawaguchiko from the Comfort of Your Hotel

Can it get any better than looking out your window in pyjamas to witness the magnificent Mount Fuji views? Ok, I admit – I am obsessed with Mount Fuji views. It seems I can’t get enough of it. Therefore, even if it demands a few extra yens, I ensured my hotel in Kawaguchiko has the best view of Mount Fuji. 

• Ubuya Ryokan is a luxury ryokan and boasts all rooms with Mount Fuji views. Book three months in advance to ensure a room is available.
• Another hotel with a Mount Fuji view is Lakeland Hotel Mizunosato. It is a mid-range stay and will cost you around $247 for a night with access to a hot spring bath and a kaiseki meal.
• Hotel Koryu and Hotel Regina Kawaguchiko are some other good options if you are on a solo budget trip to Japan. 

How Long to Spend at Kawaguchiko?

Although you can do it as a day trip from Tokyo, I highly recommend staying for at least 1 to 2 nights at Kawaguchiko.Why? Because Mount Fuji is moody! It is weather-dependent. And clouds are clearly not your best friend. Besides, there are several Kawaguchiko attractions to explore in the town. 

What is the Best Time to See Mount Fuji in Kawaguchiko?

Standing 3,776 metres above sea level, the best part of this active volcano is that you can view it all year round. That said, you can get the best views of Mount Fuji during winter. The sky remains clear, with little to no clouds to obstruct the view from December to February. 

Which is Better, Hakone or Kawaguchiko? 

When it comes to the best spot for viewing Mount Fuji, there’s an unsaid battle – Hakone vs. Kawaguchiko and travellersare torn apart. So, I will not complicate it further! 

If your sole wish is to get closer and have clearer views of Mount Fuji from a variety of vantage points, Kawaguchiko is hands down a winner. However, along with Mount Fuji, if you seek a smaller crowd, onsens, and short gateways – Hakone is a great place to explore.

To sum it up, witnessing the grandeur of Mount Fuji up close from Kawaguchiko remains the highlight of my solo trip to Japan. Have you been to Kawaguchiko yet? Or are you planning to visit? If you need help planning your trip, refer to what solo travel to Japan is like in 2024.