How to Get Around Kawaguchiko and the Fuji Five Lakes

March 23, 2025

Kawaguchiko road signs showing the distance to the lake and the station

When I first arrived at Kawaguchiko Station via the scenic Fuji Excursion train, I was slightly overwhelmed. The scenery? Breathtaking. Mt. Fuji? Towering majestically in the distance. But the logistics? A bit of chaotic at first glance. There were red, green, and blue buses pulling in and out, brochures stacked high in multiple languages, and there were a bunch of tourists just like me, scanning maps and checking Google – I had a moment of “wait… which bus do I need to take again?”

Mt. Fuji shown behind Kawaguchiko Station — You’ve just arrived at Kawaguchiko Station with that majestic view of Mt. Fuji… but how do you get around now? There are plenty of ways to get around Kawaguchiko – even if you choose to go on foot, there are guides along the way letting you know the directions as well as how near or far away you are from your destination.

But don’t worry—once you get the hang of it, getting around Kawaguchiko and the surrounding Fuji Five Lakes area is actually pretty easy, and even kind of fun. From sightseeing buses and IC card-friendly rides to day passes that make exploring a breeze, there are plenty of convenient transport options to help you see the best of this scenic area.

In this post, I’ll walk you through all the main transport options from Kawaguchiko Station – buses, trains, routes and maps, and day passes – plus share some tips from my own experience navigating them so you know what to expect in advance.

Western Area Sightseeing Buses (The Lakes on the Western Side of Kawaguchiko Station)
Lake Yamanakako Area Sightseeing Buses (The Lake on the Eastern Side of Kawaguchiko Station)
Fujikyu Commuter Train
Bicycle Rentals
Car Rentals or take a Taxi

Mt. Fuji Guide brochures at Kawaguchiko Station — Before leaving Kawaguchiko Station make sure to get yourself a copy of the Mt. Fuji Guide brochure – it contains updated information about the area as well as printed maps and bus routes that will be a lifesaver especially when you’re out and about.

Getting around Kawaguchiko Station and the Fuji Five Lakes (Transport Options)

Just to give you a bit of a context here: Kawaguchiko Station is the last stop of the Fujikyu Line, hence it is the most visited of the five lakes because this station serves as the main hub for getting around the lakes in the Fuji Five Lakes region, as well as the many different attractions the region has to offer.

Mt. Fuji and Fuji Five Lakes Area Route Map — The Mt. Fuji and Fuji Five Lakes Area route map as displayed just right in front of Kawaguchiko Station, giving you a general feel of where you are currently at (which is Kawaguchiko Station – the large red marker in the image above) as opposed to where the five likes (fujigoko) and Mt. Fuji are.

Illustrative Map of Mt Fuji and the Five Lakes Kawaguchiko Saiko Shojiko Motosuko Yamanakako — I’ve created this simple illustration showing you where Kawaguchiko Station, Fujisan (Mt. Fuji), and the Fuji Five Lakes (Motosuko, Shojiko, Saiko, Kawaguchiko, and Yamanakako – *the blue blobs above*) are just to give you a general feel of where you are (*this doesn’t show the exact proximities*) when you arrive at Kawaguchiko Station and help ease some of the travel anxieties. 🙂 Note that Lake Kawaguchiko is just about 15-30 minutes’ walk from Kawaguchiko Station.

From here, you can easily walk to Kawaguchiko Lake in around 30 minutes and you’ll already get to see a lot of picture-perfect spots – if you prefer to go further though or you just prefer to get on some form of transportation right from the station, there are several easy and tourist-friendly transport options you can find to get you to where you need to be.

Please note that the transport options below and their details can change at any time and may vary depending on the season and timing so please double check in advance.

1. Western Area Sightseeing Buses (The Lakes on the Western Side of Kawaguchiko Station)

The most convenient way to explore the lakes in the western side of Kawaguchiko Station is by hopping on the Omnibuses, commonly known as the Red Line (Lake Kawaguchiko), Green Line (Saiko area), and Blue Line (Narusawa / Shojiko / Motosuko Sightseeing Bus). These retro-style buses run frequently and cover most of the major attractions in the area. For more information, check out https://en.kawaguchiko.net/bus-stop-en/kawaguchiko-station/.

Check out this Western Area Sightseeing Bus route map from the Mt. Fuji Guide brochure.

Red Line Omnibus (Kawaguchiko Sightseeing Bus)

Covers: Lake Kawaguchiko area (northern and eastern shores)
Popular stops: Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway, Kawaguchiko Music Forest, Oishi Park, Itchiku Kubota Art Museum
One-way fare: From ¥220 (adults), ¥110 (children)
Day pass: Sightseeing Bus Pass available (unlimited rides on Red, Green, and Blue lines)
- 1-Day Pass: ¥1,500 (adults), ¥750 (children)
- 2-Day Pass: ¥2,000 (adults), ¥1,000 (children)
Accepts cash payment as well as Pasmo and Suica cards
Good for: Quick access to the main tourist attractions around Lake Kawaguchiko

Green Line Bus (Saiko Sightseeing Bus)

Covers: Western Kawaguchiko to Lake Saiko area
Popular stops: Saiko Iyashi no Sato Nenba, Bat Cave, Aokigahara Forest trailheads
One-way fare: From ¥330 (adults), ¥170 (children)
Day pass: Included in the ¥1,500 Fuji Five Lakes pass (Red/Green/Blue lines)
Accepts cash payment as well as Pasmo and Suica cards
Good for: Nature lovers, off-the-beaten-path stops, and traditional village experiences

Blue Line Bus (Narusawa / Shojiko / Motosuko Sightseeing Bus)

Covers: Lake Shojiko, Lake Motosuko, Narusawa Ice Cave area
Popular stops: Lake Motosuko Viewpoint (1000 yen bill view), Fuji Shibazakura Festival grounds (seasonal)
One-way fare: Up to ¥1,500 depending on distance
Day pass: Included in the ¥1,500 Fuji Five Lakes pass
Accepts cash payment as well as Pasmo and Suica cards
Good for: Exploring more remote lakes and scenic spots around Mt. Fuji

Pick up and drop off point for stop 10 - Azagawa along Red Line route of Kawaguchiko Sightseeing Bus — How do you get on a bus from anywhere along a bus route? It’s simple – just look for these markers – this is where go get dropped off, and this is also where you can wait for a sightseeing bus to come by. Image above shows the pick up and drop off point for **Stop # 10 (Azagawa stop) along Red Line route** of Kawaguchiko Sightseeing Bus.

2. Lake Yamanakako Area Sightseeing Buses (The Lake on the Eastern Side of Kawaguchiko Station)

The easiest and most relaxed way to see the sights around Lake Yamanakako (eastern side of Kawaguchiko Station) is by hopping on the local sightseeing buses C-Line, F-Line, A-Line, which circle the lake in a convenient loop. These buses run regularly and stop at all the key spots – the Yamanakako buses make it simple to get around without the hassle of driving or complicated transfers. For more information, check out https://en.kawaguchiko.net/bus-stop-en/kawaguchiko-station/.

Check out this Lake Yamanakako Area Sightseeing Bus map from the Mt. Fuji Guide brochure.

🟨 C-Line, F-Line, A-Line (Fujiyoshida, Oshino Hakkai, Lake Yamanakako Area Sightseeing Buses)

Covers: All routes in all Fujikko areas (Kawaguchiko Station, Fuji Q Highland, Mt. Fuji Station, Oshino Hakkai, Lake Yamanakako)
Popular stops:
One-way fare: Varies by route and distance; from ¥320
Day pass: 1-Day unlimited pass available: ¥1,500 (adults), ¥750 (children)
Good for: Exploring the route going to Lake Yamanakako, the largest of the Fuji Five Lakes

Sightseeing Bus at Kawaguchiko Station — One of the many sightseeing bus designs you’ll find at Kawaguchiko Station. It looks generic (some are designed with Kawaguchiko spots) so be sure to check which line is on the display because it could be any of the bus lines – it can also be a Red Line bus so don’t be confused as I initially was – make sure to always double check the signages at the front and the side of the bus to confirm which line it actually is.

Are you looking for ways to get to Kawaguchiko Station from Tokyo? Check out by blog post on How to Get to Kawaguchiko from Tokyo: Trains, Buses, Group Tours & Insider Tips.

If you're planning to go on just a day trip, check out my blog post on the top things to do in Kawaguchiko on a day trip from Tokyo.

3. Fujikyu Commuter Train

The Fujikyu Commuter Train is another easy way to get around some parts of the Five Lakes Area. If you prefer a direct way from Kawaguchiko Station to Fujikyu Highland, Mt. Fuji Station, Shimoyoshida Station, or Otsuki Station, this would be a hassle-free option.

Covers: Runs between Kawaguchiko Station and Otsuki Station, with stops at Fujikyu Highland, Mt. Fuji Station, and Shimoyoshida Station (for those going to Arakuyama Sengern Park and Chureito Pagoda).
One-way fare: ¥180 to ¥1,170, depending on distance
Day pass: Fujikyu Railway 2-Day Pass available for ¥3,000, offering unlimited rides.
Good for: Those who are not going to the Fuji Five Lakes area, and are exploring the other train stations that are also gateways to Mt. Fuji.
Official Website: https://e.fujikyu-railway.jp/

Fujikyu Commuter Train at Kawaguchiko Station — The Fujikyu Commuter Train

4. Bicycle Rentals

Especially if you’re just visiting Kawaguchiko on a day trip, renting a bike would be a great option to explore the scenic views of Mt. Fuji from Lake Kawaguchiko and explore the nearby attractions, and then be back just right on time at Kawaguchiko Station for your return trip to Tokyo. Plus, renting a bike would allow you to take control of your schedule and stop for a break wherever (and whenever) you want and go to places a little further out.

Locker rentals are available in Kawaguchiko Station too (or if lockers run out, some bike rental companies include luggage keep service when you rent a bike from them) so you can deposit your heavy stuff before you go out on a bike tour.

There are several rental shops around Kawaguchiko Station and the standard rates are around ¥1,500–¥2,000 per day. If you want to make sure you don’t run out of bikes to rent on the day you visit, you can book your rental bike in advance.

Tourists riding a bike rental around Kawaguchiko Station — Want to just soak in the feels of Kawaguchiko without having to figure out bus and train routes and schedules? Renting a bike would be a great option.

5. Car Rentals or take a Taxi

Car rentals or taking the taxi may or may not be budget friendly, but I’m listing these options because they can be a more practical and economical option especially for families and groups or those travelling with a ton of lugagge.

Toyota Rent a Car service at Kawaguchiko Station

Renting a car would suit best if you plan on taking a road trip further out than you would normally be able to reach by just taking the bus, and it just like renting a bike, it gives you control of the schedule and the places that you actually want to visit.

One con I could think of is that you’d have to figure out parking in each place that you visit which could save / waste your time, depending on your plans – the Five Lakes Region is vast so if you’re driving around the lesser-visited area, parking won’t be a problem but if you’re visiting the more popular destinations you may have to park a little further. If you prefer renting a car, do note as well that you’ll need to present both your original driver’s license and a valid International Driving Permit or IDP, along with your passport.

Agencies: TOYOTA Rent-a-Car, Times Car Rental, and local agencies near the station.
Requirements: International Driving Permit (IDP), original driver’s license, and passport.
Best For: Exploring the Fuji Five Lakes at your own pace.
Pricing: From ¥6,000–¥10,000 per day, depending on car size and season.
If you wish to book online ahead of time, you can book a Kawaguchiko car rental service.

As for taking the taxi, it’s a more convenient option than actually renting a car, depending again on your goals and plans. There are plenty of taxis you can find at Kawaguchiko Station, but hailing a taxi becomes harder when you’re farther into the lakes area where there is not much road activity except for the bus so take note of this when relying on taxi service.

Readily available outside Kawaguchiko Station (but not in the lakes area).
Best For: Short-distance trips or when traveling with luggage.
Taxi service can extend well into the night, past the service hours of the regular bus.
Fares: Start around ¥730 for the first 1-2 km, then approximately ¥90 per 300m.