Kawaguchiko Day Trip Itinerary Help

6 comments

1. Was in Kawaguchiko last month and I’d say that Oishi Park is definitely doable without a car or tour. There’s a tourist shuttle that makes its way through the town that you can hop on and off, although when I saw it it was packed to the gills with people. Arakurayama Sengen Park/Pagoda might be a tougher destination since it’s a bit out of the way, although easily reachable via taxi. Oshino Hakkai is another spot you can reach via tax (although I’m not sure how easy it is to get a taxi back). It’s really kinda out there with not much else in the vicinity, and I’m pretty sure the tourist shuttle doesn’t go there.

2. We did Oishi Park/Natural Living Centre and Chureito Pagoda fairly comfortably as a day trip from Tokyo, but there wasn’t much time left for anything else (we wanted to do the panoramic ropeway but didn’t have time).

   Similar to your planning we took a morning bus from Tokyo Station (forget exactly when) and returned on a bus that left at 17:00. We used the Red Line Tourist bus, and the local express to Chureito.

   Unlike the trains the buses are not necessarily going to arrive right on time. Not sure what traffic is like on Sunday, but we arrived later than scheduled. The Red Line tourist bus at Kawaguchi-ko also ran a bit slow and not right on schedule, however it will take you right to Oishi Park and Kawaguchi-ko station to take the train to Chureito.

   I would for sure try to go to Chureito Pagoda, it was one of the hilights of our trip as Fuji peeked out of the clouds on our walk up, and was hidden again by the time we went down!.

   I would choose one of the other two. It will just be better if you’re not rushing around. Oishi Park/Natural Living centre was fine…but if you can’t see Fuji (which you very well might not), I didn’t think it was all that spectacular.

3. I think we took the bus on a Friday from shibuya at 0800 or 0830 and we didn’t reach kawaguchiko until almost noon because of heavy traffic. Hopefully there won’t be any traffic since you’re going on a Sunday. The fujikyuko line at the stations run about every 45 minutes only. You would mainly have to take a bus or taxi to get around. Although I’m not sure how often the bus schedule is. Our bus back to shibuya was at 1820 and we only managed to go to Chureito Pagoda, Hoshino street, and eat at Hotou Fudou across kawaguchiko station because of the heavy traffic delay and limited transport times around the area. We may have been able to go to oshino hakkai after eating if we took a taxi, but I didn’t want to risk missing the bus back to shibuya if we weren’t able to get a ride back to the station.

4. I was there a few days ago and it was mayhem around the east side of the lake. But if you get there at those times you listed I think you should be able to do all that, but getting back from the ponds might be tricky. Make sure you have your return bus/train ticket well in advance because they’ll be sold out.

   If you choose to do Oishi Park last, be prepared to line up for the red line bus as soon as you can. The buses filled up to 100% at that last stop all afternoon and evening and no one at any other stop on the way back to Kawaguchiko station could get on. They just pause at the stops and say sorry next bus and drive on. Also don’t rely on the timetables, all lines were well off them. And it was in the low 40s F and even start sprinkling us with snowflakes in the late afternoon so dress well.

5. Some notes: this weekend there is a big long distance running event in kawaguchiko so it will be very busy. Prebooking your transport is a must, both to/from kawaguchiko and probably any busses you take inside will have long queues also.

   Considering this, transport outside the town will probably be delayed and you might not be able to do all the things you planned.

6. Why not consider going to Fuji Subaru 5th Station or Owakudani if you are looking to catch Mt Fuji?

   You may want to try the Fuji Excursion train. Or alternatively, Fujikyuko Line to near Chureito Pagoda before walking over.