Hey guys, ill be heading to Japan with a friend in late jan-early feb 2024. I have pretty much planned out my itinerary, but there is a gap in the middle where I will be spending 2-3 days in Fujikawaguchiko, with 1 day reserved for FujiQ highlands. Would love to hear some recommendations for hotels to stay/ places to go for a day trip (rented a car, so more inaccessible places are possible).
The following is my current itinerary:
**Day 1 (27th Jan 2024): Arrival in Tokyo (8am), travel to Hakuba**
Arrive at Tokyo Narita Airport in the morning. Take a chartered bus to Hakuba. Check into Hotel Stelle Belle, explore the town and rest for the day
**Day 2-4 (28th Jan – 30th Jan): Hakuba Skiing**
Enjoy skiing and snow activities in Goryu and explore other parts of Hakuba.
Relax in onsens (hot springs) after a day on the slopes.
**Day 5 (31st Jan): Day trip to Nagano/Travel to Fujikawaguchiko**
Checkout of Hakuba Nagano and spend the morning exploring more of Nagano, such as the historic area around the Zenko-ji Temple.
Rent a car from Nagano and drive to Fujikawaguchiko, the base town for Mount Fuji.
Check-in to my accommodation at Fujikawaguchiko.
Explore the town and enjoy views of Mount Fuji.
**Day 6 (1st Feb): Fuji Q Highland Theme Park**
Spend the day at Fuji Q Highland Theme Park.
Enjoy thrilling rides and take in views of Mount Fuji.
Return to Fujikawaguchiko for the night.
**Day 7 (2nd Feb): Explore around Fujikawaguchiko**
??? (Need some recommendations for this, or planning to just drive around (Fuji lakes / Aokigahara forest)
Return to Fujikawaguchiko for the night.
**Day 8 (3rd Feb): Spend 1 more day in Fujikawaguchiko OR return to Tokyo**
Depending on list of activities, might choose to stay 1 more day in Fujikawaguchiko. Had my share of exploration in Tokyo already so leaning more towards Fujikawaguchiko
**Day 9-10 (4th-5th Feb):Tokyo and departure**
Drive back to Tokyo.
Return the rental car. Check in to tokyo hotel
Depending on my flight time, explore any remaining Tokyo attractions or do some last-minute shopping.
Thank you!
![Question: [January 2024] Mt. Fuji Station → Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station?](https://www.lonelyjapan.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/5R-feAuWyZ0N71loyqZtmVhX2pZ7vkfdqJz0tLUvB4c-380x220.jpg)
5 comments
Oshino Hakkai is nice and worth the ~45min drive from Kawaguchiko. Since you’re driving back to Tokyo, you could also hit up Gotemba outlets on the way.
I am planning to go there around the same time (late Feb). Wanted to explore Nagano too, but I’m concerned that it might be too cold. I do not want to drive in a snow storm, nor hike with my ankles deep in snow. I noticed that u are going to Nagano too. Do you think this is a concern?
What I planned is mostly to spend the day hunting the various views of Mount Fuji and the lakes. That would easily take an entire day if you take your time. That is what Kawaguchiko is famed for and it’s a waste not to do that imho. Then check in to one of the ryokans to take in more of Fujisan while relaxing in the onsen.
If u like anime, watch Yuru camp then go around hunting for the various live locations.
Aokigahara forest is great – especially when you have a car.
Last time I was there I didn’t realise that the ice cave was actually a guided tour and ended up hiking there in the early afternoon and exploring the caves on my own accord (obviously not ideal but there were 0 people anywhere around).
I stayed in Kawaguchiko in winter a couple years ago and it definitely seemed more of a ‘summer’ town. I hired a bicycle and rode to nearby onsen, but other than that there wasn’t much to do. (I didn’t have a car)
Really wished we stayed in Fujiyoshida
Hire a bicycle and ride around. Take the cable car. I was quite surprised at how little there is to do in Kawaguchiko. It’s pleasant, and there was an autumn leaves festival while we were there which was cool. But in winter I assume it will be *extremely* cold. It was in early November.
There was a pleasant gift shop and café at Oishi park on Lake Kawaguchi. Just enjoy the scenery, I would say.