Most viewed - Fuji Kawaguchiko-machi 富士河口湖町 |
On the nearby shore, a few more maple trees.284 views
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Southern shore of Lake Kawaguchi with a statue of two sister goddesses dancing over the lake. The sculptor was Gakuryo Nasu.161 views
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Manhole at Lake Kawaguchi, Yamanashi.156 views
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The gourds grown here are used for decorative purposes. Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba, Lake Saiko, Yamanashi.156 views
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Lake Kawaguchi, Yamanashi.154 views
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Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba, Lake Saiko, Yamanashi.134 views
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129 views
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Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba, Lake Saiko.116 views
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If you visit Lake Kawaguchi, you might as well visit Lake Saiko or Lake Sai, a short bus ride away. There are a number of tourist attractions like ice caves and bat caves.113 views
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On 2010, Lake Saiko garnered national attention when the native species kunimasu, a type of salmon or black kokanee, thought extinct for 70 years, was discovered in the lake.113 views
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They allow you to walk around like this.72 views
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This house rented samurai armor and kimono to dress up in for only 500 yen. 70 views
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Stuffed bear68 views
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Decided to visit Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba, an outdoor museum of thatched-roof houses. It is one of the stops on the tourist bus circuit. 西湖いやしの里根場 66 views
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There are five lakes at the northern foot of Mt. Fuji known as Fuji Goko (富士五湖). They are easily accessible by bus from Shinjuku, Tokyo, taking 2-3 hours for around 4,000 yen round trip.66 views
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66 views
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Gourd garden at Lake Saiko's Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba.65 views
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Corridor of maple trees (momiji), but I was too early in Oct.64 views
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About Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba. There used to be a real village here until it was destroyed by a typhoon. Residents moved away, and the village was reconstructed with thatched-roof homes. The museum opened in 2006.64 views
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There are five lakes at the northern foot of Mt. Fuji known as Fuji Goko (富士五湖). They are easily accessible by bus from Shinjuku, Tokyo, taking 2-3 hours for around 4,000 yen round trip.63 views
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Entrance to Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba. 61 views
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60 views
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Next to Kawaguchiko Station is this tourist information office. Get free pamphlets, maps, etc. English spoken. Many foreign tourists also visit the Five Lakes of Mt. Fuji.59 views
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Gourds growing at Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba. I was soon to find out why they are growing these gourds. (Not for eating.) Whenever I see gourds, it reminds me of Hawaiian hula because they are used as hand drums.59 views
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The second largest of the five lakes at the foot of Mt. Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi is well developed for tourists. This is Kawaguchiko Station on the Fujikyuko Line. From central Tokyo, going by bus is more convenient, although traffic delays a always possible58 views
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I caught a retro bus to go to the other side of the lake.58 views
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There are mostly tourist souvenir shops selling food and local crafts. One house sold ancient mochi (dark and red colored) and had an irori fireplace. Another house rented samurai armor and kimono to dress up in for only 500 yen.58 views
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Wasabi garden.58 views
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Souvenir shop.58 views
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Fire watch tower.58 views
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Bus stops in front of Kawaguchiko Station. 57 views
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Autumn leaves at Lake Kawaguchi (northern shore). The trees are also lit up at night during the Koyo festival.57 views
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My room where I stayed at Lake Kawaguchi. It had a sun deck which provided a good view of Mt. Fuji. I paid only 4,800 yen for the night without meals.57 views
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In 1966, a big typhoon bringing heavy rains caused a mudflow that destroyed the homes here, killing 94 residents. The entire settlement was destroyed so the survivors moved to the opposite side of the lake.57 views
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A few food stalls.56 views
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Southern shore of Lake Kawaguchi with gingko and poplar trees. I saw quite a few foreign tourists, including Chinese. It's a great weekend getaway for Tokyoites.56 views
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A house with an irori where we could have tea and sweets.56 views
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Inside Kawaguchiko Station on the Fujikyuko Line. Buses from Tokyo stop at Kawaguchiko Station as well as local toruist buses. Kawaguchiko Station is the area's transportation hub.55 views
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55 views
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In front of Kawaguchiko Station are a number of bus stops. A convenient tourist retro bus goes around the lake and neighboring lakes. I visited in autumn.54 views
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54 views
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There would be a view of Mt. Fuji from here. Most hotels are on the northern shore so they can see Mt. Fuji across the lake.54 views
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Nice Japanese-style room, but no Internet connection. I needed a break anyway.54 views
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54 views
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The outdoor museum is not huge, but big enough to spend a good amount of time. On clear days, it gives good views of Mt. Fuji.54 views
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2nd floor of this house had woodblock prints.54 views
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53 views
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Fukurokuju, one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune, is the god of God of wisdom and longevity.. 福禄寿53 views
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About Fukurokuju. This area of the lake has seven shrines for all of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune. 53 views
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Southern shore of Lake Kawaguchi with a statue of two sister goddesses dancing over the lake. The sculptor was Gakuryo Nasu.53 views
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53 views
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The gourds grown here are used for decorative purposes.53 views
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Growing wasabi with very clean water at Saiko Iyashi no Sato Nenba.53 views
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53 views
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53 views
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Lake Kawaguchi holds its autumn foliage festival (Koyo Matsuri) from late Oct. to mid-Nov. on the northern shore where there is a long corridor of maple trees. 52 views
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What in the world is this doing here, I asked myself at the end of the maple tree corridor. That's what I like about Japan, always something totally unexpected.52 viewsA Japanese Zero fighter plane??
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Statue of Kajiwara Kagetoki (1140-1200 梶原 景時) at Lake Kawaguchi. A warrior against the Taira.52 views
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Morning view of Mt. Fuji from my room at Lake Kawaguchi. This is the only glimpse of Mt. Fuji I got during a cloudy and sometimes drizzly weekend.52 views
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In 2006, they opened this outdoor museum as a testament to the old villagers here. Over the years, they expanded and added more houses. There are now 20 houses.52 views
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Ancient varieties of rice.52 views
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52 views
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Lake Kawaguchi is quite well developed for tourists with lodging, shops, museums, onsen baths, and tourist buses. It's the second most popular Fuji Goko lake after Lake Yamanaka.51 views
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51 views
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Most of the maple leaves at Lake Kawaguchi were still like this when I was there. They are late in turning color this year. Give them 10 more days. 51 views
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51 views
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Bus stop for the retro tourist bus.51 views
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51 views
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Maple and ginkgo trees on the southern shore of Lake Kawaguchi.51 views
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51 views
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Bird house.51 views
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Two types of retro tourist buses. One goes to the other side of Lake Kawaguchi and one goes to Lake Saiko.50 views
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Adjacent to the maple trees was this park or garden featuring small thatched-roof houses.50 views
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50 views
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50 views
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Maple trees at Lake Kawaguchi. One of the few that was red.50 views
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View of Lake Kawaguchi's northern shore.50 views
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ABout the statue of two sister goddesses dancing over the lake. The sculptor was Gakuryo Nasu.50 views
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50 views
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50 views
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Train display in front of Kawaguchiko Station.49 views
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You can also catch a bus to Lake Yamanaka and to Mt. Fuji's 5th Station which is about halfway up the mountain.49 views
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49 views
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Museum at Lake Kawaguchi.49 views
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49 views
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Panorama of the southern shore of Lake Kawaguchi.49 views
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49 views
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49 views
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48 views
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A small shrine dedicated to Fukurokuju, one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune. He is the god of God of wisdom and longevity. 福禄寿48 views
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Herb Museum at Lake Kawaguchi.47 views
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46 views
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Lunch was Hoto noodles, famous in Yamanashi Prefecture. Thick, flat udon-type noodles in delicious miso-based broth, mixed with cut vegetables. Also came with Inari-zushi. 44 viewshttp://www.houtou-fudou.jp/english.html
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Forest of Japanese beech trees nicknamed "Climax Forest." ブナ林18 views
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Aokigahara Forest is on the northwestern foot/slope of Mt. Fuji. This forest is also known as "Suicide Forest" since some people have committed suicide in Aokigahara.16 viewsBut apparently not in the part of the forest we hiked in. Our guides assured us that we wouldn't see any bodies...(and we didn't.) This is our English-speaking guide from this company:
https://www.the-highestpeak.com/english
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16 views
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Lots of wildlife here too. Deer, bears, boars, woodpeckers, and squirrels. But we didn't see any, only their foot prints, digs in the ground, chipped tree trunks, etc.16 views
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After walking about 15 min., we got to the Fuji Wind Cave (Fuji Fuketsu). This is the stone marker for it. 16 viewsThere's no "wind" in the cave. It's just a name. 富士風穴 (ふじふうけつ)
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16 views
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Fuji Wind Cave first appears to be a big hole in the ground. It's a lava tube. You need a permit to enter. That's why having a licensed guide is good.16 views
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15 views
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Remains from a commercial activity.15 views
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The helmet headlight was essential to see where we walked on craggy rocks and ice. 15 viewsWhen we all gathered here at the end of the lava tube, our guide told us to turn off our headlights to see how dark it was. Yes, it was pitch black. Our ears then concentrated on the water drops falling from the ceiling. Great place to meditate. The temperature was near freezing, but we had enough clothing. I wanted to ask the guide what would happen if there were a big earthquake while we were inside. But I refrained from doing so because I didn't want to alarm the others...
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This part of the cave had ice all over the bottom.15 views
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Forest of Japanese beech trees nicknamed "Climax Forest." ブナ林15 views
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15 views
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14 views
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14 views
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14 views
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14 views
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14 views
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14 views
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14 views
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Our guide gave us overalls, a helmet with headlight, and rubber gloves for this excursion. The cave entrance is narrow, steep, and dark. 14 viewsBut once inside, you can walk upright most of the way. This lava tube is about 230 meters long, 5 to 10 meters wide, 5 meters high (except for the small entrance). Advance permission is required from the local Board of Education to enter.
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Getting out.14 views
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Inside Houtou Fudo Kitamoto Branch restaurant (ほうとう不動).14 views
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13 views
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Despite its reputation, Aokigahara Forest didn't look or feel spooky or scary at all. It looked like any other forest in Japan. 13 viewsThere are distinct trails and signs to follow. It's possible to get dangerously lost if you stray too far (more than 200 meters) from the trails. The forest has multiple trail entrances, and I was told a few of them have signs trying to discourage suicide.
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Aokigahara Forest is on a large lava flow of Mt. Fuji, so the ground is solid lava rock. 13 views
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13 views
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There are many lava tubes around Mt. Fuji. 13 viewsThis one is less touristy, and not to be confused with the more touristy ones called Fugaku Wind Cave (富岳風穴) and Narusawa Ice Cave (鳴沢氷穴) near Lake Saiko.
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After the lava tube, we hiked further and came to a nice forest of Japanese beech trees nicknamed "Climax Forest." ブナ林13 views
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13 views
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Imagine living in a town with a view like this. This is Fuji-Kawaguchiko town near Lake Kawaguchi.13 views
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Restaurant where we had lunch. The building was designed to look like clouds or snow on Mt. Fuji. Houtou Fudo Kitamoto Branch (ほうとう不動) near Lake Kawaguchi.13 views
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Strolling along the lake is pleasant for tourists.13 views
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Evening view of Lake Kawaguchi and Mt. Fuji from a hillside hotel.13 views
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