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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.
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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 possible
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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.
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Train display in front of Kawaguchiko Station.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Bus stops in front of Kawaguchiko Station.
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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.
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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.
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I caught a retro bus to go to the other side of the lake.
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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.
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A few food stalls.
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Corridor of maple trees (momiji), but I was too early in Oct.
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Adjacent to the maple trees was this park or garden featuring small thatched-roof houses.
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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.
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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.A Japanese Zero fighter plane??
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Autumn leaves at Lake Kawaguchi (northern shore). The trees are also lit up at night during the Koyo festival.
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Maple trees at Lake Kawaguchi. One of the few that was red.
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On the nearby shore, a few more maple trees.
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Lake Kawaguchi, Yamanashi.
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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.
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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
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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
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About Fukurokuju. This area of the lake has seven shrines for all of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune.
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Manhole at Lake Kawaguchi, Yamanashi.
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Bus stop for the retro tourist bus.
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Museum at Lake Kawaguchi.
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Herb Museum at Lake Kawaguchi.
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Panorama of the southern shore of Lake Kawaguchi.
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View of Lake Kawaguchi's northern shore.
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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.
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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.
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ABout the statue of two sister goddesses dancing over the lake. The sculptor was Gakuryo Nasu.
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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.
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Maple and ginkgo trees on the southern shore of Lake Kawaguchi.
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Statue of Kajiwara Kagetoki (1140-1200 梶原 景時) at Lake Kawaguchi. A warrior against the Taira.
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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.
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Nice Japanese-style room, but no Internet connection. I needed a break anyway.
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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.
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Strolling along the lake is pleasant for tourists.
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Evening view of Lake Kawaguchi and Mt. Fuji from a hillside hotel.
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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.
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Inside Houtou Fudo Kitamoto Branch restaurant (ほうとう不動).
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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. http://www.houtou-fudou.jp/english.html
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Imagine living in a town with a view like this. This is Fuji-Kawaguchiko town near Lake Kawaguchi.
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