Kawaguchiko Music Forest is a museum of music that gathers things like the biggest dance organ in the world, automatic playing instruments that were originally meant to board the Titanic and antique music boxes. Inside the park, there are also rose gardens and ponds that are fun to explore. In the interactive workshop, it is even possible to make an original, one of a kind music box.
www.ikidane-nippon.com
officially know as Kawaguchiko Mt. Tenjo Ropeway is an aerial lift that climbs from the edge of Kawaguchiko (Lake) to the observatory in Tenjo-Yama Park on Mt Kachi Kachi.
by Audi Liew
How to get to Kachi Kachi Ropeway?
Retro buses along the Kawaguchiko Line operate between Kawaguchiko Station and the ropeway station (15 minutes). Get off at the Yuransen Ropeway Iriguchi bus stop. Alternatively, it is also possible to walk from Kawaguchiko Station to the ropeway station in about 15-20 minutes.( http://www.japan-guide.com/e)
The bus operates from Kawaguchiko Sta. at 15 minute intervals, traveling around not only Lake Kawaguchiko and Lake Saiko, but also sightseeing facilities such as Mt.Kachi kachi Ropeway, Lake Kawaguchiko Pleasure Cruiser "En Soleill", Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum, Kawaguchiko Museum of Art, Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba, etc.
You can also get a coupon that allows you to ride as many times as you want in two days.
**Lake Kawaguchi/Lake Sai sightseeing bus unlimited ride coupon.
Lake Kawaguchi sightseeing route/Lake Sai and Aoigahara Sightseeing route. Ride all routes as much as you want for two days.**
Kawaguchiko Sightseeing Bus and Saiko Sightseeing Bus
☆Kawaguchiko is one of the best locations to view Mount Fuji.
☆Kawaguchiko attractions include museums, art galleries, shrines, temples and onsen.
The best views of Mount Fuji can be enjoyed from the lake's northern shores and are particularly breathtaking during the cherry blossom season around mid April and the autumn colors around the first half of November. One of the nicest spots for cherry blossoms is the seaside promenade near the Kawaguchiko Music Forest, while photographers will enjoy the "Momiji Tunnel" for autumn colors, a maple tree covered road section along the lake's northern shore.
☆A list of some of the tourist attractions around Lake Kawaguchiko:
☆☆Kubota Itchiku Museum ☆☆A unique museum that displays kimono created by Kubota Itchiku, who spent his lifetime reviving the lost art of Tsujigahana silk dyeing. The kimono on display depict themes of nature and the cosmos and include his unfinished masterpiece "Symphony of Light", comprised of 80 kimono that together form a picture of Mount Fuji.
☆☆Kawaguchiko Music Forest ☆☆More theme park than museum, the Kawaguchiko Music Forest is devoted to automatic musical instruments, such as music boxes and mechanical organs. The beautifully designed grounds with European styled gardens have nice views of Mount Fuji and are operated by the Ukai Group which also runs the Glass Forest in Hakone.
☆☆Herb Hall Hours: 9:00 to 18:00 (until 17:30 November to March)
Closed: No closing days
Admission: FreeThe Herb Hall is basically a store with a herb garden and greenhouse where you can view and purchase herbs, tea and dried flowers. Behind the Herb Hall stands the Perfume Hall where you can buy perfumes, aroma oils and soaps.
♡♡Kachi Kachi Ropeway (more details) Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (Mar to Nov), 9:30 to 16:40 (Dec to Feb)
Departures every 5-10 minutes
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 720 yen (round trip)The Kachi Kachi Ropeway ascends to an observation point near the summit of Mount Tenjo, from where Lake Kawaguchiko and Mount Fuji can be seen. The ropeway is one end point of the popular day hike to Mount Mitsutoge.
Kawaguchiko Station is the terminal station of the Fujikyu Railway from Otsuki. The bus terminal for local buses and highway buses to/from Tokyo, Kofu, Gotemba and other destinations is located just in front of the station.
From Kawaguchiko Station, two retrobus lines provide tourists with local transportation around Lake Kawaguchiko and neighboring Lake Saiko: The Kawaguchiko Line operates along Lake Kawaguchi's eastern and northeastern shores, while the Saiko Line operates along Lake Kawaguchiko's southern shore and around Lake Saiko.
Fuji Five Lakes (富士五湖 Fuji-goko) is the name of the area located at the base of Mount Fuji in theYamanashi Prefecture of Japan. It has a population of about 100,000. and sits approximately 1,000 meters above sea level. The name Fuji Five Lakes comes from the fact that there are five lakes formed by previous eruptions of Mount Fuji. The principal city in the region, Fujiyoshida, has a population of roughly 54,000 and is particularly famous for its udon noodles. Another point of interest is Aokigahara Jukai Forest. The Fuji Five Lakes was selected by the Tokyo Nichi Nichi Shimbun and Osaka Mainichi Shimbun as one of the Twenty-Five Winning Sites of Japan in 1927.
Lakes of the Fuji Five Lakes
The five lakes are located in an arc around the northern half of Mount Fuji. In ancient times, lava flow from a volcanic eruption of Mount Fuji spread across the area, damming up rivers and resulting in the formation of these lakes. They are all considered excellent tourist attractions and fishing spots.
Lake Kawaguchiko
A view of Lake Kawaguchi
( http://www.japan-guide.com)
Lake Kawaguchi (河口湖 Kawaguchi-ko) is the most famous of the five lakes, and images of this lake are usually used in posters and commercials for the Fuji Five Lakes area. A large number of hotels line its banks, as do locals providing boat rides to the tourists. It is the only lake in the Fuji Five Lakes area that has an island. Many local cultural events are run near this lake throughout the year.
Lake Motosu
Lake Motosu (本栖湖 Motosu-ko) is the ninth deepest lake of Japan, at 140 meters. This lake, along with Lake Sai and Lake Shōji, was formed by lava flowing across what is nowAokigahara Jukai Forest and into the enormous lake that once dominated the area, and these three lakes remain still connected by underground waterways.
Lake Sai
Lake Sai
The western side of Sai (西湖 Sai-ko) shares its banks with the infamous Aokigahara Jukai Forest.
Lake Shōji
Lake Shōji (精進湖 Shōji-ko) is the smallest of the five lakes. Remnants of lava flow still jut out of the water. Locals usually fish from these rocks.
Lake Yamanaka
The easternmost and largest of the five lakes, Lake Yamanaka (山中湖 Yamanaka-ko) is also the third highest lake in Japan, standing at 980 meters above sea level.
☆☆Lake Kawaguchiko is the easiest to access and offers the most things to see and do for the average foreign traveler. The four other lakes are less developed than Lake Kawaguchiko and are not as easy to access by public transportation.☆☆
-Winter : December thru March crisp clear days with clear views of fuji. This is winter season. Quiet. Cold. The lakes vary in temperature with Motosuko being the coldest area and yamanakako the moderately warmer however temperatures can be well below freezing and January / February will see snowfall. Generally though during this season you will see Fuji with a snow cap.
-Spring/early year : April thru mid June the weather can be mainly clear and dry with good views of Fuji. Snow will clearly be capping the peak. Evenings will be moderately cold.
-Rainy season : Mid-june - Mid July as the name implies generally there can be days of back to back rain however in-between the rain it can be warm and have excellent views
-Summer : Mid-June thru early September best temperature however it can be the worst time for viewing as fuji will frequently have clouds gathered - early morning best chance to see but by midmorning the view can be gone. There is also some saying that you are lucky to see fuji during this period
-Autumn/year end : Mid September - mid December temperatures remain warm through daytime and evening until early November. November/December colder temperatures set in. Viewing can be great again in October/November depending on the weather
Note : March/April/May are the best months for viewing Fuji from the lakes
Mt. Fuji can be approached from all sides, but note that transport schedules are sharply cut outside the official climbing season in July and August. For up to date information, the city of Fujiyoshida maintains aFuji access page listing current routes and schedules.
From Tokyo, the easiest and most popular option is to take a direct bus from Shinjuku to the trailhead at Kawaguchiko Fifth Station. The most economical approach is by Odakyu train from Shinjuku toGotemba, although you will have to change trains and the price difference is rather minimal.
By bus
The easiest option for reaching the slopes of Mt. Fuji is to take the Keio express bus fromShinjuku in Tokyo. The direct bus takes 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on traffic, costs ¥2600, and takes you directly to the start of the climb at Kawaguchiko 5th Station. To buy a ticket, take the west exit at Shinjuku station, then follow the circle of bus stops to the left. The Keio building is on the corner near stop 26, right across from Yodobashi Camera. You can reserve a seat for free at Keio express bus. You will still need to pay for your ticket at the station (cash only).
As of mid 2015 there is the option of the Keio bus from Shinjuku (every hour or so) and from Shibuya station (bus boarding is above the station) named fuji-kyu-ko bus - can exit fuji-ku highlands or Kawaguchi-ko station. You can buy tickets online with credit card (service not yet in english). Depending on the time of day / day of year it can be a quicker/more convenient option than the Shinjuku-Otsuki-(snail paced train)-Fuji-san or Kawaguchi-ko station train service ( both options count on around 2hrs at best ). Note buses do not run late night - last services departing 9pm Shibuya and 11/12 Shinjuku.
this image from:http://www.mu-ku-ra. com
By train
There is no direct access to Mt. Fuji by train, but you can get pretty close and change to a bus for the rest of the way, and doing it this way allows you to use any of the ascent or descent routes. From Tokyo, the two main staging points are Fujiyoshida and Gotemba, while visitors from western Japan can opt for Fujinomiya (Shin-Fuji) instead.
Via Fujiyoshida
Fujiyoshida can be reached by taking the JR Chuo line to Otsuki and changing to the Fujikyu line. The Fujikyu line passes through Fujiyoshida to Kawaguchiko, from where hourly buses (50 minutes, ¥1700) shuttle to the 5th Station. If you are planning to walk from the foot of the mountain, Fujiyoshida is, also, the starting point of the Yoshida route. You will be able to visit Fujiyoshida Sengenjinja (shrine) on the way to the summit.
Via Gotemba
If heading for the Gotemba route (御殿場), Subashiri route, or Suyama route, take the JR Tokaido line from Tokyo through Odawara to Kōzu (国府津) station then change train for Gotemba. Alternatively, if traveling from Shinjuku, take the Odakyu line to Shin-Matsuda and walk to the neighboring Gotemba line Matsuda station. This local train usually runs just once per hour.
During official climbing season there are direct buses from Gotemba station to the Gotemba 5th station that take about 40 minutes and cost ¥1080/1500 one-way/return. Tickets to the Subashiri 5th station are ¥1500/2000 one-way/return. A bus for the Suyama route is ¥530 one-way. If you want to ascend and descend on different routes, you can purchase a 3-day round trip ticket for a little over ¥3000. Note that Gotemba buses run only during the official Fujisan mountain climbing season between July and August, but Subashiri route busses run till October and Suyama route busses run all year around.
There is also a bus to Kawaguchiko from the Gotemba station and a bus from Shin-Matsuda to the Kawaguchiko fifth station (¥3000 one-way).
Via Fujinomiya
Visitors coming from western Japan may wish to opt for the southern approach viaFujinomiya (富士宮) instead. The nearest Tokaido Shinkansen stop is Shin-Fuji station (新富士駅). From Shin-Fuji station, buses cost ¥4500 return. If arriving on the ordinary Tokaido line, change trains to the JR Minobu Line at Fuji station. The bus fare from Fujinomiya station to the 5th station of Mt. Fuji is 1,970 for one-way or 3,000 for round-trip.
By car
You can travel from either :
- Tomei expressway : exit at Gotemba for either the a) Subashiri trail or b) cut through to yamanaka-ko and Fujiyoshida/Kawaguchi-ko for the Fujiyoshida trail
- Chuo expressway : exit at Kawaguchi with options of a) Fuji subaru line (toll road Y2,060) for the Fifth station / Fuji go-go-me or b) Fujiyoshida trail
Note that all expressways in Japan are tolled and prices can be found : http://global.c-nexco.co.jp/en/toll/index.html#tbToll : in english
Alternatively take a train/bus to the area and then use a car rental service in Kawaguchi-ko or Fujiyoshida. Countryside transportation is notoriously poor.
Note from 2014 onwards during the peak season the Fuji Subaru line is closed to public access and instead you will need to park at designated parking areas near/around Fuji visitor centre and take a bus service (the road is closed to public traffic)
