Like most people who have visited Tokyo, Japan, Kawaguchiko was definitely on my list of places to explore - famous for its generous views of Mount Fuji and lake. The town is easily accessible by train and highway bus and getting around the town itself can be done on foot, car, bike or even by their local bus.
So naturally when I dragged my group of friends along for the Fujisan Marathon, I was determined to make the most of our 4 days in Kawaguchiko and even then, we didn't cover everything. I have visited Kawaguchiko before in 2017 on a solo trip, during which I ran and cycled around the lake and has since been in love with the town. This was of course simpler times when the town was still relatively under the radar for most.
Having experienced the crowded buses before, I insisted on renting a car this time and thankfully it worked out fair reasonable at about RM600 per person. Plus it gave us the added freedom to see and do anything we wanted on a whim.
Day 1 - Arrival in Kawaguchiko
- Drive to Kawaguchiko via Fuji City and Lake Yamanaka (not recommended as it was very rushed)
- Alternatively, just drive straight to Kawaguchiko at a leisurely pace.
- Uniqlo Fujiyoshida
- Dinner (advance reservation recommended for restaurants otherwise there are conbinis around.
- Check in at Royal Hotel Kawaguchiko. Free parking.
- Soak away in the hotel onsen
Day 2 - Exploration (and Race Kit collection for the marathon)
- Tenku no Torii
- Kawaguchi Asama Shrine
- Breakfast snacks from combini
- Maple leaf Corridor
- Kubota Itchiku Art Museum
- Lunch at Houtou Fudou Kawaguchiko North
- Walk along Kawaguchiko Lake
- Race kit collection
- walk around Oishi park
- Dinner at バーミヤン Bamiyan Chinese cuisine
- Shopping at House Off
Day 3 - Fujisan Marathon for runners / More exploration for non-runners
- 42.195km run (9am - 3pm)
- Oshino Hakkai
- Lake Yamanaka or Hakone
- Dinner at Gusto Kawaguchiko family restaurant
- Optional: laundry washing at a nearby laundry mat.
Day 4 - Exploration around Kawaguchiko and Fujiyoshida
- Check out of hotel
- Ide Sake Brewery
- Arakurayama Sengen Park and Chureito Pagoda
- Shimoyoshida for lunch
- **You can end your trip around Kawaguchiko here and head back to Tokyo or extend a day more.
- Back to Kawaguchiko
- Check in to Kawaguchiko Hotel New Century. Free parking.
- Walk around the area for autumn leaves
- Dinner at hotel
- Onsen
**Day 5 - Back to Tokyo
- Breakfast at hotel
- Check out and head back to Tokyo
This was basically the gist of my trip in Kawaguchiko in autumn. The itinerary can be switched up depending on the season as autumn and winter tend to have shorter days. Day 5 is optional if you wish to extend your stay. Personally I would have loved to explore other parts of the area such as Lake Sai or travel further out but as it were, it was my friends' first time to the area and I wanted to wow them, leaving an unforgettable experience for them.
And I believe this itinerary would wow you just as well.
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