Seasonal Guide to Fuji Kawaguchiko: Best Weather, Top Activities, and Must-See Events

This service includes sponsored advertisements.
article thumbnail image

Lake Kawaguchiko is a popular tourist destination where you can enjoy beautiful scenery and abundant nature throughout the four seasons. In this article, we will introduce you to some tips for enjoying your trip to Lake Kawaguchiko, including seasonal highlights, recommended sightseeing spots, weath...

Latest update :

Discover the Highlights of Each Season in Kawaguchiko 

Lake Kawaguchiko, with its beautiful seasonal scenery, offers a variety of ways to enjoy it throughout the year. In spring, the combination of cherry blossoms and moss pinks with Mt. Fuji creates a gorgeous atmosphere, while in summer the area is bustling with fireworks festivals and lakeside activities. This is followed by autumn, when you can see the spectacular autumn leaves, and in winter, you can enjoy snowy landscapes and warm hot springs. In this article, we will introduce the characteristics of the climate in each season and the events and sightseeing spots that Fujikanko Travel recommends for each season.

March to April: Stunning View of Cherry Blossoms and Mt. Fuji

Average temperature: March: 4.3°, April: 9°

Lake Kawaguchiko in March and April is filled with the fresh air of spring, and you can enjoy the gorgeous contrast of the cherry blossoms reflected on the lake surface and Mt. Fuji. We recommend cycling around the area of ​​Lake Kawaguchiko or relaxing by the lakeside to enjoy the cherry blossoms at your leisure.

Because of the high altitude, the cherry blossoms at Lake Kawaguchiko bloom a little later, and usually reach their peak around April 20th . Even if you miss the cherry blossom season in Tokyo, be sure to come and enjoy the gorgeous scenery at Lake Kawaguchiko.

May: Comfortable Weather and Beautiful Greens 

Average temperature: 14.4°

During the season of new greenery, the weather is mild and comfortable, making it the perfect season to enjoy nature. The Fuji Shibazakura Festival, held from April, is especially recommended. The vast carpet of moss phlox along the lakeside is covered in colorful flowers, and you can enjoy a view that can only be seen here with Mt. Fuji in the background.

Fujiten Resort also opens for the green season in early May every year. There are plenty of activities the whole family can enjoy, such as mountain biking and BBQs on the grass slopes. For families with children, we also recommend Fuji Subaru Land, which has a variety of attractions that make use of the great outdoors.

June: Hydrangeas and Rainy Day Activity Ideas

Average temperature: 17.9°

In June, Lake Kawaguchiko is relatively quiet and calm, and you can enjoy a quiet stroll while enjoying the beauty of the rain-soaked trees and flowers. The temperature is cool, and you can spend a relaxing time in nature with the refreshing breeze from the lake.

If it rains on the day, there are actually many indoor facilities you can enjoy. If it's difficult to walk outside, it might be a good idea to use a sightseeing taxi to get around the spots without getting wet.

July to August: Breathtaking Fireworks by Mt. Fuji

Average temperature: July: 22.4°, August: 22.9 °

The first thing we recommend you visit during this time is the Kawaguchiko Herb Festival, which is held every year from mid-June to mid-July. The collaboration of the purple lakeside and Mt. Fuji is a spectacular sight and is a popular photo spot.

At the beginning of August, fireworks festivals are held at four lakes in the area, including Lake Kawaguchiko. Each lake has its own unique charm and characteristics, and various types of fireworks light up the night sky. The reflection of the fireworks on the lake surface and the fireworks with Mt. Fuji in the background are a sight unique to Lake Kawaguchiko and are well worth seeing.

September to October: Immersed Oishi Park in Kokia's Brilliant Red

Average temperature: September: 18.8°, October: 13.4°

This season, when the bustle of summer has died down, is perfect for a leisurely stroll. The cooler weather is also ideal for hiking and other outdoor activities, and we recommend taking a leisurely stroll around the area while enjoying nature, such as hiking or cycling.

With the arrival of autumn, the air becomes clearer and visibility improves in Lake Kawaguchi in October. This allows you to see Mt. Fuji and the surrounding mountains clearly, making the lakeside scenery even more beautiful. From mid-October, the Lake Kawaguchiko flowers will be in full bloom at Oishi Park in Lake Kawaguchiko.

November: Best Season to Enjoy the Fall Foliage

Average temperature: 7.7°

The Fujikawaguchiko Lake Kawaguchiko Fujikawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival, held mainly around the shores of Lake Kawaguchi, is a recommended event in November when the entire lake is covered in autumn leaves. In addition to the autumn leaves along the lakeside, the autumn leaves of the old maples along the Nashi River are also highlights, allowing you to enjoy nature enveloped in the colors of autumn. There are many beautiful places throughout Japan where you can see autumn leaves, but the collaboration of Mt. Fuji and the autumn leaves, which can only be seen here, is a must-see.

Please refer to the article below to enjoy Lake Kawaguchiko during the autumn foliage season.

December: Hot Spring with a Mt. Fuji View

Average temperature: 2.2°

In December, Lake Kawaguchiko is very cold, with temperatures between 5°C and 10°C during the day and around 0°C at night, and the weather is dry and sunny. It is essential to bring a warm coat and layers of clothing to protect yourself from the cold.

The best things to do in Lake Kawaguchiko in winter are the hot springs and the view of Mt. Fuji from the baths. Located close to Kawaguchiko Sta. is the day-trip hot spring facility "Fuji Chobo no Yu Yurari Onsen." Not only can you enjoy 16 different types of baths, but there is also a restaurant where you can enjoy Yamanashi Prefecture's local dish "Houtou," a massage service to soothe your travel fatigue, and a paid rest room where you can have Mt. Fuji all to yourself.

January to February: Snow and Winter Activities 

Average temperature: January: -0.8°, February: 0.4°

The snow conditions from January to February vary from year to year, but it is usually a time when snowfall is more likely. Fujiten Snow Resort is a facility where you can enjoy the fantastic winter scenery as well as snow to your heart's content. This ski resort is located at an altitude of 1,300m at the foot of Mt. Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture, and is easily accessible from Shinjuku, Tokyo, just 90 minutes by car.

Fujiten Snow Resort offers a wide range of winter activities, including skiing, snowboarding, sledding, and playing in the snow. Even if you don't ski or snowboard, you can take the "Mt. Fuji Observation Lift" and enjoy the spectacular view of Mt. Fuji from the "Mt. Fuji Observation Deck" at the top of the mountain.

Lake Kawaguchiko in February is very cold, with temperatures ranging from 0°C to 5°C during the day and -5°C to -10°C at night, so a warm coat, down jacket, gloves, and hat are essential to protect yourself from the cold.

How to Access to Kawaguchiko

If you're planning a stroll around Lake Kawaguchiko, head to Kawaguchiko Sta., the last stop on the Fujikyu Railway Line.


From Tokyo by Train

From Shinjuku Station, take the JR Chuo Line Limited Express "Kaiji" or "Azusa" to Otsuki Station in 60 minutes, then transfer to the Fujikyuko Line at "Otsuki Station" and it will take about 60 minutes to Kawaguchiko Sta.. The "Fuji Kaiyu Limited Express" is also convenient, as it connects Shinjuku and Lake Kawaguchiko directly in about 2 hours.

Fuji Kaiyu (Lake Kawaguchiko-Shinjuku) 4,130 yen (board ticket: 2,510 yen, express fare: 1,620 yen)

By Bus from Tokyo

If you use the Chuo Expressway Pass "Shinjuku - Fuji Five Lakes Line" from the Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal "Busta Shinjuku", you will arrive in about 105 minutes .

There is a direct bus from Haneda Airport to Lake Kawaguchiko, but it only runs once a day on weekends and holidays, so please use it only if the timing is right.

About buses from Haneda

For Sightseeing Tips in Kawaguchiko, Ask Fujikanko Travel! 

Fujikanko Travel is a travel agency located in front of Lake Kawaguchiko Station. The store offers Bicycle rental, luggage storage, and activity tours that require prior reservations. In winter, they also operate a round-trip bus to Fujiten Snow Resort.

If you want to fully enjoy sightseeing at Lake Kawaguchiko, please come to our store.


Enjoy the Charms of Each Season

No matter what season you visit, you can enjoy Kawaguchiko in a way that suits the season, and you will discover something new every time you visit. You can enjoy it again and again through different seasons. Enjoy a memorable trip throughout the year at Kawaguchiko, where beautiful nature and scenery are woven together.

Written by

The northern foot of Mt. Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture is a stunning area of Japan that has plenty to offer visitors. At the foot of Mt. Fuji, including ”Arakurayama Sengen Park”, which offers a view of Mt. Fuji and the iconic five-story pagoda, "Chureito." The Kawaguchiko Momiji Corridor is also a must-visit during the autumn season when visitors can see the colorful leaves. Our company, based in Lake Kawaguchiko, operates various facilities that utilize the natural resources of Mt. Fuji. These include the theme park "Fuji Subaru Land," which offers a range of exciting rides and attractions, and the Fujiten Snow Resort, where visitors can enjoy skiing and snowboarding. Visitors can also sample the world-famous "Fujizakura Heights Beer," made using natural water “Fujizakura Meisui” , or relax in the natural hot spring, "Fuji Chobo no yu Yurari," . We will clearly communicate the charm of Mt. Fuji, which changes with the seasons, from the base of Mt. Fuji in Kawaguchiko.

The information presented in this article is based on the time it was written. Note that there may be changes in the merchandise, services, and prices that have occurred after this article was published. Please contact the facility or facilities in this article directly before visiting. Some of our articles contain affiliate links. We kindly ask our readers to exercise careful judgement when making a purchase or booking a service online.

The contents on this page may partially contain automatic translation.