The Fuji Five Lakes offer much more than just views of Mt. Fuji. Getting out on the water and experiencing the area’s seasonal festivals are some of the best ways to enjoy the Fuji Five Lakes.
This guide covers the activities you can do at Kawaguchiko and Yamanakako, along with a year-round events calendar. If you haven’t fixed your travel dates yet, start with the calendar.
On the Water: Different Strengths at Each Lake
SUP, canoeing, boating and bike rentals are available at both lakes — but each has its own strengths.
Kawaguchiko: Plenty of Beginner-Friendly Programs
NaturaBase is one of the main bases for outdoor activities around Kawaguchiko.
SUP, kayaking, canoeing, forest tours, bike rentals and wakasagi (pond smelt) fishing are all on offer, with many programs designed for beginners. Most sessions are guided, making it easy for first-time participants to enjoy SUP or kayaking with confidence.
Combine it with the Appare sightseeing cruise and the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway, and you can enjoy the lake, surrounding hills and views of Mt. Fuji all in one day.
Yamanakako: Water Sports on the Fuji Five Lakes’ Largest Lake
As the largest of the Fuji Five Lakes, Yamanakako is well known for its wide range of water sports. Operators around the shore, including Hakutaka Marine and Asahigaoka Kanko, run SUP, boat hire, motorboats, wakeboarding and sailing.
If you are looking for a wider range of active outdoor experiences, Yamanakako is especially appealing. There is also hot-air ballooning, cycling, hiking and motorcycle touring for anyone who’d rather stay on land.
A Signature Yamanakako Experience: The KABA Amphibious Bus
KABA is a bus that drives along the road and then straight into the lake. The moment it enters the lake is one of the highlights of the ride, and it can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages — one of the things Yamanakako is best known for.
It is popular enough that same-day tickets may sell out, so booking ahead is recommended.
Sightseeing cruises
- Kawaguchiko cruise “Appare” — designed to evoke a warship associated with the Takeda clan, circling the lake in about 20 minutes
- Yamanakako cruise “Swan Lake” — a swan-shaped boat with Mt. Fuji directly ahead, about 25 minutes. Cherry blossoms, fresh greenery, autumn foliage and snow create beautiful scenery in every season
Fishing: Kawaguchiko for Wakasagi Smelt Fishing
Wakasagi (pond smelt) fishing is a popular winter tradition in the Fuji Five Lakes area.
Wakasagi are small fish, about 10cm long. You fish from inside a heated “dome boat”, dropping your line through the floor, which makes it comfortable even in the cold winter months.
At Kawaguchiko, some operators will fry what you catch as tempura or karaage on the spot . Eating freshly caught wakasagi on the spot is a memorable part of the experience and is especially popular with visitors.
Yamanakako is well known for black bass, but wakasagi catches have reportedly declined in recent years. If wakasagi is the goal, Kawaguchiko generally offers more options.
Year-Round Events Calendar
The Fuji Five Lakes host a variety of events throughout the year. Use this calendar to help choose the best time for your visit.
| When | Event | Where | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Late Mar – mid Apr | Fujikawaguchiko Cherry Blossom Festival | Kawaguchiko | Lakeside cherry blossoms with Mt. Fuji as the backdrop |
| Apr – May | Tulips and nemophila | Kawaguchiko / Yamanakako | Flower fields with snow-capped Mt. Fuji in the background |
| Late Jun – mid Jul | Kawaguchiko Herb Festival | Kawaguchiko (Oishi Park etc.) | Lavender fields and Mt. Fuji |
| 1 August | Yamanakako Hokosai Fireworks | Yamanakako | A historic fireworks festival that opens the Fuji Five Lakes summer fireworks season |
| 5 August | Kawaguchiko Kojosai Fireworks | Kawaguchiko | Around 10,000 shells; one of the largest fireworks displays in the Fuji Five Lakes area |
| Mid – late Sep | Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Piano Festival | Kawaguchiko Stellar Theater and other venues | An international music festival featuring pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii |
| Late Oct – mid Nov | Yamanakako Yuyake no Nagisa Autumn Leaves Festival | Yamanakako | Illuminated autumn colour by the lake |
| Early – late Nov | Fujikawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival (Momiji Corridor) | Kawaguchiko lakeshore | A tunnel of maples; the evening illumination is a major highlight |
| Dec – Mar | Wakasagi fishing season | Kawaguchiko | Comfortable fishing from heated dome boats |
| Jan – Feb | Diamond Fuji | Yamanakako | The sun sitting exactly on the summit |
Please note that dates shift from year to year. Always check the official site before travelling.
- Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Piano Festival 2026: 19–22 September, at Kawaguchiko Stellar Theater and other venues
- Yamanakako Yuyake no Nagisa Autumn Leaves Festival: 30 October – 15 November, illuminated 16:30–20:30, at Asahigaoka Lakeside Green Park
- Fujikawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival (Momiji Corridor): 7–29 November, illuminated from sunset until 21:00
Summer: Large-Scale Fireworks at Kawaguchiko, Tradition at Yamanakako
Summer at the Fuji Five Lakes means fireworks over the water.
Yamanakako Hokosai takes place every year on 1 August. It is a historic fireworks festival that opens the Fuji Five Lakes summer fireworks season, and is widely regarded locally as an event that marks the beginning of summer. You can watch from various points around the shore, and the sight of fireworks with Mt. Fuji in the background is especially impressive.
Kawaguchiko Kojosai follows on 5 August, with around 10,000 shells, large-scale star mines and rapid-fire sequences of fireworks reflected across the lake. It is one of the largest fireworks displays in the Fuji Five Lakes area and attracts large numbers of visitors.
Choose Yamanakako for a historic festival atmosphere, or Kawaguchiko for a larger-scale fireworks display.
Accommodation around the Fuji Five Lakes can be especially busy on 1 and 5 August. Roads around the venues are closed to traffic, and moving around on the day is not straightforward.
If the fireworks are your reason for coming, booking several months in advance is strongly recommended. At some lakeside accommodations, guests may be able to watch the fireworks from their room.
Autumn: One of the Best Seasons to Visit
Autumn colour here usually peaks from late October to late November.
The main draw is the Momiji Corridor on the northern shore of Kawaguchiko, where maples form a tunnel of deep red with Mt. Fuji visible beyond — a distinctive view combining autumn foliage and Mt. Fuji. There is an evening illumination during the festival, and the illuminated foliage reflected on the water creates a beautiful nighttime scene. In 2026 it runs 7–29 November, illuminated from sunset until 21:00.
Yamanakako’s Yuyake no Nagisa Autumn Leaves Festival also lights up the lakeside maples, and it is generally less crowded than the Kawaguchiko festival, making it a good choice for visitors who prefer a more relaxed atmosphere. In 2026 it runs 30 October – 15 November, illuminated 16:30–20:30.
Winter: Clear Air and Excellent Views of Mt. Fuji
It may be counterintuitive, but winter is often one of the best seasons for clear views of Mt. Fuji. The air is clearer and the snow-capped peak is visible far more often than in summer.
Winter at Yamanakako also brings Diamond Fuji, when the sun aligns exactly with the summit. Because the observation point changes as you move around the lakeshore, the viewing period can be relatively long, which is why it is one of Japan’s best-known locations for viewing and photographing Diamond Fuji.
Temperatures can stay below freezing even during the day, so bring a warm winter coat, gloves and shoes with non-slip soles.
Where to Stay After a Day Outdoors
After a full day of activities around the lake, a quiet place to relax is ideal.
Private Villa Glamping Fuji Yamanakako
Every villa has its own hot spring, private pool and fire pit. Guests can relax tired muscles in the hot spring and spend the evening unwinding by the fire while reflecting on the day.
It is also close to the activity operators around Yamanakako, making it both a convenient and comfortable base for exploring Yamanakako.
| Address | 262-5 Yamanaka, Yamanakako Village, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0501 |
|---|---|
| Website | http://en.fuji-suitevilla.com/ |
GLAMPING VILLAGE Fuji Kawaguchiko
One of the larger luxury glamping resorts in the Kanto region. Guests can also enjoy complimentary drinks at the exclusive “Nature Bar,” including a selection of wines from Yamanashi Prefecture, and guests can also enjoy stargazing on clear nights.
The resort also offers convenient access to activity operators and event venues around Kawaguchiko, making it a convenient base for attending fireworks and autumn foliage events.
| Address | 7430 Narusawa, Narusawa Village, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0320 |
|---|---|
| Website | https://en.nature-glamping.com/ |
In Summary
Kawaguchiko suits travellers who want beginner-friendly activities alongside sightseeing, while Yamanakako is well suited to travellers looking for a wider range of water sports and highland nature experiences. Seasonal festivals and events make the area appealing throughout much of the year.
Choose the lake and activities that best match the season of your visit.
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