Local Guide
[2025 Edition] 8 Recommended Autumn Spots at Lake Kawaguchiko to Enjoy the Spectacular Views of Mt. Fuji and Autumn Foliage

Lake Kawaguchi, located at an altitude of 830m, begins to change color from mid-October to early November each year, welcoming the arrival of autumn earlier than the city center. The highlight of the autumn foliage season is the magnificent view of Mt. Fuji through the colorful leaves. Among the beautiful scenery that will captivate anyone, we will introduce some particularly recommended spots.

In the foreground, the autumn leaves are dyed in brilliant red, and in the background, the tranquil surface of Lake Kawaguchi and the majestic Mount Fuji. The area on the north shore of Lake Kawaguchi offers such a picturesque view of autumn leaves. In mid-November, when the leaves are at their best, the Fujikawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival is held, a major event. Not only can you enjoy a stroll along the road that stretches along the lakeside and the surrounding trees, but there are also many food and souvenir stalls and events. The best place to see the autumn leaves is the Maple Corridor on the west side of the main venue. The vivid red space where about 60 majestic old maple trees hang over the river, stretching for about 150 meters on both sides of the Nashi River, is worth seeing. During the festival, the area is also lit up from sunset to 10 p.m., creating a fantastical world.

[Best time to see] Mid-November
[Type of autumn leaves] Maple

Fujikawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival
  • 住所Lake Kawaguchi Kawaguchi Nashikawa area MAP
  • アクセスTake the "Kawaguchiko Tour Bus" from Kawaguchiko Station on the Fujikyuko Line for about 25 minutes and get off at the "Kubota Itchiku Art Museum" stop
  • 営業時間(Sat) November 1, 2025 -(Sun) November 30, 2025
    Light-up: Sunset to 9:30 PM
  • TEL0555-72-3168（富士河口湖町観光課）
  • 駐車場Paid parking available *Free temporary Parking available

Another popular spot for viewing autumn leaves in Kawaguchi Lake that rivals the Momiji Corridor is the Momiji Tunnel, located a 15-minute drive west from the Nashigawa area, which is also the venue for the Autumn Leaves Festival. The maple-lined road that juts out over Prefectural Route 21, commonly known as the Kohoku View Line, turns red in the autumn, and just passing through this vibrant space will lift your spirits.
It's also famous as a photogenic spot, and is crowded with tourists who enjoy taking photos of the autumn leaves, finding an angle between the maple trees that overlooks Lake Kawaguchi and Mt. Fuji. In the late afternoon, the road is shaded, making it difficult to take vivid photos of the colorful maple trees lining the center of the road. Also, it is not lit up like the Momiji Corridor, so it's best to visit early in the day.

[Best time to see] Mid to late November
[Type of autumn leaves] Japanese maple

Maple Tunnel
  • 住所Oishi, Fujikawaguchiko Town, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 15 minutes by car from Fujikyuko Kawaguchiko Station
  • TEL0555-72-3168（富士河口湖町観光課）
  • 駐車場free

Oishi Park is located on the north shore of Lake Kawaguchi. Along the promenade known as "Hana Kaido," you can see views of Mt. Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi, and autumn flowers. It is also popular as a photography spot, as you can encounter breathtaking views that will make you want to take pictures. A sea of kochia trees turns bright red along this flower road, usually from mid-October, a little earlier than the maples. Their fluffy cone-shaped shapes resemble balls of yarn, and when you stand in a space where they are lined up neatly on the ground, you will feel as if you have wandered into a storybook world. The scenery of Mt. Fuji and kochia has a different charm to the autumn leaves of deciduous trees, and is well worth seeing.
After enjoying your walk, head to the cafe in the park where you can enjoy a view of Mt. Fuji. You can relax and enjoy the view of Mt. Fuji with its fluffy cap on.

[Best time to see] Mid to late October
[Type of autumn leaves] Kochia

Big Stone Park
  • 住所2525-11 Oishi, Fujikawaguchiko Town MAP
  • バスアクセスFrom Kawaguchiko Station, take the Fujikyu Bus "Kawaguchiko Loop Bus" for about 25 minutes, and get off at the last stop "Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center," which is a 1-minute walk away.
  • 営業時間Open 24 hours
    ※ The agricultural product direct sales store "Oishi-ya" is open from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and the "Kawaguchiko Nature Living Center" is open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (during winter from November to March, it is open until 5:30 PM).
  • 定休日None
  • TEL0555-72-3168（富士河口湖町観光課）
  • 駐車場free

Momijidai Rest House is located about 30 minutes up the ridge path from Parking. From the observation deck, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the autumn scenery. To the south, you will be overwhelmed by the grand scale of the view of Mt. Fuji right in front of you and the Aokigahara Jukai forest at its base. As autumn deepens, the forest, which resembles a colorful painting, mixes red and yellow deciduous trees with the green of coniferous trees, creating a vivid sight to the eye. Meanwhile, to the north you can see Lake Saiko, one of the Fuji Five Lakes, and to the west you can see Lake Motosu.
The autumn foliage at Sankodai, about 20 minutes up a gentle slope from the rest house, is also exceptional. As the name suggests, you can see the three lakes of Lake Saiko, Lake Motosu, and Lake Shojiko all dyed in autumn colors at once. If you visit Sankodai, we recommend giving yourself plenty of time to enjoy the autumn leaves as if you were hiking.

[Best time to see] Late October to mid-November
[Types of autumn leaves] Maple, oak, and oak

Koyodai (Komoyodai Rest House)
  • 住所Narusawa Village, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture MAP
  • バスアクセスFrom Kawaguchiko Station, take the Fujikyuko bus bound for "Motosuko Rest House" for about 25 minutes and get off at "Momijidai Iriguchi" for about 40 minutes.
  • TEL0555-85-2312（鳴沢村役場）
  • 駐車場Please use the Momijidai Rest House Parking or the Momijidai Drive-Parking

Tenka-chaya, the setting of Dazai Osamu's novel "One Hundred Views of Fugoku," known for the phrase "Evening primroses look great on Mt. Fuji," was founded in 1934 (Showa 9). Widely known for its magnificent view of Mt. Fuji directly in front of it, it was visited by many writers, including Ibuse Masuji and Dazai Osamu. Dazai is said to have stayed at the restaurant for about three months and completed "One Hundred Views of Fugoku." Standing in front of the restaurant, you can fully enjoy the magnificent autumn view of the mountains with autumn leaves and Lake Kawaguchi in front of you, and Mt. Fuji spreading out beyond it.
The restaurant's specialty is hoto stew, a dish that Dazai himself also enjoyed. This miso-based hot pot, made with homemade wide noodles and plenty of vegetables, will warm you to the core. After enjoying your meal, be sure to visit the Dazai Osamu Literary Museum on the second floor. The room where Dazai stayed has been restored, and the desk and brazier that he used at the time are displayed here.

[Best time to see] Mid-October to early November
[Types of autumn leaves] Cherry, maple, rowan, oak, etc.

Tengachaya
  • 住所2739 Kawaguchi, Fujikawaguchiko-cho, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスTake the Fujikyu Bus bound for Tengachaya from Kawaguchiko Station on the Fujikyu Line for about 30 minutes and get off at the last stop
  • 営業時間10:00 - 17:00 *Subject to change
  • 定休日Open daily
    *May be closed during winter due to weather conditions.
  • TEL0555-76-6659
  • 駐車場free

The Mount Kachi Kachi Ropeway, which has been beloved for over half a century, was renovated and reopened in April 2018. It connects Kawaguchiko Lakeside Station to Fujimidai Station at the top of Mount Tenjo. As the gondola departs from the foot of the mountain and gains altitude, Lake Kawaguchi spreads out below you, and you can enjoy the view of maples and other autumn leaves lining the lakeside. Once you reach the top of the mountain, head to the observation deck first. The beautiful gradation of the snow-capped summit to the autumn-colored base of Mount Fuji is a sight worth seeing at least once.
Also, don't miss the power spot "Tenjo no Kane" located right next to the observation deck. It is said that ringing the bell will bring you luck in love and safety in your home. Other unique spots dotted around the area include "Usagi Shrine," where a rabbit is the object of worship and there are "koma-usagi" (guardian lion statues), and "Kawara-nage," where you can make wishes come true to the god of Mt. Tenjo.

[Best time to see] Late October to early November
[Type of autumn leaves] Maple and others

Lake Kawaguchi - Mount Fuji Panorama Ropeway
  • 住所1163-1 Asakawa, Fujikawaguchiko Town, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスAbout a 12-minute walk from Fujikyu Railway Kawaguchiko Station.
  • 営業時間8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (Last descent at 5:20 PM)
    From July 20 to August 31, the hours are 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM (Last descent at 6:20 PM)
    *Hours may change on busy days such as holidays, Obon, and New Year. Please check the official website for details.
  • 定休日Open without holidays (closed in case of bad weather)
  • 入場料Middle school students and above: 600 yen one way, 1,000 yen round trip / Elementary school students: 300 yen one way, 500 yen round trip
    ※ One child under elementary school age is free per adult.
  • TEL0555-72-0363
  • 駐車場Free (the prefectural Parking near Kohan Station can also be used for free)

There used to be a district called "Nenba" on the shores of Lake Saiko, where houses with thatched roofs lined the grounds with Mt. Fuji in the background. However, a typhoon disaster in 1966 (Showa 41) made that area a thing of the past. "Lake Saiko Iyashinosato Nemba" has revived this village of thatched roof houses, which could be said to be the original landscape of Japan.
Today, there are 20 thatched-roof buildings scattered around the area, and they are used as shops where you can enjoy craft Experience, Dining Area, and shops selling local products. In autumn, the area is decorated with maple, ginkgo, and campanula trees, and the view of the thatched-roof houses and autumn leaves is truly "Autumn in Satoyama." A leisurely stroll along the promenade will surely bring you back to nostalgia.

[Best time to see] Late October to mid-November
[Types of autumn leaves] Maple, ginkgo, campanula, etc.

Lake Saiko Healing Village Nemba
  • 住所2710 Nishiko Nemba, Fujikawaguchiko-cho, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスTake the retro bus from Kawaguchiko Station on the Fujikyuko Line for about 40 minutes and get off at the "Saiko Iyashinosato Nemba" stop
  • 営業時間March to November 9:00 to 17:00
    December to February 9:30 to 16:30
    *Last admission 30 minutes before
  • 定休日No holidays (may be closed temporarily)
  • 入場料500 yen, elementary and junior high school students 250 yen
  • TEL0555-20-4677
  • 駐車場free

Saiko Wild Bird Forest Park, surrounded by the Aokigahara Jukai forest, is, as its name suggests, a treasure trove of wild birds. Approximately 60 species of wild birds, including varied tits, white-throated sparrows, and Japanese white-eyes, live in the park, and 150 other species of wild birds have been confirmed to visit. The Jukai Gallery in the park has a bird-watching room equipped with telescopes, so you can casually observe wild birds even if you come empty-handed.
The park's vast lawn and forest walking paths are a place of relaxation where you can enjoy the scenery of the four seasons. In autumn, maples, birches, rowan trees, and enkianthus trees change color in autumn, creating a picturesque landscape with Mount Fuji in the background.
You can enjoy the best of autumn nature by strolling through a forest of autumn leaves with the sounds of birds chirping in the background and observing the adorable behavior of wild birds.

[Best time to see] Late October to mid-November
[Types of autumn leaves] Beech, oak, maple, rowan, birch, etc.

Saiko Wild Bird Forest Park
  • 住所2068 Nishiko, Fujikawaguchiko-cho, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスFrom Fujikyuko Kawaguchiko Station, take the Saiko Tour Bus for about 40 minutes and get off at the Saiko Wild Bird Forest Park stop, a short walk away
  • 営業時間Jukai Gallery 9:00-17:00
  • 定休日Jukai Gallery Thursday
  • 入場料free
  • TEL0555-82-2160
  • 駐車場free

MAP

Nearby Hoshino Resorts Property
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