If you wish to travel further afield from Kawaguchi-ko station then there are a plethora of sites that you can visit. Here are a few which are easily accessible.

Chureito Pagoda / Arakura Sengen Shrine 

The image of Mount Fuji with a pagoda and cherry blossoms in the foreground is an icon of Japan (and on my bucket list for my trip in 30 days time). There are few single images which encapsulate true Japanese aesthetic as this view does. When I first ventured here there was little in the way of road signs of support for non-Japanese fluent visitors. From what I have seen more recently there are now many signs to help you access this spot.

Hint #1: Visit either early morning or around sunset to give yourself the best chance of seeing Mt Fuji clearly. 

If ascending over 400 stairs doesn’t put you off then I’d highly recommend visiting the pagoda, and the less famous, but beautiful, Arakura shrine some 300 steps below the pagoda.

Hint #2: Mount Fuji is more likely to be cloud free in winter months

How to: Take the Fujikyu railway line to Shimo-Yoshida station – 10 minutes from Kawaguchi-ko. Follow signs for Chureito Pagoda / Arakura Sengen Shrine – roughly 15 minutes walk.

To find out more click here.

Oshino Hakkai

The water the Mount Fuji produces is famous. Said to be some of the clearest and finest waters in the whole world. To experience these clear waters there is a sacred place that you can visit. Oshino Hakkai is home to eight sacred ponds filled with the clearest and purest water from Mount Fuji. This water has traveled underground for decades, being purified by the lava from previous eruptions. You can also taste the water, and other local and traditional foods here. You can also get a view of Mount Fuji and traditional thatched buildings here.

How to: Take the sightseeing bus from Kawaguchi-ko station and disembark at the Oshino Hakkai stop

To find out more click here.

Iyashi no Sato

If you are interested in more traditional aspects of Japan than a visit to Iyashi no Sato may interest you. A traditional village was situated here for many years, but was sadly destroyed in 1966. Thankfully in more recent years the village was rebuilt in order to allow people to see and experience Japanese culture and tradition. On a cloudy day this makes a great trip as you can really get involved in activities, such as soba making or making washi paper!

How to: Take the Retro Bus to Iyashi no Sato stop.