Recommendations for Lake Kawaguchi accomodations

coldkey

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Is there a good area to stay in Lake Kawaguchi?

I am thinking of catching this festival for the evening light up but the public transport seems to run only until 6pm, is staying in the North Shore area the only choice or can you get around easily by bus or bike rentals?

https://en.kawaguchiko.net/event-en/fujikawaguchiko-cherry-blossoms-festival/
https://kawaguchiko.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/if_ex_f_00000002.pdf

https://en.kawaguchiko.net/img/pdf/bus_timetable_en.pdf

Also, unrelated to this but nearby,

If I am visiting Chureito Pagoda, does the train station nearby has a lot of lockers to store luggage or should I keep it at the Kawaguchiko Station?
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6917.html
 

h0neystars

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From my experience back in May 2016, there really isn't much transport around after 6pm (the last bus of the retro bus). I had to make sure I reached my accommodation before the last bus. No idea how expensive the taxi would have been.

I stayed at Komaya Ryokan - a place which provides mt fuji view from your room but they only have 4 rooms available and it sells out really fast! chances are, there isn't any more available room unless you book way in advance.

The good thing about staying in the north side is that you can see the diamond fuji (reflection of Mt Fuji on Kawaguchiko). I set an alarm to wake up at 4:30am to see it. As the day goes by, there's wind and the water has ripples and the reflection disappears.

The north area is pretty secluded but we did manage to find food (unagi restaurant) for dinner and a convenience store. However, I remembered that it was super dark and chilly and we walked around using our handphone flash light at times.

You can read more about my 3d2n experience here: http://www.flyhoneystars.com/2016/07/09/fuji-hakone-odakyu-pass-booking-itinerary-and-experience/

Also, I can't recall if the station at Chureito Pagoda has lockers but the one at Kawaguchiko has. However, do note that the lockers have limited availability and I even saw people just leaving their luggage there unmanned (as there's simply no more large lockers available). I guess Japan is pretty safe but that should be a last resort kind of thing.

Is there a good area to stay in Lake Kawaguchi?

I am thinking of catching this festival for the evening light up but the public transport seems to run only until 6pm, is staying in the North Shore area the only choice or can you get around easily by bus or bike rentals?

https://en.kawaguchiko.net/event-en/fujikawaguchiko-cherry-blossoms-festival/
https://kawaguchiko.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/if_ex_f_00000002.pdf

https://en.kawaguchiko.net/img/pdf/bus_timetable_en.pdf

Also, unrelated to this but nearby,

If I am visiting Chureito Pagoda, does the train station nearby has a lot of lockers to store luggage or should I keep it at the Kawaguchiko Station?
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6917.html
 

coldkey

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From my experience back in May 2016, there really isn't much transport around after 6pm (the last bus of the retro bus). I had to make sure I reached my accommodation before the last bus. No idea how expensive the taxi would have been.

I stayed at Komaya Ryokan - a place which provides mt fuji view from your room but they only have 4 rooms available and it sells out really fast! chances are, there isn't any more available room unless you book way in advance.

The good thing about staying in the north side is that you can see the diamond fuji (reflection of Mt Fuji on Kawaguchiko). I set an alarm to wake up at 4:30am to see it. As the day goes by, there's wind and the water has ripples and the reflection disappears.

The north area is pretty secluded but we did manage to find food (unagi restaurant) for dinner and a convenience store. However, I remembered that it was super dark and chilly and we walked around using our handphone flash light at times.

You can read more about my 3d2n experience here: http://www.flyhoneystars.com/2016/07/09/fuji-hakone-odakyu-pass-booking-itinerary-and-experience/

Also, I can't recall if the station at Chureito Pagoda has lockers but the one at Kawaguchiko has. However, do note that the lockers have limited availability and I even saw people just leaving their luggage there unmanned (as there's simply no more large lockers available). I guess Japan is pretty safe but that should be a last resort kind of thing.

Thanks, I managed to grab a room at Weekend Shuffle which is behind the Komaya Ryokan, so I guess I better pack some food items for the night since the hotel doesn't seems to provide dinner. Hopefully, the place will be better lit with the Sakura night illumination.

Currently only put the Pagoda and Pink Moss festival on my itinerary. Any other must see places in the area for outdoor scenery?
 

h0neystars

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Thanks, I managed to grab a room at Weekend Shuffle which is behind the Komaya Ryokan, so I guess I better pack some food items for the night since the hotel doesn't seems to provide dinner. Hopefully, the place will be better lit with the Sakura night illumination.

Currently only put the Pagoda and Pink Moss festival on my itinerary. Any other must see places in the area for outdoor scenery?

Well, I only visited Pagoda, Pink Moss, Fuji 5th Station and the suicide forest. If you have time you can explore the caves as well.

The place is not very convenient to travel without a car.. If I'm not wrong, there's also a ropeway to visit too!
 

VD

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Will be staying at Mizno hotel in April. Preferred the facing which is directly facing Mt Fuji.

Many years ago, I stayed in Tominoko Hotel, was abit run down but cheap, twin room with Mt fuji facing for 15k, half board but buffet style. Yes its alittle far for both hotels but this time we will be biking. The taxi fare was around 1k after we came back from Gotemba outlet and the bus service had already ended.

Planning to bike around 3 lakes this time round and visit a few places of interest.
 

thwysg

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i thinking if its better to bring backpack instead of suitcase. suitcase must find lockers like very troublesome.

You can just leave the suitcase at the reception counter for car rental, IIRC. Same pricing, ÂĄ700.
 

coldkey

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One thing I am curious about, a lot of folks says that North Shore has the best view. Do you need to stay at the North Shore to enjoy the view at sunrise or is it possible to get from the hotels on the south side to the north shore for the sunrise?
 

thwysg

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One thing I am curious about, a lot of folks says that North Shore has the best view. Do you need to stay at the North Shore to enjoy the view at sunrise or is it possible to get from the hotels on the south side to the north shore for the sunrise?

I stayed at Kozantei Ubuya recently. If you’re driving on your own, no issue with you reaching the north area very early. If not, the other alternatives would be cycling or taking a taxi. And also depends on which season you’re visiting. It’ll be cold in the morning.
 

VD

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it is quite a distance walk from the south to the north, depending on the season, the morning is quite chilling. Once it took us 45mins just to walk from the ropeway back to our hotel in the northern shores
 

Gixxerfied

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Stayed at Weekend Shuffle Lakeside B&B back in 2015..

Quiet place, at night is nothing one..

R7MlTya.jpg


Near maple corridor if i rem the name right.
cZCSP3Y.jpg


Cross the street and walk abit to reach the lake.
T004heP.jpg


View from the room i stayed in.
DgYfCBj.jpg
 

coldkey

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Thanks for all the feedback, sounds like it will be either a boring night for a great sunrise (hopefully no clouds) or stay on the more lively side and walk in a freezing morning.

Guess I will sleep early at Weekend Shuffle for a early sunrise.

At least I can still catch the evening sakura light up, hopefully there are some food stalls there.
 

Gixxerfied

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Thanks for all the feedback, sounds like it will be either a boring night for a great sunrise (hopefully no clouds) or stay on the more lively side and walk in a freezing morning.

Guess I will sleep early at Weekend Shuffle for a early sunrise.

At least I can still catch the evening sakura light up, hopefully there are some food stalls there.

During autumn when i was there, got few food store..

If you are planning to stay there, can try this for lunch..

Dv5iyzY.jpg


http://www.houtou-fudou.jp/english.html

Pin is Weekend Shuffle, circled is the houtou fudou

uwJznVI.jpg
 

coldkey

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During autumn when i was there, got few food store..

If you are planning to stay there, can try this for lunch..

http://www.houtou-fudou.jp/english.html
Thanks, I am traveling from Matsumoto so will probably reach in the evening for 1 day stay.

From h0neystars blogpost, it seems that there is another branch near the train station entrance, so might try that one instead on the next day.
 

civicguy

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honeyNsugar

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I booked at a airbnb for one night in April.
I am interested to go for onsen, Any good recommendations around there?
 

evilerniex

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Anyone stayed at kukuna or mizuno hotel before in kawaguchiko?
I looking for something with either in-room onsen, or common but reservable onsen. Coz wife first time go japan, not comfortable with public onsen
 
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