Kawaguchiko

[Perisher]

For Kawaguchiko, is it a must to book the bus online or can I just go there and purchase a bus ticket at Tokyo/Akihabara to board the bus towards Kawaguchiko?

I saw this,
https://japanbusonline.com/en/CourseSearch/11500430001

 

[kenne79]

I'll be doing the following itinerary for Kawaguchiko, Hakone & Yamanashi area. I'm driving there so will also check out a vine yard and whiskey distillery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4gqcs-rJ1R9M1pUc1FadGNkc00/view?usp=sharing

If driving you can try the Fuji Safari Park. Watching lion crossing road infront of your car.

 

[BeHappyLo]

I am going to Kwaguchiko soon.
I am taking this :-

 

[purpleberry]

I am going to Kwaguchiko soon.
I am taking this :-

Good find. Too bad it doesnt go all the way to Shinjuku.

 

[saffronsatire]

I am going to Kwaguchiko soon.
I am taking this :-

It's the meals one? The tea set seems nice.

 

[h0neystars]

For Kawaguchiko, is it a must to book the bus online or can I just go there and purchase a bus ticket at Tokyo/Akihabara to board the bus towards Kawaguchiko?

I saw this,
https://japanbusonline.com/en/CourseSearch/11500430001

Booking is not compulsory but it is highly encouraged in case you happen to travel on peak dates.

 

[BeHappyLo]

It's the meals one? The tea set seems nice.

the view from the special train is superb………..go and check them out at youtube…….

 

[Perisher]

Ok since I have tried this, shall comment on it.

I booked this
https://japanbusonline.com/en/CourseSearch/11500430001
From:Akihabara(Tokyo)　To:Kawaguchiko(Yamanashi)　|Highway Bus
Akihabara-Kawaguchiko Line

As the tokyo one was full, that was the next closest to my stop.
I missed the bus to Kawaguchiko due to overslept, though I still manage to get there by trains, it wasn't cheap.
Do note, on the train to kawaguchiko, don't get off at the Fujikyu Highland Station, it should be the stop after that. But if you do stop there accidentally, take a look at the crazy 3 way 360 rollercoaster ride.

On the way back, taking the bus to Akihabara from Kawaguchiko station was smooth, just show the driver your e-ticket will do. We were the only people on the bus on Kawaguchiko but seats are designated. The next few stop picked up much more people. The journey back was smooth. Nothing to complain. You will be dropped off at a bus parking place.

Overall, quite good. The bus is very on time and moves fast. In fact, it moved 1 minute early so make sure to be there 10-15 mins before actual timing.
Also, highly recommended to book the bus tickets in advance, I didn't see people boarding without tickets for mine. Not sure if they sell it on the spot. Referring to the buses back to the city, not the different coloured buses to tour the place. Those coloured buses ticket can be bought easily from my experience. I bought the 2 day pass though I only went for a day trip as it makes more sense.

 

[bigrockshow]

I'm planning a trip to Kawaguchiko from Tokyo with 4 pax, plan to cover gotemba and some other sights on a day trip.




More worth to drive just for one day? Anybody has done this?

 

[oceanicmanta]

I'm planning a trip to Kawaguchiko from Tokyo with 4 pax, plan to cover gotemba and some other sights on a day trip.

More worth to drive just for one day? Anybody has done this?

For 4 pax, from cost perspective, I think self drive will be cheaper.

Estimated cost
Rental 1 day - 8000 (can be cheaper)
Toll = 6000 return (cheaper on weekends)
Fuel - 2000
Total JPY 16,000

You have to take into consideration the time taken to drive back and whether you can return car in time and which period u r going (ie winter or summer) & driving conditions.

If u rent a car, perhaps you should stay 1 night or 2 at Kawaguchiko so that it is not as rushed.

When I was there in late March, a snowstorm hit Kawaguchiko. A Taiwanese man at our hotel was stranded bcos car not equipped for snow conditions on Eway. He was desperate to return car & find way back to Tokyo on same day. We also could not drive on the Eway as we did not have snow chains but we were not in rush to be back.

 

[evilerniex]

i find it a hassle to drive on holidays. take bus/train is more fun and relaxing.

i prefer public transport too. but some places are just not easily accessible by public transport, or not accessible at all, so have to drive

 

[VD]

the queue for the bus can sometimes be long and you have to wait for the next bus. Driving allows you the flexibility to spend more or less time depending on your liking.

some of the queue at main attraction can be crazy, fortunately, I was cycling thru and i was relieve I didn't had to queue.

 

[evilerniex]

the queue for the bus can sometimes be long and you have to wait for the next bus. Driving allows you the flexibility to spend more or less time depending on your liking.

some of the queue at main attraction can be crazy, fortunately, I was cycling thru and i was relieve I didn't had to queue.

yah, and for some places, the bus frequency is very low, maybe 1 bus every 2 hours.
when i was planning for kumano region, i initially wanted to take bus. but after checking the bus schedule, i realised that i will be spending a lot of time waiting for bus, or rushing to meet bus timings. so ended up driving instead.

for lake kawaguchi, the sightseeing bus can be super crowded on weekends and public holidays. good thing is that it is quite frequent though

 

[Thayvia]

I took express way bus from shinjuku to and fro kawaguchiko.. then i rented a car from toyota which is just 5min walk from the kawaguchiko bus terminal..
The receptionist knows how to speak english so the renting process was quite fuss-free.. you just need to be sure you have your international car license with you..

 

[bluetwinkle]

Other than Konansou and Kozantei Ubuya, are there any other recommended places to stay in Kawaguchiko? I intend to spend 2 nights there and still considering if I should stay at just one place or two.

 

[evilerniex]

Other than Konansou and Kozantei Ubuya, are there any other recommended places to stay in Kawaguchiko? I intend to spend 2 nights there and still considering if I should stay at just one place or two.

i stayed in mizno hotel on the northern shore of kawaguchi. view from hotel is excellent and the onsen faces the lake and mt fuji. service is also very good, they were able to customise their dinner and breakfast menu to cater to our dietary preferences.

the only downside is that the hotel is located on top of a slope, and it is a long walk up if u are not driving.

 

[rrr2015]

how was your drive? did u drove up to 5th station?

I took express way bus from shinjuku to and fro kawaguchiko.. then i rented a car from toyota which is just 5min walk from the kawaguchiko bus terminal..
The receptionist knows how to speak english so the renting process was quite fuss-free.. you just need to be sure you have your international car license with you..

 

[purpleberry]

i stayed in mizno hotel on the northern shore of kawaguchi. view from hotel is excellent and the onsen faces the lake and mt fuji. service is also very good, they were able to customise their dinner and breakfast menu to cater to our dietary preferences.

the only downside is that the hotel is located on top of a slope, and it is a long walk up if u are not driving.

Mizno hotel looks good. For a good view of Mt Fuji, you can just look for any hotels along that stretch i.e. northern side of the lake.

Konansou is popular as it is close to the station but during my stay, I think only 10% of the guests are Japanese.

 

[bluetwinkle]

i stayed in mizno hotel on the northern shore of kawaguchi. view from hotel is excellent and the onsen faces the lake and mt fuji. service is also very good, they were able to customise their dinner and breakfast menu to cater to our dietary preferences.

the only downside is that the hotel is located on top of a slope, and it is a long walk up if u are not driving.

Mizno Hotel really looks great but the info on the website looks limited even in the Japanese version. I won't be driving but I have two lazy kids who may not cooperate if a lot of walking is required. Hopefully there is shuttle to ferry all the way to the doorsteps.

 

[bluetwinkle]

Mizno hotel looks good. For a good view of Mt Fuji, you can just look for any hotels along that stretch i.e. northern side of the lake.

Konansou is popular as it is close to the station but during my stay, I think only 10% of the guests are Japanese.

Thanks for the info about Konansou, I will keep this in mind.