Mount Fuji is Japan’s highest mountain and one of the country’s most recognizable symbols. For many visitors, seeing it in person is one of the highlights of a trip to Japan.
I visited the Lake Kawaguchiko area in early November as a wheelchair user. Although the weather wasn’t on my side for the entire stay, I still got two gorgeous days to explore the area, surrounded by incredible autumn colors and constant views of Mount Fuji. After visiting, I can honestly say I understand why so many people consider it a must-visit destination.
This guide covers how to get there, how to get around, accessibility information, and the places we explored around Lake Kawaguchiko and the Fuji Five Lakes area.
Getting there from tokyo
There are several ways to reach the Mount Fuji area from Tokyo, including trains, buses, rental cars, and organized tours. As a wheelchair user, I chose the direct Fuji Excursion train from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko.
The Fuji Excursion is one of the easiest and most convenient options because it is fully accessible and requires no transfers along the way. The downside is that there are only a limited number of direct trains each day, tickets can sell out quickly during peak seasons, and it is more expensive than some of the alternatives. The regional trains are also accessible and offer more flexibility in terms of departure times, but they require transfers.
Direct highway buses are usually the cheapest way to reach Kawaguchiko. However, they are not a practical option for wheelchair users, as passengers must climb several steps to board.
One important thing to know is that wheelchair spaces on the Fuji Exursion train cannot be booked online through the JR website. While regular seats can be reserved online, wheelchair users have to arrange their reservations through JR directly. If you’re already in Japan, you can do it at any JR ticket office or service center a few days in advance, especially during busy travel periods.
We traveled to the Fuji area immediately after arriving to Japan, so I didn’t have time to visit a JR office beforehand. Instead, I called JR East’s international customer service line (+81 50-2016-1603), explained the situation, and they reserved a wheelchair space and a companion seat next to it over the phone. When I landed at Narita Airport, the tickets were waiting for me at the JR ticket office. I paid on the spot, picked them up, and traveled the next day without any issues. The service was excellent.
Getting AROUND THE AREA
General accessibility
Getting around the Lake Kawaguchiko and Fujiyoshida area as a wheelchair user was easy. The sidewalks and pathways were generally smooth, and curb cuts were common.
As far as restaurants, accessibility varies. While convenience stores, supermarkets, and many shops were accessible, not every restaurant was. Since dining options in the area are somewhat limited, I recommend checking accessibility in advance rather than rolling all the way to a restaurant only to discover there are steps at the entrance.
buses
During our stay, we used both the Fujikyu sightseeing buses and the regular local buses. All were low-floor buses equipped with a manual ramp at the second door. Simply signal to the driver that you would like to board, and they will deploy the ramp for you. Each bus has one designated wheelchair space.
One experience stayed with me. While trying to board a bus from Kawaguchiko Station to our hotel, the ramp was stuck and wouldn’t open. Instead of asking me to wait for the next bus, the driver apologized to all the passengers for the delay, put on gloves, grabbed some tools, and spent about ten minutes fixing the ramp so I could board. When I apologized for causing the delay, he told me I had every right to be there, just like everyone else. It was one of those small moments that says a lot about accessibility culture in Japan.
Local trains
Another accessible option to explore the area is by the local Fujikyu Railway. We used it between Fuji-Q Highland, Mt. Fuji, and Shimoyoshida stations. Like most trains in Japan, the process was very smooth. Station staff brought a manual boarding ramp, helped me onto the train, and notified the destination station of my arrival.
where we stayed
We stayed at MyStays Fuji Onsen Resort, located next to Fuji-Q Highland Train Station. The hotel has a universal room on the ground floor facing the parking lot, so don’t expect Mt. Fuji views from your window. The views from the lobby and the rooftop onsen are gorgeous, though. (The onsen is step-free, but you’ll need assistance getting in and out of the water.)
The room itself was pretty spacious, although a bit tight around the bed for my wheelchair. The accessible bathroom had grab bars, a floating sink, and a shower chair. Like many accessible hotel rooms in Japan, there was no roll-in shower. Instead, there were drains outside the bathtub, allowing me to shower while seated on the shower chair.
Location-wise, it’s not the most convenient hotel if your main goal is spending time around Lake Kawaguchiko. It took me about 15 minutes to roll to Kawaguchiko Station and about 20 minutes to the lake. But the entire area is beautiful, especially during autumn, and Mount Fuji is visible for much of the way, so I enjoyed the roll. There is also a bus stop right outside the hotel, and Fuji-Q Highland train station is only a 3-minutes walk, making it easy to get around without a car.
There’s a convenience store, a few restaurants, and a large supermarket next to Fuji-Q Highland Station, so hotel breakfast and dinner aren’t the only option. We tried the dinner once on a rainy day; it was expensive and, in my opinion, not worth the price.
There aren’t many wheelchair-accessible lodging options in the area so if you’re traveling during a busy season, I highly recommend booking as early as possible.
things to do
aroung lake kawaguchiko by bicycle or bus
One of my favorite days around Mount Fuji was simply exploring Lake Kawaguchiko. We started the morning by renting an electric bicycle for my friend at one of the many rental shops next to Kawaguchiko Station. Most are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the prices are very affordable.
Our first stop was Le Pain de Daniel, a small bakery by the lake where we grabbed coffee and some yummy pastries for breakfast.
The route around Lake Kawaguchiko is beautiful and mostly flat, with dedicated pedestrian and cycling paths. We made several unplanned stops simply because the autumn colors were so stunning. One of them was Oike Park near Kawaguchiko Ohashi Bridge.
After crossing the bridge, we continued along the northern side of the lake, stopping at Lake Kawaguchi Art Gallery Lawn Square for more autumn colors and at Kogamasao Memorial Park for some gorgeous views of Mt. Fuji.
Next, we visited the famous Maples Corridor, one of the most popular spots for viewing autumn foliage around Lake Kawaguchiko. The corridor is lined with maple trees that turn brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow in the fall. The area was hosting its annual autumn festival when we were there. It was full of food stalls, local crafts, and lots of people. The path along the corridor isn’t perfectly smooth, with large tree roots sticking out in several places, but with a little help it was manageable.
Our final stop was Oishi Park. The park is fully accessible, with smooth paths, an accessible restroom, a café, and a souvenir shop. It was beautiful, but also extremely crowded. Personally, I wouldn’t visit Oishi Park just for the views, because the entire route around the lake offers incredible scenery. However, if you’re visiting during kochia season, it’s worth adding to your itinerary. When we were there, the kochia had already lost their bright red color and faded to pink.
By the end of the day, we had covered roughly 15 kilometers. I made it back to Kawaguchiko Station with my wheelchair battery flashing red and ended up taking the bus back to the hotel because I wasn’t going to make it much farther.
It was one of those perfect travel days. The sun was shining, the sky was clear, Mount Fuji was visible in all her glory, and every turn revealed another postcard-worthy view.
If cycling or rolling around the lake isn’t your thing, the Fujikyu Red Line sightseeing bus follows a very similar route. It stops at most of the popular attractions around Lake Kawaguchiko, including Oishi Park and the Maple Corridor. It’s a hop-on, hop-off service, so you can get off wherever you’d like, explore the area, and catch the next bus when you’re ready to continue.
Saiko Iyashi no Sato Nenba
Saiko Iyashi no Sato Nenba is an open-air museum located on the shores of Lake Saiko. We got there using the Fujikyu Green Line sightseeing bus, which takes a little over an hour from Kawaguchiko Station and circles much of Lake Saiko along the way.
Compared to Lake Kawaguchiko, Lake Saiko feels much quieter and less touristy. The area is known more for nature, hiking, camping, and outdoor activities than for sightseeing attractions.
The village was originally a farming community that was destroyed by a typhoon in 1966. It was later reconstructed as an open-air museum, with traditional thatched-roof houses showcasing local crafts, history, food, and culture.
As a wheelchair user, I found the village fairly easy to explore. The main paths are smooth and accessible, althoug a bit ateep, and several of the houses, shops, and workshops can be entered in a wheelchair. Not every building is accessible, but I was still able to experience a good portion of the village.
One of my favorite stops was a traditional tea house, where I had amazing matcha and Japanese sweets. On a clear day, you can also see Mount Fuji rising behind the village, which makes the whole setting even more beautiful.
Just outside the entrance, there’s a small market area with food stalls and souvenir shops.
Overall, I think it’s a great half-day trip from Kawaguchiko. We arrived early in the morning and had much of the village almost to ourselves, which made the experience even better.
Mt. Fuji Station and Honcho Street
If you want one of those classic Mount Fuji photos where the mountain appears at the end of a street, take the local train to Mt. Fuji Station. You can get there in just a few minutes from Kawaguchiko Station or Fuji-Q Highland Station.
Before heading into town, make a quick stop at the observation deck on top of the station. On a clear day, the views of Mount Fuji are beautiful.
The most famous photo spot is Honcho Street, where the road leads straight towards the mountain. It’s easy to see why it became so popular on social media, but it’s also one of the busiest spots in town. If you’re mainly after the photo, try one of the nearby side streets instead. The view is just as beautiful, but without the crowds.
We stopped for coffee at Harukiya Coffee Roastery and spent some time wandering around town. While most visitors come here for the photo, I think Fujiyoshida is worth exploring in its own right. On a clear day, Mount Fuji seems to appear at the end of almost every street.
Arakurayama Sengen Park and Chureito Pagoda
One of the most famous photo spots in the Mount Fuji area is Chureito Pagoda with Mount Fuji rising in the background. Unfortunately, because of poor visibility, we didn’t visit. But if we had a clear day, it would definitely have been on my list.
To get there, take the local train to Shimoyoshida Station. Most visitors reach the pagoda by climbing hundreds of stairs through the park, but wheelchair users can follow the winding access road instead. The road leads all the way to the pagoda, making it possible to enjoy the views without tackling the stairs.
The catch is that the famous observation deck above the pagoda is only accessible via stairs. That’s where the iconic postcard view is taken. So while wheelchair users can reach the pagoda itself and enjoy the scenery, the observation deck is unfortunately not accessible.
The Mount Fuji area has a lot more to offer than what I covered in this guide. There are five lakes in total, and during this trip I only explored Lake Kawaguchiko and Lake Saiko. The region is also home to museums, shrines, caves, hiking trails, campgrounds, and the famous Fuji-Q Highland amusement park.
If you’re a wheelchair user, make sure to check the accessibility of any attractions you plan to visit in advance, as not all of them are accessible.
Even so, this ended up being one of my favorite areas in Japan. Between the incredible scenery, accessible public transportation, and the constant views of Mount Fuji, it’s easy to see why so many visitors fall in love with it.
If you’re visiting Japan for the first time, I think the Fuji Five Lakes region is absolutely worth adding to your itinerary.
