Lake Kawaguchi
Lake Kawaguchi. Photo: BehBeh, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Road trip guide

Fuji Five Lakes Drive: the drive, the stops and where to sleep

Distance
About 40 miles (64 km)
Time
1 day
Best time
October–February for clearest views

Lakes ringing the north side of Mount Fuji. That is what Fuji Five Lakes Drive promises, and it delivers. At about 40 miles (64 km), it is a drive best taken slowly, over 1 day, with time to pull over whenever the view demands it on the way from Fujiyoshida to Lake Motosu.

Open this route in XCRSN

Setting out from Fujiyoshida

Start early, with a full tank and a loose plan. Fujiyoshida is where the road begins, and the first miles set the rhythm for everything that follows.

The first big moment is Chureito Pagoda. Give it the time it deserves; it is why many people make this trip at all.

Along the way

The road strings together Kawaguchiko. It is the natural place to stop, eat well and stretch your legs.

Do not miss Oishi Park.

Arriving in Lake Motosu

Save energy for the final stretch: Lake Motosu (1,000-yen note view) is still ahead.

By the end you will have seen Chureito Pagoda, Oishi Park and Lake Motosu (1,000-yen note view), and you will understand why Fuji Five Lakes Drive belongs on any list of great drives.

When to go and how to pace it

The best time to drive it is October–February for clearest views. Plan on 1 day so the drive never feels rushed.

Check route weather and fuel stops on the Plan tab before you go.

XCRSN prices fuel for every leg in the local currency, finds stops along the way and books overnights near each town.

The route

  1. Fujiyoshida, Japan
  2. Kawaguchiko, Japan
  3. Lake Motosu, Japan

Road trip tips

Open this route in XCRSN
XCRSN planner: plan the whole drive before you leave. Live corridor fuel, overnight stops, Apple and Google Maps export.

More planning help