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Fuji 5 Lakes (not including Yamanakako)
The area around the Fuji 5 Lakes is a wonderland for bike riders providing many km of smooth roads that wind through stunning iconic scenery. This entry does not include Lake Yamanaka, which is one of the 5 Lakes, as there will be more entries featuring it. Here I'll feature the top 4 lakes.
The ride above is a loop starting and ending at Lake Kawaguchi. Each of these lakes has its own distinctive personality with Lake Kawaguchi being the most civilized. Consequently, it has the highest concentration of tourists, most of whom stay along the east side of the lake. It is known for some of the most iconic views of Mt. Fuji. Chureito Pagoda which is perched on the hillside above the eastern shore, the maple corridor on the north side, and the flower fields of Oishi Park.
As you continue west along Hwy 710 the road traffic decreases and it becomes more peaceful. You also begin to lose the view of Mt. Fuji as it hides behind the hillside. You climb a short rise and then glide down into Lake Saiko, the next of the 5 Lakes. It has a much different atmosphere than Lake Kawaguchi. Much less development and more camping and fishing. Mt. Fuji comes back into view at the end of the lake.
At the end of the lake the road becomes Hwy 21 which rises up and joins Hwy 139. It can be narrow and busy but you only have to endure it for a couple of km till you come to Hwy 358 which goes north past Lake Shoji. You soon come upon a narrow finger of the lake. I recommend pulling over and looking back as there is a fantastic view of Mt. Fuji.
Lake Shoji is probably the least known of the 5 Lakes and that in itself makes it special. There is a park at the far end of the lake that provides a wonderful view of the lake, Mt. Fuji and the surrounding hills. Shojiko is just a short distance off the beaten track; just enough to be overlooked.
Hwy 706 winds around the lake and brings you back up to Hwy 139. From there its about 2 ½ km over to Lake Motosu. Lake Motosu is a big lake surrounded by steep forested hillsides. Hwy 300 runs along the north shore up to a tunnel that pokes through toward the Minami Alps. There is a rest area just before the tunnel featuring a superb view of the lake with Mt. Fuji in the background that is printed on the 1000 yen note. A smooth narrow road (709) winds along the shoreline through dense forest and past campgrounds that look like they would be very nice to stay at. Lake Motosu is more rustic; more of a camping lake than a ryokan lake.
In autumn this ride is absolutely the best. The colors become more pronounced as you climb higher with Lake Motosu at the highest. On the return trip I recommend riding the southern shores of Lake Saiko and Lake Kawaguchi. They give you a whole different view and are also fairly quiet. The Fuji 5 Lakes are indeed a treasure; one of my favorite places to ride.
Fuji 5 Lakes Gallery
Fuji 5 Lakes in Autumn Gallery
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Yamanaka Lake
Of the Fuji 5 Lakes Yamanaka Lake provides the easiest access for those of us who live in Kanagawa. I like to start my trip from Ashigara Station which is one station before Gotemba on the JR Gotemba Line. It’s quieter than riding through Gotemba and Hwy 150 provides a very pleasant through the rice and vegetable fields as it gives a straight shot over to Hwy 138, intersecting it at the Fuji Heigen Golf Club.
From there its only another km or so before you can turn off at the road which goes past the Self Defense Forces Hospital and over to the smaller Hwy 138. This route minimizes the busy car traffic.
After climbing up past Kagosaka Golf Course the road begins to switch back and wind up to Kagosaka Pass. The grade is fairly mild and, before you know it, you’re coming up on Kagosaka Pass (1030m). From there it’s a smooth glide down to Yamanaka Lake.
You reach a T at the lake and have the choice of taking Hwy 413 to the east or 138 to the west. The south side of the lake is by far the busiest with lots of restaurants and touristy spots. There’s a beautiful smooth bike trail that runs along the northern shore that you can access from either side. It is a very pleasant ride giving you a nice view back toward Mt Fuji towering over the lake. On the NE end of the lake you can take Hwy 413 up over Yamabushi Pass. This road becomes Doshi Michi leading down through the Doshi River Valley. There is a fruit stand just up from the lake across from Lawsons that sells peaches that are amazingly good.
Another option you have is to turn on 147 and head up to Mikuni Pass. I’ll have a separate entry for this ride as it is a special one. Sometimes I climb up the pass from the lake side high enough to get me into the pampas grass fields. This gives you one of the best views of the lake and Mt. Fuji.
If you decide to go down toward Lake Kawaguchi I recommend turning off on 717 at the NW end of the lake and riding up past Hamanoyako Flower Park and enjoy the flower fields on either side of the road. The area behind the lake has a lot of interesting stuff. 717 comes to a T. If you turn right and go a short distance through the fields you’ll see a small road off to your left that climbs up to Nijūmagaritōge, a scenic spot overlooking the lake. There is a rindo (service road) that goes all the way down into the Shiodome River Valley eventually intersecting Hwy 139 as it descends toward Otsuki.
There are a couple of interesting tourist sites in the area. If you can go to the Oshino village famous for Oshino Hakkai village/museum fashioned after an old town.
Hwy 717 turns right and heads down through a tunnel which leaves you down in the Fujiyoshida/Kawaguchiko area. This back route is much nicer than riding 138 with all of its traffic.
Lake Yamanaka Gallery
