Start planning

Public travel plan

A Photographer’s 3-Day Mount Fuji and Fuji Five Lakes Photo Circuit

This three-day plan follows a photography-first circuit through the Fuji Five Lakes area, based on a late-November visit. Prioritize clear-weather windows and allow flexibility for sunrise, sunset, reflections, autumn c…

3 daysUpdated 18 highlights
Open map & itinerary Create your own
Travel inspiration for A Photographer’s 3-Day Mount Fuji and Fuji Five Lakes Photo Circuit

Source videos

Travel inspiration behind this plan

MT FUJI: TOP 10 Photo Spots (for first-timers!) Watch on YouTube

Plan notes

Useful context before you go

This three-day plan follows a photography-first circuit through the Fuji Five Lakes area, based on a late-November visit. Prioritize clear-weather windows and allow flexibility for sunrise, sunset, reflections, autumn color, and changing light. The route includes both famous viewpoints and quieter alternatives: weekday or early-morning visits are especially valuable at busy locations. The source trip used a car for several western and early-morning stops, rented e-bikes for the Lake Kawaguchiko loop, and used a shuttle bus or car for Fuji Yurari Hot Spring. No specific camera settings or gear recommendations were supplied, so bring the equipment you already use comfortably and focus on the listed timing and viewpoints.

Resources for this plan

Shared by the source creators. These are not VibePlanit endorsements and may be affiliate links.

Check eSIM option · Keanu Travels To ↗ Creator link · may be an affiliate link

Itinerary highlights

What is in this plan

Day 1 — Kawaguchiko and Fujiyoshida Viewpoints

Base around Lake Kawaguchiko and begin with the most accessible northern and eastern viewpoints. The strongest crowd-avoidance advice is to visit Tenku no Tori early or on a weekday, then use the lake bike circuit to discover additional unnamed compositions.

  1. Tenku no ToriiTenku no Torii, Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi, Japan

    Reach this hillside torii viewpoint from Kawaguchiko Sengen Shrine via a roughly 20-minute hike. Entry was 200 yen per person, and the two gates each had a queue of about 15 minutes. The wait can reach an hour or more, so arrive early or choose a weekday. The cycling approach was described as particularly difficult.

  2. Honcho StreetHoncho Street, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi, Japan

    Use Honcho Street for the classic Fujiyoshida composition, but expect crowds and traffic. For a quieter frame, walk one to three blocks away onto a parallel side street rather than staying on the main road.

  3. FabCafe FujiFabCafe Fuji, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi, Japan

    Stop here for a modern, cozy cafe break after photographing the Fujiyoshida streets. The featured order was an iced matcha latte and Basque cheesecake.

  4. Lake Kawaguchiko Bike RentalLake Kawaguchiko Bike Rental, Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi, Japan

    Reserve time for the full Lake Kawaguchiko loop by e-bike. The route described was about 12 miles or 19 kilometers, with many unnamed sections producing better personal discoveries than the most famous viewpoint.

  5. Oishi ParkOishi Park, Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi, Japan

    Use Oishi Park as the recognizable Lake Kawaguchiko viewpoint during the bike circuit, while treating it as one stop among many rather than the sole photographic objective.

  6. Kawaguchiko Sengen ShrineKawaguchiko Sengen Shrine, Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi, Japan

    Visit this shrine as the access point for the Tenku no Torii hike. It is one of 1,300 Sengen shrines established to worship Mount Fuji and pacify its volcanic activity.

Day 2 — Lake Yamanaka, Lake Motosu, and Western Waterfalls

Use the second day for the eastern sunset viewpoint and the western lakes and waterfalls. The western stops work well as a linked road sequence: Lake Tanuki is a quick reflective-photo stop, followed by the falls ten minutes away.

  1. Lake Yamanaka BoardwalkLake Yamanaka Boardwalk, Yamanakako, Yamanashi, Japan

    Photograph the lake from the eastern-edge boardwalk and nearby viewing locations at sunset. The area was described as a hidden gem with only a handful of tourists spread across a large space.

  2. Nakanokura Pass ViewpointNakanokura Pass Viewpoint, Lake Motosu, Yamanashi, Japan

    Take the short but steep trail to this viewpoint above Lake Motosu. The round trip is less than a mile with about 600 feet of elevation gain. Arriving around 7:30 in the morning provided solitude, autumn color, and an empty viewpoint; be aware that bear activity was mentioned.

  3. Lake TanukiLake Tanuki, Fujinomiya, Shizuoka, Japan

    Use Lake Tanuki as a brief western-side reflection stop or picnic location. Its mirror image of Mount Fuji is the main attraction, and the source describes it as a quick road-trip pit stop rather than a full-day destination.

  4. Otodome FallsOtodome Falls, Fujinomiya, Shizuoka, Japan

    Begin the waterfall loop here, then continue clockwise to Shiraito Falls. The sequence places Otodome first and the more impressive Shiraito Falls second.

  5. Shiraito FallsShiraito Falls, Fujinomiya, Shizuoka, Japan

    Finish the waterfall loop here for the stronger waterfall composition, with Mount Fuji visible in the surrounding scene and snowmelt feeding the falls. Side lots were described as costing as little as 180 yen, compared with 500 yen at the main lot.

  6. Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha ShrineFujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine, Fujinomiya, Shizuoka, Japan

    Visit this head shrine of more than 1,300 Sengen shrines. It was traditionally the starting point for people climbing Mount Fuji, and the Kanda River area with its torii gate and city elements offers a distinct urban-mountain composition.

Day 3 — Asagiri Plateau, Arakura, and Sunrise at Lake Shoji

Finish with the most time-sensitive and visually distinctive experiences: an early sunrise at Lake Shoji, the quieter compositions around Arakura Sengen Shrine, and the farm’s dedicated photo installations. Use Fuji Yurari Hot Spring as the restorative final stop.

  1. Lake ShojiLake Shoji, Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi, Japan

    Arrive before sunrise after the roughly 30-minute drive from Lake Kawaguchiko. The reflected Fuji colors were described as especially striking at sunrise, making this the highest-priority early start of the itinerary.

  2. Arakura Fuji Sengen ShrineArakura Fuji Sengen Shrine, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi, Japan

    Explore the shrine stairway beyond the famous top viewpoint. The side platforms provide changing Fuji angles and were considered more rewarding than simply photographing the crowded panoramic platform.

  3. Chureito PagodaChureito Pagoda, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi, Japan

    Photograph the iconic five-story pagoda view, but do not stop at the top platform. The more personal compositions are on the stairway’s side platforms and surrounding less-obvious angles.

  4. Makaino Farm ResortMakaino Farm Resort, Fujinomiya, Shizuoka, Japan

    Use the farm’s dedicated photo installations for unobstructed Fuji views, especially the giant swing. It is also a functioning farm with a petting zoo, animal feeding, cow milking, and butter-making experiences.

  5. Makaino Farm RestaurantMakaino Farm Restaurant, Makaino Farm Resort, Fujinomiya, Shizuoka, Japan

    Take a farm-to-table break here if desired: the site offers an all-you-can-eat buffet and fresh farm-made vanilla soft serve with matcha drizzle. The soft serve was the featured treat.

  6. Fuji Yurari Hot SpringFuji Yurari Hot Spring, Narusawa, Yamanashi, Japan

    End the circuit with the open-air baths overlooking Mount Fuji. The hot spring is about a 15-minute shuttle bus or car ride from Kawaguchiko Station and was described as the favorite onsen experience of the trip.