November 2018
In Kawaguchiko we stayed overnight to avoid rushing back to Tokyo the same day. We stayed at Kawaguchiko Hotel just by Lake Kawaguchiko which provides a peaceful setting. Being slightly elevated off the main road, it gives panoramic views of Lake Kawaguchiko. It’s is located about 1½ km from Kawaguchiko Station and free transfer was included in our booking. Otherwise, the ‘Red Line’ bus passes through this hotel and stops at Yamanashi Gem Museum (stop 8) and Fuji Lake Hotel (stop 9). Kawaguchiko Hotel is in-between these two stops with the Gem Museum being closer.

Kawaguchiko Hotel from the main road. The multi storey brick building is the hotel’s newer wing..

The hotel slightly elevated from the main road, gives panoramic views of it’s surroundings.

Main entrance of the hotel.
This hotel was built in the 50’s and has had the current Emperor and his late father as guests before. A new wing has been added to the hotel but the fittings in the room as well as the lobby is rather dated. The rooms are big, clean and everything works. Water kettle, mini fridge, LED CTV and bathtub are among the amenities. From our room window, we can see Mt Fuji majestically in the background.

Photo of Emperor Hirohito emerging from the hotel.

Hallway to our room.

Twin beded room.

Dressing table has seen better days.

Water kettle & mini refrigerator.

Bathroom with tub. In November, that tap water is cold.

View of Mt Fuji from our room.

An indication of the temperature outside the next morning.
We arrived Kawaguchiko from Akihabara, but will be returning via Shinjuku as there are frequent bus services going there. Bus services to Akihabara are limited to two per day, both in the evenings. Our bus for Shinjuku will depart in the late morning so we just spent time walking around the hotel’s grounds and along Lake Kawaguchiko before checking-out. Again, we were awed by the red fall leaves as we rarely get to see this. From the hotel’s side of Lake Kawaguchiko, one can see the Ohashi bridge in the distance that connects to the other side of the lake.

Car park in-front of the hotel overlooking Lake Kawaguchiko.

Another vantage point at the hotel overlooking Lake Kawaguchiko.

From the hotel overlooking Lake Kawaguchiko & Fuji Lake Hotel.

Overlooking Lake Kawaguchiko & Ohashi bridge.

Vegetation along the hotel driveway.

Trees with fall leaves around the hotel grounds.

A small toori close to the hotel grounds.

Oyashikidai shrine past the toori gate.

From the hotel car park looking down the main road.

Persimmon tree bearing fruits near the hotel.

Lobby of Hotel Kawaguchiko.

Another view of the lobby.

Relaxing atmosphere at the lobby looking outwards to Lake Kawaguchiko.

Reading room by the lobby.
We arrived in Kawaguchiko on a Sunday and traffic around Lake Kawaguchiko was pretty heavy, just short of traffic jams. Being a public holiday, local tourist were plenty as well. Most of the favorite attractions were pack and we had to drop the Ropeway & Pleasure Cruise from our itinerary,
To really appreciate the attractions in Kawaguchiko, it is advisable to stay a minimum of two nights. A day trip to Kawaguchiko will really be a touch-and-go affair and if weather does not permit or the crowd swells, you will miss out on your intended attractions. A two night’s stay will give some buffer time to explore other attractions that are further away on the ‘Green Line’ & ‘Blue Line’ or to repeat a missed attraction the day before.
We left Kawaguchiko with a heavy heart regretting not having stayed longer. Transfer to the station was by free hotel SUV inclusive with our stay. At Kawaguchiko station, early on a Monday morning, crowds had started to build up although not as bad as the day we arrived. We will be returning to Washington Hotel in Akihabara for a further two nights stay before returning to Malaysia.

Hotel provides free transfer to & fro Kawaguchiko station.

Crowds building up on an early Monday morning.

Budget accommodation are available in-front of the station.

The station overlooking the main road. There is also luggage storage across the road.

Another view towards the front of the station.

Platform #3 is where our bus to Shinjuku will depart.

Finally, our bus arrived 15 minutes late! Something very, very rare in Japan.