[2026 Edition] Enjoy breathtaking views of Mount Fuji and the starry sky! Stargazing spots around Lake Kawaguchiko

There are many stargazing spots around Lake Kawaguchiko at the foot of Mount Fuji . Winter in Lake Kawaguchiko is ideal for stargazing because of its high rate of clear skies and crisp air! Here are some recommended spots to enjoy the winter night sky.

Written by

Fujikanko kaihatsu Co.,Ltd.

We will be sharing fascinating information about the northern foothills of Mt. Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture, including Mt. Fuji itself — a symbol of Japan recognized and admired around the world — as well as the World Heritage sites associated with it. The Fuji Five Lakes region, located on the northern side of Mt. Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture, is an area rich in natural beauty. It includes Lake Motosuko, Lake Shojiko, Lake Saiko, Lake Kawaguchiko, and Lake Yamanakako. The UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site "Fujisan, Sacred Place and Source of Artistic Inspiration" consists of various cultural assets, including historic shrines such as Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen-jinja Shrine, Kawaguchi Asama-jinja Shrine, and Fuji Omuro Sengen-jinja Shrine, as well as the natural monument Oshino Hakkai and other component sites extending into Shizuoka Prefecture. The foothills of Mt. Fuji, a popular tourist destination, offer attractions throughout all four seasons. In spring, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji, cherry blossoms, and the five-story Chureito Pagoda at Arakurayama Sengen Park. During summer, Oishi Park serves as the main venue for the Kawaguchiko Herb Festival. In autumn, the Lake Kawaguchiko Momiji Corridor offers beautiful scenery featuring Mt. Fuji and vibrant autumn leaves. During winter, Fujiten Snow Resort provides skiing and snowboarding with spectacular views of Mt. Fuji. In recent years, activities such as trekking, cycling, and camping in the magnificent natural surroundings of Mt. Fuji have also become increasingly popular. Based around the Lake Kawaguchiko area in the northern foothills of Mt. Fuji, our company operates several attractions and facilities, including Fuji Subaru Land, a theme park surrounded by the natural beauty of Mt. Fuji; Fujizakura Heights Beer, an award-winning craft beer brewed using natural spring water from Mt. Fuji; Fuji Chobo no Yu Yurari Onsen, a natural hot spring sourced from 1,000 meters underground at the foot of Mt. Fuji; and Fujiten Snow Resort, where visitors can enjoy winter activities such as skiing and snowboarding with magnificent views of the mountain. From the Lake Kawaguchiko area at the northern foothills of Mt. Fuji, we will continue sharing the ever-changing beauty of Mt. Fuji throughout the seasons.

more

This service includes sponsored advertisements.

• Table of Contents
• Constellations that can be seen in Japan
• Why the Mount Fuji and the area around Lake Kawaguchiko are suitable for stargazing
• Best time to observe the starry sky around Mount Fuji
• Minimum requirements for stargazing
• Top 5 Recommended Stargazing Spots Around Lake Kawaguchiko
• Fuji Midori no Kyukamura is a recommended accommodation for stargazing at the Mount Fuji .
• "Fuji Chobo no Yu Yurari Onsen " is a recommended day-trip hot spring facility to warm up your chilled body.

Constellations that can be seen in Japan

In Japan, located in the Northern Hemisphere, you can see Polaris, the North Star, which is representative of the Northern Hemisphere. The way constellations appear is reversed between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, so please enjoy the differences in how the stars look from your own country.

Furthermore, this year, 2026, is said to offer excellent conditions for viewing the Geminid meteor shower, one of the three major meteor showers. The peak of the Geminid meteor shower in 2026 will be around 11 PM on December 14th. Since the moon will set around 9 PM on the night of the 14th, there will be no interference from moonlight, making for perfect viewing conditions.

Why the Mount Fuji and the area around Lake Kawaguchiko are suitable for stargazing

It is dark because there are few streetlights.

The shores of the Fuji Five Lakes are ideal for stargazing because there are few large light-emitting structures in the surrounding area.

High altitude and clear air

It is said that the higher the altitude and the closer you are to the sky, the clearer the air and the clearer the stars can be seen. Lake Kawaguchiko is at an altitude of approximately 830m, and Lake Yamanakako Yamanaka, which is said to be the closest to Mount Fuji , is at an altitude of approximately 980m, so altitude is one of the points where you can see the stars clearly.

Best time to observe the starry sky around Mount Fuji

From December to March, the air is clear and the weather is stable.

The best time to observe the stars at Lake Kawaguchiko is winter. Winter is ideal because the air is clear, allowing for beautiful stargazing, and the chances of clear skies are high. However, due to the high altitude, temperatures will be considerably lower.

The following are the average maximum and minimum temperatures from December to March.

Minimum requirements for stargazing

■ Leisure sheet

■ Flashlight

■Starry Sky Chart

■Camera (smartphone)

Winter: Thick jacket, coat, scarf, gloves, hat, hand warmers

It gets quite cold during the winter months, so please dress warmly when observing the weather.

Top 5 Recommended Stargazing Spots Around Lake Kawaguchiko

The best thing about stargazing at Lake Kawaguchiko is that you can see Mount Fuji and the starry sky at the same time.

Especially in winter, the snow piled on Mount Fuji reflects the moonlight, allowing you to see Mount Fuji even at night. Please enjoy the spectacle of the starry sky and Mount Fuji together!

National Tree Planting Festival Memorial Square

The "National Tree Planting Festival Memorial Plaza" is a park built on the site of the 14th National Tree Planting Festival held in 1990. It is located along the Funatsu Forest Road, which runs alongside the Fuji Subaru Line. Situated at an altitude of 1,200m, it offers magnificent views of Mount Fuji during the daytime.

With no light sources nearby and a high altitude, it's a hidden gem known only to locals and those in the know.

■Address: Narusawa Village, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture (along the Funatsu Forest Road)

■Parking available/free

■Access [By car] 15 minutes from Lake Kawaguchiko IC on the Chuo Expressway

Narusawa Lively Plaza

This grassy park is adjacent to "Michi-no-Eki Narusawa" and "Fuji Chobo no Yu Yurari Onsen Fuji . Prior permission is required for group use. Convenience stores and other amenities are nearby, making it easily accessible.

■Address: 8531-45 Narusawa Village, Minamitsuru-gun , Yamanashi Prefecture

■Parking available/free

■Access [By car] 10 minutes from Lake Kawaguchiko IC on the Chuo Expressway towards Lake Motosuko

Lake Saiko Nebahama

Lake Saiko is famous among the Fuji Five Lakes for its untouched natural beauty, including the Hara Aoki . With few lights in the surrounding area, you can enjoy a beautiful view of Mount Fuji and the starry sky on a quiet night. You can also see a beautiful starry sky from Nembahama, a famous viewpoint for Mount Fuji.

■Address: Yamanashi Prefecture, Fujikawaguchiko-machi , Fujikawaguchiko Town , Lake Saiko Prefecture

■Parking: Approximately 30 spaces / Free

■Access [By car] 20 minutes from Lake Kawaguchiko IC on the Chuo Expressway

Lake Motosuko

Lake Motosuko has fewer tourist facilities around it compared to Lake Kawaguchiko and Lake Yamanakako, and there are almost no light sources nearby, so you can see even the smallest stars that you wouldn't normally be able to see. Also, Lake Motosuko is famous for Mount Fuji , which is depicted on the back of the 1000 yen banknote.

■Address: Nakanokura, Minobu-cho, Minamikoma Minobu Town, Yamanashi Prefecture Prefecture

■Parking available/free

■Access [By car] 30 minutes from Lake Kawaguchiko IC on the Chuo Expressway

Lake Yamanakako Panorama Platform

"Lake Yamanakako Panorama Platform" is a scenic spot located along the prefectural road that runs from Lake Yamanakako to Mikuni Pass. It's a recommended spot where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Mount Fuji and Lake Yamanakako to the west, and even the Minami Alps in the distance. Because it's located at an altitude of 1090m, you can enjoy stargazing from an even closer perspective.

■Address: Yamanashi Prefecture, Yamanakako Village, Yamanakako Village District , Hirano

■Parking: Approximately 10 spaces / Free

■Access [By car] 20 minutes from Lake Kawaguchiko IC on the Chuo Expressway

Fuji Midori no Kyukamura is a recommended accommodation for stargazing at the Mount Fuji .

Located in Narusawa Village, Yamanashi Prefecture , Fuji Midori no Kyukamura is a hotel recommended as a base for sightseeing, situated along National Route 139, offering easy access to both Lake Kawaguchiko and Lake Motosuko . It is adjacent to the day-trip hot spring " Narusawa Fuji Chobo no Yu Yurari Onsen," where guests can relax in the hot springs and spacious rooms. Narusawa Ikiiki Hiroba is a 5-minute walk from Fuji Midori no Kyukamura, and it also offers good access to Lake Saiko, Lake Motosuko, and Lake Kawaguchiko.

Click here for details about Fuji Midori no Kyukamura

Fuji Midori no Kyuka-mura

8532-5 Giragonno, Narusawa-mura, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture...

Fuji Midori no Kyukamura is a large accommodation facility located in the great outdoors at the foot of Mt. Fuji. Complete with two state-of-the-art artificial turf fields, a gymnasium, futsal courts, and seminar rooms. It can be used for various purposes such as training camps, school excursions, various training, etc. Depending on the accommodation plan, you can use the attached "Fuji Viewing Hot Spring Yurari".

"Fuji Chobo no Yu Yurari Onsen " is a recommended day-trip hot spring facility to warm up your chilled body.

Fuji Chobo no Yu Yurari Onsen is a day-trip hot spring facility adjacent to Fuji Midori no Kyukamura in Narusawa Village , Yamanashi Prefecture .

In addition to two open-air baths with spectacular views of Mount Fuji, there are a total of 16 different baths, including carbonated springs and cave baths. Besides the baths, there is also "Okariba," where a mini steam locomotive delivers meals, "Fujizakura," a restaurant where you can enjoy local ingredients at reasonable prices, and "Oasis," a body refresh room to soothe your tired body. Furthermore, the adjacent "Fuji Midori no Kyukamura" offers accommodation plans that include a Yurari hot spring ticket, so why not stay at Fuji Midori no Kyukamura and enjoy stargazing at your leisure?

■Opening Hours: Weekdays 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM (Last entry 8:00 PM)

Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM (last entry at 9:00 PM)

Click here for details about Fuji Chobo no Yu Yurari Onsen.

Fuji view hot spring Yurari

401-0320 8532-5 Narusawa Village, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Pref...

A day-trip hot spring facility with a total of 16 types of baths, including two types of open-air baths with spectacular views of Mt. Fuji, as well as carbonated springs and cave baths. In addition to the baths, there is a rest room where you can relax after taking a bath, a private restaurant called "Okariba" where meals are delivered by a mini steam locomotive train, and a restaurant called "Fujizakura" where you can enjoy local ingredients at reasonable prices.

At night, various wild animals such as deer, foxes, and raccoons may suddenly appear on the roads around the Fuji Five Lakes area, so drive slowly and carefully in mountainous areas.