If you haven’t already read Part 1 of my rainy-day Kawaguchiko adventures, you can find it here.
After the rain and mist of Day 1, Day 2 dawned with glorious blue skies and glorious views of the majestic Mt. Fuji. I’ll admit—I briefly considered cramming in everything I’d missed along with all that I still wanted to see. But sense prevailed. Instead of rushing, I chose to slow down and truly savor Fuji-san and his towering presence.
First stop: Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine
The fastest and easiest way from my hotel was to ride the Fujikyuko Line (for Otsuki) to Shimo-Yoshida. On the way to Kawaguchiko station, I passed the now-famous Lawson convenience store. The barriers were down when I visited in November 2024, but I could see why they were necessary to preserve the quality of life for locals. Even early in the day, tourists were already queuing for that iconic photo. Did I pose? I cringe to admit that I did—but I was mindful of etiquette and tried to be as unobtrusive as possible.
A short walk from Shimo-Yoshida station brought me to the base of Arakurayama, where the Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine rests quietly in a grove of trees, its vivid red torii visible from afar. Built to pacify Fuji’s volcanic activity and natural disasters, it is one of many shrines dedicated to Fuji. I paused to pay my respects and received a goshuin, a hand-stamped calligraphed seal offered by the shrine maidens, who in their white robes were a graceful reminder of the shrine’s reverence.
From there, nearly 400 steps rise through the hillside forest, leading to the iconic Chureito Pagoda in Arakurayama Sengen Park. This five-storied pagoda, built as a peace memorial, stands watch over the town with Fuji framed in the background. You’ve likely seen the image countless times on postcards, in magazines, and on Instagram—but standing there in person felt different. More intimate. The quiet murmur of fellow travelers, the soft rustle of trees, the faint temple bells—all folding into the view. In spring, cherry blossoms frame the scene; in autumn, the maples blaze with fire. On my visit, the treetops had only just begun to tinge red, while Fuji-san played shy, peeking in and out of clouds. I lingered at the observation deck, content simply to breathe in the view.
As I made my way down, fueled by locally brewed kombucha and ice cream, I noticed this young couple posing for photos on the steps. Their laughter and ease left me with a memory so vivid it still lives on, quite literally, as the lock screen of my phone
With some time left before my train, I headed to the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway. In just a few minutes, it glides up Mount Tenjo to sweeping views over Kawaguchiko and, if you’re lucky, Fuji in all his glory. The long but quick-moving queue was easy to endure, especially as the lake unfolded beneath me during the ascent. At the summit, observation decks and walking trails revealed Fuji and the lake.
Other places to visit if you have time
Oshino Hakkai
A short trip from Kawaguchiko, Oshino Hakkai is a cluster of eight crystal-clear ponds, fed by snowmelt from Mount Fuji filtered for decades through volcanic rock.
Fuji-Q Highland
For something entirely different, Fuji-Q Highland delivers adrenaline with a view. The park is famed for its record-breaking roller coasters, each one designed to thrill while framing Fuji dramatically in the background. It’s a surreal juxtaposition—serenity and spirituality on one hand, sheer heart-pounding excitement on the other.
And if you’re wondering why I haven’t mentioned the onsens, it’s because my next stop was Hakone—famous for its natural springs and a story for another day.
