Trending Mt. Fuji Street Photo

So, there is this trending Mt. Fuji street photo that looks unreal and magical that people can’t stop wondering and talking about it! The photo that I’m referring to was shot by Instagram user @rkrkrk.

The photo was shot perfectly on a different angle which made it stand out from the usual photo of Mt. Fuji that you would see online and in post cards. A local Japanese street that leads to Mt. Fuji at the end, when I first saw this photo, I said to myself I would visit the place and take that bucket shot, and I did!

Here is the photo which I took last golden week holiday.

From Tokyo head to Fuji Five Lakes in Yamanashi Prefecture. You can take the bus or train from Shinjuku station, but I prefer taking the bus because it is way than taking the train. A direct bus ticket from Shinjuku station to Kawaguchiko station only costs 1,800 JPY while the train ticket will cost you around 4,480 JPY.

Here is a detailed route going to Kawaguchiko station from Tokyo

Shinjuku Highway Bus Terminal → Kawaguchiko Station (Fuji Five Lakes)

Bus ticket cost: 1,800 JPY

Travel time: Approximately 2 hours.

You can book your bus ticket online through these online bus booking websites:

• Highway-buses.jp by Keio Dentetsu Bus
• Japan Bus Online
• Fujikyuko Bus

There are two train options that you can choose from going to Kawaguchiko Station from Shinjuku Station. The first one, of course, is the budget-friendly option while the other one is a direct express train ride to Kawaguchiko Station.

1. Shinjuku Station → Otsuki Station → Kawaguchiko Station (Fuji Five Lakes)
This is not a direct train ride to Kawaguchiko Station, from Shinjuku station you will need to make a transfer at Otsuki station.

Total train ticket cost: 4, 480 JPY

Total travel time: Approximately 2 hours 32 minutes.

The first route is Shinjuku Station → Otsuki Station via JR Chuo Line, from Otsuki station transfer on the Fujikyuko line from Kawaguchiko Station.

*This train route is covered by JR Rail pass if you availed one.

Train ticket cost: 2, 740 JPY per way.

Travel time: Approximately 1 hour 21 minutes.

Otsuki Station → Kawaguchiko Station (Fuji Five Lakes) via Fujikyuko Line

Train ticket cost: 1, 740 JPY per way.

Travel time: Approximately 47 minutes.

2. Shinjuku Station → Kawaguchiko Station (Fuji Five Lakes) via Chuo Line Express
This is a direct train ride to Kawaguchiko Station, NO NEED to make a transfer at Otsuki Station.

Total train ticket cost: 4, 060 JPY

Total travel time: Approximately 2 hours.

A view of Mt. Fuji from Lake Kawaguchiko

From Kawaguchiko Station take the train for Otsuki station on the Fujikyuko Line and get off at Shimoyoshida Station. It will take you about 19 mins and the ticket costs 300 JPY.

Once you arrived at Shimoyoshida station walk about 7 mins towards Hostel & Salon Saruya. I suggest you have your smartphone with you and use google maps for this one. Hostel Saruya is the nearest landmark that I can show you for easy navigation and based on the google map routes.

Once you get there you will immediately see the majestic view of Mt. Fuji on a clear sunny day. I suggest you walk a little further down the street for a close shot and go there in the morning around 7AM-9AM. The morning sunlight is more ideal in taking the photo because the sunlight is not yet too harsh.

If you go, there at noon you will just get a blown out shot.

From here there is only one golden rule, ENJOY THE VIEW!

• Royal Hotel Kawaguchiko – Nearest hotel around Lake Kawaguchiko
• ★Hostel Salon Saruya – Nearest hostel to see the trending Mt. Fuji street photo. Just step outside the hostel door entrance and you will see Mt. Fuji!
• Asobi Factory – Cozy and clean hostel around Lake Kawaguchiko and the staff are very friendly!