It’s a 14-minute walk from &Here SHINJUKU to Busta Shinjuku, or about 5 minutes by taxi. From there, take the express bus, and you’ll arrive at Lake Kawaguchi, at the foot of Mount Fuji, in about 1 hour and 45 minutes. By purchasing a single Fujikyu Bus sightseeing pass, you can explore Fugaku Fukei (a lava cave designated as a Natural Monument), the tranquil Seiji Lake, and Lake Motosu—famous for the breathtaking scenery depicted on the 1,000-yen bill—using a hop-on, hop-off bus. No rental car or train transfers are necessary. This article provides a complete guide to the one-day itinerary, covering everything from bus reservations and how to ride the bus to the highlights of each spot and recommended dining options.

What Are the Fuji Five Lakes? Natural Landscapes Created by Mount Fuji

The Fuji Five Lakes is the collective name for the five lakes—Lake Kawaguchi, Lake Sai, Lake Shōji, Lake Motosu, and Lake Yamanaka—located at the northern foot of Mount Fuji. In 2013, they were registered as a component part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site “Mount Fuji—Object of Worship and Source of Art.” Mount Fuji has long been revered not only as a destination for climbers but also as a source of faith and art for the Japanese people.
It is believed that Lake Shoji, Lake Sai, and Lake Motosu were once a single large lake.

Their geological formation—where lava flows from Mount Fuji’s eruptions flowed in and divided them into three—gives each lake a distinct character. Lake Yamanaka is the largest of the Five Lakes of Mount Fuji, but due to time constraints, it is not included as a main spot in this itinerary; we will introduce it again later.

&How to get from &Here SHINJUKU to Busta Shinjuku—14 minutes on foot or about 5 minutes by taxi

Busta Shinjuku is one of Japan’s largest express bus terminals, directly connected to the JR Shinjuku Station New South Exit. It is a 14-minute walk from &Here SHINJUKU, or about a 5-minute taxi ride.

Walking Route – 14-Minute Directions and Points to Note Along the Way

After leaving &Here SHINJUKU, head southwest along Nakadori Street toward the Koshu Kaido. Look for NEWoMan and Lumine as landmarks. The shortest route is to take the escalator from the Shin-Minami ticket gate at JR Shinjuku Station up to the 4th floor. Please be careful as sidewalks can get crowded during the morning rush hour. Search for “Busta Shinjuku” on Google Maps to view the walking route.

Taking a Taxi – A Comfortable 5-Minute Ride for About 500–800 Yen

In addition to arranging a taxi at the hotel front desk, you can use a ride-hailing app. Using a multilingual app allows you to use the service without language barriers. The fare is typically around 500–800 yen. Taxis can drop you off directly at the drop-off area on the 3rd floor of Busta Shinjuku. We recommend taking a taxi for early morning departures or in bad weather.

Steps from booking to boarding the express bus

We recommend booking your bus in advance!

The Shinjuku–Kawaguchiko route operates 49 times a day. Recommended departure times are as follows:

• Early risers: Departs 7:05 AM → Arrives at Kawaguchiko around 8:40 AM (approx. 1 hour 35 minutes)
• Standard Plan: Departs at 7:45 AM → Arrives at Kawaguchiko around 9:30 AM (approx. 1 hour 45 minutes)
• Leisurely Plan: Departs at 8:15 AM → Arrives at Kawaguchiko around 10:00 AM (approx. 1 hour 45 minutes)

Reservations can be made in multiple languages via “Highway Bus.com” or “Hassha Orai Net.” An electronic ticket in the form of a QR code is issued, so printing is not required. One-way fares range from 2,000 to 2,200 yen. Since buses tend to fill up quickly during peak seasons, booking 1 to 2 weeks in advance is recommended.

How to board a bus on the day of travel at Busta Shinjuku

• Step 1: Arrive at the 4th floor (departure level) of Busta Shinjuku at least 20 minutes before departure
• Step 2: Check the boarding gate number (A–D) on the large monitor in the waiting area
• Step 3: Display your QR code e-ticket on your smartphone
• Step 4: Line up at the designated boarding gate and have your ticket checked by the crew

Free Wi-Fi is available inside Busta Shinjuku. You can also ask for assistance at the Information Counter on the 4th floor (7:00 AM–11:00 PM, multilingual support). Please be careful not to miss your bus, as they depart on schedule. Coin lockers and a convenience store are also available on the 4th floor.

Once you arrive at Kawaguchiko Station, transfer to the sightseeing bus using the free pass you purchased online

You can purchase the free pass at the bus ticket counter right outside the ticket gates at Kawaguchiko Station, but if you purchase it online in advance, you can transfer to the bus immediately. You can purchase it as a mobile ticket via the “Fujimusubi Bus Net” smartphone app.

• Kawaguchiko, Saiko, and Motosuko Sightseeing Coupon (1-Day Pass): Adults 1,500 yen, Children 750 yen
• Same (2-Day Pass): Adults 2,000 yen, Children 1,000 yen

A 1-Day Pass is sufficient for a day trip. The sightseeing buses operate on three color-coded routes.

• Red Line: Circulates around Lake Kawaguchi. Runs along the lakeshore and through Oishi Park
• Green Line: Circulates around Lake Sai. Passes through Fugaku Wind Cave and Narusawa Ice Cave
• Blue Line: Circulates around Lake Shoji and Lake Motosu. Runs directly to Lake Shoji and Lake Motosu

You can hop on and off at any bus stop; simply get off to sightsee and then take the next bus to continue your journey.

Sample Itinerary: From Breakfast to Return Home – Fuji Five Lakes 1-Day Schedule

The following schedule is based on the standard itinerary (departing at 7:45 AM). Bus schedules vary by season and day of the week, so please check the official website before boarding.

7:00 AM Breakfast: Grab a light meal before heading to Busta Shinjuku

• BERG: Located on the B1 floor of Lumine Est at JR Shinjuku Station, opens at 7:00 AM. Morning sets start at 429 yen, making them quite affordable. You can stop by on your way to Busta Shinjuku.
• Bakery & Restaurant Sawamura Shinjuku (inside NEWoMan): Located in NEWoMan, which is directly connected to Busta Shinjuku, and opens at 7:00 AM. You can enjoy an authentic breakfast, including freshly baked croissants.

If you’re familiar with the area, leaving the restaurant between 7:20 AM and 7:30 AM should give you plenty of time, but you might get lost. If you’re unsure, check the location of Busta Shinjuku before breakfast, grab a light meal to eat in the waiting area, or wait until you arrive at Lake Kawaguchi to eat. Please note that while rules vary by bus company, eating on the bus is generally considered poor etiquette in Japan. Drinking water is fine, but it’s safer to avoid eating a full meal on the bus.
If you have time, it’s a good idea to buy drinks or Japanese snacks you’re curious about at the convenience store in Busta Shinjuku. Bus service in the Lake Shoji and Lake Motosu areas is infrequent, and wait times can be long, so planning for time to relax in nature—whether eating a snack or reading a book—will help you enjoy the trip more.

7:45 AM Departure from Busta Shinjuku. A journey of about 1 hour and 45 minutes while gazing at Mount Fuji from the window.

You should arrive at the 4th floor of Busta Shinjuku 15–20 minutes before departure. The bus travels along the Chuo Expressway, and if the weather is good, you can see Mount Fuji from the window. The seats are arranged in four rows, and it’s efficient to check the sightseeing bus schedule on your smartphone while on board. You’ll arrive at Kawaguchiko Station around 9:30 AM.
Once you arrive at Kawaguchiko, transfer immediately to the Blue Line and head first to Lake Shojiko. Since buses bound for Lake Shojiko and Lake Motosuko run infrequently, deciding when to visit these two lakes is key to an efficient tour.

10:30 AM Lake Shoji: Take a photo of “Kodaki Fuji” at this tranquil lake surrounded by the Aokigahara Forest (approx. 50 min)

It’s just a few minutes’ walk from the Blue Line “Kodaki Fuji Viewpoint” bus stop to the lakeshore. Lake Shoji is the smallest of the Five Lakes of Fuji and a quiet lake with few tourists. “Kodaki Fuji,” where Mt. Omuro in the foreground and Mt. Fuji in the background overlap, is a popular photo spot. The visit takes about 15 minutes, but the next bus arrives in about 50 minutes. If you have some time to spare, we recommend eating the breakfast you picked up earlier at this point. You could also bring some snacks and have a simple picnic.
Around 11:20 AM, take the Blue Line to Lake Motosu.

11:20 AM Lake Motosu: View the lake where the inverted Mount Fuji featured on the 1,000-yen bill is reflected (approx. 25 min)

Get off at the “Lake Motosu Tourist Information Center” stop on the Blue Line. Lake Motosu has the highest water clarity among the Five Lakes of Mount Fuji. The “inverted Mount Fuji” depicted on the back of the 1,000-yen bill is modeled after the view of Mount Fuji from this lake. However, to see the inverted Mount Fuji, you’ll need to hike for about 30 minutes from the bus stop toward the Nakano-kura Pass Observation Deck. If your primary goal is to see the “Inverted Mount Fuji,” it’s best to make Lake Motosu your main destination rather than just passing through, and to come well-prepared. This time, we’ll walk a few minutes from the bus stop to admire the lakeshore before heading to our next destination. Bicycle rentals are available, so cycling along the lakeshore is also a great option. Around 11:45 AM, we’ll take the Blue Line toward Lake Sai.

12:00 PM Explore the Fugaku Fukei Lava Cave (approx. 30–60 minutes)

Get off at the “Fukei” bus stop on the Blue Line. Admission is 360 yen for adults, and the tour takes about 15 minutes. Fugaku Fukea is a 201-meter-long horizontal lava cave designated as a National Natural Monument. The average annual temperature is about 3 degrees Celsius, so you’ll need a jacket even in summer. The basalt walls absorb sound, creating a unique experience where sounds don’t echo inside the cave.
At the food court on the premises, you can enjoy Fujinomiya yakisoba and Yoshida udon. If you have time, we also recommend the famous Takekawa Udon and Miura Udon. You can also eat at our next destination, Saiko Iyashi no Sato Neba. If you plan to eat here, depart on the Green Line around 1:30 PM; if not, depart around 12:30 PM.。

12:40 PM –1:10 PM Saiko Iyashi no Sato Neba: Experience the traditional Japanese landscape lined with thatched-roof houses (approx. 60–90 min)

Get off at the “Saiko Iyashi no Sato Neba” bus stop on the Green Line. Admission is 500 yen for adults. Saiko Iyashi no Sato Neba is an open-air museum that has restored a village of thatched-roof houses lost in a typhoon in 1966. With over 20 thatched-roof houses lined up against the backdrop of Mount Fuji, the scene is the very essence of traditional Japan. Each house is used for craft workshops or as a souvenir shop.
Saiko Iyashi no Sato Neba also has dining options. At the tea house Seiryutei, you can enjoy matcha and dango (sweet rice dumplings) in the tatami-mat room, as well as curry and beef bowls. At the restaurant Satoyama, you can have udon and hoto (a Yamanashi specialty made with flat noodles simmered in broth), and at the handmade soba shop Mizumo, you can savor freshly made soba noodles. If you haven’t eaten at Fugaku Fukei, it’s a good idea to have a meal here. In either case, around 2:10 PM, take the Green Line via the “Yamanashi Gem Museum/Kawaguchiko” bus stop, then transfer to the Red Line heading toward Kawaguchiko.

3:15 PM Enjoy the spectacular view of Mt. Fuji and seasonal flowers at Oishi Park in Kawaguchiko (approx. 30 min)

Take the Red Line to the “Kawaguchiko Nature Life Center” bus stop. Admission to Oishi Park is free, and the lavender in early summer and the kochia in autumn are spectacular. You can enjoy views of Mt. Fuji regardless of the season. Around 3:40 PM, take the Red Line back to Kawaguchiko.

Lake Yamanaka is something to look forward to next time—the largest of the Fuji Five Lakes, accessible from Shinjuku

Adding Lake Yamanaka to this itinerary would involve too much travel, so I’m introducing it as a candidate for next time. Lake Yamanaka is the largest and highest-altitude lake (980 m above sea level) among the Fuji Five Lakes. It offers a wealth of activities, including swan-shaped sightseeing boats, amphibious buses, and canoeing. It is also famous for the “Diamond Fuji” phenomenon, where the sun rises from the summit of Mount Fuji, which can be seen from autumn through winter.
It takes about 25 minutes from Kawaguchiko Station via the “Fujikko” sightseeing bus, but this is not covered by the 1,500-yen pass for this itinerary. If you wish to include Lake Yamanaka, you will need the “Mt. Fuji & Fuji Five Lakes Passport” (3,300 yen for adults, valid for 2 days). &Here This is an ideal plan for the second day if you are staying at SHINJUKU for multiple nights.

4:00 PM Return Trip: Take the express bus from Kawaguchiko Station back to Shinjuku

Return from Oishi Park to Kawaguchiko Station (arriving around 3:40 PM) and take the express bus to Shinjuku.

• 4:00 PM departure → Arrives at Busta Shinjuku around 5:45 PM
• 4:30 PM departure → Arrives at Busta Shinjuku around 6:15 PM
• Departs at 5:00 PM → Arrives at Busta Shinjuku around 6:45 PM

Since seats are reserved for the return trip as well, we strongly recommend booking this along with your morning bus. You can purchase souvenirs such as Shingen Mochi and dried Yoshida Udon noodles in the area around Kawaguchiko Station.

Return to Shinjuku for dinner and an evening stroll through Shinjuku & Visit Here SHINJUKU

Arrival at Busta Shinjuku is around 5:45 PM to 6:45 PM. After enjoying the great outdoors of the Fuji Five Lakes, head out into the energetic nightlife of Shinjuku.

Dinner at Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho: Experience Showa-era alley culture and the smoke of yakitori

“Omoide Yokocho” at Shinjuku West Exit is an alley packed with bars that have been around since the 1940s and 1950s. The atmosphere of charcoal smoke and red lanterns, accompanied by grilled offal, yakitori, and other skewered dishes, is highly popular among foreign travelers. Many shops offer multilingual menus, so you can simply point to what you want to order. The contrast between the crisp air of the Fuji Five Lakes and the smoky, bustling alleyway offers an experience that lets you savor the multifaceted charm of Japan in a single day. It’s an easy stop, just a 10-minute walk from Busta Shinjuku.

After dinner, head back to &Here SHINJUKU to unpack your souvenirs and plan the next day’s itinerary

It’s about a 15–20-minute walk from Omoide Yokocho to &Here SHINJUKU, or about 5–8 minutes by taxi. You can enjoy the Shingen Mochi and dried udon noodles you purchased at the Fuji Five Lakes right in the mini-kitchen at &Here SHINJUKU. Boiling and eating the dried noodles on the spot is a unique pleasure that comes with a stay that feels like living there. Shinjuku is an ideal base for travel, as day trips to various locations throughout the Kanto region—such as Nikko, Hakone, and Kamakura—are possible the next day and beyond. Staying at &Here SHINJUKU for multiple nights will greatly expand the flexibility of your entire trip.