20 stunning autumn foliage views around the Fuji Five Lakes!

20 stunning autumn foliage views around the Fuji Five Lakes!

Hello, this is Ichiro! 😊 Today, let’s take a walk to see the autumn foliage in my hometown, the Fuji Five Lakes! Friday, November 7, 2025 Arakurayama Sengen Park Today, we’ll visit over 20 famous autumn foliage spots around the Fuji Five Lakes. I hope to introduce you to everything from well-known spots to hidden gems. Once the sun goes down, I plan to go see the illuminated autumn leaves. 😊 This park is the busiest in the Fuji Five Lakes area. I came here first, aiming for a time when there were as few people as possible. If it’s cherry blossom season, this is already too late. Let’s look back now! 😊 Mount Fuji among the maple leaves! ✌️ Let’s look back again! 😊 Next, Mount Fuji wearing a necklace! ✌️ This spring, the park’s parking lot changed from free to a paid parking fee (1,500 yen). As far as I know, this is the highest parking fee ever. 😱 Even in Roppongi, Tokyo, it’s not that expensive. 😅 This park is within the grounds of a shrine. Let’s visit the shrine first. ✌️ Let’s purify our hands and mouths at the chozuya (water purification fountain). I don’t believe in gods, but I always pray when I visit a shrine. 😊 I give thanks to the gods who exist somewhere. 😊 I put in my offering, bow twice, and clap twice. 🙏 Today’s forecast calls for a northerly wind, so it looks like we’ll be able to see Mt. Fuji all day.✌️ No matter how sunny it is, if a southerly wind blows, Mt. Fuji will be hidden by clouds.😱 The first snow fell about two weeks ago.👍 Let’s climb the “Sakuyahime Stairs”! Sakuyahime is the deity of Mt. Fuji. The stairs have 398 (sa-ku-ya) steps. Climbed 398 steps✌️ Chureito Pagoda is a memorial tower for the war dead in Fujiyoshida City. Before it became so popular, you could drive here. A souvenir exclusive to the five-story pagoda?! There are many cherry trees planted on the slope in front, but they’ve lost a lot of their leaves. Cherry blossoms turn red about two weeks earlier than maples. Sorry! I’m out of breath. 😅 Today, I’m planning to visit all the Fuji Five Lakes, so I hurried up the stairs. 😅 A spectacular view of majestic Mt. Fuji and the vermilion-lacquered five-story pagoda. ✌️ This year, I’m lucky enough to be able to see the snow-capped Mt. Fuji and the autumn leaves. Last year, Mount Fuji was not covered in snow during the autumn foliage. The observation deck was renovated and reopened three years ago. When crowded, traffic becomes one-way. The Chureito Pagoda is made of reinforced concrete and was built in 1962. Today, we’ll tour the Fuji Five Lakes, starting from east. The order is Lake Yamanaka, Lake Kawaguchi, Lake Saiko, Lake Shojiko, and Lake Motosu. A long, long time ago, this space was a free parking lot… Heading for the panoramic platform in front! This panoramic observation deck is famous for its silver grass. ✌️ You can enjoy a panoramic view of Mt. Fuji and Lake Yamanaka. ✌️ This observation deck was renovated and reopened exactly one year ago. Lake Yamanaka Myojinyama Panorama Deck Both the observation deck and parking are free ✌️ I’ve included a Google Maps of the places I visited today in the description, so I hope you’ll find it useful 🙏 Next is the sunset shore on the south shore of Lake Yamanaka. The sunset shore is on your right. The walking path continues for about 1 km. It’s a quick drive, but it takes about 10 minutes on foot. We arrived at the free parking lot. It took about 10 minutes to walk from the parking lot to the Sunset shore Observatory. Now, let’s walk nonstop to the main venue near the parking lot! I think the autumn leaves at Lake Yamanaka are the most beautiful of the Fuji Five Lakes. ✌️ But Lake Kawaguchi and Arakurayama are more popular. I have mixed feelings about Lake Yamanaka. I want it to be more popular, but at the same time, I don’t. 🤔 The charm of Lake Yamanaka is its quiet, sophisticated atmosphere. 😊 Tonight, I plan to walk this promenade again when it’s lit up at night. I’m also planning to see the light-up at Lake Kawaguchi. Today, I’ll be traveling around the Fuji Five Lakes for a full day. 😅 This parking lot is always empty, so I highly recommend it. ✌️ The maple tree in front of me is gorgeous again this year. 👍 Enjoy a stroll among the autumn leaves for a while! 😊 Lake Yamanaka “Sunset shore, Autumn Foliage Festival” I walked about 1 km along the promenade! 😊 This is the main venue. Next, we’ll visit the satellite venue on the north shore of Lake Yamanaka. This is the north shore of Lake Yamanaka. Suwa Shrine Suwa Shrine is a satellite venue for the Lake Yamanaka Autumn Leaves Festival. Shrines often have sumo rings, but one this impressive is rare. Yamanaka Suwa Shrine A heart made of fallen leaves 🧡 This is Yamanaka Sengen Shrine Fujisan Museum Park Let’s take a nonstop walk to Kaneyama Falls! KONOHANA Traditional House Cafe This park was renovated and reopened two years ago. It was just renovated, so the maple trees aren’t very big yet. This used to be my favorite spot to see autumn leaves in the Fuji Five Lakes area. 😊 In a few years, the maples will be magnificent. ✌️ The leaves turn red earlier than other areas, so some of the leaves have already fallen. On the left is the Fujisan Museum (admission fee: 400 yen). Kaneyama Falls The illuminations here are breathtaking! ✌️ I’ll come back at night! 😊 Herb Garden Travel Diary This is a very popular garden where you can enjoy flowers all year round! ✌️ In recent years, it has also become known as a famous spot for viewing autumn leaves. Sorry! There’s a small insect on the lens 😱 I’m farsighted, so I didn’t even notice it when I was shooting the video 😅 Autumn leaves on the ivy 😃 This is Oike Park at Lake Kawaguchi. I came to this park to see the yellow leaves of the poplar trees ✌️ Next, we head to Rinsaku Park on the opposite bank. There’s a line for the ropeway to Mount Kachikachi. It’s quicker to reach the summit by walking. ✌️ I’ve climbed Mount Kachikachi many times, but I think I’ve only ever taken the ropeway once. There’s a ropeway station and a sightseeing boat dock near Rinsaku Park. That’s why the parking lot is so spacious. Next, we head to Ubuyagasaki on the opposite shore. Ubuyagasaki Shrine Next, we finally arrive at Lake Kawaguchi’s “Maple Corridor.” To avoid traffic jams, we parked in the farthest parking lot. There’s an admission fee to enter the Forest Music Museum (¥1,800), but the outdoor garden is free. ✌️ The autumn roses are in bloom, so let’s take a look! 😊 Actually, we went into the paid area after this, but we cut it out because it made the video too long. 🙏 It’s a wonderful facility with plenty to see. Please check out my previous videos🙏 North shore of Lake Kawaguchi Let’s walk from here to the “Momiji Corridor”! The maple leaves are so perfect they look like artificial flowers. 😃 This road to the “Momiji Corridor” is called “Momiji Kaido.” The “Momiji Corridor” is in sight! 😃 Before heading to the “Momiji Corridor,” let’s take a look at Mt. Fuji! Mt. Fuji is truly beautiful! 😊 “Momiji Corridor” The most popular spot for viewing autumn leaves in the Fuji Five Lakes! This is the main venue. Every year, the best viewing time for this “Maple Corridor” is delayed by about a week. 😅 By the time the autumn leaves here are at their peak, the autumn foliage at the other Fuji Five Lakes has mostly finished. So, I don’t often visit the “Maple Corridor” at its peak. The mix of red and green leaves is quite beautiful, isn’t it? 👍 The “Maple Corridor” ends at this bridge. From here, the path is called “Oku no Hosomichi.” The autumn leaves in this area are at their peak. We walked along the “Maple Corridor” and “Oku no Hosomichi.” Let’s continue on to the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum! This wonderful museum has even been awarded three stars in the Michelin Guide. Admission is 1,500 yen. Photography of the exhibits is prohibited. Enjoy this three-star garden! 🙏 The cave and the exotic-looking Mother Statue are a must-see! ✌️ Apparently, the cave was created by piling lava rocks over a gushing water source. Try visiting the cafe in front! 😊 It’s said to be quite rare for the water to be at eye level. Oishi Park The line for soft serve ice cream was amazing! 😱 Oishi Park isn’t famous for its autumn foliage, but I came here to see the kochia. You might even be able to see some golden kochia! 🤔 I love the chocolate soft serve ice cream on the second floor! ✌️ The chrysanthemums are in bloom! 😃 If you’re visiting Oishi Park, be sure to stop by Hana Terrace! This is my favorite commercial facility in the Fuji Five Lakes. 🧡 The cherry trees are turning red. 😊 I wonder what color the kochia are. 🤔 The kochia were bright red just a month ago… The kochia field on the left has already been leveled in preparation for the next one. Unfortunately, the kochia was brown, not gold. 😅 It almost looks like the color of chocolate. 😃 This is cool in its own way. 👍 Lake Saiko There’s a foreigner here wearing a kimono. 🤔 What a beautiful kimono. 😃 Next is Lake Saiko Iyashinosato Nenba. Admission is 500 yen. This place is run by the Fujikawaguchiko Town government, and admission is free for local residents. ✌️ Thatched roofs and autumn leaves go together so well. 😊 I’m so happy that so many tourists have come. 😊 Until a few years ago, It’s hard to believe I was always alone! 😊 Fujimi Bridge Amazing view! 😃 Kimono rentals seem to be popular! ✌️ Today, I stopped off at many famous autumn foliage spots to introduce them to you. Today, I was reminded of how wonderful this place is. 😊 The waterwheel is also picturesque. 😊 Wild Bird Forest Park is located very close to Lake Saiko Iyashinosato Nenba. Lake Shoji The view of Mount Fuji from here is called “Child-Hugging Fuji” because the small mountain in the foreground appears to overlap the larger Mount Fuji. The mountain is so close that the sun is already setting. “Child-Hugging Fuji” 😊 Lake Motosu, Koan Campground. I windsurf on this lake nearly 100 days a year. This is also a sacred place for the anime “Laid-Back Camp△.” It seems there’s been a huge increase in foreign campers recently. Would you like to come windsurf with me? 😊 Lake Motosu is also close to the mountains, so the sun sets early. This is the bench in the bathroom where Nadeshiko took her nap. The trailhead to the Old 1,000 Yen Note Observatory. About 30 minutes from the trailhead, you can see the same spectacular view as on the old 1,000 yen note. However, most tourists don’t climb the mountain. I’m not climbing today either. 🙏 Lake Motosu is so mystical today. 👍 I moved to the west shore of Lake Motosu. The mountains are in the distance, and the sun is still shining. Now I’m heading back to Lake Yamanaka to see the light-up. Since I had some time before sunset, I stopped by Koyodai on the way! Admission is 300 yen. From this observation deck, you can see the sea of ​​trees at the foot of Mt. Fuji. ✌️ Lake Motosu, where we were just now. Lake Shojiko is in this direction. Saiko Iyashinosato Nenba. Lake Kawaguchiko is in this direction. Now, let’s head to Lake Yamanaka! It takes about an hour by car from Momijidai to Lake Yamanaka. I’m grateful that I was able to see Mt. Fuji all day today. 🙏 Lake Yamanaka The video is quite long, so I’ve edited it to shorten it. This is the “Bamboo Lanterns” area, which requires a fee of 500 yen. Every year, Lake Yamanaka’s illuminations have a paid area, but this “bamboo lantern” event is the first of its kind this year. It’s so beautiful! 😃 Apparently, traditional Japanese patterns are carved into the bamboo. Auspicious crane and turtle👍 Fujisan Museum Park It has a different atmosphere from Lake Yamanaka😊 Kaneyama Falls Lake Kawaguchi The atmosphere of the illuminated autumn leaves varies depending on the location. 😊 This concludes this video. Today, I walked around the Fuji Five Lakes in the height of its autumn foliage! The leaves were beautiful, but I was also surprised by the number of foreign tourists. 😃 I’m so grateful that they came to the Fuji Five Lakes. 🙏 Thank you for watching this video until the end. See you in the next video!

The autumn leaves at my local Fuji Five Lakes were at their peak, so I went for a walk around all of the lakes.
It was sunny all day, so I was able to stroll around while looking at Mt. Fuji the whole time!
I was surprised by the number of foreign tourists there.

00:00 Opening
02:45 Arakurayama Sengen Park (Parking: ¥1,500) https://maps.app.goo.gl/QiD34spp7Ew7Tier9
12:47 Lake Yamanaka Myojinyama Panorama Deck https://maps.app.goo.gl/2auP3MQsLzrqRDtY7
15:45 Lake Yamanaka “Sunset shore” Autumn Foliage Festival https://maps.app.goo.gl/8cw7747efudEynw38
25:55 Yamanaka Suwa Shrine ~ Yamanaka Sengen Shrine https://maps.app.goo.gl/Q8XTNqbh1BbCaJ5S8
30:44 Fujisan Museum Park ~ Kaneyama Falls https://maps.app.goo.gl/HYfANekGftKCWJYM6
35:55 ​​Herb Garden Travel Diary: Fujikawaguchiko Garden https://maps.app.goo.gl/zA77rRgkMDajYDcq8
40:35 Oike Park https://maps.app.goo.gl/7wGrvKu4KFwhukkHA
43:27 Rinsaku Park https://maps.app.goo.gl/XoxCUTXpD3E5Abtn7
45:32 Ubuyagasaki https://maps.app.goo.gl/xKmVZ6Mvp9Y96sHJ7
47:46 Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum https://maps.app.goo.gl/qwMrsGqH8Yx45HXe9
50:16 Lake Kawaguchi to Momiji Kaido https://maps.app.goo.gl/VZtwvaJsrGvD5PnPA
55:36 Maple Corridor https://maps.app.goo.gl/WY51VeXJWewfmNdf9
58:39 Oku no Hosomichi
01:02:54 Kubota Itchiku Art Museum (Admission: ¥1,500) https://maps.app.goo.gl/uWi9ue8JiuDjdQKF8
01:10:29 Oishi Park https://maps.app.goo.gl/UQw4WCar3oeDLUus5
01:12:32 Hana Terrace https://maps.app.goo.gl/871bn9922qpPTNp68
01:14:52 Brown Kochia Fields
01:17:16 Lake Saiko https://maps.app.goo.gl/1bsJB6nEZ7mKprju7
01:18:37 Iyashino Sato Nenba (Admission fee: ¥500) https://maps.app.goo.gl/uhWs7X2dTsTMz3XT6
01:24:04 Wild Bird Forest Park https://maps.app.goo.gl/C3D39cMBvi2o7a2NA
01:24:27 Lake Shojiko https://maps.app.goo.gl/eqHpTRgHo85bQM5n8
01:25:37 Koan Campground ~ Mount Fuji on the old 1,000-yen bill https://maps.app.goo.gl/BMhSfVotjPd8dARL6
01:28:48 Lake Motosu Parking Lot https://maps.app.goo.gl/vGXiBXkpGebNXjPNA
01:29:24 Koyodai Observatory (Admission fee: ¥300) https://maps.app.goo.gl/sNEwqFfsoD5PELXk7
01:32:12 Lake Yamanaka “Sunset Beach” Autumn Leaves Festival ★ Light-up
01:36:07 Bamboo Lanterns (Admission fee: ¥500)
01:38:54 Fujisan Museum Park ~ Kaneyama Falls ★ Light-up
01:41:19 Lake Kawaguchiko Momiji Corridor ~ The Narrow Road to the Deep North ★ Lighting Up

Shooting date: ovember 7, 2025

Official Website
Fujikawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival https://fujisan.ne.jp/pages/433/
Lake Yamanakako “Sunset shore” Autumn Leaves Festival https://lake-yamanakako.com/event/10439
Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum https://kawaguchikomusicforest.jp/
Itchiku Kubota Art Museum https://www.itchiku-museum.com/

Watch more:
🔴 Roses at the Music Forest Museum 2024 https://youtu.be/5vllaT4vVA8

*Google Translate was used for the translation. The translation may not be accurate.
*The information in the video may not be 100% accurate.

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