The Fuji five lakes (Fujigoko) surrounding the iconic Mt. Fuji includes Lake Kawaguchiko, Lake Yamanakako, Lake Saiko, Lake Shojiko and Lake Motosuko, located at the northern base of the mountain.
It is said to be the best places to see Mount Fuji upclose or a good start to climb the mountain. The lake resort areas are also popular for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, fishing and snow sports.
There are also onsen facilities (hot springs) and museums. There's also an amusement park called Fuji Q Highland, with a nerve-wracking roller coaster ride.
Lake Kawaguchiko is the most developed and easiest to access among all the lakes.
Lake Kawaguchiko is the most accessible among the Fuji Five lakes with train and direct bus connections via Tokyo. It is also the most developed, as it holds several attractions such as Kubota Itchiku Museum, Kawaguchiko Museum of Art, Music Forest, Herb hall and more. It also has several ryokan (inns) and hot springs.
Lake Yamanakako is another lake where you can enjoy fishing, tennis, camping and water sports activities. There are also public hot spring baths and restaurants between.
In Lake Saiko, you can enjoy the caves aside from the views of the mountain. There are also outdoor activities which you can enjoy such as camping, boating, and fishing. This is also the place where the infamous suicide forest called Aokigahara Jukai is located.
The smallest among the lakes, Lake Shojiko is located between Lake Saiko and Lake Motosuko. Visitors can enjoy hiking, camping and fishing here, as well as water sports such as jet skiing, and boating.
And lastly, the westernmost, and the most underdeveloped and most dfficult to access, Lake Motosuko. There are few campsites here, and you may also enjoy camping, hiking, boating, and water sports.
It's about 65-75-minute drive to the north west of Minami-Gotemba Station (Gotemba Line)
If you wanted to go hiking and do outdoor sports, make sure you wear the suitable and comfortable clothes.
The official climbing season on Mount Fuji is during July and August. You must plan your itinerary depending on the weather because the mountain may just hide in the clouds and you might not enjoy the trip as well as you expected it.