The Transportation Challenge

The Fuji Five Lakes area is beautiful but spread out, and public transportation to specific campgrounds is limited. Unlike Tokyo anime pilgrimages where a metro pass covers everything, a Yuru Camp pilgrimage requires more planning. This guide breaks down every access option so you can make it work without a car — or decide whether renting one is worth it.

Getting to the Fuji Five Lakes Area

From Tokyo to Kawaguchiko

Kawaguchiko Station is the main gateway to the Fuji Five Lakes. Options from Tokyo:

🗻 Book Mt. Fuji & Kawaguchiko Tour →
  • Fuji Excursion limited express: Direct from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko, about 2 hours, ¥4,130. Scenic route, reserved seating. Runs 2 to 3 times daily — check timetable and book in advance.
  • Highway bus: From Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal (Busta Shinjuku), about 2 hours, from ¥2,000 one-way. More frequent departures than the train. Book via Fujikyu Bus or Highway Bus Dot Net.
  • JR + Fujikyu Railway: JR Chuo Line to Otsuki, then Fujikyu Railway to Kawaguchiko. About 2.5 hours total. JR Pass covers the segment to Otsuki; Fujikyu Railway portion costs about ¥1,200.

Reaching the Campgrounds

Kouan Campground (Lake Motosu)

This is the trickiest access point for non-drivers. Kouan is on the western shore of Lake Motosu, the most remote of the five lakes.

  • Bus: From Kawaguchiko Station, take the Fujikyu bus toward Shimobe/Minobu. Get off at the Motosu-ko (Lake Motosu) stop. There is approximately 1 bus per day on this route, so timing is critical. Check the current timetable at Kawaguchiko Station's tourist information office on the day of travel.
  • Alternative bus: Some seasonal/tourist buses run from Kawaguchiko to the Lake Motosu area, but schedules vary by season.
  • Taxi: From Kawaguchiko Station to Kouan Campground, about 40 minutes, approximately ¥6,000 to ¥8,000 one-way. Expensive but reliable.
  • Rental car: Available at Kawaguchiko Station from about ¥5,000 per day. This is the most practical option if you plan to visit multiple campgrounds.

Important: With only 1 bus per day, missing it means being stranded. If relying on public transit, confirm the return bus time before committing to Kouan.

Fumotoppara Campground

Fumotoppara is south of the lakes on the Shizuoka Prefecture side of Mount Fuji.

  • From Kawaguchiko: No direct public bus. Take a bus or train to Fujinomiya Station, then taxi (about 30 minutes, approximately ¥4,000). Or rent a car from Kawaguchiko (40-minute drive).
  • From Tokyo direct: Highway bus from Shinjuku to Fujinomiya, then taxi to Fumotoppara.

Hottarakashi Onsen

  • From Kawaguchiko: Take the Fujikyu Railway to Otsuki, transfer to JR Chuo Line to Yamanashi-shi Station, then taxi (15 minutes, about ¥2,500).
  • From Kofu: JR Chuo Line to Yamanashi-shi Station, then taxi.
  • No bus service to the onsen — taxi or car only from the station.

Where to Eat

Houtou Noodles — Yamanashi's Soul Food

Houtou (ほうとう) is Yamanashi Prefecture's iconic dish and appears multiple times in Yuru Camp. These are thick, flat udon-like noodles simmered in a rich miso-based broth with kabocha squash, root vegetables, mushrooms, and sometimes pork. The pot is served bubbling hot, making it perfect after a cold day of winter camping.

  • Houtou Fudou (ほうとう不動): The most famous houtou restaurant chain in the Fuji Five Lakes area. Multiple branches around Kawaguchiko and Lake Shoji. The Kawaguchiko Ekimae (station front) branch is most accessible. A standard houtou pot costs about ¥1,100.
  • Kosaku (小作): Another well-known chain with a Kawaguchiko branch. Slightly more variety in their menu. Houtou from ¥1,200.
  • At camp: True Yuru Camp fans cook their own houtou at the campsite. Instant houtou kits are available at supermarkets and convenience stores in the area for about ¥500.

Other Local Foods

  • Yoshida Udon: A firmer, chewier udon style from Fujiyoshida City, near Kawaguchiko. Served in a soy and miso broth with cabbage and horse meat (yes, horse meat). Very affordable at ¥400 to ¥600 per bowl.
  • Fuji spring water coffee and tea: The area's clean spring water makes excellent coffee. Several cafes near Kawaguchiko Station and Oshino Hakkai specialize in spring water brewing.
  • Convenience store camp food: In the spirit of the anime, stock up at the FamilyMart or Lawson near Kawaguchiko Station for camp cooking ingredients. The characters frequently shop at convenience stores before heading to camp.

Accommodation Options

Campgrounds (The Authentic Choice)

  • Kouan Campground: ¥1,000 per person, lakeside tent sites, minimal facilities, maximum atmosphere
  • Fumotoppara: ¥2,000 to ¥3,500 per person, vast open field, excellent facilities including showers, reservation required
  • Lake Shoji campgrounds: Several small campgrounds on the quieter Lake Shoji, from ¥500 to ¥1,500. Less famous but more secluded.
  • Rental gear: If you did not bring camping equipment, some campgrounds and outdoor shops in Kawaguchiko offer rental tents, sleeping bags, and cooking gear. Check availability in advance, especially in peak season.

Non-Camping Accommodation

  • Budget (¥3,000 to ¥5,000): Hostels and guesthouses near Kawaguchiko Station. K's House Mt. Fuji is popular with international travelers and has common areas for meeting fellow fans.
  • Mid-range (¥6,000 to ¥12,000): Lakeside hotels and pensions around Lake Kawaguchi. Many have onsen baths and Fuji views. Fuji Lake Hotel offers rooms with direct lake and mountain panoramas.
  • Ryokan (¥15,000+): Traditional Japanese inns with multi-course dinners, futon beds on tatami floors, and private or shared onsen. The Kawaguchiko onsen district on the lake's north shore has several excellent options.

Planning Tips

  • Car rental is strongly recommended for visiting multiple Yuru Camp locations. Reserve in advance at Kawaguchiko Station.
  • Download offline maps — cell service is spotty at remote campgrounds and on mountain roads
  • Winter camping gear is non-negotiable from November to March. Nighttime temperatures at Lake Motosu can drop to -10C.
  • The Fuji Five Lakes area gets very crowded during Golden Week (late April to early May) and Obon (mid-August). Book everything well in advance for these periods.
  • Check Mount Fuji visibility forecasts on weather sites — there is nothing more disappointing than camping at Kouan with Fuji hidden behind clouds
  • Carry cash — many small campgrounds, rural restaurants, and bus fares do not accept credit cards or IC cards