Lake Yamanaka vs. Lake Kawaguchi [Must-see comparison]

⭐️Lake Yamanaka: 5-star recommendation! Mount Fuji is closer, and the reflection on the lake is super beautiful
⭐️Kawaguchiko: 4-star check-in, classic but with many tourists
📸Picture guide: The first 8 photos are of the wonderland of Yamanakako, and the photos after the swan boat are of Kawaguchiko
🔥Must-see reminder🔥
Backlight warning! Mount Fuji is usually visible during the following hours:
✅Golden time: AM 6:00 - 11:00
❌Lightning avoidance period: After PM 1:00 (visibility drops sharply)

🚌Transportation Bible
Direct access to Shinjuku (in Tokyo!): Buy tickets on the Highway Bus official website to get directly to Lake Kawaguchi/Lake Yamanaka.
📍Recommended stations: Choose the one that is closest to your accommodation address. If you are going to Kawaguchiko, there is Kawaguchiko Station. If you are going to Yamanakako, you can choose Asahigaoka/Hirano Station (choose Hirano to watch the sunrise). I recommend watching the sunrise at Lake Yamanaka. I stayed at Lake Kawaguchi and Lake Yamanaka for one night each and watched the sunrise both times. I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to see it due to bad weather, so I stayed for two days.

🌅Yamanakako sunrise guide
1️⃣Accommodation: Choose a B&B near Hiranohama! It’s a 5-minute walk to the viewing point, so you can sleep a little longer and it’s convenient to go back and rest after the viewing!
2️⃣📆Time reference (January 18): Depart from Yamanakako B&B at 05:50; ride for 15 minutes to reach the plain at 06:05; arrive at the sunrise point at 06:20, just in time to see the pink Mount Fuji.
3️⃣ Check the weather in advance: Accuweather visibility + Fujimi forecast for double insurance.

🚴Guide to walking around the lake: electric bicycle yyds! 1.5 hours for pure riding, and 3 hours for taking photos.

🦢Two spots to watch swans:
▫️Shiratori Shore: There are a lot of swans, you can buy feed to feed them, there are many shops nearby, it is a bit noisy.
▫️Pirano Secret Realm: Japanese movie feel! You can occasionally encounter 2 swan old actors + a feeding grandpa, with a 200% production rate. There are more little swans than swans.

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