6 Best Sights in Side Trips from Tokyo, Japan

A 5- to 10-minute walk north from Kawaguchi-ko Station, the most developed of the five lakes is ringed with weekend retreats and traditional ryokan—many of them maintained by companies and universities for their employees. Excursion boats depart from a pier here on 30-minute lake tours (¥1,000). The promise, not always fulfilled, is to have two views of Mt. Fuji: one of the mountain itself and the other inverted in its reflection on the water. Other attractions near the lake include Fuji-Q Highland amusement park and the impressive kimono collection at the Itchiku Kubota Museum.

Lake Motosu is the deepest, clearest, and farthest west of the five lakes (about 50 minutes by bus from Kawaguchi-ko). As it's also one of the least developed of the lakes, it's a good spot for hikers and nature lovers. If you want to see it without visiting, take a look at a ¥1,000 bill; Motosu is pictured on the reverse side.

Between lakes Shoji and Kawaguchi, Sai is the third-largest lake of the Fuji Go-ko, with only moderate development. From the western shore there is an especially good view of Mt. Fuji. Near Sai-ko there are three natural caves, an ice cave, a bat cave, and a wind cave. You can either take a bus or walk to them.

Many consider Lake Shoji, the smallest of the lakes, to be the prettiest. There are still remnants of lava flow jutting out from the water, which locals perch upon while fishing. The 17-km-long (10.5 miles) Shoji Trail leads from Lake Shoji to Mt. Fuji's Fuji-Subaru Line 5th Station through Aoki-ga-hara (Sea of Trees). This forest has an underlying magnetic lava field that makes compasses go haywire. Be prepared with a good trail map before taking this hike.

The largest lake of the Fuji Go-ko, Yamanaka is 35 minutes by bus to the southeast of Kawaguchi. It's also the closest lake to the popular Yoshida Trail up Mt. Fuji that starts at Fuji-Subaru Line 5th Station, and many climbers use this resort area as a base.

On the northern shore of peaceful Yunoko (Lake Yuno), a series of isolated hot springs were a popular with 14th-century aristocrats. Today, the area is still known for its hot springs—being able to soak in an onsen even when temperatures drop below zero is a major plus—but they are now controlled by separate resorts. Besides the healing and relaxing effects of the baths, visitors come for the hiking trails, fishing, camping, skiing, bird-watching, and mountain-climbing opportunities. Try to avoid the fall season, as it's peak visitor time and there are always delays.