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For travel and photography enthusiasts, autumn in Japan is always a dazzling dream. And if you had to choose a "golden spot" to admire the most perfect autumn scenery, nothing surpasses Lake Kawaguchi in Yamanashi Prefecture. This place is not only an ideal viewpoint for Mount Fuji but also boasts a famous autumn foliage route, attracting visitors seeking the magical moment: the image of Mount Fuji reflected on the tranquil lake.
The vibrant red ink-painted path leads to the "foot of the sacred mountain".
In the cool, crisp days of late autumn and early winter, with ideal temperatures of around 14-17 degrees Celsius, the peaceful village by Lake Kawaguchi seems to don a magnificent wedding dress. The rows of maple trees along the lake shore turn a vibrant red, creating a charming path of leaves.
Enjoy the autumn colors of Japan.
In the gentle sunlight and clear autumn sky, the vibrant red of the maple leaves stands out, contrasting sharply with the turquoise blue of the lake. The perfect highlight is the majestic Mount Fuji in the distance, its snow-capped peak gradually appearing. The combination of the red-leafed path, the tranquil lake, and the awe-inspiring Mount Fuji creates a poetic scene, as beautiful as a traditional ink painting.
Take a leisurely stroll, enjoying the natural surroundings and the gentle breeze. The rarest and most memorable moment is when the lake is calm, allowing visitors to capture a perfect reflection of Mount Fuji – a stunning natural wonder.
To fully appreciate the beauty of the lake and mountains, visitors should try a boat tour in Kawaguchi, which is affordably priced (around 1,000 yen for adults).
Oshino Hakkai Village
An autumn foliage hunt by Lake Kawaguchi would be incomplete without visiting Oshino Hakkai Village (忍野八海), a UNESCO World Heritage site located just 15 minutes from the lake. This ancient village, known as the "spring of the gods," boasts many interesting attractions.
Oshino Hakkai is notable for its eight pristine freshwater lakes, fed by the melting snow and ice of Mount Fuji. This process takes decades, as water seeps through porous basalt rock layers formed over thousands of years, creating water of astonishing clarity (with a stable temperature of around 13 degrees Celsius), to the point where you can clearly see individual pebbles and algae at the bottom of the lakes.
The ancient village preserves traditional Japanese architecture with quaint thatched-roof houses surrounded by lush green rice paddies and vegetable gardens. The combination of peaceful rural scenery, crystal-clear water, and the majestic view of Mount Fuji creates a feeling straight out of a comic book. Before exploring the village, visitors are invited to participate in a hand-washing ritual at the sacred pools – an act signifying purification and reverence for the spiritually auspicious water from Mount Fuji.
When traveling to Japan in autumn, most tourists choose Lake Motosuko (located west of Mount Fuji) and Oishi Park to relax and capture the most enchanting moments of the red foliage surrounding the mountain.
To have a perfect trip to this "golden spot," visitors should note that in Kawaguchi, the maple leaves are usually at their most vibrant in early November. Plan carefully to avoid missing the peak of the "red autumn colors." Also, remember to choose accommodation near the lake or the foot of Mount Fuji, which will give you more time to capture beautiful photos, especially in the early morning or at sunset, when the light and the lake create the most stunning reflections. Don't forget to bring comfortable shoes, as you will be doing a lot of walking on the leafy paths and around the lakes.
Kawaguchi is not only captivating with its vibrant autumn colors, but it's also an ideal stop to admire the snow-capped beauty of Mount Fuji in early winter – a dreamlike sight. During the most beautiful days of the year, it's time for travel enthusiasts to pack their bags and head to Kawaguchi to capture these shimmering autumn moments along this legendary route.
