Japan
Lake Kawaguchiko (Mt Fuji) in January
❄️ WinterCold and some showers.
🎒 Pack: winter coat, gloves & hat
Why January scores 8.2What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort6.7
- !Cold (6°C highs / -6°C lows)
- ✓Comfortable humidity (dew point -5°C)
- ✓Mostly dry (~61 mm rain)
- Air quality9.8
- ✓Good (within WHO guideline) (PM2.5 ~6 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards10.0
- ·No notable seasonal hazards
- Safety baseline9.0
- ·Normal precautions
| Jan | May | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 8.2 Very good | 9.0 Excellent |
| Season | ❄️ Winter | 🌿 Late spring |
| High / low | 6° / -6° | 21° / 9° |
| Rain | 61 mm | 123 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt -5° | dew pt 10° |
| PM2.5 | 6 µg/m³ | 11 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Kawaguchiko weather-station normals. Rainfall: Kawaguchiko weather-station normals (national met service).
Holidays & crowdsJanuary 2027
Holiday weekA long local holiday falls this month. Expect crowds at sights, fuller trains and flights, and higher hotel prices on those dates. Book ahead.
- New Year 1–3 Jan · 3 days off in a row
- Coming of Age Day 9–11 Jan · 3 days off in a row
- Year-end & New Year break 29 Dec – 3 Jan
Most businesses and some attractions close; trains and flights are busy around the start and end. Source: Japan National Tourism Organization
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Nature calendarBlossoms, leaves & seasons in Lake Kawaguchiko (Mt Fuji)
- Snowy daysIn JanuaryTypical datesSnow likely Dec–Apr (most in Feb: ~10 days)
Average number of days with snowfall at Kawaguchiko. About 28 cm of snow falls in an average Feb.
Source: Kawaguchiko weather-station normals (national weather service, via Wikipedia climate table)
Explore Lake Kawaguchiko (Mt Fuji)Events, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyThe most visited of the Fuji Five Lakes, a resort area at the northern foot of Mt Fuji known for lake views of the mountain, onsen and seasonal flowers.
New Year (Hatsumōde)Across Japan
Shrine visits, temple bells and traditional foods to start the year.
Chinese New YearAcross Japan
Lunar celebrations in Yokohama Chinatown and Nagasaki.
Coming up later
Fuji Shibazakura FestivalDate variesUsually mid-April to late May
Fields of pink moss phlox in bloom with Mt Fuji as a backdrop.
Why go: Weekends and Golden Week bring heavy traffic; go on a weekday morning if you can.
Where: Near Lake Motosu, west of Kawaguchiko
Yoshida Fire FestivalEvery year26–27 August every year
Tall torches are lit along the main street to mark the end of the Mt Fuji climbing season.
Why go: It is in neighbouring Fujiyoshida, a short bus or train ride from Kawaguchiko.
Where: Fujiyoshida, near Kitaguchi Hongū Fuji Sengen Shrine
Fuji Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves FestivalDate variesUsually early to mid-November
Maple trees along a lakeside corridor are lit up at night during peak autumn colour.
Why go: Peak colour timing varies by year; check foliage reports before going.
Where: Momiji Corridor on the north shore of Lake Kawaguchi
Lake Kawaguchi shorelinegreat in Jan
Walking and cycling paths around the lake with classic views of Mt Fuji across the water.
💡 Fuji is most often visible on clear, cold mornings in late autumn and winter; it is frequently hidden by cloud in summer.
Oishi Park
A lakeside park on the north shore with flower beds and direct views of Mt Fuji.
💡 Lavender blooms here in late June to July, and kochia bushes turn red in autumn.
Chūreitō Pagoda (Arakurayama Sengen Park)
A five-storey pagoda on a hillside in nearby Fujiyoshida, framed with Mt Fuji behind it.
💡 Reached by a long flight of steps; cherry blossom season in April is very crowded.
Mt Fuji Panoramic Ropeway
A short ropeway from the lakeshore up Mt Tenjo for views over the lake to Mt Fuji.
Saiko Iyashi no Sato Nenba
A reconstructed village of thatched-roof houses by Lake Saiko with craft workshops and Fuji views.
Climbing Mt Fuji
The Yoshida Trail starts from the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station, reached by bus from the Kawaguchiko area.
💡 The official climbing season is only about early July to early September; outside it the trails are closed.
Hōtō
Thick flat noodles simmered with pumpkin and vegetables in a miso broth, Yamanashi's signature dish.
💡 Hōtō restaurants around Kawaguchiko station and the lakeshore
Yoshida udon
Very firm, chewy udon from neighbouring Fujiyoshida, often topped with cabbage and horse meat.
💡 Small udon shops in Fujiyoshida
Shingen mochi
Soft rice cakes dusted with roasted soybean flour, eaten with brown sugar syrup.
💡 Souvenir shops and stations across Yamanashi
Yamanashi fruit
Yamanashi is Japan's leading producer of peaches and grapes, sold fresh in summer and early autumn.
💡 Roadside stands and local shops
Shingen mochi
Yamanashi's best-known boxed sweet, packed in individual portions with a small bottle of syrup.
💡 Kawaguchiko station and souvenir shops
Yamanashi wine
Wine from Japan's leading wine-producing prefecture, often made from the local Koshu grape.
💡 Liquor and souvenir shops
Mt Fuji-themed goods
Sweets, ceramics and stationery shaped or decorated like Mt Fuji.
💡 Shops around the lake and station
Airport transfer Kiwitaxi
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