Lake Kawaguchi’s New Oishi Park Ferry: Skip the Bus to the Best Fuji View
Lake Kawaguchi's new Oishi Park ferry (from 17 July 2026) crosses straight to the postcard Mt Fuji viewpoint, skipping the crowded bus. Route, set ticket and tips.
Chubu
Travel guides and hidden gems in the Chubu region of Japan
Central Japan · Alpine Spine
Chubu — where Mt. Fuji, the Kiso Valley, and the Japan Alps converge.
Yamanashi, Nagano, Gifu, Shizuoka — the prefectures with the highest concentration of HJG fieldwork.
Chubu is the geographical and emotional center of HJG. It contains Mt. Fuji, the Japan Alps, the Kiso Valley post towns, Kamikochi, and the Yamanashi lakes. Many of the most-read articles on this site live in Chubu prefectures.
When to visit
April for cherry blossom along Mt. Fuji. July to early September for the climbing season (Mt. Fuji, Northern Alps). October for autumn at Kamikochi and Naraijuku. December for Mt. Fuji visibility at its annual peak.
How to get there
JR Tokaido Shinkansen passes through Shizuoka/Nagoya; Hokuriku Shinkansen reaches Nagano, Kanazawa and on to Tsuruga. Mt. Fuji area: Kawaguchiko via Otsuki, then Fujikyuko Line. Kiso Valley: JR Chuo Main Line — Narai has its own station; Magome and Tsumago need a short bus link.
Plan a trip to Chubu
StayHotels in the Fuji areaKawaguchiko, Yamanakako, Fujiyoshida free-cancellation filter.RyokanTraditional ryokanStrongest inventory for Yamanashi, Nagano, and Gifu rural inns.RailJR Pass for the whole region7-day pass covers Tokaido + access to all Chubu prefectures.DriveRental car for the AlpsKamikochi requires bus from Sawando, but Northern Alps base towns need a car.
All Chubu articles
Hanoi to Mt Fuji on Vietjet: Is Shizuoka Airport a Good Gateway to Kawaguchiko?
Vietjet's new Hanoi–Mt Fuji Shizuoka Airport flight (2026): how far the airport really is from Fuji, getting to Kawaguchiko, and where Shizuoka Airport actually shines.
Why Is Mt Fuji a World Heritage Site? Faith, Art & the 25 Component Parts (2026)
Mt Fuji is a UNESCO cultural — not natural — World Heritage Site. A Fujiyoshida local explains the 2013 listing, its faith-and-art story, and the 25 component parts.
How to Reserve & Pay the Mt Fuji Climbing Permit (2026, Yoshida Trail)
Step-by-step English guide to reserving and paying the 4,000 yen Mt Fuji Yoshida-trail permit via Asoview, with real screenshots of the booking flow.
The New Midnight Bus to Mt Fuji 5th Station: 2026 Guide
Fujikyu's new deep-night bus runs Shinjuku to Mt Fuji's 5th Station in 2026. Fares, how foreign visitors book, and who the bus really suits.
Pandian: A Wood-Fired, Natural-Yeast Bakery on Lake Kawaguchi
Pandian is a wood-fired, natural-yeast bakery on Lake Kawaguchi - dense, hard Jomon-style loaves and soft koji steamed buns, in a wooden house up the stone steps.
Aozora Ichiba: Cheap Kawaguchiko Fruit & Veg at Fuji’s Foot
Aozora Ichiba is a super-cheap open-air greengrocer on Lake Kawaguchi's north shore - bargain fruit and veg near Mt Fuji, with prices, hours, access and the honest catch.
Kinomiya Kenko Pan: Atami’s Kogashi Manju by Kinomiya Shrine
Kinomiya Kenko Pan in Atami makes kogashi manju, a roasted-barley steamed bun sold as a Kinomiya Shrine specialty. What it is, the shop's hours and how to visit.
Farmers Gotemba: A JA Farm Market (and New Fish Counter) at Mt. Fuji’s Foot
Farmers Gotemba, the JA Fuji-Izu farm market at the foot of Mt. Fuji: highland vegetables, Shizuoka wagyu, Koshihikari rice, local flowers and a new fresh-fish counter.
Toraya Kobo, Gotemba: Wagashi and Tea in a Forest at the Foot of Mt. Fuji
Toraya Kobo is the famous wagashi house's forest workshop-cafe in Gotemba, at the foot of Mt. Fuji - a thatched gate, a bamboo garden, and freshly made seasonal sweets with tea.
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