Japan Unlocking

Fuji Five Lakes · Lakeside near Kawaguchiko Station (Funatsu)

Kawaguchiko Sightseeing Cruise "Appare"

How to get there and what to see · facts checked 2026-10-24

A pleasure boat styled after the warships of the Takeda clan, a samurai family of the 16th century. From the upper deck you get open views of Mt. Fuji and the lake.

Nearest station
10 min walk from Kawaguchiko Station
Hours
Regular season 9:00-16:30; Golden Week and summer (mid-July to August) 9:00-17:30; winter (Nov-Mar) 9:30-16:00. From 1 Nov 2026 to 31 Mar 2027: 9:30-16:00, every 30 minutes
Admission
Adults (junior high and older) 1,000 yen; elementary school children 500 yen; preschoolers free

What to see

  • Upper deck: on a clear day you get an unobstructed view of Mt. Fuji and a 360-degree panorama.
  • Tatami-style cabin: a light-wood interior with a large monitor that introduces Mt. Fuji and the area's history and sights.
  • Takeda crest props: you can borrow a war fan and a coat marked with the Takeda diamond crest for photos.
  • Unoshima island: the only island among the Fuji Five Lakes, in the middle of this lake.
  • Upside-down Fuji: only in good weather conditions can you see the mountain reflected on the water.

Seasons

  • Operating hours are shorter in winter (November to March).

History

The design is based on the atakebune, a large warship used by the Takeda navy in the Sengoku (warring states) period. The waiting room displays old photos of the lake from the operator's early days.

Getting there

A ten-minute walk from Kawaguchiko Station. The pier is on the Funatsu shore, in front of the prefectural free car park. A local bus (about 5 minutes, "Kawaguchiko Yuransen-mae" stop) also runs from the station.

Address:Funatsu shore, Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi

Directions in Google Maps →Official website →

Before you go

Closed on these Tuesdays: 1, 8, 15 and 22 December 2026, and 19 and 26 January 2027. Sailings may be cancelled in bad weather. The cruise circles the lake in about 20 minutes. Since July 2026 a separate boat, the Oishi Park Line, links the Funatsu pier and Oishi Park (about 15 minutes one way, adults 1,000 yen).

Around Lake Kawaguchi

Tap a red pin to open that sight's page.

Nearby sights

← Fuji Five Lakes guide: trains from Tokyo

Sources

Hours, prices and history come from the official websites and public tourism pages listed here. They can change, so check the official site before you go.

Map data:© OpenStreetMap contributors