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Home - Travel - Sightseeing Guide - Chubu - Fuji Five Lakes
Lake Sai (Saiko)
# 3   of 4 sights
in Fuji Five Lakes

Lake Sai (Saiko, lit. "Western Lake"), is smaller and much less developed than neighboring Lake Kawaguchi. It is surrounded by wooded mountains, forests and several camp sites.

The views of Mount Fuji from the lake shores is partly blocked by a mountain range south of the lake, but there are beautiful, full views of the volcano from the lake's western shores.

A network of pleasant hiking trails covers the mountains and hills surrounding the lake, as well as the Aokigahara Jukai, lit. "Aokigahara tree ocean", an expansive forest south of the lake, famous for people getting lost.

Koyodai is an observation point in the hills south of the lake, accessible in an easy 30-40 minute hike from the closest bus station.

Several lava caves, formed during past eruptions of Mount Fuji can be found in the vicinity of Lake Sai. Three of them, the Ice Cave, Wind Cave and Bat Cave, have been developed for tourists.

How to get there
From Kawaguchiko Station, the "Saiko-Aokigahara" retro bus line provides an hourly connection (slightly reduced service in winter) to Lake Sai, circling the lake in a clockwise direction and stopping at the three lava caves. Fares depend on the distance traveled, and there is a two day pass for 1000 Yen.

Beside the "Retro Bus", there are regular buses from Kawaguchiko Station to the ice and wind caves and to the shores of Lake Sai. However, especially during the winter months, service tends to be rather infrequent.

How to get to the Fuji Five Lakes

News and Reports
Fuji Five Lakes Autumn Color Report
November 9, 2009
Mount Fuji Autumn Color Report
October 28, 2009
Fuji Five Lakes Cherry Blossom Report
April 16, 2009

Travel Community
Popularity of Lake Saiko:
Users who have been to Fuji Five Lakes: 493
Users who have been to Lake Saiko: 86

3rd of 4 most visited sights in Fuji Five Lakes.
210th of 554 most visited sights nationwide.

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User Rating (by 42 users):
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