Fuji Shibazakura Festival
The Fuji Shibazakura Festival (富士芝桜まつり, Fuji Shibazakura Matsuri) is one of the best and most popular occasions nationwide to see shibazakura (pink moss or phlox moss in English). The venue of the festival, called Fuji Motosuko Resort, is located about three kilometers south of Lake Motosuko in the Fuji Five Lakes area, offering breathtaking views of vast fields of shibazakura, with Mount Fuji in the backdrop on clear days.
The festival is held typically from mid April to late May or early June. The best time to see the flowers varies from year to year but usually falls into the first three weeks of May. Approximately 800,000 stalks of shibazakura of five varieties are on display, producing delightful fields of pink, white and purple colors in different hues. Festival stalls selling pots of pink moss, shibazakura-themed souvenirs, food and local produce complete the experience.
As the venue of the Fuji Shibazakura Festival can get quite crowded due to its popularity, it is advisable to avoid visiting on weekends or over the Golden Week holidays. Visiting early in the mornings is generally good to avoid congestion and for good visibility, although lighting for photos tends to be better in the afternoon.
Getting there and around
By Shibazakura Liner shuttle bus
A shuttle bus, called the Shibazakura Liner, connects Kawaguchiko Station and the Fuji Shibazakura Festival's venue roughly hourly in about 40 minutes during the festival period. A ticket costs 2500 yen (2450 yen if purchased online) and combines a bus round trip with admission to the festival area.
By regular bus
There is one regular bus every 1-2 hours between Fujisan Station, Kawaguchiko Station, Lake Motosuko and Shin-Fuji Station. During the festival period, some of these buses make a stop outside the festival venue at the Fuji Shibazakura Iriguchi bus stop. The ride takes 50 minutes and costs 1300 yen from Kawaguchiko, or 75 minutes and 1740 yen from Shin-Fuji.
By direct highway bus from Tokyo
During the festival, Fujikyu operates two highway bus round trips per day between Shinjuku and the festival site. The one way trip takes three hours and costs 2750 yen if purchased at the bus terminal or 2450 yen if purchased online. Seat reservations are required.
By bus tour from Tokyo
During the peak of the season, Willer Express offers 1-day bus tours from Tokyo to the festival for 12,800 yen.
Hours and Fees
2024 Shibazakura Festival
Hours
Closed
Admission
Parking: 500-1000 yen per car
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Hotels around Fuji Five Lakes
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Glamping Village Fuji KawaguchikoA glamping resort with Mt.Fuji views. Surrounded by the vast forests with luxurious villas and spacious domed tents. All rooms equipped with private hot spring.View siteSponsored
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Fufu KawaguchikoSet in Fujikawaguchiko, 4.8 km from Lake Kawaguchi, Fufu Kawaguchiko offers accommodation with a garden, free private parking, a shared lounge and a terrace. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, room service and a 24-hour front desk, along with free WiFi throughout the property. Guests can use the sauna and the hot spring bath, or enjoy mountain views. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a balcony and a private bathroom with a bidet. Fufu Kawaguchiko features certain units with lake views, and rooms include a patio. At the accommodation all rooms are fitted with bed linen and towels. Guests at Fufu Kawaguchiko will be able to enjoy activities in and around Fujikawaguchiko, like cycling. Fuji-Q Highland is 7.1 km from the hotel, while Mount Fuji is 28 km away. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 124 km from the property.View on Booking.com
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Fujikawaguchiko Onsen KonansoFeaturing great views of Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi, Konanso boasts natural hot spring baths and large Japanese-style rooms with traditional tatami (woven-straw) flooring. It is only a 2-minute walk from a ferry stop, where guests can board sightseeing cruises. Free WiFi is offered in all areas. Konanso offers indoor and outdoor hot spring baths, a private-use bath (charges apply), and a foot bath on the rooftop. Relaxing massage services can be arranged. Other facilities include karaoke rooms and a lounge bar. A souvenir shop can be found on the ground floor. Guest rooms at Konanso are fitted with futon bedding, a seating area and a flat-screen TV. A Fridge and an electric kettle are also provided. Guests can try on Yukata robes or enjoy free green tea in their room. Some rooms feature an open-air hot spring bath. The property is a 10-minute drive from Kawaguchiko Train Station. A free pick-up service from the station is available upon request. Mount Fuji 5th Station for climbing is a 1-hour bus ride from Kawaguchiko Station. Popular Fuji-Q Highland Amusement Park is a 5-minute drive away, while Gotemba Outlet Shopping Mall can be reached within a 40-minute drive. Seasonal Japanese multi-course meals are served either in a private dining room or in the guestroom. Breakfast can be enjoyed at the dining room.View on Booking.com
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Hotel AsafujiBoasting views of Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi for all rooms and hot-spring baths, Hotel Asafuji provides air-conditioned Japanese-style rooms with a green tea set. Free WiFi available throughout the hotel and free on-site parking is available. Free pick-up service is available from Kawaguchiko Station upon request. The air-conditioned rooms at Hotel Asafuji have Shoji paper screens and a low table with floor chairs and cushions. Each room includes a fridge, private toilet, and guests bathe at the hot-spring baths. Japanese-style futon bedding on a tatami (woven-straw) floor is provided. Yukata robes are offered for guests. Massages are available, and the reception can store luggage. The public hot-spring baths are open from 06:00-09:30 and from 15:00-23:30 daily. A Japanese set breakfast and kaiseki multi-course dinner are available at the on-site restaurant for an extra fee with an advance reservation. Kawaguchiko Station is a 10-minute drive, while Kawaguchiko Ropeway and Lake Kawaguchi's boat dock is a 3-minute drive away from the hotel. Kawaguchiko Music Forest and Kawaguchiko Museum Of Art is a 7-minute drive. Oishi Parkand is a 10-minute drive away, while Fuji-Q Highland amusement park is a 15-minute drive away.View on Booking.com
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HOSTEL MICHIKUSA-YASet in Fujikawaguchiko, less than 1 km from Lake Kawaguchi, HOSTEL MICHIKUSA-YA offers accommodation with a garden, free private parking and a shared lounge. This 3-star hostel offers a shared kitchen and free shuttle service. The property is non-smoking and is located 4.6 km from Fuji-Q Highland. Featuring a shared bathroom with a bidet and a hairdryer, rooms at the hostel also have free WiFi, while selected rooms here will provide you with a mountain view. Mount Fuji is 25 km from HOSTEL MICHIKUSA-YA, while Fujiomuro Sengen Shrine is 700 metres away. The nearest airport is Shizuoka Airport, 121 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com
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Guesthouse HonobonoRenovated in September 2018, Guesthouseほのぼの offers an accommodation with free WiFi in Fujikawaguchiko, 1.3 km from Lake Kawaguchi. Free private parking is available on site on a first-come, first-serve basis as well as prior reservation. Free shuttle service is available upon prior request from the property to Kawaguchiko Station. There is a shared kitchen and lounge at the property. Guests can make some coffee and tea free of charge. Bath amenities including towels, toiletries and toothbrushes are available at the front desk for a fee. Mount Fuji is 16 km from Guesthouseほのぼの, while Shimobe Hot Spring is 26 km away.View on Booking.com
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Fuji Guest House AoLocated in Fujikawaguchiko, 1.7 km from Fuji-Q Highland, Fuji Guest House Ao provides accommodation with a shared lounge, private parking and a terrace. Featuring free bikes, the 1-star hostel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. The property is non-smoking and is set 3.7 km from Lake Kawaguchi. Guest rooms include bed linen. Mount Fuji is 22 km from the hostel, while Mount Kachi Kachi Ropeway is 1.8 km away. Shizuoka Airport is 122 km from the property.View on Booking.com
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Hananoyado YumefujiSituated in Fujikawaguchiko, 2.9 km from Lake Kawaguchi, Hananoyado Yumefuji features each room with a private garden with a terrace. Kawaguchiko Station is just a 5-minute walk away from the villa. Free WiFi is available throughout the property. At the hotel, all air-conditioned rooms are fitted with a wardrobe, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom including free amenities. All rooms also boast a kitchenette with a fridge. Breakfast is served as morning basket (bento) daily at the property. A variety of popular activities are available in the area around the property, including skiing, cycling and hiking. Free public parking is available. On-site concierge service is available. Lake Kawaguchi Ohashi Bridge is 1.8 km from the accommodation. Fujikyu Highland is 1.17 km away.View on Booking.com
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JINYA FujikawaguchikoLocated within 2.8 km of Fuji-Q Highland and 3 km of Lake Kawaguchi, JINYA Fujikawaguchiko provides rooms with air conditioning and a private bathroom in Fujikawaguchiko. The property is around 1.2 km from Mount Kachi Kachi Ropeway, 1.8 km from Lake Kawaguchi Ohashi Bridge and 2.6 km from Fujiomuro Sengen Shrine. The property is non-smoking and is situated 23 km from Mount Fuji. All units in the hotel are equipped with a kettle. Featuring a private bathroom with a bidet and a hairdryer, rooms at JINYA Fujikawaguchiko also provide guests with free WiFi. At the accommodation every room is fitted with bed linen and towels. Oshijuutaku Togawa and Osano’s House is 4.5 km from JINYA Fujikawaguchiko, while Kawaguchi Asama Shrine is 4.7 km away. Shizuoka Airport is 121 km from the property.View on Booking.com
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Mizno HotelOffering beautiful Mount Fuji views from all rooms, public baths, and restaurants, Mizno Hotel is a 5-minute drive from Kawaguchiko Train Station. Located on a hilltop and overlooking Lake Kawaguchi, the hotel serves French dinner with an advance reservation. Guests at Mizno Hotel can sleep in Western-style beds, or experience traditional futon bedding on a tatami (woven-straw) floor in one of the Japanese-style rooms. All rooms are air-conditioned and have an LCD TV and Yukata robes. The shore of Lake Kawaguchi is a 2-minute walk. Fuji-Q Highland amusement park and Fuji-Omuro Sengen Shrine are less than a 15-minute drive from the hotel. On-site parking is free, and free pick-up from Kawaguchiko Station is offered from 14:00-18:00. Mount Fuji 5th Station for climbing is a 1-hour bus ride from Kawaguchiko Station. Guests can relax in the sauna or in the private open-air bath. The hotel has English-speaking staff. The bar, which also has a library, offers a variety of drinks. The sophisticated atmosphere is popular with couples.View on Booking.com
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7c villa and wineryLocated in Fujikawaguchiko, 3.8 km from Lake Kawaguchi, 7c villa and winery provides accommodation with a garden, free private parking, a shared lounge and a terrace. With a restaurant, the 5-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The hotel features a hot tub and a concierge service. Guest rooms at the hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV and a safety deposit box. 7c villa and winery features certain rooms with mountain views, and the rooms are equipped with a balcony. At the accommodation each room comes with bed linen and towels. Fuji-Q Highland is 6.1 km from 7c villa and winery, while Mount Fuji is 27 km away. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 122 km from the property.View on Booking.com
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Experiences around Fuji Five Lakes
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Private One Day Tour Mt. Fuji - Lake Kawaguchiko**Chureito Pagoda Shinto shrine** Famous spot with spectacular views of Mt. Fuji, cherry blossoms and crimson pagodaView on Klook
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Mt Fuji & Five-storied Pagoda & Illumination & Ropeway Day TourEnjoy a fantastic panorama of the Five-Story Pagoda and Mt. Fuji from the popular tourist spot, Arakurayama Sengen ParkView on Klook