Lake Shōji
Lake One of Mount Fuji's five lakes, small volcanic lake
One of Mount Fuji’s Five Lakes, Lake Shōji lies northwest of the peak; visitors come for Fuji views, small-boat rentals, lakeside campsites and nearby onsen.
Lake Shōji is one of the Fuji Five Lakes at the northern foot of Mount Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. It is a comparatively small, quiet lake that offers viewpoints for Mount Fuji on clear days.
The lake is used for light recreational activities such as shore walks, angling and small-boat outings, and it is less developed than some of the other nearby lakes. Many visitors come for unobstructed views of Mount Fuji and for low-impact outdoor activities.
The basin and lake were formed in relation to historic volcanic activity in the Mount Fuji area that created and trapped water bodies around the mountain. The lake is part of the wider Fuji-Hakone-Izu region of volcanic landscape and lakes.
It lies in Yamanashi Prefecture north of Tokyo and is close to the other Fuji Five Lakes and to small tourist towns that serve visitors to the Mount Fuji area.
- Best time for views: Clear, cold mornings in late autumn and winter often give the most dramatic, unobstructed views of Mount Fuji reflected on the lake's surface.
- Character: The lake is small and quieter than nearby Kawaguchiko, making it suited to short walks, fishing and low-key boating rather than heavy tourism.
How to Get to Lake Shōji #
Lake Shōji (one of the Fuji Five Lakes) is on the northwest side of Mount Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture. From Tokyo you can drive via the Chūō Expressway and local prefectural routes - the trip is roughly 100 km and commonly takes about 2 hours by car depending on traffic. By public transport, take the JR Chūō Line from Shinjuku to Ōtsuki, transfer to the Fujikyuko (Fujikyu) Railway to Kawaguchiko Station, then board a local Fujikyu bus toward the Fuji Five Lakes area and alight at a stop serving Lake Shōji; from the nearest bus stop it’s typically a short walk (several hundred metres) to the lakeshore.
Tips for Visiting Lake Shōji #
- Visit at sunrise on a clear day-Lake Shōji frequently gives one of the best, quieter mirror reflections of Mount Fuji among the Fuji Five Lakes.
- Choose Lake Shōji if you want a less-developed, less-crowded Fuji vantage compared with Kawaguchiko; combine an early visit here with other Five Lakes viewpoints for different perspectives.
- Use the local bus connections from the Kawaguchiko area or arrive early by car to find the small parking/viewing spots on the lake's shore before tour buses appear.
Best Time to Visit Lake Shōji #
Spring and autumn are best for clear views of Mount Fuji and comfortable sightseeing around the lake.
Weather & Climate near Lake Shōji #
Lake Shōji's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Continental - Hot-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -6°C to 27°C. Abundant rainfall (1537 mm/year), wettest in August.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 6°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
February
February is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
March
March is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -2°C. Regular rainfall (97 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
April
April is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (119 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
May
May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (131 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
June
June is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C. Significant rainfall (197 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
July
July is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 17°C. Significant rainfall (172 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
August
August is the warmest month with highs of 27°C and lows of 18°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (232 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
September
September is mild with highs of 22°C and lows of 14°C. Heavy rain (228 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
October
October is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (152 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
November
November is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
December
December is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm).
