The Five Lakes of Mt Fuji: Japan's Countryside on Two Wheels

"Some views stop you mid-pedal. Mt Fuji rising above a mirror-calm lake is one of them. Ringing the base of Japan's most famous mountain are five pristine lakes, and cycling between them is one of the loveliest ways to meet the Japanese countryside. It is also, happily, one of the gentlest introductions to touring we offer."

The five lakes, largest to smallest

The Fuji Five Lakes, known locally as Fujigoko, each have their own character. Listed here in order of size, from the largest to the smallest, they are:

• Lake Yamanaka (Yamanakako), the largest, and the highest above sea level.

• Lake Kawaguchi (Kawaguchiko), the most famous, and the easiest to reach.

• Lake Motosu (Motosuko), the deepest, and the one on the old 1,000-yen note.

• Lake Sai (Saiko), the quiet one, wrapped in forest.

• Lake Shoji (Shojiko), the smallest, and perhaps the most serene.

Easy around the water, interesting in between

Here is the honest shape of the riding. Circling any single lake is genuinely easy. Each one has a clearly marked cycle lane that shares the road with light traffic, the gradient is gentle, and you will meet only minor slopes as you make your way around. A rider of modest fitness will feel comfortable and unhurried.

The real challenge, and the real fun, comes when you move from one lake to the next. The lakes sit on different levels, so there is some interesting elevation to tackle in the stretches between them. This is where our support comes into its own. For any guest who would rather not ride a climb, a quick break in the safety vehicle carries you up and over, ready and fresh for the next lakeside segment. You take on exactly as much of the mountain as you wish to.

Days here are comfortable rather than punishing. They are built around gentle lakeside kilometres, with the vehicle shadowing the group the whole way. You ride, you stop for photographs and a warm drink, and you ride again. It is touring at a human pace, which is exactly why first-time riders so often find their confidence beneath Mt Fuji.

Forests, colours and a very pleasant surprise

Between the lakes you will ride through some of the most beautiful alpine forest in Japan. Time your visit for autumn or spring and the whole journey is painted in grand seasonal colour, reds and golds in the cooler months, soft blossoms in the warmer ones. These are the days that turn a bike ride into a memory.

And then there is the mountain itself, which never looks the same twice. From one lake Fuji stands sharp and close, from another it floats hazy beyond the water. On a still morning you may even catch the famous upside-down Fuji, the perfect mirror image the Japanese call Sakasa-Fuji, reflected on the surface of the lake. It is the photograph everyone hopes for, and the lakeshore is exactly where you find it.

Our tour holds one more treat beyond the lakes. We also visit the Yamanashi wine region, where a surprisingly flat and gentle cycle path threads through several vineyards, along with peach and persimmon orchards heavy with fruit in season. It is a soft, sweet contrast to the mountain roads, and a reminder that this region feeds the senses as much as it fills the camera.

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Off the bike, the area rewards you too. Think steaming bowls of the local Hoto noodles, a hot spring bath with a mountain view, and the slow, restorative calm that only the countryside brings after the buzz of the city.

A perfect first taste of Japan

Taken together, this makes the Fuji 5 Lakes tour a wonderful introduction to cycling in Japan. The riding is forgiving, the scenery is world-class, and the support is always close by. If there is one honest downside, it is that Mt Fuji is such a popular destination that premium accommodation here does not come cheaply. We work around that by carefully timing our tours, so that you enjoy both the best riding conditions and the best value we can find for you.

If you have ever dreamed of riding beneath Mt Fuji, this is your invitation. Five lakes, one unforgettable mountain, and a folding bike that makes all of it easy. Our Oveseas Cycling Fuji 5 Lakes Tours are among the most rewarding of all our Japan Brompton Tours, and a beautiful place to begin your riding abroad.

Read more on our Fuji Five Lakes Tour here