Lake Kawaguchiko is the easiest of Fuji's five lakes to reach from Tokyo, and it sits just north of the mountain, which means on a still morning you get Fuji reflected in the water and looking twice its actual size. That's really the whole appeal in one sentence, but getting the best of it takes a bit of planning.

A few things I'd tell you before you go. You can do this trip on public transport, but a car opens up a lot more of the list, and I found the easiest way was taking the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Mishima and hiring a car from there. If you're staying overnight, the north shore has the hotels, the ryokans and most of the famous spots, while the south shore puts you closer to the mountain but takes the lake out of the shot. And Fuji is properly moody. It's clearest at sunrise and the cloud builds through the day, so if you can manage an early start, do it.

Here's the list, counting down to the one everyone actually comes here for.

7. Lawson convenience store

There's a Lawson just south of Kawaguchiko station that people fly to Japan specifically to photograph. Fuji rises directly behind it and somehow it just works. Go early because by 9am there's already a queue on the pavement, and grab breakfast while you're there because Japanese convenience store food alone is worth the stop.

Lawson convenience store with Mount Fuji rising behind it

Yes, it's a Lawson. Yes, people queue for this.

6. The north shore lake reflections

This is why everyone comes to this lake in the first place. On a calm morning Fuji reflects perfectly in the water and basically doubles in size. Ubuyagasaki has a dedicated viewpoint and it's quieter than most of this list, but honestly almost anywhere on the north shore gives you a version of this. One of my favourite moments of the whole trip was just opening the curtains of our ryokan room and finding this waiting outside.

Mount Fuji seen from a ryokan window over the lake

Waking up to this was worth the whole detour.

Mount Fuji reflected in the still water of the lake

On a calm morning the lake turns into a mirror.

5. Honcho Dori, Fujiyoshida

Ten minutes east of the lake is a long straight street with Fuji framed perfectly at the end of it. It's become a bit of a social media moment recently, and being boxed in by buildings on both sides genuinely makes the mountain look bigger than it is.

4. Tenku no Torii

Up a forested hill on the north shore, this is a small worship site with two red torii gates and Fuji sitting right behind them. It costs 200 yen to get in and you'll need a car. If I'm honest it feels a little bit like a tourist trap once you're standing there, but the view is still genuinely spectacular and I'd go back.

Walking toward the red torii gates with Mount Fuji behind them

Tourist trap or not, the view earns its spot on the list.

Small detour while you're in the area: try the hoto noodles. Thick flat noodles in a miso broth with slow cooked pumpkin, and after a cold morning chasing a mountain it's exactly what you need.

A bowl of hoto noodles in miso broth

Soul food after a cold morning outdoors.

3. Oishi Park

The most open, unobstructed view on this list. Wide lake in front, mountain behind, and depending on the season the whole park is full of flowers, lavender, nemophila, sunflowers, take your pick. You can get here on the Red Line bus so you don't need a car, though it does get busy. There's a coffee shop nearby too, and having a sakura matcha with Fuji in the window might be the most Japanese thing I did on the whole trip.

Walking through the flower fields at Oishi Park with Mount Fuji ahead

Wide open, and full of flowers depending when you go.

Kiran smiling by the lake with Mount Fuji in the background

Still can't quite believe this was the view most mornings.

2. Kachi Kachi ropeway

Every other spot on this list is at lake level. This one flips it. The ropeway takes you up Mount Tenjo so you're looking down at the lake with Fuji rising behind it, and the geography of the whole area finally makes sense from up there. It's walkable from the station, but go early or go at sunset, because the queues build up by mid morning.

1. Chureito Pagoda

You've seen this one already, even if you didn't know the name. Every classic shot of Japan with a red pagoda and Fuji behind it, this is where it's taken. It sits at the top of a hill about ten minutes by car from the lake, and you earn the view with 400 steps. We went twice. Once at sunrise when it was completely clouded over, and once later in the day when Fuji finally showed up, along with everyone else. But when it clears, you understand immediately why people make the trip.

Walking down the steps from Chureito Pagoda with the city view below

The 400 steps down, city spread out below.

Go early, stay patient, and don't leave without seeing at least three of these. Full video below if you want to see all seven in motion.