Hike to Mount Mitsutoge, Mount Kachi Kachi & Lake Kawaguchi

A couple of weeks ago, I went on a hike to Mount Mitsutoge (三つ峠山), in the Fuji 5 Lakes area.

Here is a map of the path I walked (download KML):

I basically followed the same path as detailed on this page: Starting from Mitsutouge station (三つ峠駅) on the Fujikyuko line, I first walked to the summit of Mount Mitsutoge. There was a great view of Mount Fuji from there (although clouds were forming). Then I went down the mountain by walking to the Mount Kachi Kachi Ropeway (カチカチロープウェイ) and then on to Lake Kawaguchi.

Above, Mitsutoge station in the morning.

Above, there was a section on a paved road to reach the trailhead.

Above, trailhead.

Above, Daruma-Ishi stone (達磨石).

Above, Mount Fuji with more clouds.

Above, 88 Buddha statues on the way to the summit.

Above, the area is a popular rock-climbing spot.

Above, hut at the summit.

Above, summit of one of the 3 peaks of Mount Mitsutoge.

Above, the actual highest point of Mount Mitsutoge: Kaiun-yama (開運山).

Above, passive relays for radio waves.

Above, summit of Kaiun-yama.

Above, view of Kaiun-yama from the third peak of Mount Mitsutoge.

Above, smiling dog on the way down to Mount Tenjo (天上山) and Mount Kachi Kachi Ropeway station.

Above, first glimpse of Lake Kawaguchi.

Above, a snake.

Above, small shrine at the summit of Mount Tenjo, just above Mount Kachi Kachi Ropeway station.

Above, more clouds on Mount Fuji.

Above, rabbit shrine at Mount Kachi Kachi Ropeway station.

Above, rabbit and tanuki. They look very cute at first glance but they reference the Japanese folktale called “The Farmer and the Badger”, a grisly story of treachery, murder, cannibalism and revenge. The story takes place on Mount Kachi Kachi.

Above, Lake Kawaguchi from the viewpoint.

Above, rabbit setting the tanuki on fire.

Above, sleeper on the way down to Lake Kawaguchiko.

Above, finally at the lake.

Above, view of the ropeway from the lake.