Yamanashi attractions: start with prices and access
Choose the ropeway for Mount Fuji views from above, Oishi Park for lakeside views on foot, or Appare for a lake cruise. Indoors, compare rough and processed stones at the gem museum or learn about Mount Fuji's nature and culture at the World Heritage Center. For Millet works and castle ruins, explore Kofu's museum and Maizuru Castle Park. Ropeway and boat operations depend on weather.
Attraction prices and access
Oishi Park
大石公園
Walk Oishi Park's lakeside paths for views towards Mount Fuji. Flowers and plants change with the seasons, and clouds may hide the mountain.
- AdmissionPark walks are free. Shops and activities cost extra.
- HoursThe park, Natural Living Center and shops have different operating arrangements. Check individual shop hours if you plan to visit the centre or shops.
- Getting thereTake the Red Line sightseeing bus from Kawaguchiko Station to its terminus at Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center. Walk to the park paths, then use the station-bound stop for your return.
Yamanashi tourism: Oishi ParkFujikawaguchiko town: 2026 tourism guide, free Oishi Park admission (PDF page 5)Fujikyu Bus: Kawaguchiko timetables in both directions
Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway
富士山パノラマロープウェイ
Ride for views of Lake Kawaguchiko and Mount Fuji from above. The ascent takes about three minutes, followed by lake panoramas and Mount Fuji views from the viewpoint. This is a paid attraction; allow separately for boarding queues and viewing time. Clouds may hide Mount Fuji and strong winds stop operations.
- AdmissionIndividual return tickets cost ¥1,000 for adults and ¥500 for children through October 2026. From November 1, return fares are scheduled to become ¥1,200 for adults and ¥600 for children.
- HoursHours vary by season. Check the operator's last ascent and descent for your date, plus shortened hours or suspensions for maintenance.
- Getting thereThe official walk from Kawaguchiko Station to the lakeside boarding station takes about 15 minutes. By bus, get off at the sightseeing boat/ropeway entrance stop and walk to the lakeside station. Allow time for boarding queues separately.
Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway: visitor guideRopeway: revised fares, shortened hours and maintenance suspensionsMt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway: access
Lake Kawaguchiko Pleasure Boat Appare
河口湖遊覧船 天晴（あっぱれ）
Take Appare for views of the surrounding mountains from the lake on a roughly 20-minute round trip. It returns to the departure pier, making it easy to continue plans near the station. Ensoleillé (アンソレイユ号), linking Funatsu pier and Oishi Park, is a separate service.
- AdmissionIndividual tickets cost ¥1,000 for junior high school students and older and ¥500 for elementary school students. Preschool children travel free. Group and disability rates, and separate Ensoleillé tickets, have different conditions.
- HoursA round trip takes about 20 minutes. Normal hours are 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; winter (November–March), 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Check your date's official sailing table for extended summer hours and regular suspensions. Bad weather or maintenance may change operations.
- Getting thereThe operator gives about 10 minutes on foot from Kawaguchiko Station. Find Appare's ticket office in front of the free Funatsu lakeside car park and board at the same pier. Across Route 137 is the ropeway's lakeside station; distinguish the boat pier from the ropeway entrance. Follow the map's walking route and crossing signs on site. Appare returns to its departure pier. Ensoleillé is a separate service to Oishi pier; check your ticket.
Fuji Five Lakes Steamship: Appare fares and sailing hours2026 regular suspension noticeAppare ticket office and pier accessFuji Five Lakes Steamship: Kawaguchiko cruise guideFuji Five Lakes Steamship: Appare's official name and Funatsu pierFuji Five Lakes Steamship: Ensoleillé Oishi Park service
Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art
山梨県立美術館
Visit Kofu's Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art if you are interested in Millet and Barbizon School works. Exhibits are indoors, reached by bus from Kofu Station's south side. Allow separate city-to-city travel time if starting in Kawaguchiko.
- AdmissionCollection admission costs ¥520 for adults and ¥220 for university students. High school students and younger enter free. Special exhibitions cost extra.
- Hours9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., last entry 4:30 p.m. Closed Mondays (the following day if a holiday), the day after public holidays and over New Year, among other closures. Check the actual exhibition calendar.
- Getting thereFrom Kofu Station south bay 1, take a specified route towards Midai, Kugawa housing estate, Shikishima via Ryuo, or Nirasaki via Okusa, getting off at Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art. Official access guidance gives about 15 minutes aboard; waiting is extra.
Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art: facilities and visitor informationYamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art: accessYamanashi Kotsu: museum buses in both directions and fares
Yamanashi Gem Museum
山梨宝石博物館
Visit Yamanashi Gem Museum to see what gemstones look like before processing. Compare rough stones, cut gems and jewellery side by side, and see a large crystal. The exhibition costs ¥600 per adult; visiting only the shop requires no admission fee.
- AdmissionAdmission costs ¥600 for adults and ¥300 for elementary and junior high school students.
- HoursMarch–October: 9:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m., entry until 5:00 p.m. November–February: 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., entry until 4:30 p.m. Closed Wednesdays except holidays, Golden Week and July–August.
- Getting thereFrom Kawaguchiko Station bay 1, take the Red Line towards the Natural Living Center to stop 6, Yamanashi Gem Museum/Kawaguchiko. Match station departure and museum arrival, and museum departure and station arrival, in each service column of your date's timetable for both directions. Regular adult fares of ¥180 each way were checked October 8, 2026. After getting off, follow the facility's official map and signs to the exhibition entrance. Allow separate walking time from the stop.
- ExhibitsCompare about 50 major gemstone types as sets of rough stones, cut gems and jewellery. A large 1.8-metre crystal is displayed towards the back of the exhibition.
Gem museum prices and hoursGem museum English visitor guideGem museum: admission when visiting only the shopFujikyu Bus: Kawaguchiko timetables in both directionsFujikyu sightseeing bus fare tableGem museum: rough and processed stones and large crystal exhibit
Maizuru Castle Park (Kofu Castle Ruins)
舞鶴城公園（甲府城跡）
Explore Kofu Castle's stone walls and reconstructed gates in this castle-ruins park. Steps lead to views from the keep platform. For less walking, explore only the lower ruins.
- AdmissionThe park, Inari Turret and Kurogane Gate are free to visit.
- HoursThe park is always open. Inari Turret and Kurogane Gate open 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., entry until 4:00 p.m. Buildings close Mondays (open if a holiday), the day after public holidays and December 29–January 3.
- Getting thereThe official walk from Kofu Station's south exit takes about three minutes. This is separate from Yamanote Gate in Kofu City Historical Park north of the station.
Kofu castle ruins and south-exit accessMaizuru Castle Park: free visits and building hours
Yamanashi Prefectural Fujisan World Heritage Center
山梨県立富士山世界遺産センター
After seeing Mount Fuji, visit to learn why it became a World Heritage site. The North Hall explores its natural environment; the South Hall explores cultural relationships between the mountain and people. Both are free. The South Hall closes on the fourth Tuesday each month, or the following day if it is a public holiday.
- AdmissionBoth halls are free. Guided visits and programs have separate conditions.
- HoursNormal hours: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; July–August, 8:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; December–February, 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Facility guidance gives last entry as 15 minutes before closing, while the official FAQ gives 4:30 p.m.; confirm late entry with the facility. The South Hall closes on the fourth Tuesday, or the following day if a holiday; the North Hall is listed as open year-round. Check temporary notices before visiting.
- Getting thereTake the Blue Line towards Motosuko from Kawaguchiko Station bay 1 to centre stop 65, then walk about a minute. Match station→centre and centre→station services in your date's timetable. The regular adult ¥180 one-way fare was checked October 8, 2026; recheck the fare table for your date.
World Heritage Center: free exhibits, seasonal hours and South Hall closuresWorld Heritage Center: admission, reservations and guided-visit FAQWorld Heritage Center: Blue Line stop and walking accessFujikyu Bus: Kawaguchiko timetables in both directionsFujikyu sightseeing bus fare table
Frequently asked questions
Does the prefectural art museum price include special exhibitions?
The adult ¥520 fare is for the collection. Special exhibition prices vary; check the guide for the exhibition you want.
Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art: facilities and visitor information
Do I pay exhibition admission just to visit the gem museum shop?
The shop alone requires no admission fee. Adults pay ¥600 for mineral and gemstone exhibits. This itinerary's museum cost includes the paid exhibition and regular return buses from the station.
Gem museum prices and hoursFujikyu sightseeing bus fare tableGem museum: admission when visiting only the shop
Official sources and check dates
- Yamanashi tourism: Oishi Park ·
- Fujikyu Bus: Kawaguchiko timetables in both directions ·
- Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway: visitor guide ·
- Ropeway: revised fares, shortened hours and maintenance suspensions ·
- Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway: access ·
- Fuji Five Lakes Steamship: Appare fares and sailing hours ·
- Appare ticket office and pier access ·
- 2026 regular suspension notice ·
- Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art: facilities and visitor information ·
- Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art: access ·
- Gem museum prices and hours ·
- Gem museum English visitor guide ·
- Fujikyu sightseeing bus fare table ·
- Kofu castle ruins and south-exit access ·
- World Heritage Center: free exhibits, seasonal hours and South Hall closures ·
- World Heritage Center: admission, reservations and guided-visit FAQ ·
- World Heritage Center: Blue Line stop and walking access ·
- Yamanashi Kotsu: museum buses in both directions and fares ·
- Fuji Five Lakes Steamship: Kawaguchiko cruise guide ·
- Maizuru Castle Park: free visits and building hours ·
- Fujikawaguchiko town: 2026 tourism guide, free Oishi Park admission (PDF page 5) ·
- Fuji Five Lakes Steamship: Appare's official name and Funatsu pier ·
- Fuji Five Lakes Steamship: Ensoleillé Oishi Park service ·
- Gem museum: rough and processed stones and large crystal exhibit ·
- Gem museum: admission when visiting only the shop ·