{"id":12698,"date":"2020-04-29T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-04-29T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=12698"},"modified":"2024-11-25T22:19:44","modified_gmt":"2024-11-25T13:19:44","slug":"kawaguchiko-music-forest-near-mt-fuji","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/kawaguchiko-music-forest-near-mt-fuji\/","title":{"rendered":"Visiting Charming Kawaguchiko Music Forest Near Mt. Fuji"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

While wandering along the Lake Kawaguchi shoreline after taking in the spectacular view of Mt. Fuji<\/a>, I made a spontaneous decision to visit the Kawaguchiko Music Forest<\/strong> \u6cb3\u53e3\u6e56\u30aa\u30eb\u30b4\u30fc\u30eb\u306e\u68ee (Japanese website). It is a small theme park and museum focused on automated musical instruments<\/strong>. Apart from the amazing instruments, the whole park has a distinctly old-European theme that feels both oddly out of place in rural Japan yet delightfully unique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What Is the Kawaguchiko Music Forest?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the museum, visitors can see and hear antique music boxes, mechanical organs, and other automatic musical instruments mainly from European countries<\/strong>. The largest of these instruments is an enormous French fairground organ<\/a><\/strong> from 1905<\/strong>, which takes up an entire hall and plays every 30 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    The French Fairground Organ<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    The main building also houses a concert hall<\/strong> where classical musicians perform roughly every hour. There are performances by performance artists, opera singers, and dancers, performing along with the automated music. When I was there, I watched a music performance along with a performer creating fantastic sand art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Surrounding the museum buildings, Kawaguchiko Music Forest has a European style garden<\/strong>. On clear days, the view of Mt. Fuji is breathtaking<\/strong>, framed by the garden and buildings. The garden has a small lake which has dancing musical fountains<\/strong>. On the hour, a mechanical conductor pops out of the top of one of the buildings and “conducts” music while a large central fountain spurts water in time with the music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      Dancing Fountain in Kawaguchiko Music Forest’s garden<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      Adding to the European atmosphere<\/strong> are people strolling about wearing European classical clothing, which can be rented in the Music Forest<\/strong>. The rental fee is 1000 yen for three hours. You can rent the clothing and take beautiful pictures, posing as if you were somewhere in European countryside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      \"Wearing<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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      Winter Illumination in the Gardens<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      I visited Kawaguchiko Music Forest in winter when there is a special seasonal illumination<\/strong>. The days are shorter in Japan during this time of year, so the park gets dark before closing time. The spectacular lighting event takes place from November until mid-January every year. The winter also happens to be the season with the most clear days, so you have a higher than normal chance to see Mt. Fuji, capped with snow, no less!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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        Kawaguchiko Music Forest’s Night Illumination<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        Although “forest” is in its name, you won’t actually find too many trees there. However, there is one rather large glass tree<\/strong> that\u2019s a popular backdrop for visitors taking pictures. The tree is incredibly beautiful during the winter illumination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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          Overall, if you are looking for a family-friendly attraction near Mt. Fuji <\/strong>or just looking for a place to enjoy a classic European atmosphere, I recommend Kawaguchiko Music Forest as a place worth visiting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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          Kawaguchiko Music Forest General Information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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          How To Get There<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          From Shinjuku Station in Tokyo<\/strong>, take the Limited Express Fuji Excursion train<\/strong> for direct access to Kawaguchiko Station<\/strong> in about 2 hours. You can also use a number of other Express or Rapid Trains on the Chuo line<\/strong> from Shinjuku, transferring at Otsuki Station<\/strong> to the Fujikyuko Line<\/strong>, but it will take closer to 3 hours on those trains. Whichever train you use, they will be covered by a JR Rail Pass<\/strong>, otherwise, the one-way fare will be from 2,510 to 4,130 yen depending on the type of train.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Retro buses along the Kawaguchiko Line operate between Kawaguchiko Station and the Kawaguchiko Music Forest (about 25 minutes). Get off at Ukai Orugoruno Mori Bijutsukan<\/strong> bus stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          If you drive yourself by car, the museum has a free parking lot nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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          Kawaguchiko Music Forest Entrance Fee<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
          <\/td>Adult<\/td>High School<\/td>Elem. \/ Jr. High<\/td><\/tr>
          General Admission<\/td>1,800 yen<\/td>1,300 yen<\/td>1,000 yen<\/td><\/tr>
          Group of 10+<\/td>1,500 yen<\/td>1,100 yen<\/td>800 yen<\/td><\/tr>
          Evening Only (after 4:00pm)<\/td>1,000 yen<\/td>600 yen<\/td>600 yen<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
          From the Kawaguchiko Music Forest webpage, 4\/25\/2020<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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