Shopping Guide for Tokyo's Fuji Kawaguchiko Town｜Hidden Gems to Visit During Autumn Foliage Season

Fuji Kawaguchiko Town, located in Yamanashi Prefecture, is one of the Fuji Five Lakes. Renowned for its Maple Corridor and stunning views of Mount Fuji during the autumn foliage season (late October to late November), it attracts numerous visitors. Besides enjoying the autumn leaves, the area around Kawaguchiko offers hidden shops with unique souvenirs, perfect for travelers seeking local specialties. Below are must-visit shops during the autumn foliage season, mainly concentrated around Kawaguchiko Station and the northern shore near Nashigawa: - Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center (Take the Red Line sightseeing bus from Kawaguchiko Station to "Oishi Park" stop, approximately 20 minutes): Located next to Oishi Park, this shop sells Mount Fuji-themed souvenirs such as sake cups (around 2,000–7,300 yen), ceramic mugs, and magnets (around 500–1,500 yen). During the autumn foliage season, the shop recommends maple leaf-shaped cookies (around 800 yen/box), which come in beautifully designed packaging, ideal for gifting. They also offer local blueberry jam (around 1,000 yen), which is perfectly balanced between sweet and tangy. Opening hours: 9:00 AM–5:30 PM. - Kawaguchiko Music Box Museum Shop (Inside Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum, take the bus to "Music Forest" stop, approximately 15 minutes): The museum shop specializes in exquisite music boxes (around 3,000–10,000 yen) inspired by Mount Fuji and autumn leaves, making them highly collectible. Seasonal postcards (around 300–500 yen) featuring maple leaves and Mount Fuji are perfect for sending or keeping as souvenirs. Opening hours: 9:30 AM–5:00 PM. - Yamanashi Prefecture Product Center (About a 5-minute walk from Kawaguchiko Station): Offers Yamanashi specialties such as Koshu wine (around 1,500–5,000 yen) and dried green plums (around 800 yen/package). During the autumn foliage season, they have limited-edition maple leaf-packaged wagashi (around 1,000 yen/box), which are delicate and perfect as gifts. Opening hours: 9:00 AM–6:00 PM. - Maple Corridor Market Stalls (Nashigawa, northern shore of Kawaguchiko, during the Maple Festival from October 26 to November 20): The main venue of the Maple Festival features food and craft stalls selling Mount Fuji-shaped keychains (around 500–1,000 yen) and handmade woven scarves (around 2,000–4,000 yen), showcasing local craftsmanship. The stalls also offer freshly roasted sweet potatoes (around 300 yen), perfect for snacking while exploring. Opening hours: 9:00 AM–7:00 PM (night illumination until 9:00 PM). Shopping Tips: The autumn foliage season attracts large crowds, so consider stopping by Oishi Park to capture the stunning views of Mount Fuji framed by autumn leaves or enjoy the illuminated Maple Corridor at night for an enhanced travel experience. During the Maple Festival, you can use the Kawaguchiko sightseeing bus (2-day pass for 2,000 yen, unlimited rides) for convenient access to shops and attractions.