Mount Fuji, an iconic Japanese symbol, fascinates visitors with its majestic beauty and timeless charm. Located about 100 kilometers southwest of Tokyo, Fuji-san rises majestically above the surrounding landscape, dominating the horizon with its perfect conical shape. The surrounding landscape of picturesque lakes, forests and charming villages makes Mount Fuji a destination of great natural beauty and spirituality, attracting visitors from all over the world.
Climbing Mount Fuji is an epic experience and a challenge for many trekking and adventure enthusiasts, who brave the trail to its summit to be rewarded with breathtaking views of the entire surrounding region.
For those who prefer not to climb to the summit, the 5th Station, located at over 2300 meters above sea level, is an excellent alternative. From here, the view of the summit of Mount Fuji is spectacular, making this station an ideal place to admire the beauty of the volcano without making the entire climb.
However, to make the most of the time available, it is essential to have a well-organized plan: from departure from Tokyo until the evening return, this itinerary will guide you through the main attractions of the 5th Station, ensuring you don't miss anything essential. Prepare to experience an unforgettable day amidst the natural beauty and breathtaking views of Mount Fuji.
How to get
With the Japan Rail Pass (JPR)
If you have a Japan Rail Pass, you can depart from Shinjuku by taking the Shinkansen Azusa to Otsuki (about 68 minutes). From Otsuki, change and take the Fujisan Express to Kawaguchiko Station (about 47 minutes). Please note that a supplement is required on the Fujikyu line. From Kawaguchiko, take a Highway bus (paid, ¥1540) which will take you to Fifth Station in about an hour.
If you have doubts about whether or not to buy the JRP, read ours Practical Travel Tips for Japan.
Without Japan Rail Pass (JPR)
If you don't want to use the Japan Rail Pass, you can take the Highway Bus from Shinjuku which will take you directly to Mount Fuji Fifth Station in approximately 2 hours and 25 minutes. The cost of the ticket is ¥2,950 one way.
Alternatively, you can take the same bus and stop at Kawaguchiko Station. From here, take the Fuji Subaru line, which is only available from May to October, as it does not operate in the winter months. We made this choice, below is the detail of the route.
Detailed itinerary
7:00 – Departure from Higashu-Shinjuku
Take the Futukoshin Line metro and get off at the F13 stop. From there, walk to the Shinjuku Bus Terminal.
Tips for Trips: The easiest way to find Shinjuku Bus Terminal is to take the south exit from JR Shinjuku Station. Once outside the ticket turnstiles, walk down to street level. You will see a glass building in front of the south exit. Cross the street and take the elevator to the 4th floor. Once you exit the elevator, you will find a map on your left showing where the various bus stops are located. Buses to the Mount Fuji area generally depart from bus stops B5 or B6. Sometimes it's not entirely clear which bus stop is the right one, so take your ticket to the terminal staff and ask them. For this reason, it is best to arrive at least half an hour before the bus departure to have enough time for any last minute unexpected events.
From Shinjuku station you can take the Highway Buses bus to Kawaguchiko for 2300 Yen (one way), from here there are buses to reach other locations in the area. Other buses also depart from Shibuya Station and Tokyo Station. If you want to visit Chureito Pagoda first (like we did), get off at Chuo Shimoyoshida (2150 Yen).
9:45 – Arrival at Chuodo Shimoyoshida
Once you get off the bus, on the right you will find a staircase that takes you to the internal road, just follow the sea of people moving towards the Arakurayama Sengen Park and the Chureito Pagoda to get to the park. However, along the entire route there are clear indications that you can follow. In about 15 minutes you arrive at the park entrance.
10:00 – Arakurayama Sengen Park and Chureito Pagoda
The climb to the pagoda includes a steep staircase of over 400 steps, but the effort is rewarded by the spectacular view that opens up from the top.
This stunning five-story pagoda is located on a hill and offers breathtaking views of Mount Fuji. Its traditional structure and deep red color contrast wonderfully with the surrounding landscape, especially during the cherry blossom season in spring. Although always crowded, it is certainly worth a stop.
At the top, a balcony offers a fantastic view of the pagoda roof and Mount Fuji.
11:40 – Shimoyoshida Station
Head to Shimoyoshida Station and take the Fujikyu Railway Line (14 min, ¥310/way) to Kawaguchiko Station.
12:00 – Kawaguchiko Station
Once you exit Kawaguchiko Station, the first thing to do is get a bus pass.
Omni buses are generally the easiest way to get around. There are three lines that run from Kawaguchiko Station: the Kawaguchiko Red Line (buses every 15 minutes) runs along the eastern and northern shores of Lake Kawaguchiko, while the Saiko Green Line (hourly) runs along the southern shore of Lake Kawaguchiko and around the Saiko Lake. The Narusawa Shojiko Motosuko Blue Line (every 1-2 hours) serves Lake Shojiko and Lake Motosuko.
In addition to the tourist buses mentioned above, there is a network of regular buses that can be useful for reaching more remote lakes such as Shojiko and Motosuko, as well as in the direction of Oshino, Lake Yamanakako and Gotemba. Another interesting bus line connects Kawaguchiko Station with the fifth station of the Fuji Subaru Line halfway up Mount Fuji.
12.20pm – Mt. Kachikachi Cable Car to Tenjoyama Park
There cable car to Tenjoyama Park, where you can see a magnificent view of Mount Fuji, is about a 15-minute walk from Kawaguchiko Station. Since it is the 11th stop on the line, taking the bus will take you on a more circuitous route. Both the bus journey and the walk take about 15 minutes. Get off at stop 11.
Tips for Trips: On busy days, there may be a long line along the staircase. Someone in your group can wait in line while you go upstairs to purchase cable car tickets at the car – it's an 800 yen round trip. Cable cars depart every 5-10 minutes and the journey to the top of Mount Tenjoyama takes 3 minutes.
There Mt. Kachikachi Cable Car it starts from Lake Kawaguchi to Mount Tenjo. The cable car ride offers spectacular views of the lake and Mount Fuji, making the experience unique and unforgettable. From the observatory, which is more than 1000 meters above sea level, you can admire panoramic views of the lake below and Mount Fuji.
Once you reach the top of the cable car, you can explore the Tenjoyama Park and enjoy further breathtaking views. The Park is famous for its scenic trails that lead to ideal observation points for admiring the majestic Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi below. The park is nestled in a lush forest and offers tranquility and natural beauty.
Tips for Trips: While most visitors take a return trip on the cable car, there is also a hiking trail that starts from the observatory and goes down the forested slope of the mountain, which takes about 30 minutes to descend. Another trail leads from the observation point 300 meters higher up to a small shrine on the summit of Mount Tenjo; from there, the trail continues up Mount Mitsutoge, a popular day hike with beautiful views of Mount Fuji.
3.10pm – Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center
Once you have finished admiring the beautiful views, take the cable car back down and return to stop 11. Take the bus to the terminus, stop 20 – Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center.
Stroll through the flower gardens – you'll see all sorts of flowers depending on the season, from lavender and hydrangeas to bluebells and roses. It is a very well-kept garden, with plants arranged in neat rows, really picturesque and offers a magnificent view of Mount Fuji with the lake in the foreground.
4.10pm – Kawaguchiko Station
Return to Kawaguchiko Station in time for your bus back to Shinjuku Station. In general, it is best to arrive a little before the scheduled departure time. Things can get a little chaotic around bus stops, as traffic along the highway can cause delays. In that case, it's best to show your ticket to the attendants every time a bus to Shinjuku appears.
Our one day trip to Mount Fuji ends here. We take home the classic magnet, some photos and an indelible memory of one of the most famous panoramas in the world.
Last Updated on 1 September 2024
