How to Travel from Mt. Fuji Station to Mt. Fuji's 5th Station: Transportation Options and Tips
Mt. Fuji and its surrounding area, known as Japan's tallest mountain, is famous for its numerous tourist attractions blessed with natural beauty. With many spots that can be enjoyed regardless of season, tourists flock to the area throughout the year.
While there are many tourist attractions at the foot of Mt. Fuji, during summer when Mt. Fuji climbing is permitted, the area becomes bustling with many tourists who come for mountaineering. Especially Fujisan Station on the Fuji Kyuko Line is always crowded as access buses operate between Tokyo and the Mt. Fuji trailhead.
In this article, I will introduce recommended access methods to Mt. Fuji, focusing on how to get from Fuji Station to the 5th Station of the Mt. Fuji climbing trail.
There Are Countless Options for Accessing Mt. Fuji's 5th Station
If you're planning to climb Mt. Fuji, head to the 5th Station, which serves as the entrance to the trailhead. There are four main climbing routes to Mt. Fuji, and you can choose between cars and buses to access the 5th Station.
When going through the Yoshida or Subashiri routes on the Yamanashi side, you can access the 5th Station by taking a climbing bus from Kawaguchiko Station on the Fuji Kyuko Line. From the Shizuoka direction, climbing buses operate from either Gotemba Station or Fujinomiya Station to the 5th Station.
What is Mt. Fuji's 5th Station?
The 5th Station of Mt. Fuji is located at the midpoint of the climbing path from the foot of Mt. Fuji to the summit. It opens every year during the summer climbing season and is popular not only as a starting point for climbing but also as a tourist attraction where you can experience the impressive power of Mt. Fuji up close.
During the summer climbing season, buses operate from the nearest stations, making it accessible even without a car. However, during non-climbing seasons, both the climbing and access roads are closed, so you cannot go to the 5th Station.
The Area Around Fujisan Station Has Many Tourist Attractions and Serves as an Excellent Tourist Base with Good Access to Mt. Fuji
Fujisan Station on the Fuji Kyuko Line is a tourism hub where buses depart for surrounding attractions. Not only do local buses that can take you to Lake Kawaguchiko and Oshino Hakkai operate from here, but express buses connecting Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka also arrive and depart from this station.
Buses to Mt. Fuji's 5th Station also operate only during summer, making the station crowded with many tourists coming for mountaineering during this season. The station has a souvenir shop called "Q-STA," and its observation deck offering views of Mt. Fuji on the 6th floor is popular.
There is a large red torii gate at the entrance of the station, which is recommended for commemorative photos.
Address: 2-5-1 Kamiyoshida, Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi Prefecture
Access: About 7 minutes from Kawaguchiko IC on the Chuo Expressway
Official Website: https://www.fujikyu-railway.jp/fujisan-view-spot/info.php?point=3
Benefits of Making Fujisan Station Your Base for Mt. Fuji Tourism
Access in Just One Hour Using Buses or Taxis
Fujisan Station on the Fuji Kyuko Line is a popular station serving as a tourism hub around Lake Kawaguchiko. It takes about 10 minutes by car to reach Lake Kawaguchiko or Oshino Hakkai, and you can access the 5th station of Mt. Fuji in just one hour by bus or taxi.
Fujisan Station offers extensive bus routes that not only take you to Lake Kawaguchiko but also to other Fuji Five Lakes like Lake Yamanakako, and even to Gotemba in Shizuoka. The journey from Fujisan Station to Gotemba takes just 40 minutes, making it quite convenient.
However, buses are often crowded, and it's common for several consecutive buses to be full.
If you want to reach Mt. Fuji's 5th station is stress-free or enjoy sightseeing around Mt. Fuji, please consider using Magical Trip's private tour.
With transportation from Tokyo included, guides who know everything about Mt.Fuji area will thoroughly explain the attractions and highlight the charm of various spots.
Tour information:
Meeting point: Hotels around Shinjuku
Tour area: Fujiyoshida City area, Yamanashi Prefecture
Start time: 8:00
Many Famous Attractions Nearby, Enjoy More Than Just Mt. Fuji Tourism
Many famous attractions surround Fujisan Station, making it a convenient station for tourism. About 5 minutes on foot from Fujisan Station, there is a large torii gate called "Kanadorii," and the view of Mt. Fuji through this torii is famous as a popular photo spot.
About 5 minutes by car from Fujisan Station is Sengen Shrine, known as a power spot. The avenue of cedar trees along the approach and the giant sacred tree in front of the main hall are breathtakingly beautiful, and just visiting brings many blessings.
Numerous Japanese Restaurants Using Ingredients Nurtured by Mt. Fuji's Rich Nature
Around Fujisan Station, there are many Japanese restaurants that abundantly use ingredients nurtured by the rich natural environment. The station itself has plenty of dining options where you can enjoy set meals and udon dishes.
There are also many restaurants around the station that serve dishes made with local ingredients. Among them, Yamanashi's local food "Houtou" is highly recommended. Houtou is a dish where flat noodles, vegetables, and meat are simmered in miso-flavored soup, and it's a local specialty you should definitely try when visiting Yamanashi.
Who Should Use Fujisan Station as an Access Point?
There's a bus terminal in front of Fujisan Station, making it a recommended station for those who want to visit tourist attractions such as Lake Kawaguchiko, Lake Yamanakako, and Oshino Hakkai.
During the summer Mt. Fuji climbing season, buses to the 5th station operate, so tourists planning to climb Mt. Fuji from the Yamanashi side should visit Fujisan Station and take a bus.
Additionally, express buses operate between Tokyo's Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Tokyo Station, so this station is recommended for those accessing from Tokyo by bus.
Disadvantages of Using Fujisan Station as a Mt. Fuji Tourism Base
Fujisan Station is convenient as a base for touring attractions around Mt. Fuji as it serves as a terminal for not only trains but also many buses. However, during tourist season, it becomes extremely crowded, with long lines for buses and taxis, making boarding time-consuming.
Fujisan Station has observation decks where you can see Mt. Fuji and plenty of restaurants, so it's possible to kill time while waiting for buses or taxis. However, it remains crowded, making it quite difficult to stick to an ideal schedule.
If you're traveling from Tokyo to Yamanashi, using a tour with car transportation eliminates the need to wait for buses or taxis. During the crowded tourist season, it's recommended to use tours that charter vehicles for smooth transportation.
Tour with Pick-up from Tokyo Allows Efficient Sightseeing Around Mt. Fuji While Avoiding Crowds
Join a tour to efficiently explore the Mt. Fuji area while avoiding crowds by using a tour service with transportation from Tokyo. The Mt. Fuji Full-day Day Trip Tour includes a private vehicle and guide, allowing you to create a travel plan according to your preferences.
Pick-up is available from hotels around Tokyo, so you can relax in the vehicle during transit. The tour's strength is that you can freely set your itinerary based on the weather and season, including attractions like Kawaguchiko Lake, Arakurayama, and Oshino Hakkai.
For meals, you can freely visit places you want to go, such as restaurants using local ingredients or wineries. This is the best tour to fully enjoy beautiful nature and must-visit attractions, so it's recommended for those who want to thoroughly experience the charm of Mt. Fuji.
Meeting point: Hotels around Shinjuku
Tour area: Around Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi Prefecture
Start time: 8:00
5 Recommended Tourist Attractions Around Fuji Station for Those Using It as a Base
The area around Fujisan Station on the Fujikyu Line is famous for having many attractive spots where you can view the beautiful Mt. Fuji. From here, I'll introduce 5 recommended attractions for those using Fujisan Station as their sightseeing base.
If you want to thoroughly enjoy the majestic Mt. Fuji, please use this as a reference. When departing from Fuji Station, head northeast to reach these attractions. The directions to Mt. Fuji's viewing spots are well-marked with signs pointing tourists toward these magnificent locations.
Arakurayama Sengen Park
Source:Home of Fujisan Yamanashi
Arakurayama Sengen Park is a popular tourist spot where you can view the majestic Mt. Fuji. Located on the hillside of Arakurayama, the park features a five-storied pagoda at its observation deck, creating a beautiful scene with Mt. Fuji that is highly popular among foreign tourists.
About 650 cherry trees are planted in the park, allowing you to enjoy beautiful cherry blossoms with Mt. Fuji in spring. Winter scenery is also popular, with the combination of snow-covered landscapes and Mt. Fuji creating beauty that will remain in your memories for a lifetime.
I also climbed the 398 steps to the observation deck. Though it was quite a challenging journey, the spectacular view was worth visiting this park. From Fuji Station, take a local bus heading toward the attractions and get off at the Arakurayama stop, then follow the signs up the hill.
Address: 3353 Asama 2-chome, Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi Prefecture
Hours: Open 24 hours
Closed: None
Phone: 0555-21-1000
Oshino Hakkai
Oshino Hakkai is a park with 8 ponds filled with snowmelt water from Mt. Fuji. These ponds, designated as a World Cultural Heritage site, are characterized by amazingly clear and beautiful water and are also known as power spots.
On clear days, you can see beautiful Mt. Fuji, making this a popular spot for photographing Mt. Fuji. Within the extensive grounds, there is also the Harinokilin Folk Museum with a thatched roof built in the late 18th century, where you can tour traditional household goods and silkworm breeding areas.
If you want to thoroughly enjoy the beauty of Mt. Fuji's snowmelt water, this is a must-visit spot. To reach Oshino Hakkai from Fuji Station, take the eastbound bus marked for tourist attractions and enjoy the scenic route as it winds through charming villages with Mt. Fuji serving as a stunning backdrop.
Address: Oshinomura Oshino, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture
Hours: Open 24 hours
Closed: None
Phone: 0555-84-4122 (Oshino Village Tourism Association)
Fujikyu Highland
sourceļ¼Google Map
Fujikyu Highland is a popular tourist destination known as one of Japan's premier theme parks. It's famous for its many thrilling attractions, and has gained attention for developing numerous roller coasters such as FUJIYAMA and Takabisha.
From inside the park, you can enjoy spectacular views of Mt. Fuji, with the unique experience of admiring Mt. Fuji while riding on thrilling machines. Even if you're not a fan of extreme rides, there are cute attractions themed after Japanese anime characters that everyone can enjoy.
During winter, an outdoor ice skating rink opens, making it a highly popular spot for skating enthusiasts as well.
Address: 5-6-1 Shinnishihara, Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi Prefecture
Hours: Weekdays 9:00-17:00, Weekends 9:00-18:00, 20:00/Winter: Weekdays 9:30-17:00, Weekends 9:30-18:00
Closed: None
Phone: 0555-23-2111
Official Website: https://www.fujiq.jp/index.html
Lake Kawaguchiko
Lake Kawaguchiko, known as one of the Fuji Five Lakes, is a beautiful lake famous for its "inverted Fuji" - the reflection of Mt. Fuji on the water. The lakeshore is renowned as a natural treasure, filled with attractions year-round including cherry blossoms in spring, lavender in early summer, and autumn foliage.
It's also popular as an activity spot where you can ride mountain bikes along the lakeshore or enjoy fishing and kayaking on the lake. The access from various directions including Tokyo is excellent, with express buses available from Shinjuku.
Sightseeing boats operate on the lake, allowing you to view the beautiful Mt. Fuji from the water. There are plenty of other attractions including museums and observation areas.
Address: Kawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture
Hours: Open 24 hours
Closed: None
Phone: 0555-72-6700
Lake Yamanakako
Lake Yamanakako, the largest of the Fuji Five Lakes, is known as a gathering spot for many photographers because of the beautiful reflection of Mt. Fuji on the lake. Around the lake, there are numerous attractions including stylish hotels, museums, literary halls, and hot spring facilities.
Sports facilities are also abundant around the lakeshore, with tennis courts, cycling roads, and popular activities like fishing and wakeboarding. There are many campgrounds that take advantage of the lush natural surroundings, allowing visitors to easily enjoy camping and BBQ.
It's also famous as a spot for autumn foliage, known for its beautiful colored leaves in fall.
Address: Yamanakako Village, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture
Hours: Open 24 hours
Closed: None
Phone: 0555-62-3100
