Mt. Fuji 5th Station

Most visitors explore Mt. Fuji 5th Station on a day trip from Tokyo, combined with other attractions in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. A typical day tour itinerary includes a Lake Ashi boat cruise and a ride on Mount Komagatake’s ropeway; a visit to Oishi Park and Mount Kachi Ropeway; or activities, such as fruit picking, wine tasting, or a soak in a traditional onsen (hot spring). Mt. Fuji 5th Station also serves as the starting point for hikes to the summit. From 5th Station, the observation point offers unobstructed views of Fuji Five Lakes, Fujiyoshida City, and Lake Yamanaka.

• If visiting other attractions by public transport, purchase the Hakone Free Pass for access to many of park’s lakes, funiculars, boats, and buses, including the bus to the 5th Station.

• The mountains can get cold even in summer, so bring warm clothing. Comfortable walking shoes are a must if you plan on hiking.

• Visitor facilities include car parking, coin lockers, hiking supplies shops, cafés, and restaurants.

• Mt. Fuji 5th Station is wheelchair accessible.

5th Station is accessible via the Subaru Line toll road; buses leave from Mt. Fuji (Fujisan) or Kawaguchiko Station. From Tokyo, you can journey by car or by train to Fujisan or Kawaguchiko, via Otsuki. During summer, the Shinjuku Expressway Bus runs directly from Shinjuku station in Tokyo to Mount Fuji’s 5th Station.

Weather permitting, it’s possible to visit Mt. Fuji 5th Station year-round. During summer, when the hiking trail is open (July to mid-September), the station can get extremely busy, and the access road is closed to private vehicles—shuttle buses run between car parks at the bottom of the mountain. In winter, heavy snow can sometimes hinder access.

Scaling the 12,389-feet (3,776-meter) summit of Japan’s highest mountain is a popular challenge for adventurous travelers. Yoshida Trail is the busiest route to the top, with more than 170,000 climbers annually. It’s only open for two months each summer, and the ascent takes between five and six hours, with the descent taking three to four. Many hikers start out in the middle of the night in order to reach the summit in time for sunrise.

To get to Mt. Fuji 5th Station (or Fuji-Subaru Line 5th Station, not to be confused with Fujinomiya 5th Station), you can take the bus from Busta Shinjuku in central Tokyo. The ride takes around 2.5 hours, and daytime buses depart hourly during the climbing season (July through September).

If you’re planning to summit Mt. Fuji, the best time to visit Mt. Fuji 5th Station is during the climbing season (July through September). It’s busiest from late July to late August. Mt. Fuji 5th Station is open year-round but closes in bad weather conditions, typically from December through February.

Yes, many guided tours go to Mt. Fuji 5th Station. Day trips from Tokyo typically transport you by private vehicle or bullet train (great if you’re short on time). Tours tend to combine Mt. Fuji 5th Station with the Hakone Ropeway cable car and a cruise on Lake Ashi (Ashi-no-ko).

Yes, the Yoshida hiking trail starts at Mt. Fuji 5th Station. This 4.2-mile (6.8-kilometer) trail is the most popular of the four routes that lead to the summit and takes 5–7 hours. There are first-aid stations and vending machines along the winding, rocky route until the 7th station.

Mt. Fuji 5th Station has various facilities. There are five souvenir shops selling postcards that you can post at the dedicated Mt. Fuji post boxes, three hotels, places to rent climbing gear (a prior reservation is recommended), an observation deck, parking lots, and places serving food and drinks.

Yes, there are plenty of nearby attractions or activities to enjoy around Mt. Fuji 5th Station. At the foot of the mountain is the town of Hakone, part of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park on the shores of Lake Ashi. It’s also home to an art museum and the 15th-century Odawara Castle.