Mt. Fuji 5th Station

The basics

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.

Things to know before you go

• If visiting other attractions by public transport, purchase the Hakone Free Pass for access to many of the 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.

How to get there

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.

When to get there

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.

Climbing Mt. Fuji

Scaling the 12,389-foot (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.

Ways to explore

Most visitors explore Mt. Fuji 5th Station on a day trip from Tokyo, alongside other area attractions. Typical day tours include a Lake Ashi cruise, a ride on the ropeway at Mt. Komagatake or Mt. Kachi, fruit picking, wine tasting, or a soak in a traditional onsen (hot spring). The 5th Station is also a starting point for hikes to the summit. From here, the observation point offers unobstructed views across the landscape.

Accessibility

This site is an accessible way of experiencing Mt. Fuji up close, as wheelchair users and travelers with other disabilities can easily get here by car.

Age limits

Parents should seriously consider their kids’ physical capabilities before climbing Mt. Fuji from the 5th Station.

What to pack

Jacket, binoculars, coins for vending machines

What to wear

Comfortable shoes, water- and wind-proof jacket, sun hat, sunglasses

Not allowed

Removing any lava stones or rocks

Amenities

Restaurants, souvenir shops, restrooms

Address

The Mt. Fuji 5th Station is on the northern side of Mt. Fuji, about 56 miles (90 kilometers) southwest of central Tokyo. You can get there on a tour, by private car, or by bus.

Driving

Follow the E20 highway west out of Tokyo, then turn onto the E68 at Otsuki Junction. Follow this to Fujiyoshida town, in the Fuji Five Lakes (Fuji-go-ko) area; the trip to this point takes about 1.5 hours. From Fujiyoshida, head up the mountain along route 707, which takes about 40 minutes. Private car access is usually restricted in the busy climbing season (July–September). Then, park at the base of the mountain and take a shuttle to the 5th Station.

Public transportation

Either catch a direct bus to the 5th Station from the Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal in central Tokyo or take an express bus to Kawaguchiko or Fujisan station, and from there catch a Fuji Kyuko mountain-climbing bus to the 5th Station. These run most frequently during climbing season, July–September.

Best times to visit

Depending on the season, the views from the 5th Station are usually best early in the morning, before Mt. Fuji becomes covered in clouds.

Best days to visit

No days of the week are better than others when visiting the Mt. Fuji 5th Station, as access is largely determined by weather and season.

Best months to visit

Climbing season runs between July and September. The 5th Station may be accessible beyond these months, but road access is sometimes cut off by snow, or private vehicles may be prohibited when conditions are unsuitable.

Special events

Catch the fireworks display marking the start of the climbing season on the first Saturday of July, in Oike Park beside Lake Kawaguchi.