Mt. Fuji is one of most popular spots. Because it is the highest mountain in Japan and very accessible from Tokyo. It is about 2 hours away from Shinjuku, Tokyo by the train or the express bus. You can visit there as a day trip from Tokyo easily.
In this post, I would like to show you several trip plan to Fuji Five Lakes area which includes Mt. Fuji 5th station. When you go to Mt. Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi (Kawaguchiko) is the gateway. I also will show you the access to Lake Kawaguchi.
Access to Lake Kawaguchi and Fujisan area
Lake Kawaguchi (Kawaguchiko) is the hub in this area. Most buses depart from Kawaguchiko station. You can get there by either the train or the express bus. I will show you the acesse route to Kawaguchiko first of all.
Access to Lake Kawaguchi from Tokyo
There are many routes available to get Lake Kawaguchi but these are mostly by the express bus. If you take the train, you will depart from Shinjuku or Tokyo.
Before choosing the route, you have to make sure which pass you will use or do not use any passes. The route is varied by the pass. I would like to show you the best and most cost efficient way.
Train access to Kawaguchiko (Lake Kawaguchi) from Shinjuku via Otsuki by JR Pass or JR East Pass
You may use JR Pass or JR East Pass in your trip. In this case, the limited express Fuji Kaiyu (Fuji Excursion) is the best choice. This train takes you to Kawaguchiko directly. There is only two scheduled round trips a day. And this train has been very popular and hard to book a seat. But on the some specific dates, there is one or two extra trips. Please find the timetable in JR East official site in the link below:
JR East official site – the timetable
When you cannot take this train, you can take the limited express Azusa or Kaiji between Shinjuku and Otsuki. And you have to change the trains at Otsuki and take Fuji Kyuko Railway to Kawaguchiko.
Fuji Kyuko Railway between Otsuki and Kawaguchiko is not covered by either JR pass or JR East Pass. Please find the fare for Otsuki to/from Kawaguchiko in Fuji Kyuko Railway official site:
Fuji Kyuko Railway official site
Fuji Kyuko railway ticket can be purchased at some JR station. When you book a seat for the limited express train from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko or Otsuki by JR pass or JR East pass, you may ask the staff to purchase a ticket for Fuji Kyuko Railway. You may be able to buy it. If you cannot, you can purchase it at Otsuki station or pay when you exit Kawaguchiko station or pay to the conductor on board.
The typical trip schedule is the following:
Shinjuku (1 hour by the limited express Azusa or Kaiji) Otsuki (50 minutes by the limited express train / 60 minutes by the local train) Kawaguchiko
The train access to Kawaguchiko (Lake Kawaguchi) from Shinjuku via Otsuki by Tokyo Wide Pass
You can take same route as JR Pass and JR East Pass above. But Tokyo Wide Pass covers all the way to Kawaguchiko which includes Fuji Kyuko Railway segment between Otsuki and Kawaguchiko. The extra cost is not required to take Fuji Kyuko Railway.
Access to Lake Kawaguchi from many locations in Tokyo by bus
Actually the express bus is most convenient way. The express bus depart from Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo, and both Haneda and Narita airports. It is faster than train. And the biggest benefit by the express bus is direct transfer. If you take a train, you have to change the trains at Otsuki. But if you take the express bus, you can get Kawaguchiko (Lake Kawaguchi) station, Fujisan station, Fuji-Q Highland, even Fuji 5th station (seasonal), Oshino-Hakkai and Lake Yamanaka directly.
Typical trip schedule is the following:
Shinjuku (1 hour 45 minutes by Express Bus) Kawaguchiko
Seasonally you can get 5th station directly too. If you do not intend to use any train passes, simply pay regular fare to take express bus. Any rail passes do not cover this express bus. You can find the information in Fujikyu Bus official site:
Fujikyu Bus – Highway Bus Information
Access to Lake Kawaguchi from Hakone by bus
If you intend to visit Lake Kawaguchi before/after visiting Hakone, you can catch the bus between Kawaguchiko station, Fuji-Q Highland, Fujisan station, Gotemba station and Gotemba Premium Outlet. Please see the link below to find more information:
You may find some information about Hakone in the link below:
Access from Osaka, Kyoto and Nagoya. How to add Lake Kawaguchi on the way to Tokyo
The gateway to Lake Kawaguchi area from Osaka, Kyoto and Nagoya is Mishima. You can catch the express bus which is called Mishima/Kawaguchiko Liner Express Bus between Mishima and Lake Kawaguchi, Fuji-Q Highland, Fujisan station. Please see the link below to find the information about the bus from Mishima.
Fujikyu Bus – Highway Bus Information
You can get Mishima by the Shinkansen from Nagoya, Kyoto and Shin-Osaka. Some Hikari which is the second fastest train stop at Mishima. Please check the timetable of the Shinkansen in the link below:
JR Central official site – The Tokaido and the Sanyo Shinkansen timetable
Please refer the post below to find some more information about Mishima station. You can find the information about the transfer between the Shinkansen and the bus to Kawaguchiko:
Sample itineraries to visit Mt. Fuji from Lake Kawaguchi to Lake Kawaguchi.
I would like to show you the sample itinerary of Mt. Fuji part only. This sample itinerary is starting from Lake Kawaguchi and finishing at Lake Kawaguchi. You can add one of these sample itineraries on the access route from Tokyo to Lake Kawaguchi or other cities to Lake Kawaguchi.
Lake Kawaguchi and 5th station one day plan
This itinerary includes most popular spots around Lake Kawaguchi area.
Kawaguchiko (Trip time 55 minutes by bus) 5th station
Enjoy mountain air in the middle of Mt. Fuji (1 hour)
5th station (Trip time 55 minutes by bus) Kawaguchiko
Lunch time around Kawaguchiko station
Kawaguchiko (Trip time 15 minutes by Fuji Kyuko Railway train) Shimo-Yoshida
Visit Arakura Fuji Sengen shrine, Chureito Pagoda (1 hour)
Shimo-Yoshida (Trip time 15 minutes by Fuji Kyuko Railway train) Kawaguchiko
Visit Mt. Tenjo Ropeway (Kachi Kachi Yama Ropeway) and/or Cruise on Lake Kawaguchi
*If you start this trip in very early morning, you may visit both.
Lake Kawaguchi and Shibazakura venue one day plan
Fuji Shibazakura Festival is hold from mid April to late May. Shibazakura (pink moss flower) cover the field and Mt. Fuji can be seen behind this amazing pink field. You can find more information in the official site:
Fuji Shibazakura Festival official site
Try to get Shibazakura venue to avoid congestion. This festival is very popular and still getting popular year by year.
Kawaguchiko (Trip time 30 minutes by Shibazakura Liner shuttle bus or 50 minutes by regular bus) Fuji Shibazakura venue
Enjoy Shibazakura Festival (2 hours)
*It usually takes 60 to 90 minutes to see this festival. But you can spend more if you like. And also there are lots of food stands in the venue. These stands offer many kinds of local food. You can take lunch before you leave.
*In the period of this festival, combo ticket which includes round trip bus fare and admission is sold around 2,000 yen. You can purchase it at Kawaguchiko station.
*If you intend to take the express bus from Shinjuku, some of buses are running to Shibazakura venue directly.
Fuji Shibazakura venue (Trip time 30 minutes by Shibazakura Liner shuttle bus or 50 minutes by regular bus) Kawaguchiko
Visit Mt. Tenjo Ropeway (Kachi Kachi Yama Ropeway) and/or Cruise on Lake Kawaguchi
*If you start this trip in very early morning, you may visit both.
You may visit Arakura Fuji Sengen shrine, Chureito Pagoda instead.
Kawaguchiko (Trip time 15 minutes by Fuji Kyuko Railway train) Shimo-Yoshida
Stay for one hour to visit shrine.
Shimo-Yoshida (Trip time 15 minutes by Fuji Kyuko Railway train) Kawaguchiko
If you intend to take a train, you can go back to Tokyo via Otsuki from Shimo-Yoshida. You do not need to go back to Kawaguchiko.
Shibazakura Festival and 5th station one day plan
Try to get Shibazakura venue to avoid congestion. This festival is very popular and still getting popular year by year.
Kawaguchiko (Trip time 30 minutes by Shibazakura Liner shuttle bus or 50 minutes by regular bus) Fuji Shibazakura venue
Enjoy Shibazakura Festival (2 hours)
*It usually takes 60 to 90 minutes to see this festival. But you can spend more if you like. And also there are lots of food stands in the venue. These stands offer many kinds of local food. You can take lunch before you leave. Otherwise you have a lunch time at Kawaguchiko station.
*In the period of this festival, combo ticket which includes round trip bus fare and admission is sold around 2,000 yen. You can purchase it at Kawaguchiko station.
*If you intend to take the express bus from Shinjuku, some of buses are running to Shibazakura venue directly.
Fuji Shibazakura venue (Trip time 30 minutes by Shibazakura Liner shuttle bus or 50 minutes by regular bus) Kawaguchiko (Trip time 55 minutes by bus) 5th station
Enjoy mountain air in the middle of Mt. Fuji (1 hour)
5th station (Trip time 55 minutes by bus) Kawaguchiko
5th station and Fuji-Q highland one day plan
Kawaguchiko (Trip time 55 minutes by bus) 5th station
Enjoy mountain air in the middle of Mt. Fuji (1 hour)
5th station (Trip time 55 minutes by bus) Kawaguchiko (Trip time 3 minutes by Fuji Kyuko Railway train) Fuji-Q Highland
Enjoy Fuji-Q Highland as much as you want. You can have lunch time in either Kawaguchiko or Fuji-Q Highland.
Fuji-Q Highland (Trip time 3 minutes by Fuji Kyuko Railway train) Kawaguchiko
If you intend to take a train, you can go back to Tokyo via Otsuki from Fuji-Q Highland. You do not need to go back to Kawaguchiko.
Mt Fuji overnight 2 days plan
If you can spend 2 days, you can visit most of places in Lake Kawaguchi and surrounding area.
Day 1
Kawaguchiko (Trip time 30 minutes by Shibazakura Liner shuttle bus or 50 minutes by regular bus) Fuji Shibazakura venue
Enjoy Shibazakura Festival (2 hours)
Fuji Shibazakura venue (Trip time 30 minutes by Shibazakura Liner shuttle bus or 50 minutes by regular bus) Kawaguchiko
If you do not visit in spring season, you may visit Oshino-Hakkai instead.
Kawaguchiko (Trip time 25 minutes by regular bus) Oshino-Hakkai
Enjoy walking in Oshino-Hakkai (1.5 to 2 hours)
Oshino-Hakkai (Trip time 25 minutes by regular bus) Kawaguchiko
Lunch time around Kawaguchiko station
Kawaguchiko (Trip time 15 minutes by Fuji Kyuko Railway train) Shimo-Yoshida
Visit Arakura Fuji Sengen shrine, Chureito Pagoda (1 hour)
Shimo-Yoshida (Trip time 15 minutes by Fuji Kyuko Railway train) Kawaguchiko
Visit Mt. Tenjo Ropeway (Kachi Kachi Yama Ropeway) and/or Cruise on Lake Kawaguchi
Stay in Lake Kawaguchi
Day 2
Kawaguchiko (Trip time 55 minutes by bus) 5th station
Enjoy mountain air in the middle of Mt. Fuji (1 hour)
5th station (Trip time 55 minutes by bus) Kawaguchiko (Trip time 3 minutes by Fuji Kyuko Railway train) Fuji-Q Highland
Enjoy Fuji-Q Highland as much as you want. You can have lunch time in either Kawaguchiko or Fuji-Q Highland.
Fuji-Q Highland (Trip time 3 minutes by Fuji Kyuko Railway train) Kawaguchiko
If you intend to take a train, you can go back to Tokyo via Otsuki from Fuji-Q Highland. You do not need to go back to Kawaguchiko.
If you are not interested in Fuji-Q Highland, you can visit museum and park around Lake Kawaguchi. You may take Fujikyu bus to visit various places around Fuji Five Lake. Please find some information in the link below:
Fuji Kyuko Bus official site – Route bus information
I hope this post helps you to build your trip plan to Lake Kawaguchi and Mt. Fuji are.
Comments
Thank you Takeshi san for your prompt reply.
For Yamanakako area, is renting a bicycle to go around the lake a wise thing to do? As I’m afraid the buses that go around Yamanakako are not frequent.
Thanks,
Jeen
Hi Jeen san,
Unfortunately I have never taken the bike around Lake Yamanaka. I cannot say anything about it.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello I am planning to visit japan in May I am vising with my wife and 2 children 11 and 7 year old , I want to visit Tokyo,Kyoto,Osaka,Hiroshima,Nagoya .my trip is for 2 weeks could you please help me with iternary and for how many days i should purchase the JR pass.
please note in Tokyo I will be spedning 5 nights.
Hi Abhit,
You may use 14-day JR Pass if you like. If you arrive and depart from Tokyo, you can get the worth of 14-day pass.
But if you squeeze other than Tokyo in 7 days period, you may use 7-day JR pass to save your cost. All cities are connected by the Shinkansen. JR Pass covers it. Please find the timetables of the Shinkansen in the links below:
https://global.jr-central.co.jp/en/info/timetable/_pdf/westbound.pdf
https://global.jr-central.co.jp/en/info/timetable/_pdf/eastbound.pdf
If you use 7-day JR pass, you can use other deals in Tokyo. Please see the link below:
https://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/airport_bus/index.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi sen,
Do we have time to visit Fuji area on the way from Tokyo to Kyoto? We will be using JR pass. Is there any place to store carry-on luggage at the train station?
Thank you.
Hi Cindy san,
You can do it. Your route is the following
Shinjuku – (limited express Azusa or Kaiji) Otsuki (Fuji Kyuko railway) Kawaguchiko (Fujikyu express bus) Mishima (Shinkansen) Kyoto
JR pass covers limited express Azusa or Kaji, and Shinkansen only. Fuji Kyuko railway and Fujikyu express bus are not covered.
You can store your luggage at Kawaguchiko station.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
I plan my trip on end of Dec, can you help to advise any activities can be done in mt fuji? If we are from Toyko on the way to Osaka, how shall the trip to be plan? Any advise?
Thanks and regards
Annie
Hi Annie san,
You can get Lake Kawaguchi from Shinjuku by the express bus and then take the express bus to get Mishima. You can catch the Shinkansen to Osaka at Mishima.
In the winter season, most attractions are open as usual. You can go to Mt. Tenjo Ropeway, Lake Cruise, Chureito Pagoda, even 5th station can be accessed when the weather is okay. So basically the place to visit is same as the summer season.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Konnichiwa Takeshi! I’m planning on a day trip to Hakone from Tokyo in my 10 day itinerary. Taking into account that I will be starting my trip early morning( my hotel is 8 minute walk from Tokyo station) I assume I will be back at Hakone Yumoto by 4:30 pm at max. So, do you think I can manage another short trip of say 3 hours from Hakone Yumoto station and yet make it in time to Tokyo station by night to get back back to the hotel?
Hi Lila,
Anything is possible but it depends on which place you go. Please see the link below. It helps you to build your trip plan.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1to3-days/how-to-build-the-trip-plan-to-hakone-various-sample-itineraries-of-hakone.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi-san,
Hello from the Philippines. I am going to Japan with my elderly parents (aged 72 and 73 years old) in early April 2019 for 8 days. We would like to visit Tokyo and Mt. Fuji. Kindly comment on my itinerary and means of transportation/tourist pass.
Day 1
– arrival in Narita around 9PM
– ride Airport Limousine bus
– stay in hotel near TCAT
Day 2
– go to Mt. Fuji
– using Suica, go to Shinjuku from Suitengumae Station
– ride the Fuji Kyuko Bus bound for Hirano from the Shinjuku Highway Bus Terminal (pay 1,750 JPY per person)
– arrive and stay in a hotel near Fujisan Station
– by the way, is Fujisan Station the same with Mt. Fuji Station?
– No other itinerary for this day so that parents can rest
Days 3 to 4 – Mt. Fuji and surroundings, using Mt. Fuji 2-day pass
Day 3
– Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway
– Lake Kawaguchi Pleasure Boat En Soleille
Day 4
– Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine and Chureito Pagoda
– Oshino Hakkai
Day 5
– Go back to Tokyo
– Ride the Fuji Kyuko Bus to Shinjuku Highway Bus Terminal (pay 1,750 JPY per person)
– From Shinjuku Station, go to Suitengumae Station using Suica, stay in a hotel near TCAT
– No other itinerary for this day so that parents can rest
Day 6 to 7 – Tokyo using 48 Hours Tokyo Subway Ticket
Day 6
– Tokyo Bay Lunch Cruise (use Suica to Hinode Station in the Yurikamome Line – can we use Suica in the Yurikamome Line? or should we buy the Pasmo?)
– Tokyo Tower
– Tokyo Sky Tree
Day 7
– Shinjuku Gyoen National Park
– Kimono Rental
– Shrine
– Senso-ji Temple
Day 8
– Ride airport limousine bus, departure from Narita Airport
In summary, the transportation tickets that I am planning to buy are the following:
– Round-trip airport limousine bus (TCAT special)
– 48-Hour Tokyo Subway Ticket
– Round-trip Fuji Kyuko Bus
– Mt. Fuji 2-day Pass
– Suica
Thank you very much, Takeshi-san, and I hope to hear from you.
Best regards,
Ria
Hi Ria san,
You have organized your trip plan very well. You have chosen the right deals. I don’t have many things to tell you.
Mt. Fuji and Fujisan stations are same. Fujisan means Mt. Fuji in Japanese.
Suica covers Yurikamome. Both Suica and Pasmo have same coverage.
When you take a but to/from Fujisan station, you can take a bus from Shibuya too.
http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/highway/detail/id/32
If you take subway Hanzomon line from Suitengumae, you can get Shibuya without any changing trains. Hanzomon line takes you to Shibuya directly. Bus departure place, Shibuya Mark City is located above subway Shibuya station. Of course you can take a bus from Shinjuku. It’s your choice.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi, May I get your advice on how to get to the area near Mt. Fuji. We area traveling on January 2019. We are spending 10 days in Japan. 3 days in Tokyo, 5 days in Kyoto, and last night in area near Mt. Fuji. Then Mt. Fuji back to Haneda airport. May I ask what is the best route/transportation from Kyoto to Mt Fuji area? We are planning to get a JR pass. and what other pass we should get on line before our travel?
Hi Amy,
You may take Shinkansen to get Mishima from Kyoto. This is covered by JR Pass.
After Mishima, you can take an express bus to get Lake Kawaguchi area. This is not covered by JR Pass.
http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/highway/detail/id/29
When you go to Haneda, the easiest way is taking an express bus. But this is not covered by JR Pass either.
http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/highway/detail/id/4
If you want to use JR Pass, you can use it from Otsuki. You have to pay for Lake Kawaguchi to Otsuki on Fuji Kyuko Railway. This is not covered by JR pass. You may find the info at the chapter of “Train access to Kawaguchiko (Lake Kawaguchi) from Shinjuku via Otsuki by JR Pass or JR East Pass” in the post above.
After Shinjuku, you can take Yamanote line to get Hamamatsucho and then take Monorail. All trip from Otsuki to Haneda is covered. But as you see, you have to change trains several times. If you pay a fare for an express bus, you can get Haneda from Lake Kawaguchi directly. That is your choice.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
WOW… I didn’t expect all these transfer! Thank you so much! Will it take longer time for all these transfer?
Hi Amy,
It depends on your travel day and time. Please use hyperdia to find the train route and schedule:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
We plan to go to Lake Kawaguchi and Oshino Hakkai from Tokyo/Shinjuku on the same day.
Could you recommend the transport?
Our initial plan is to use the Fujikyuko bus round trip to Lake Kawaguchi, but unsure how to arrange for Oshino Hakkai.
Can we go directly to Lake Kawaguchi first, spend few hours there and then go to Oshino Hakkai with the same bus and after that go back to Tokyo/Shinjuku with the same bus?
Thanks, Pearly
Hi Pearly san,
You can take the bus in the link below from Lake Kawaguchi:
http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/heritage-tour/detail/id/3/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hallo again Takeshi san,
Finally, i’ll be in japan next week..
I’ve choose hokuriku arch pass for this trip. So (by this pass) i need to know :
1. Can i take shinkansen tsurugi from toyama to kanazawa?
2. I’ll be arrived at kyoto station on 21.00 pm, How to go kansai airport except by haruka ltd.exp?
Thank you
Hi Sweetchild san,
1. Yes, you can.
2. Take the following route:
Kyoto (Special Rapid) Osaka (Kansai airport rapid) KIX
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/rapid-service-network-in-kansai-area.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
i was searching for 1 day itinerary and came upon your blog. are you able to help me with this route?
fuji subaru line 5th station → Chureito Pagoda → Kawaguchi Lake → Oshino Hakkai → Shiraito no Taki Falls
i dunno am i able to visit them all in 1 day. By the way, the journey is departure from tokyo station
Hi Soulwave,
I don’t want to say impossible but I think this is too much.
Please see the links below to find the bus timetable from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko and to Mt. Fuji 5th station.
http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/highway/detail/id/1
https://www.japan-guide.com/bus/fuji.html
Even if you take the earliest bus, you will be back to Kawaguchiko after 12:00 pm. In my sample itinerary, I add only Chureito and Kawaguchiko after 5th station. Because I will put 2 hours at least each for these places. I think it is very hard to add two more places after this. You may be able to add Oshino Hakkai because it is 25 minutes away from Kawaguchiko.
http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/route/detail/id/1
But Shiraito no Taki is very far from Kawaguchiko. It is other side of Mt. Fuji. It is one more hour away from Kawaguchiko.
http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/pdf/rosen/timetable_shinfuji.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Ah, noted on it. Cause i cant really decide on the path on how to roam around, so I myself also confuse on it. But thanks to your advice, I can now really go ahead of planning the 1 day trip properly. Really thanks alot for the help.
on a side note, do you think getting the mt fuji pass for 1 day worth for the trip?
Hi Soulwave,
You may not be able to get the worth of Fuji Pass. But you have to make sure where you visit first. At this point, your itinerary has not been fixed. I cannot say that you will get the worth of it or not. Please see the link below to find more info about Fuji pass.
http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/mtpass/_file/mtfujipass_EN.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
thanks for the reply and advice. i think my itinerary will be like this:
fuji subaru line 5th station → Chureito Pagoda → Kawaguchi Lake → Oshino Hakkai → Gotemba Premium outlet.
my round trip will be from asakusa station Kawaguchiko station.
I think i will have to recalculate the expenses around and see worth or not. Anyway, really thanks for the help 😀
Hi Soulwave,
Actually this is still very tight. You added Gotemba outlet instead of Shiraito no Taki. But Gotemba outlet is more than one hour away from Oshino Hakkai. As I mentioned in the previous reply, you will be back to Kawaguchiko around 12:30 from Fuji 5th station. And then, you will spend the time at Chureito and Kawaguchiko. You will spend 2 hours to visit Chureito. It does not include lunch time at this point. And what are you going to do? Are you watching the lake only? Are you going to take a cruise and/or gondola? If you take gondola or lake cruise, you will spend another one hour. So 3 hours is very very minimum excluding lunch time. 4 hours is more comfortable. And then go to Oshino Hakkai. It is probably around 17:00 after visit Oshino Hakkai. I think it’s too late to visit Gotemba. Outlet is open until 19:00 in winter time. But I think it’s still to late because it’s one hour away from Oshino Hakkai. And also you have to change the bus at Gotemba station. There is no direct bus from Oshino Hakkai to Gotemba outlet. You may spend 1.5 hours to get outlet from Oshino Hakkai. You will have less than 30 minute there. It’s not worth visiting.
I believe fuji subaru line 5th station → Chureito Pagoda → Kawaguchi Lake → Oshino Hakkai is enough. I don’t recommend to add any more places after these.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Ah, ok. After read through on what you say, I guess is better to follow the path you mention. Thanks for everything xD
No worries, Soulwave.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi! This is my planned route as well! Thank you for this guide! Btw, how can we go back to Tokyo? May I know where is the bus station going to Tokyo?
Hi PartimeNinja,
There are various routes available. Please see the link below to get more info:
http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/highway/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Takeshi san konnichiwa!
Your trip planning is great! I’d like to get your advice for for travel plan around Fuji-Hakone for three days in 2019 as below. Please advise if it’s possible with the public transport schedules.
June 1 (Saturday)
Shinjuku to Odawara (Odakyu Romancecar)
Odawara to Hakone-Yumoto (Fuji Hakone Pass)
Hakone-Yumoto to Owakudani, Togendai, Hakone Sightseeing Cruise, Ancient Cedar Avenue, Hakone Shrine, Lake Ashi shore walk
Motohakone to Chisuji Falls (near Horaien bus stop)
Kowakudani Station to Hakone Yuryo Onsen
Tonosawa Station back to Gora Station (accommodation)
June 2 (Sunday)
Gora Station to Gotemba Station to Mt Fuji Station (bus)
My Fuji Station to Oshino Hakkai
Oshino Hakkai to Lake Yamanoka [not sure if this is possible with bus schedules?]
Lake Yamanoka [where to stop to have good view of Mt Fuji reflection?]
back to Mt Fuji Station (accommodation)
+ Mt Fuji Station to Arakumaya Sengen Park if have time
June 3 (Monday)
Arakurayama Sengen Park (if didn’t manage to visit the day earlier)
Mt Kachi Kachi Ropeway
Lake Saiko, Wind Cave, Ice Cave [not sure if this is possible with bus schedules?]
Lake Shoji
back to Fujikawaguchiko (accommodation)
June 4 (Tuesday)
Kawaguchiko to Takayama (bus)
Thanks a lot!
Hi Jean san
Yamanakao Shinsui Park is a good spot to see the view of Fuji. But you have to walk for 2km from Fujisan Yamanakako (Hotel Mt.Fuji Ent.) bus stop.
http://www.vill.yamanakako.yamanashi.jp.e.kh.hp.transer.com/spot_detail.php?id=10
And also usually only early morning to see the reflection of Fuji. Even the earliest bus may be too late to see the view of reflection. Anyway you should try this on June 3.
If you don’t mind the time to visit there, you can take a bus “Fujikko-go”.
http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/heritage-tour/detail/id/2/
I think you can make all places on June 3.
http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/heritage-tour/detail/id/1/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san
I have changes on my itinerary, not sure if it works judging from the Fujikko-go sightseeing bus routes/schedules:
Day 1
Hakone (same as before)
Day 2
Hakone (Gora) departing around 6 am – Gotemba (bus transfer) – Yamanakako Asahigaoka – Yamankako Community Plaza/Hirano area – Nagaike – Hananomiyaki Park – Oshino Hakkai – Mt Fuji Stn
Mt Fuji Stn – Kawaguchiko Stn – Mt Kachi Kachi Ropeway
1630 departs to Oishi Park – Kozantei Ubuya – Ubuyagazaki – cross bridge to Oike Park – Mt Fuji Stn (accommodation)
Day 3
0615 departs from Mt Fuji Stn – Shimoyoshida Stn for Arakuramaya Sengen Park (Chureito Pagoda)
0830 departs from Shimoyoshida Stn – Kawaguchiko Stn (take Blue Line bus) – Shoji – Shoji Suwa Shrine (Giant cedar tree) – Kodaki Fuji View Point – Mt Panorama Dai (and hike up 1 hour) 1430 – Narusawa Ice Cave – Fugaku Fuketsu Wind Cave 1559 – Saiko Iyashinosato – walk to Saiko lakeside – Nenba Ent. stop 1712/1742 (last bus) – Yagisaki Park
Thank you.
Hi Jeen san,
Your trip plan is okay. I think you can pay as you go if you take a bus which is not covered by Fuji Hakone Pass. Because there is a pass which covers only Fujiko-go. It is 1500 yen for 2 days. But I don’t think you can get the worth of it.
http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/heritage-tour/detail/id/2/
It does not show any regular fares. But you can pay per ride. The fare is varied by the distance but it is around 200 to 300 yen per ride.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi again Takeshi san
I’m wondering if Odakyu’s Fuji Hakone Pass covers the Fujikko-go buses? As I’m referring to the map (link below), it seems that this pass covers the Fujikko-go routes.
https://www.odakyu.jp/wordpress/wp-content/themes/odakyu/english/pdf/passes/fujihakone.pdf
Thank you for always being attentive.
Hi Jeen san,
Yes. It’s covered. You may find the color of the line and the name of the line in the map on page 2 left side.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com