Yamanashi · Mount Fuji / Yoshida TrailNo.240★★★Open in map →
Mount Fuji
The Yoshida Trail 5th Station on Mount Fuji sits at 2,305 metres on the northern slope of Japan's highest peak (3,776 m). Reachable by bus from Kawaguchiko Station year-round (road open approximately mid-April to November), it is the departure point for the summer summit climb and an outstanding viewpoint in its own right.
Mount Fuji stands at 3,776 metres, the highest point in Japan and one of the most recognisable natural symbols in the world. The mountain has been a destination for pilgrimage and contemplation for over a millennium. The Yoshida Trail is the most-used of the four climbing routes, and its 5th Station — reached by the Fuji Subaru Line road at 2,305 metres — functions both as the trailhead for the summit climb and as a destination in itself. Even without attempting the summit, the 5th Station puts visitors above the cloud layer on many days, with views south and west across the Fuji Five Lakes and the Pacific coast far below. The station has restaurants, souvenir shops, and a first-aid centre.
Background & history
Mount Fuji has been a sacred mountain in Shinto and Buddhist practice since the 8th century, and a destination for Fuji-ko pilgrim climbers since the Edo period. The mountain was inscribed as a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site in 2013. The Fuji Subaru Line road opened in 1964, extending public access to 2,305 metres.
What to look for — in walking order
- 5th Station plaza and views south
- at 2,305 m, panoramic view over the Fuji Five Lakes and the Yamanashi plateau; clouds often below this point
- Yoshida Trail above the 5th Station
- the climbing path continues to the summit via volcanic sand and rock; open approximately July 1 to early September
- Komitake Shrine
- a small shrine at the 5th Station, marking the sacred character of the mountain
- Mountain craft and gear shops
- staff can lend climbing poles and sell rain gear at the station — useful even for a short walk up the trail
How to enjoy it
A visit to the 5th Station is worthwhile at any time of year: the bus runs year-round except when snow closes the road (typically December to mid-April). On a clear day, arrive in the morning before clouds build. If you plan to climb to the summit, the official season is approximately July 1 to early September — note that the mountain can close early in bad weather. Lightweight layers are essential at this altitude even in summer; temperatures can drop to near 0°C at the summit. The bus from Kawaguchiko Station departs several times daily in the climbing season; check Fujikyu bus schedules in advance.
How to actually get there
- Shinjuku Station → Kawaguchiko Station (Keio/Fujikyu highway bus, ~115 min, or Azusa limited express to Otsuki + Fujikyu Railway, ~120 min).
- Kawaguchiko Station → Fuji-Subaru Line 5th Station (Fujikyu climbing bus, ~50 min).
- 5th Station → summit climb (Yoshida Trail, July–early September, ~6 hr ascent) or explore the 5th Station area.
- Shinjuku → Kawaguchiko Station → Fuji-Subaru Line 5th Station (bus)
- From Shinjuku Station, take a Keio or Fujikyu highway bus to Kawaguchiko Station (about 115 minutes, roughly ¥1,800–¥2,000). From Kawaguchiko Station, board the Fujikyu climbing bus to the Fuji-Subaru Line 5th Station (about 50 minutes, roughly ¥1,950 each way or ¥3,000 round trip). Total roughly 165–175 minutes one-way. A direct highway bus from Shinjuku to the 5th Station runs seasonally (July–September, about 150 minutes).
- Return bus to Kawaguchiko Station
- Return buses from the 5th Station to Kawaguchiko run several times daily during the climbing season. Check the last departure time at the 5th Station information centre before ascending. If you miss the last direct bus, buses to Fujisan Station (Fujikyu Railway) also operate from the 5th Station.
Before you go
- Cash
- Bus fares are paid in cash or by IC card at the bus stops. The 5th Station facilities (restaurants, souvenir shops) accept cash. Bringing ¥3,000–¥5,000 in cash is advisable. There is no ATM at the 5th Station.
- Closing days
- The Fuji Subaru Line road to the 5th Station typically closes from early December to mid-April due to snow. During the official climbing season (approximately July 1 to early September) a climbing conservation fee of ¥2,000 is collected at the 5th Station gate for those ascending above the 5th Station.
- Another way
- A direct highway bus from Shinjuku to the 5th Station runs seasonally (July–September) without the need to change at Kawaguchiko.
- After you get off
- Fuji-Subaru Line 5th Station bus terminus is the end of the road at 2,305 m; all facilities are within a 2-minute walk of the bus stop.