Trip to Mount Fuji

Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station (Yoshida Trail)

The Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station (also known as Yoshidaguchi 5th Station or Kawaguchiko 5th Station) lies at approximately the halfway point of the Yoshida Trail, which leads from Fujiyoshida Sengen Shrine at the mountain's base to the summit of Mount Fuji. It is the most popular of the four 5th stations on Mount Fuji and the best developed and easiest to access by public transportation from Tokyo. The Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station is accessible almost year round, snow conditions permitting.
The station is reached by the Subaru Line, a scenic toll road up Mount Fuji's lower slopes, that begins in Kawaguchiko Town. The toll road costs 2060 yen and can get closed partially in winter due to heavy snow. Furthermore, it gets closed to private vehicles during the peak of the climbing season (July 10 to August 31, 2014), during which time shuttle buses are provided to take hikers to the 5th station.

The Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station provides parking lots, coin lockers and a few restaurants and shops, as it is the last chance for departing climbers to stock up on supplies at reasonable prices before they head out. Items such as hiking poles, snacks, bottles of water and oxygen may be purchased here, although they are also available along the trail, albeit at prices that increase as you get higher.
At 2300 meters above sea level, the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station offers a commanding view of the Fuji Five Lakes area below. An observation point with unobstructed views of Fujiyoshida City and Lake Yamanaka can be found at Komitake Shrine, which is located behind the shops.

Komitake Shrine The Yoshida Trail is the most crowded trail to the summit, and some sections can get very congested during the official climbing season, especially above the 8th Station. On the positive side, there are a lot of mountain huts along the trail and separate uphill and downhill tracks. The trail also has good views of the sunrise for those who do not make it to the summit in time. The ascent via the Yoshida Trail takes roughly five to seven hours, and the return journey about three to five hours.

Besides the trail to the summit, there is the Ochudo Trail, which might be of interest to day trip and off season visitors who cannot hike to the summit but still wish to do some walking around the mountain. Rather than up the mountain, the Ochudo Trail leads around the mountain at about the same elevation. A five kilometer section of the trail can be walked from the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station westwards. It also provides a connection to some of the more remote parking lots.

Entrance to the Yoshida Trail

Ochudo Trail

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How to travel between the Fuji Five Lakes and Tokyo

By bus from Shinjuku Station
Fujikyu and Keio Bus operate one to two direct buses per hour from Tokyo's Shinjuku Station (Keio Highway Bus Terminal) to Kawaguchiko Station in the Fuji Five Lakes region. The one way journey takes about two hours and costs 1750 yen. Most buses stop at Fujisan Station and Fuji Q Highland before arriving at Kawaguchiko Station and some of them continue on to Lake Yamanakako (2.5 hours, 2050 yen one way from Shinjuku). The Japan Rail Pass is not valid on these buses.
By bus from Tokyo Station
Fujikyu and JR Kanto Bus operate about half a dozen direct buses per day from Tokyo Station (Yaesu South Exit) to Kawaguchiko Station in the Fuji Five Lakes region. The one way trip takes about three hours and costs 1750 yen. The buses stop at Lake Yamanakako along the way (2.5 hours, 1750 yen). The Japan Rail Pass is not valid on these buses.
By train
Take the JR Chuo Line from Tokyo's Shinjuku Station to Otsuki Station (70 minutes, about 2500 yen by directlimited express train or 100 minutes, 1320 yen by local trains with usually one transfer along the way). From Otsuki, take the Fujikyu Railway Line to Kawaguchiko Station (55 minutes, 1140 yen one way). The JR Kanto Area Pass covers the entire journey (except panorama seats on limited express trains); however, the Japan Rail Pass and JR East Pass are not valid between Otsuki and Kawaguchiko.
From July to November 2014, the "Mount Fuji Round Trip Ticket" is available for 5600 yen to non-Japanese passport holders. It includes a round trip by JR trains between central Tokyo and Otsuki (including limited express trains; seat reservation included), unlimited rides along the Fujikyu Railway between Otsuki and Kawaguchiko Station (non-reserved seats only) and unlimited rides on the bus between Kawaguchiko Station and the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station. It is valid for up to two consecutive calendar days.
By guided tourJapanican offers various guided tours from Tokyo to the Fuji Five Lakes and Hakone, including a popular guided day trip by bus (from 11,000 yen) and a guided two day trip with hotel (from 29,500 yen).

Above fees and schedules are subject to change. For the current yen exchange rate, click here.

Orientation
The two major transportation hubs in the Fuji Five Lake region are Kawaguchiko Station and nearby Fujisan Station (formerly known as Fujiyoshida Station), both located along the Fujikyu Railway Line. From these two stations, buses depart into all directions, providing access to the five lakes and other attractions.
Bus Network Map:

The retro buses are generally the easiest way for tourists to get around. There are two lines starting from Kawaguchiko Station: the Kawaguchiko Line runs along the eastern and northern shores of Lake Kawaguchiko, while the Saiko-Aokigahara Line runs along the southern shore of Lake Kawaguchiko and around Lake Saiko. A 2-day pass for unlimited use of the Kawaguchiko Line on two consecutive calendar days costs 1030 yen, while a 2-day pass for both retro bus lines costs 1340 yen.
For transportation between Fujiyoshida, Oshino Village and around Lake Yamanakako the Fujikko Bus can be useful, although buses run only once every one or two hours. A 2-day pass for unlimited use of the Fujikko bus on two consecutive calendar days costs 1340 yen, while a cheaper version for 1030 yen covers just the area between Oshino and Yamanakako, not including Fujiyoshida.
Apart from the retro buses and the Fujikko Bus, there is a network of regular buses, which can be useful for access to the more remote Lake Shojiko and Motosuko, as well as in direction of Oshino, Lake Yamanakako and Gotemba. Another bus line of interest connects Kawaguchiko Station with Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station halfway up the mountain.
A rental car can also be a convenient way to get around, especially if visiting places outside of central Kawaguchiko. A few rental car outlets can be found near Kawaguchiko Station. Similarly, a rental bicycle can be an attractive way to get around, although some roads in the region are rather busy and distances between the lakes are considerable.

Special Tickets
Several passes are available for the Fuji Five Lake area, which can provide savings and comfort:

• Fuji Hakone Pass (7400 yen)The Fuji Hakone Pass is a pass for foreign tourists, which provides access from Tokyo and transportation within the Fuji Five Lakes region and the neighboring Hakone area.
  
• Fujigoko Enjoy Ticket (4350 yen)This ticket combines a round trip by highway bus from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko or Yamanakako (regular cost: at least 3500 yen) with a 2-day pass for either the retro bus or the Fujikko bus (regular cost: 1340 yen). It also qualifies for discounts on selected local tourist attractions. It is valid for up to seven days. The ticket can be purchased at the Keio Highway Bus Terminal in Shinjuku.
  
• Fuji Q Highland PlansThere are various discount travel plans available for a visit to the Fuji Q Highland amusement park. The plans combine access by bus with park passports and in some cases accommodation.
  
• Fujisan Fujigoko PassportThis ticket provides unlimited use of Fujikyu buses around the Fuji Five Lakes, including the retro buses and the Fujikko bus on two or three consecutive calendar days. The following versions are available:
  
  
  
  • Fujisan Fujigoko Passport Light (2 days, 2550 yen)
    Does not cover anything in addition to the above mentioned buses.
  
  
  • Fujisan Fujigoko Passport (3 days, 3900 yen)
    Includes the bus to the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station.
  
  
  • Fujisan Fujigoko Passport Light Mishima/Shin-Fuji Version (2 days, 4650 yen)
    Includes the buses to Shin-Fuji Station and Gotemba/Mishima Stations.
  
  
  • Fujisan Fujigoko Passport Mishima/Shin-Fuji Version (3 days, 5950 yen)
    Includes the buses to the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station, Shin-Fuji Station and Gotemba/Mishima Stations.
  
  
  • Fujisan Fujigoko Passport Light Mishima Liner Version (2 days, 5550 yen)
    Includes the buses to Gotemba/Mishima Stations and a round trip on the "Mishima Liner" limited express bus between Mishima and Kawaguchiko Station.
  
  
  • Fujisan Fujigoko Passport Mishima Liner Version (3 days, 6900 yen)
    Includes the buses to the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station and Gotemba/Mishima Stations, as well as a round trip on the "Mishima Liner" limited express bus between Mishima and Kawaguchiko Station.
  The 3-day passes are 500 yen discounted from early December to late March when the buses to the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station are not running. The map below illustrates the coverage area of the various versions of the pass:

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Source: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6922.html