The 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. Although visited mainly by hikers during the climbing season in July and August, the Kawaguchiko 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 2300 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 12-15, 26-28 and August 2-25, 2013), during which time shuttle buses are provided to take hikers to the 5th station.
The Kawaguchiko 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 Kawaguchiko 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 Kawaguchiko 5th Station westwards. It also provides a connection to some of the more remote parking lots.
Entrance to the Yoshida Trail
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Ochudo Trail
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