Travelling around Fujikawaguchiko

Hi, I will be travelling around Fujikawaguchiko on 24-27 April.

I will go to few places such as Itchiku Kubota museum, Chureito Pagoda, Kawaguchiko music forest, Kachi Kachi rope way, an onsen place, Fuji Shibazakura festival, and gotemba premium outlets.
There are some questions that I can't figure out and it will be very helpful if somebody could help me out.

1. What is the best way to go from Kawaguchiko Station to gotemba premium outlets and back to Kawaguchiko?
2. Just for information, I will be supporting the UTMF and there is a stop at Subashiri IC. Is there any ways I can go from Subashiri IC to Gotemba premium outlets and back to Subashiri IC again?
3. What is the best place to have private onsen with a view of Mount Fuji? I tried looking for Yurari onsen but somebody said the private bath is only for guest staying at hotel. Is that right? If so, could you suggest a place with private bath for day use?
4. What is the best and most economical transport pass to buy for all the places I mentioned above?
5. Is there Sakura flower left to see during that time? If yes, where is the best place to view?

Thank you so much in advance.

What is the best way to go from Kawaguchiko Station to gotemba premium outlets and back to Kawaguchiko?

By rental car or bus. There are a small number of direct buses. Others require a transfer to the free outlet shuttle bus at Gotemba Station.

2. Just for information, I will be supporting the UTMF and there is a stop at Subashiri IC. Is there any ways I can go from Subashiri IC to Gotemba premium outlets and back to Subashiri IC again?

UTMF = Ultra Trail Mount Fuji?

�{‘–ŽÔŒÉ‘O bus stop along the Kawaguchiko-Gotemba line is located close to Subashiri IC:
http://buste.in/search/bus/?id1=n6096&id2=22#map1

Here is the timetable in Japanese:
http://bus.fujikyu.co.jp/line/jikokuhyo/01.html

Or a rental car could be convenient.

What is the best place to have private onsen with a view of Mount Fuji? I tried looking for Yurari onsen but somebody said the private bath is only for guest staying at hotel. Is that right? If so, could you suggest a place with private bath for day use?

I have no personal experience, because I prefer the public baths which tend to be larger and better than the private ones. But the following website let's you look for ryokan and hotels that have rooms with private baths:
http://www.japanican.com/

4. What is the best and most economical transport pass to buy for all the places I mentioned above?

For a larger group of people a rental car could be economical. Alternatively, the Fujisan Fujigoko Passport Light Mishima/Shin-Fuji Version could be convenient:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6905.html

Or a retro bus pass in combination with regular tickets on the Kawaguchiko-Gotemba line.

5. Is there Sakura flower left to see during that time? If yes, where is the best place to view?

Yes, the flowers are only about starting to open now. So, I think that you will be able to see them around Lake Kawaguchiko and in other places:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6920.html

I didn't know there was so much in kawaguchiko - thanks for the list!
We're going there on 22-24 april.

Fuji Shibazakura festival - any idea when does it start, ie. when do the flowers begin blooming? :)

I don't think the shibazakura will look very attractive yet at that time, but I am not sure. They have a live camera once the festival starts:
http://www.fujiyama-navi.jp/sakura/shibazakura/

Thank you Uji for your detailed and prompt response.

Yes, the Ultra Trail Mount Fuji.
So I will be going to check points and those places that I mentioned. Do you think my schedule is too pack?

As for the private onsen, I am looking for the one that can be used by outside guest because I have booked hotel from the race package.

If public bath, which one do you recommend that will have view of mount fuji and available for outside guest?
Thank you.

Yes, the Ultra Trail Mount Fuji.
So I will be going to check points and those places that I mentioned. Do you think my schedule is too pack?

I am not familiar with the Ultra Trail Mount Fuji and am not sure how time-consuming your activities will be there. But if you could combined them with a visit to the Gotemba outlet mall into one day, then you would have a second day for sightseeing around Kawaguchiko which can be sufficient time depending on how much you want to see and your travel pace.

As for the private onsen, I am looking for the one that can be used by outside guest because I have booked hotel from the race package.

Yurari and Benifuji no Yu are the ones with views of Mount Fuji:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6902.html

Yurari feels nicer, but Benifuji no Yu has the better views. Neither of them is too easily accessed. Benifuji no Yu somewhat along the way between Kawaguchiko and Subashiri IC/Gotemba.

Thank you very much for your help Uji.
Appreciate it.. :)

Hi Uji,

I found difficulties in reading the timetables you gave.
I tried to translate it with google translate however I didn't understand some of the translation.

They said toku, shiboni and A on top of the timetables. What does it mean?

Basically, I want to find out how to travel from kawaguchiko to gotemba on saturday at about 3.30 and come back to kawaguchiko at 8 pm.. Could you help me to see what is the closest time?

Do you think it is enough time to walk and shop around within that duration?

Thank you for your help.

Hi guys,

I also plan to go Fuji Shibazakura festival on 27. However I dont know how travel from Kawaguchiko station to Fuji Shibazakura Festival.

Thanks a lot.

There is shuttle bus service between Kawaguchi-ko and the Fuji Shibazakura Festival venue.
http://www.shibazakura.jp/eng/access/index.html

Below is the bus schedule.
http://www.shibazakura.jp/liner/#kawaguchi

Thanks you so much William :)

Hi, I found difficulties in reading below timetable. I tried to translate it with google translate however I didn't understand some of the translation.
Appreciate if somebody could help me.

http://bus.fujikyu.co.jp/line/jikokuhyo/01.html

They said toku, shiboni and A on top of the timetables. What does it mean?

Basically, I want to find out how to travel from kawaguchiko to gotemba on saturday at about 3.30 and come back to kawaguchiko at 8 pm.. Could you help me to see what is the closest time?

Do you think it is enough time to walk and shop around within that duration?

Thank you for your help.

There is a bus that leaves Kawaguchi-ko at 15.40 and reaches Gotemba Premier Outlet at 17.15 but the last bus leaves the outlet at 18.15 (reaches Kawaguchi-ko at 19.56) giving you only an hour stay inside the premise. For more time in the outlet you need to take an earlier bus. How much time is needed depends on how involved you are into shopping. We found the outlet not that interesting and spend only about an hour walking around without buying anything.

Thank you for your help William.