Mt. Fuji Itinerary

I am planning a day trip from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji on the 24th November 2014.

My plan is:

(05:23) 1st train from Otsuka to ShimoYoshida Station
(08:00) ShimoYoshida Station for Chureito pagoda at Arakura Sengen Shrine to see Mt. Fuji
(11:42) Train from Shimoyoshida to Kawaguchiko
(11:55) Kawaguchiko Station
(12:30) Bus from Kawaguchiko Station - to Lake Kawaguchiko (2 bus/hr - will board bus latest at ard 13:00)
(15:00) Bus Back to Kawaguchiko Station

- (15:20) Bus down from Kawaguchiko to Asahigaoka OR Hotel Mount Fuji Iriguchi for Lake Yamanakako
- (16:00) Lake Yamanakako

(16:00 or 18:00) Train back to Otsuka depending on wheather I drop Lake Yamakako or not
(18:60 or 20:20) Reach Otsuka

My Itinerary is basis if the weather on that day is clear the whole day. However, I will drop Lake Yamanakako if the weather is not clear in the afternoon. Also, sunset is around 1630 that day and if it gets dark, Mt. Fuji cannot be seen.
And ultimately, my main concern is getting to Chureito Pagoda & Lake Kawaguchiko before Mt. Fuji goes into hidding.

Question:

1) I've read somewhere that its quite a climb to Chureito Pagoda (400 steps uphill). Should I go to Chureito Pagoda first or Lake Kawaguchiko?

2) Is there a bus schedule for buses to Lake Kawaguchiko or is it really runs with 2 buses/hr without a schedule? I can assume its every 30 minutes?

I found a Fujiyu bus schdule here http://www.japan-guide.com/bus/gotemba.html but its for kawaguchiko to Yamanakako or Gotemba.

4) IF I were to decide to go Lake Yamanakako, which bus stop should I alight? Hotel Mount Fuji Iriguchi or Asahigaoka?

5) As I will be having an Icoca card with me, can I know if the fares for the buses are to be paid by cash only or they accept payment by Icoca card?

6) Ref to this page: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6933.html
Like many others, I would like to view Mt. Fuji together with the train. As the page describes, " The famous view of Mount Fuji in combination with Shinkansen trains can be enjoyed from the farmland east of central Fuji City."

How do I access to east of central Fuji City??

Any kind of help for the above questions will be greatly appreciated.

Thank You.

help, anybody??

1) I've read somewhere that its quite a climb to Chureito Pagoda (400 steps uphill). Should I go to Chureito Pagoda first or Lake Kawaguchiko?

It's not a terrible climb. Takes maybe 5-10 minutes if you're fit. Optionally you can walk up the road which is not nearly as steep.

2) Is there a bus schedule for buses to Lake Kawaguchiko or is it really runs with 2 buses/hr without a schedule? I can assume its every 30 minutes?

Which bus are you referring to? There's actually several buses on that route, and it would help to know which you prefer.

Generally though, the retro buses are probably most convenient for sightseeing around Kawaguchiko and run every 20 minutes. Here's the schedule:

http://bus.fujikyu.co.jp/transportation/2014syuyu2.pdf

I found a Fujiyu bus schdule here http://www.japan-guide.com/bus/gotemba.html but its for kawaguchiko to Yamanakako or Gotemba.

4) IF I were to decide to go Lake Yamanakako, which bus stop should I alight? Hotel Mount Fuji Iriguchi or Asahigaoka?

Depends on what you want to visit. Hotel Mount Fuji Iriguchi is closer to some of the attractions, and I'd probably choose there.

6) Ref to this page: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6933.html
Like many others, I would like to view Mt. Fuji together with the train. As the page describes, " The famous view of Mount Fuji in combination with Shinkansen trains can be enjoyed from the farmland east of central Fuji City."

How do I access to east of central Fuji City??

It's easiest by car or taxi.

Thank you so much, yllwsmrf!

Really helpful. With the name of the bus you provided, I went to the Fujikyu website and got hold of an English version of the bus schedule. I can plan my itinerary better now.

Once again, thank you very much!