Mt. Fuji to 5 lakes possible?

Hi!

I want to go to 5th station in Kawaguchiko (main one?) to see climbing preparations and maybe buy climbing stick but not climb mountain. Same day I want to go to Hakone or 5 lakes and see Fuji from better view. Is this possible in one day if I leave early from Tokyo? How do I go and what passes should I get? Which should I see first to make trip less complicated? Thanx a bunch!

Yes, it is easily possible to visit the Five Lakes and the Kawaguchiko 5th Station in a day trip from Tokyo, but Hakone would be too much. Also, it is much less likely to be able to see the mountain from distant Hakone.

I recommend the following route:

Shinjuku - (direct bus) - 5th Station - (bus) - Kawaguchiko Station - travel around Kawaguchiko - Kawaguchiko Station - (bus) - Shinjuku

Alternatively, you could consider the following pass, but I personally think it is more comfortable to travel by the direct buses (the price difference is minimal):
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/fuji/index.html

I assume that you travel during July or August. And I recommend to avoid weekends and the Obon period (August 11-19) in order to avoid the crowds and booked out buses.

Timetable of the Shinjuku-5th Station and 5th Station-Kawaguchiko buses:
http://www.japan-guide.com/bus/fuji_season.html

Timetable of the Kawaguchiko-Shinjuku bus:
http://transportation.fujikyu.co.jp/english/gettinghere/01_3.html

How to get around Kawaguchiko (see second part of the page):
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6905.html

Thank you! I will travel in October. Will this make a difference? After Kawaguchiko, how do I get to 5 lakes? Is there bus service between lakes? Is there a bus schedule I can find online? Thanx again!

Yes, this will make a few difference. October is outside of the climbing season. So, you won't be able to see climbing preparations. Also, the buses will be less frequent, in particular the direct buses between Shinjuku and the 5th Station, but also the buses from Kawaguchiko to the 5th Station:
http://www.japan-guide.com/bus/fuji.html

But it is still possible to visit the area in a one day trip from Tokyo. The JR round trip ticket is also still available.

Oh thank you Uji! So climbers won't be there, but the climber shop will still be open? Also, i didn't know it was so close to five lakes, so forget the second post! sorry!

I am not aware of a climber shop. But there are multiple souvenir shops that should be open. I am pretty sure that they have walking sticks on sale even in the off-season, but I am not 100% sure.

Thanx Uji, you are very helpful!