Subashiri 5th Station (Subashiri Trail)
Among the four 5th stations on Mount Fuji, the Subashiri 5th Station (須走五合目, Subashiri Gogōme) on the eastern side of the mountain is the second easiest to access by public transportation from Tokyo after the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station. Buses serve the station daily during the climbing season from mid July until mid September, and run on weekends and national holidays from May through October (no off-season service in 2023 so far).
Like the Gotemba 5th Station, the Subashiri 5th Station is far less developed than the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station, consisting of only a parking lot, toilets and two small shops and restaurants. Coin lockers are not available. The 5th station is reached by a winding road through Mount Fuji's forests, which gets closed to private vehicles during the climbing season (July 10 to September 10, 2024) when there are shuttle buses between a parking lot at the base of the mountain and the 5th station. The road also gets closed during winter, usually from late November to late April.
The first section of the Subashiri Trail is below the treeline and leads through forest. The trail is not as crowded as other routes up the mountain until it joins up with the Yoshida Trail around the 8th station, from where it can get very crowded on busy days. The ascent from the Subashiri 5th Station takes about 5-8 hours and the descent about 3-5 hours. Note that with an altitude of 1950 meters above sea level, the Subashiri 5th Station is a few hundred meters lower than the Fuji Subaru Line and Fujinomiya 5th stations.
Note that from 2024, the trailheads to Mount Fuji will be closed to hikers without hut reservations between 4pm and 3am to prevent overnight climbing. Furthermore, hikers along the Subashiri Trail are asked to submit an online application and watch a preparatory video about the climb in advance. Read more.
Besides the trail to the summit of Mount Fuji, the Subashiri 5th Station offers an alternate, much shorter hiking trail to a small peak called Kofuji ("Little Fuji"). Kofuji is a 1979 meter high secondary peak that formed on the side of Mount Fuji sometime before recorded history. It can be reached in a 20 minute walk from the 5th station along a nature trail through the forest.
Getting there and around
By bus from Gotemba Station
Buses operate between Gotemba Station and the Subashiri 5th Station every 1-2 hours during the climbing season (see timetable), but there is no service outside the climbing season. The ride takes about 60 minutes and costs 1780 yen one way, while round trip tickets are available for 2400 yen.
How to get from Tokyo to Gotemba
Take the JR Tokaido Line from Tokyo to Kozu (75 minutes, frequent departures) and change to the JR Gotemba Line to Gotemba (50 minutes, 1-2 trains per hour). The entire journey costs 1980 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
Alternatively, take the Odakyu Railway from Shinjuku to Shin-Matsuda Station (80 minutes, 800 yen by express train, frequent departures), walk to JR Matsuda Station and take the JR Gotemba Line to Gotemba (30 minutes, 510 yen, 1-2 trains per hour). The Japan Rail Pass is valid on trains between Matsuda and Gotemba, but not between Shinjuku and Shin-Matsuda.
Additionally, there are a few "Mount Fuji" limited express trains, which operate directly between Shinjuku and Gotemba Station. The one way trip takes about 100 minutes and costs around 3000 yen. Japan Rail Pass holders will have to pay a supplement for this train as it partially runs on non-JR tracks.
How to get from Osaka, Kyoto and Nagoya to Gotemba
Take a Hikari train along the JR Tokaido Shinkansen to Mishima Station and backtrack one stop to Numazu Station along the JR Tokaido Main Line. There change to the JR Gotemba Line to Gotemba Station. The trip is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass. Note that only one out of four Hikari trains stops at Mishima Station.
By car
The windy, toll-free road to the Subashiri 5th Station is closed to private vehicles during the climbing season (July 10 to September 10, 2024) and during winter, typically from late November to late April. During the rest of the year, the 5th station can be reached by car.
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Hotels around Mount Fuji
-
-
Fufu KawaguchikoSet in Fujikawaguchiko, 4.8 km from Lake Kawaguchi, Fufu Kawaguchiko offers accommodation with a garden, free private parking, a shared lounge and a terrace. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, room service and a 24-hour front desk, along with free WiFi throughout the property. Guests can use the sauna and the hot spring bath, or enjoy mountain views. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a balcony and a private bathroom with a bidet. Fufu Kawaguchiko features certain units with lake views, and rooms include a patio. At the accommodation all rooms are fitted with bed linen and towels. Guests at Fufu Kawaguchiko will be able to enjoy activities in and around Fujikawaguchiko, like cycling. Fuji-Q Highland is 7.1 km from the hotel, while Mount Fuji is 28 km away. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 124 km from the property.View on Booking.com
-
Hotel AsafujiBoasting views of Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi for all rooms and hot-spring baths, Hotel Asafuji provides air-conditioned Japanese-style rooms with a green tea set. Free WiFi available throughout the hotel and free on-site parking is available. Free pick-up service is available from Kawaguchiko Station upon request. The air-conditioned rooms at Hotel Asafuji have Shoji paper screens and a low table with floor chairs and cushions. Each room includes a fridge, private toilet, and guests bathe at the hot-spring baths. Japanese-style futon bedding on a tatami (woven-straw) floor is provided. Yukata robes are offered for guests. Massages are available, and the reception can store luggage. The public hot-spring baths are open from 06:00-09:30 and from 15:00-23:30 daily. A Japanese set breakfast and kaiseki multi-course dinner are available at the on-site restaurant for an extra fee with an advance reservation. Kawaguchiko Station is a 10-minute drive, while Kawaguchiko Ropeway and Lake Kawaguchi's boat dock is a 3-minute drive away from the hotel. Kawaguchiko Music Forest and Kawaguchiko Museum Of Art is a 7-minute drive. Oishi Parkand is a 10-minute drive away, while Fuji-Q Highland amusement park is a 15-minute drive away.View on Booking.com
-
HOSTEL MICHIKUSA-YASet in Fujikawaguchiko, less than 1 km from Lake Kawaguchi, HOSTEL MICHIKUSA-YA offers accommodation with a garden, free private parking and a shared lounge. This 3-star hostel offers a shared kitchen and free shuttle service. The property is non-smoking and is located 4.6 km from Fuji-Q Highland. Featuring a shared bathroom with a bidet and a hairdryer, rooms at the hostel also have free WiFi, while selected rooms here will provide you with a mountain view. Mount Fuji is 25 km from HOSTEL MICHIKUSA-YA, while Fujiomuro Sengen Shrine is 700 metres away. The nearest airport is Shizuoka Airport, 121 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com
-
Guesthouse HonobonoRenovated in September 2018, Guesthouseほのぼの offers an accommodation with free WiFi in Fujikawaguchiko, 1.3 km from Lake Kawaguchi. Free private parking is available on site on a first-come, first-serve basis as well as prior reservation. Free shuttle service is available upon prior request from the property to Kawaguchiko Station. There is a shared kitchen and lounge at the property. Guests can make some coffee and tea free of charge. Bath amenities including towels, toiletries and toothbrushes are available at the front desk for a fee. Mount Fuji is 16 km from Guesthouseほのぼの, while Shimobe Hot Spring is 26 km away.View on Booking.com
-
Fuji Guest House AoLocated in Fujikawaguchiko, 1.7 km from Fuji-Q Highland, Fuji Guest House Ao provides accommodation with a shared lounge, private parking and a terrace. Featuring free bikes, the 1-star hostel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. The property is non-smoking and is set 3.7 km from Lake Kawaguchi. Guest rooms include bed linen. Mount Fuji is 22 km from the hostel, while Mount Kachi Kachi Ropeway is 1.8 km away. Shizuoka Airport is 122 km from the property.View on Booking.com
-
Hananoyado YumefujiSituated in Fujikawaguchiko, 2.9 km from Lake Kawaguchi, Hananoyado Yumefuji features each room with a private garden with a terrace. Kawaguchiko Station is just a 5-minute walk away from the villa. Free WiFi is available throughout the property. At the hotel, all air-conditioned rooms are fitted with a wardrobe, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom including free amenities. All rooms also boast a kitchenette with a fridge. Breakfast is served as morning basket (bento) daily at the property. A variety of popular activities are available in the area around the property, including skiing, cycling and hiking. Free public parking is available. On-site concierge service is available. Lake Kawaguchi Ohashi Bridge is 1.8 km from the accommodation. Fujikyu Highland is 1.17 km away.View on Booking.com
-
JINYA FujikawaguchikoLocated within 2.8 km of Fuji-Q Highland and 3 km of Lake Kawaguchi, JINYA Fujikawaguchiko provides rooms with air conditioning and a private bathroom in Fujikawaguchiko. The property is around 1.2 km from Mount Kachi Kachi Ropeway, 1.8 km from Lake Kawaguchi Ohashi Bridge and 2.6 km from Fujiomuro Sengen Shrine. The property is non-smoking and is situated 23 km from Mount Fuji. All units in the hotel are equipped with a kettle. Featuring a private bathroom with a bidet and a hairdryer, rooms at JINYA Fujikawaguchiko also provide guests with free WiFi. At the accommodation every room is fitted with bed linen and towels. Oshijuutaku Togawa and Osano’s House is 4.5 km from JINYA Fujikawaguchiko, while Kawaguchi Asama Shrine is 4.7 km away. Shizuoka Airport is 121 km from the property.View on Booking.com
-
Fujikawaguchiko Onsen KonansoFeaturing great views of Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi, Konanso boasts natural hot spring baths and large Japanese-style rooms with traditional tatami (woven-straw) flooring. It is only a 2-minute walk from a ferry stop, where guests can board sightseeing cruises. Free WiFi is offered in all areas. Konanso offers indoor and outdoor hot spring baths, a private-use bath (charges apply), and a foot bath on the rooftop. Relaxing massage services can be arranged. Other facilities include karaoke rooms and a lounge bar. A souvenir shop can be found on the ground floor. Guest rooms at Konanso are fitted with futon bedding, a seating area and a flat-screen TV. A Fridge and an electric kettle are also provided. Guests can try on Yukata robes or enjoy free green tea in their room. Some rooms feature an open-air hot spring bath. The property is a 10-minute drive from Kawaguchiko Train Station. A free pick-up service from the station is available upon request. Mount Fuji 5th Station for climbing is a 1-hour bus ride from Kawaguchiko Station. Popular Fuji-Q Highland Amusement Park is a 5-minute drive away, while Gotemba Outlet Shopping Mall can be reached within a 40-minute drive. Seasonal Japanese multi-course meals are served either in a private dining room or in the guestroom. Breakfast can be enjoyed at the dining room.View on Booking.com
-
Mizno HotelOffering beautiful Mount Fuji views from all rooms, public baths, and restaurants, Mizno Hotel is a 5-minute drive from Kawaguchiko Train Station. Located on a hilltop and overlooking Lake Kawaguchi, the hotel serves French dinner with an advance reservation. Guests at Mizno Hotel can sleep in Western-style beds, or experience traditional futon bedding on a tatami (woven-straw) floor in one of the Japanese-style rooms. All rooms are air-conditioned and have an LCD TV and Yukata robes. The shore of Lake Kawaguchi is a 2-minute walk. Fuji-Q Highland amusement park and Fuji-Omuro Sengen Shrine are less than a 15-minute drive from the hotel. On-site parking is free, and free pick-up from Kawaguchiko Station is offered from 14:00-18:00. Mount Fuji 5th Station for climbing is a 1-hour bus ride from Kawaguchiko Station. Guests can relax in the sauna or in the private open-air bath. The hotel has English-speaking staff. The bar, which also has a library, offers a variety of drinks. The sophisticated atmosphere is popular with couples.View on Booking.com
-
RakuyuOverlooking picturesque Kawaguchi Lake in the serene Mount Fuji area, Rakuyu boasts comfortable guest rooms and natural hot spring baths. Free Wi-Fi is provided in the public area. Rakuyu is located a 5-minute drive from Kawaguchiko Station, and a free pick-up shuttle is provided. Popular Fuji-Q Highland amusement park is a 10-minute drive away. Rooms are fitted with chic furnishings and large windows, which offer plenty of sunlight and great lake views. A flat-screen TV and a fridge are provided in the room. The en suite bathroom includes free toiletries. The panoramic lake views and a cosy fireplace await guests in the lobby. Guests can rewind in the spacious hot spring bath, or reserve a smaller private bath at an extra charge.View on Booking.com
-
Experiences around Mount Fuji
-
-
Private One Day Tour Mt. Fuji - Lake Kawaguchiko**Chureito Pagoda Shinto shrine** Famous spot with spectacular views of Mt. Fuji, cherry blossoms and crimson pagodaView on Klook
-
Mt Fuji & Five-storied Pagoda & Illumination & Ropeway Day TourEnjoy a fantastic panorama of the Five-Story Pagoda and Mt. Fuji from the popular tourist spot, Arakurayama Sengen ParkView on Klook