Get the Most of Mt. Fuji and Hakone in One or Two Days
Mt. Fuji 5th Station
The Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station (富士スバルライン五合目, Fuji Subaru Line Gogōme, also known as Yoshidaguchi 5th Station or 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 Mt. Fuji.
The Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station provides parking lots, coin lockers and a few restaurants, and a postal service.
Short hiking on Ochudo Nature Trail
It is much easier to walk from here than to climb to the top of the mountain. Stroll along the trail to Satomidaira for sweeping views of Lake Kawaguchi, Lake Yamanaka and the Japanese Alps.
Hakone Shrine and Kuzuryu Shrine Singu
Hakone Shrine (箱根神社, Hakone Jinja) stands at the foot of Mount Hakone along the shores of Lake Ashinoko. The shrine buildings are hidden in the dense forest, but are well advertised by its huge torii gates, one standing prominently in the lake and two others over the main street of Moto-Hakone.
A path leads from the torii gate in Lake Ashinoko up a series of steps flanked by lanterns through the forest to the main building of the shrine, which sits peacefully among the tall trees. The shrine is beautiful throughout the year, and is particularly breathtaking when shrouded in mist.
A second shrine, Mototsumiya ("original shrine") stands at the summit of Komagatake, one of Mount Hakone's multiple peaks. It is accessible by the Hakone Komagatake Ropeway from Hakone-en or via hiking trails.
Arakurayama Sengen Shrine (Chureito Pagoda) 新倉山淺間公園
You are seeing this symbolic view that is on the homepage of our Website (https://japanexpotours.com/) - Pagoda with Mt. Fuji in the background.
The Chureito Pagoda (忠霊塔, Chūreitō) is a five storied pagoda on the mountainside overlooking Fujiyoshida City and Mount Fuji off in the distance. The pagoda is part of the Arakura Sengen Shrine and was built as a peace memorial in 1963 nearly 400 steps up the mountain from the shrine's main buildings.
The location offers spectacular views of Mount Fuji in combination with the pagoda, especially during the cherry blossom season in mid April when there are hundreds of trees in bloom and during the autumn color season which usually takes place in the first half of November. The spot is particularly popular among photographers as it allows for some wonderfully stereotypical shots of Japan.
Oshino Hakkai, an area with eight ponds fed by snow melt
Oshino Hakkai (忍野八海) is a touristy set of eight ponds in Oshino, a small village in the Fuji Five Lake region, located between Lake Kawaguchiko and Lake Yamanakako on the site of a former sixth lake that dried out several hundred years ago. The eight ponds are fed by snow melt from the slopes of nearby Mount Fuji that filters down the mountain through porous layers of lava for over 80 years, resulting in very clear spring water that is revered by the locals.
Next to one pond, visitors can drink the cool water straight from the source. The ponds are quite deep and have interesting freshwater plant life and large fish. Although the ponds have been developed into tourist attractions and can become quite crowded with visitors, they have a pleasant atmosphere as long as you do not expect untouched nature.
Iyashi no Sato (Old traditional village)
Iyashi no Sato (いやしの里) stands on the site of a former farming village on the western shores of Lake Saiko. The village was destroyed by a landslide during a typhoon in 1966. Forty years later the village's traditional thatched roofed houses were reconstructed and reopened as an open air museum and traditional craft village where people can learn about the culture and try out and purchase different local handicrafts.
The village is now made up of more than twenty houses that have been converted into shops, restaurants, museums and galleries. Each of the shops specializes in a traditional craft such as pottery, incense or weaving. Some of the handicraft shops, provide hands on workshops for visitors to try making traditional products, including washi paper, charcoal and soba noodles.
Lake Kawaguchiko (河口湖) to See Mount Fuji
Lake Kawaguchiko is one of the best places to see the iconic Mount Fuji. Japan’s highest mountain (at 3776 metres) is a perfectly shaped volcano and looks especially stunning when snow-capped in winter and spring.
Kawaguchiko is a town around the lake of the same name in the Fuji Five Lakes region.
The views are especially lovely in spring (mid to late April) and autumn (early to mid November) when you can enjoy Mount Fuji views with cherry blossoms or red maple leaves in the foreground.
Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway (Mt Fuji View)
The Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway (富士山パノラマロープウェイ) ascends 400 meters from the eastern shore of Lake Kawaguchiko to an observation deck near the peak of Mount Tenjo. From the observation deck, which sits more than 1000 meters above sea level, there are panoramic views of the lake below and of Mount Fuji.
While most visitors take a round trip on the ropeway, there is also a hiking trail from the observation deck down the forested mountain slope which takes about 30 minutes to descend. A different trail leads from the observation point 300 meters uphill to a small shrine at the summit of Mount Tenjo, from there the trail continues on to Mount Mitsutoge, a popular day hike with good views of Mount Fuji.
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