Gotemba 5th Station (Gotemba Trail)

The lowest of Mount Fuji’s 5th stations

3.2 (46)

#4 of 7 most visited in Mount Fuji

The Gotemba 5th Station (御殿場五合目, Gotemba Gogōme) is the least developed of the four 5th stations on Mount Fuji and consists of just a small shop, a bus stop, toilets and parking.

At only 1400 meters above sea, the Gotemba 5th Station is also by far the lowest of the 5th stations, and as a consequence, the Gotemba Trail is the longest trail to the summit. The ascent takes about 7-10 hours and travels along an exposed trail through nearly featureless terrain made up of fields of lava rock with only a few mountain huts at the 7th and 8th stations.

On the other hand, the terrain becomes an advantage during the descent from the summit. A thrilling section of the trail, known as the Osunabashiri ("great sand run"), is a wide, straight path covered in loose lava gravel where you can literally run down a third of the mountain. By taking great leaping strides you can cover in minutes distances that took hours to hike up, making the 3-6 hour descent on par with the other trails on the mountain.

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 Gotemba Trail are asked to submit an online application and watch a preparatory video about the climb in advance. Read more.

Buses operate between Gotemba Station and the Gotemba 5th Station every 2-3 hours during the climbing season (see timetable), but there is no service outside the climbing season. The ride takes about 30 minutes and costs 1280 yen one way, while round trip tickets are available for 2000 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.

Questions? Ask in our forum.

Read our Mount Fuji Hotel Guide

- Panoramic views of Mt. Fuji from newly built FJ TERRACE!
  FJ TERRACE is a luxury accommodation located 12 minutes by car from Kawaguchiko Station. Enjoy movies on a projector, have a terrace BBQ, and explore the area by electric bike.
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Budget:

- Fufu Kawaguchiko
  Luxury
  
  Set 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. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 124 km from Fufu Kawaguchiko.
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- Hotel Asafuji
  Mid-range
  
  Boasting 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.
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- HOSTEL MICHIKUSA-YA
  Mid-range
  
  Set 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.
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- Guesthouse Honobono
  Budget-friendly
  
  Renovated 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.
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- Fuji Guest House Ao
  Budget-friendly
  
  Located 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. The nearest airport is Shizuoka Airport, 122 km from Fuji Guest House Ao.
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- JINYA Fujikawaguchiko
  Mid-range
  
  Just a 5-minute walk from Kawaguchiko Station, JINYA Fujikawaguchiko is located in Fujikawaguchiko. Free WiFi, private parking, a washing and drying machine are provided. All units in the hotel are equipped with a kitchenette with a fridge, microwave and an electric kettle. Guest rooms feature air conditioning, a private bathroom and a toilet. Bed linen, towels and a hairdryer are provided. Selected rooms feature a dining table and a sofa. Mount Fuji is 16 km away from the hotel, while Mount Fuji 5th Station is a 65-minute bus ride away.
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- Hananoyado Yumefuji
  Luxury
  
  Situated 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.
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- Fujikawaguchiko Onsen Konanso
  Luxury
  
  Featuring 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.
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- Mizno Hotel
  Luxury
  
  Offering 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.
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- Wafu Guesthouse Kashiwaya
  Budget-friendly
  
  Wafu Guesthouse Kashiwaya is located a 5-minute walk from Kawaguchiko Station and a 7-minute drive from Kawaguchiko Interchange on the Chuo Expressway. Some units include a seating area to relax in after a busy day. Each room comes with a shared bathroom. You will find a shared kitchen in the public area. Complimentary tea and coffee are offered. Complimentary bread and coffee are served for breakfast. Lake Kawaguchi is 0.9 km from Guesthouse Kashiwaya, while Mount Fuji is 16 km away.
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