Getting from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji
Day trips are nice, but sometimes it is better to stay overnight. We decided to to travel from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji and then Hakone for the night.
The night before we planned to go to Mt. Fuji, we stopped at the JR service center to reserve our train tickets for the following morning (you can also make the reservations online and pick up the tickets from the machine).
* By the time we reserved our tickets, seats on the direct route were gone, and only the standing option remained, which was not an option for us. So, we chose another route and arrived in Shimoyoshida a few minutes before the initial train we tried to reserve. Yes, we had to buy a ticket at Ōtsuki Station, but that was no biggie.)
Our route:
- Shibuya station to Shinjuku station (JY Yamanote Line using regular JR pass)
- Then Shinjuku Station to Otsuki Station (Chuo line using the reserved ticket)
- Ōtsuki Station to Shimoyoshida Station (Fujikyuko Line – purchase the ticket at Ōtsuki station or use Suica/Pasmo card)
The train ride was relaxing; we ate snacks we picked up at NewDays in the Shinjuku station, and I took a brief nap (this day started early).
1. Chureito Pagoda
Cost: Free
Following Google Maps, we walked about 15 minutes from Shimoyoshida train station to the actual pagoda.
There are many steps leading up to the pagoda, but they are definitely manageable.
We arrived at the top before 9:30 am, and it was not crowded, only a sprinkle of people. The view from the top is quite nice, despite Mt. Fuji not being visible that morning.
The Chureito Pagoda or Fujiyoshida Cenotaph Monument was build in 1958 to remember the Fujiyoshida citizens that died in wars.
Next, we returned to the train station and hopped back on the Fujikyuko Line to Kawaguchiko station.
There is a local and express train. The local train is cheaper but makes more stops. It did not matter to us; we just hopped on the first train.
2. Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway
Cost: 900 yen (roundtrip)
It was about a 10-minute walk from the train station to the ropeway. As you walk, you can gaze at the sun (hopefully, the sun is shining) reflecting on Lake Kawaguchi.
There was about a 30 or so-minute wait to buy the tickets and another 10 minutes to go up the ropeway.
The views you experience as you go up will depend on where you are in the cable car. They fit as many people in the car as possible, so you may not have much of a view.
At the top are a trail, a swing, the Tenjo bell, the rabbit shrine, and an observatory deck where you can enjoy a view of Mt. Fuji (when visible, Fuji-san was not having it this morning). There is also a place to get some snacks or ice cream.
We tried pork wrapped around rice on a stick. I do not know the actual name, but it was good.
3. Oishi Park
After leaving the ropeway, we took the red bus to Oishi Park. A red bus stop is in front of Fujiyama Cookie, but the one going toward Oishi Park is directly across the street.
Tips about the bus: –You enter from the back and get off in the front. -To pay for the bus, you could use your Suica/Pasmo card, or if paying with yen, you take a white ticket from the machine when you get on, then give it to the driver before getting off, so he knows how much you owe. –The bus may be crowded, so you may have to stand. |
On the bus ride to Oishi Park, Fuji-san made an appearance, and I got some shots once we arrived at the park.
Although our time in Mt. Fuji was short, the afternoon was enough time for us to see what we wanted (Chureito Pagoda and Mt. Fuji) and a few other highlights. However, you can easily spend a few days in the area.
Getting to Hakone
We took the red bus from Oishi Park to Kawaguchiko station. Unfortunately, the bus arrived late, so we missed the 2:20 bus to Gotembaeki and had to catch the 3:20 bus.
The bus ride was almost two hours, and with stops and traffic, we missed our connecting bus at Gotemba by three minutes. So rather than waiting for the next bus, we decided to take a taxi from Gotembaeki to Hakone Ashinoko Hanaori. The ride took about 30 minutes and cost $45. We could have waited for the next bus, but we were ready to get to the ryokan and chill.
Route
- Oshi Park to Kawaguchiko Station (Red Bus)
- Kawaguchiko Station to Gotemba Station
- Gotembaeki to Hakone Togendai Station (we just caught a taxi at this point)
- From Togendai station, cross the street to the ryokan entrance (~ 2-minute walk)
Hakone Ashinoko Hanaori
The Hakone Ashinoko Hanaori was the welcomed mini break we needed after three active days. During check-in, we selected our dinner time from the remaining slots.
Our room was on the 2nd floor, and as you exited the elevator, there was a station to pick out your Yukata and any additional toiletries you wanted (toothbrush, hair tie, etc.).
We had a Deluxe Lake Side Japanese Western Style Room with Open-Air Bath.
After dropping our bags and changing into our yukatas, we headed to dinner.
Dinner was buffet style, with an excellent selection of food. Alcoholic drinks were an additional charge, but tea, water, and soda are included.
Then it was another quick trip to the room before we headed to the onsen to try the public baths. I knew what to expect from reading, but I had never been to a public bath before, so I was a little uncomfortable aft first, but I still wanted to try it.
When you walk in, to the right are lockers for your belongings, and to the left is the powder room area for after you finish. Straight ahead is the door leading to the shower area, sauna, and baths.
You need to shower before getting in the bath. There are three connected indoor baths with views of outside and two baths outside.
We started with the indoor baths, and the uncomfortableness of bathing with strangers quickly went away. We got to the baths after 8 pm, so only a few people were there.
After I started to feel some sweat on my face, I moved to the outdoor baths, and although it was cold outside, the bath quickly warmed me up, and it was a nice contrast being in the warm water while the cool air touched my face.
After some time, we returned to our room to relax for the rest of the night, calling it a wrap for day 3.
Check out the rest of the how we spent day 4 in Hakone or our 7 day Japan itinerary here.