Fujinomiya 5th Station (Fujinomiya Trail)

What to know

Fujinomiya 5th Station (富士宮五合目, Fujinomiya Gogōme) is the second most popular and second most developed of Mount Fuji's four 5th stations. It is the easiest to reach by public transport from western Japan, with direct buses from Shin-Fuji and Mishima stations on the JR Tokaido Shinkansen line.

The winding road to the station, known as the Fujisan Skyline, was once a toll road but is now free. However, private vehicles are banned during the official climbing season (July 10 to September 10), when shuttle buses run from a designated parking lot lower down the mountain and from train stations. The road is also closed in winter from late November to late April.

In addition to ample parking, Fujinomiya 5th Station has a shop, restaurant, and toilets. Like the shops at other 5th stations, this is the last place for climbers to buy food, water, oxygen, and other supplies at reasonable prices before costs soar at higher elevations.

At 2400 meters above sea level, Fujinomiya 5th Station is the highest of the 5th stations, and the Fujinomiya Trail is the shortest route up Mount Fuji. The ascent takes 4–7 hours, and the descent 2–6 hours. There are about half a dozen mountain huts along the way. The Fujinomiya Trail is the only route that does not separate ascending and descending trails, which can cause congestion on busy days during climbing season. Note that the trail does not offer sunrise views before reaching the summit.

Besides the summit trail, Fujinomiya 5th Station offers a shorter hiking trail to Hoeizan, a nearby secondary peak with a crater on the southeastern slope of Mount Fuji. Hoeizan was formed in 1707–1708 during the Hoei Era of the Edo Period, when Mount Fuji last erupted.

The trail to Hoeizan branches off the Fujinomiya Trail at the 6th station, and it takes about 30 minutes to reach the crater rim, where nice views of Hoeizan's crater and peak can be enjoyed. Hikers can then return to the 5th station via a circular route or continue for another 30–60 minutes through the crater and up to the peak of Hoeizan on the crater's opposite side.