Mt Fuji, Kawaguchico

Travel Notes   

Mt Fuji, Hakone (Hakone Ropeway / Owakudani), Tokyo (Shibuya - Shibuya Crossing - Hachiko Statue)

Today, we will travel to Mt. Fuji on our private luxury coach. If the weather is in our favor, we will stop by the Mt. Fuji 5th Station for a grand view of Japan's famous mountain. Enjoy an extensive tour of Hakone by taking a 20 minute ropeway ride from Togendai to Owakudani. Owakudani is known for its active volcanic zone that was created from the eruption of Mount Hakone some 3,000 years ago. Here, you can experience its hot springs and bubbling pools, where volcanic gases still linger. From there, we will travel to Tokyo and spend time in Shibuya. There, you will get to see the famed Shibuya Crossing in action and cross the street with the crowd. You will also be able to take photos with the Hachiko Statue, a monument

Live video cams

https://www.yamanashi-kankou.jp/fujisanwatcher/live/index.html

http://livecamera01.town.fujikawaguchiko.lg.jp/viewer/live/ja/live.html

https://live.fujigoko.tv/?

The Fuji Five Lakes (Lakes Yamanaka, Kawaguchi, Saiko, Shoji and Motosu) is the most popular tourist route in exploring the area around Mt. Fuji. Each lake gives a different perspective, some have panoramic viewing decks, others with ropeways, but my personal favorite was Lake Kawaguchi (more on that later). If you don’t have a car, there are bus passes that allow you to travel along the Fuji Five Lake route, though you lose flexibility.

https://www.ecksplorer.com/blog/why-a-mini-road-trip-around-mt-fuji-is-amazing

 Odawara to Kawaguchiko 

MyMap  Mt. Fuji Hakone National Park 

https://international-permit.com/en-us/price.html

La Vista to Atami Sun Beach 

Hakone Ropeway, Owakudani, , Transfer from Hakone to Mt.Fuji,

http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/mtpass/ Mt. Fuji bus pass amd routemap

https://www.ubuya.co.jp/ 

 recommendation would be take a trip around Mt. Fuji from Otsuki, Kawaguchiko, lake Yamanaka, Gotemba (outlet mall), the Hakone skyline, mt. Fuji skyline (rt 23 to152 to 180), the Shiraito falls, Asagiri plateau, Aokigahara forest, and other 3 lakes.

Shiraito falls 

(1) Self Drive Itinerary Mt. Fuji and surrounding areas : JapanTravel (reddit.com)

There is also some pass available for it http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/mtpass/ and https://www.odakyu.jp/english/passes/fujihakone/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g294232-i525-k12203933-Self_drive_Atami_Shizuoka_Fuji_Five_Lakes-Japan.html

• if you don't have a JR Pass, drop the car off at Kawaguchiko and take the bus to Tokyo.
• If you plan to head south to visit the Izu Peninsula, pick up in either Mishima or Atami - no drop-off charge if you return car in either
• The most efficient route is to pick up at Atami, go to Hakone in between and return at Kawaguchiko (if you don't have a JR Pass) or Otsuki (if you have a JR Pass). There is a drop-off fee of roughly 6,500 Yen. It's not a bad deal though since you won't need to backtrack to Atami, thus saving you lots of time, fuel and toll fees.
•  besides the International Driving Permit and passport you are also required to bring along your own country home driving license although most car rental agencies just ask for the IDP to simplify procedure upon registration.
• toll road that leads to Kawaguchiko 5th Station (2000 yen round trip). Plus gasoline and eventual parking fees.