[Japan] Chureito Pagoda
On our most recent trip to Japan (April 19 to May 9, 2018), we made a spontaneous trip to the Fuji Five Lakes region. It wasn't in our itinerary, but we dropped our initial plans to chill in Shibuya and Ginza to visit the Arakurayama-Sengen Park instead. Arakurayama-Sengen Park offers one of the best views of Mt. Fuji, and it was something that I wouldn't mind seeing. I highly recommend making this a full-day trip as the commute took about 3 hours one-way (about $60 round trip per person). Our JR Rail Pass wasn't valid on this day, but the commute would be a lot cheaper if you had a JR Pass. We left the InterContinental Tokyo Bay at 11 am and arrived at Shimo-Yoshida Station around 2 pm.
Getting there wasn't too difficult, but it wasn't easy either as you have to transfer onto different trains. The Chureito Pagoda is located in Arakurayama-Sengen Park, and is about a 10 minute walk from Shimo-Yoshida Station. However, in order to get up to the viewing point of the Chureito Pagoda, it's another 400 steps up the stairs. I am definitely glad that I opted for flats that day, or else my feet would have been in major pain.
How To Get to Chureito Pagoda
1. Get to Shinjuku Station
2. Get on the JR Chuo Line-Limited Express Kaiji 103 特急 Kofu
3. Arrive at Otsuki Station (1 hr 1 min, 4 stops)
4. Get on the Fujikyuko Line 各停 Kawaguchiko
5. Arrive at Shimoyoshida Station and walk 21 min to the Chureito Pagoda
Shinjuku --> Otsuki --> Kawaguchiko --> Shimo-yoshida
1. Get to Shinjuku Station
2. Get on the JR Chuo Line-Limited Express Kaiji 103 特急 Kofu
3. Arrive at Otsuki Station (1 hr 1 min, 4 stops)
4. Get on the Fujikyuko Line 各停 Kawaguchiko
5. Arrive at Shimoyoshida Station and walk 21 min to the Chureito Pagoda
Shinjuku --> Otsuki --> Kawaguchiko --> Shimo-yoshida
The
Chureito Pagoda is a five storied pagoda on the grounds of the
Arakurayama-Sengen Park. If you walk a few more steps, there are stairs going up to the viewing point where it offers a wonderful view of Mt. Fuji, the five-storied pagoda, Fuji Yoshida city, and Sakura trees (during Cherry Blossom season only). I loved that free wi-fi was also available in the park, especially if you don't want to waste data posting Instagram Stories.
Such an incredible view!
Hungry? There were about three food trucks on the ground area of Arakurayama-Sengen Park. We got an order of takoyaki (5 for 500 yen), but the lady was nice to give us an extra piece.
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