Where do I park when the Fuji Subaru Line is closed to private cars?

At Fujisan Parking, just east of Fujiyoshida IC on the Higashi-Fuji-goko Road. It has about 1,400 spaces and costs ¥1,000 per entry during the restriction. From there, take the paid shuttle bus or a taxi to the 5th Station.

How long does it take to drive from Tokyo to Lake Kawaguchi?

Chofu IC to Kawaguchiko IC is 86.2 km and about 63 minutes on the expressway, according to the Drive Plaza route search. Add the time to reach Chofu IC and for breaks.

Can I drive to Owakudani in the evening?

No. The road from the Owakudani junction to Owakudani is closed from 17:00 to 9:00, and the Owakudani car park takes cars from 9:00 to 16:20 (9:00 to 16:00 in December and January). Cars must leave by 16:40.

Mt Fuji and Hakone road trip: Tokyo to Kawaguchiko, Gotemba, Hakone

Q: Can I drive to the Mt Fuji 5th Station?

Not in summer. In 2026 private cars were banned on the Fuji Subaru Line from 3 July 18:00 to 10 September 18:00 and on the Fuji Azami Line from 1 July 9:00 to 10 September 18:00. Park at the transfer car park and take a shuttle bus or taxi. Check the prefecture's dates for your year.

Q: Is an electric car allowed on the Fuji Subaru Line during the ban?

EVs and fuel-cell cars are exempt, but you must have the car checked at Fujisan Parking first with its vehicle inspection certificate. This cannot be done at the Subaru Line entrance.

This guide starts in Tokyo. From Chofu IC, the Chuo Expressway takes you to Kawaguchiko IC at the Fuji Five Lakes in about 63 minutes. From Tokyo IC, the Tomei Expressway reaches Gotemba IC in about 56 minutes, and the route towards Hakone reaches Odawara-Nishi IC in about 53 minutes. Before you plan, note two things: in summer you cannot drive a private car up to the Mt Fuji 5th Stations, and Owakudani in Hakone has volcanic-gas rules.

Can I drive to the Mt Fuji 5th Station?

Not in summer. During the private-car restriction (maika kisei), private cars cannot use the Fuji Subaru Line or the Fuji Azami Line. Park at the transfer car park and take a shuttle bus or taxi.

Road	Private cars banned (2026)	Where to park	Parking fee
Fuji Subaru Line (Yoshida side, from Fujiyoshida)	3 July 18:00 – 10 September 18:00	Fujisan Parking, just east of Fujiyoshida IC (about 1,400 spaces). Then paid shuttle bus or taxi	¥1,000 per entry during the ban, free at other times
Fuji Azami Line (Subashiri side)	1 July 9:00 – 10 September 18:00	Transfer car park in front of Michi-no-Eki Subashiri (about 340 cars). Then shuttle bus or taxi	Free

Source: Yamanashi Prefecture, Fujisan Parking; Shizuoka Prefecture, private-car restrictions on Mt Fuji (FY2026) (checked on 26 October 2026)

Electric and fuel-cell cars are exempt from the Subaru Line ban, but you must have the car checked at Fujisan Parking first, with its vehicle inspection certificate. It cannot be done at the Subaru Line entrance.

The dates change every year, so check the prefecture’s page for your trip. Fujisan Parking is open 24 hours during the restriction and 9:00–17:00 at other times. It is closed from 1 December to 31 March.

Outside the restriction, these times to the 5th Stations are given by the roadside stations:

From	To	Time by car
Michi-no-Eki Fujiyoshida	5th Station via the Fuji Subaru Line	about 50 min
Michi-no-Eki Fuji-Oyama	a Mt Fuji 5th Station (the road closes in winter)	about 30 min
Michi-no-Eki Asagiri Kogen	Fujinomiya 5th Station	about 60 min

Source: Japan Michi-no-Eki Association; MLIT Kanto and Chubu Regional Development Bureaus (checked on 26 October 2026)

What should I know before visiting Owakudani?

Owakudani is a volcanic area in Hakone that gives off volcanic gases (hydrogen sulphide and sulphur dioxide). The gas is monitored 24 hours a day.

When gas levels rise, an announcement may ask you to shelter indoors. Follow it.
People with asthma, respiratory conditions or pacemakers are advised not to visit.
The nature trail is open only on guided tours.
The road from the Owakudani junction to Owakudani is closed at night, from 17:00 to 9:00.

Owakudani car park	Details
Hours	9:00–16:20 (9:00–16:00 in December and January). Cars must leave by 16:40
Spaces	147
Fee	¥500
Note	May close or change hours because of the weather

Source: Kanagawa Prefecture, Owakudani; Kanagawa Park Association, Owakudani Car Park and Information Center (checked on 26 October 2026)

Owakudani is about 6 km from Kowakudani on National Route 1, towards Kojiri and Owakudani.

How long are the main drives from Tokyo?

Drive	Distance	Time	Toll (standard car, ETC)
Chofu IC – Kawaguchiko IC	86.2 km	about 63 min	¥2,600 (cash ¥3,010)
Tokyo IC – Gotemba IC	83.7 km	about 56 min	¥2,620
Tokyo IC – Odawara-Nishi IC	66.7 km	about 53 min	¥2,040
Gotemba IC – Fujiyoshida IC	28.5 km	about 33 min	¥1,080
Gotemba IC – Fuji IC	37.8 km	about 23 min	¥1,190

Source: Drive Plaza toll and route search, standard car, weekday 10:00 departure (checked on 26 October 2026). Times are between interchanges only.

Except for Chofu IC – Kawaguchiko IC, the toll was the same with ETC and in cash in our weekday search. ETC discounts depend on the day and time, so check the official toll search for your own trip.

Some interchanges only work in one direction, according to Drive Plaza:

Tokyo IC only has an entrance towards Shizuoka and an exit from the Shizuoka direction.
Kawaguchiko IC has no ramps to or from the Higashi-Fuji-goko Road (Subashiri direction) or the Tomei Expressway direction.
Fujiyoshida IC only has an entrance towards Subashiri and an exit from the Subashiri direction.
At Odawara-Nishi IC you cannot go between the Seisho Bypass and ordinary roads.

Gotemba IC – Fujiyoshida IC includes about 10.5 km (about 16 minutes) of ordinary road on the National Route 138 bypass between Gotemba IC and Subashiri IC. Drive Plaza would not accept Takaido, where the Shuto Expressway joins the Chuo Expressway, as a start, so our figures start at Chofu IC.

Where do I pick up the car?

Company	Where	How you get to the car
Toyota Rent a Car	Haneda Airport	Counter in each terminal, then shuttle (about 15–30 minutes). Return to the shop, not the terminal. 8:00–20:00
Times Car Rental	Haneda Airport	Call the shuttle from the counter phone in Terminal 1 or 2 (about 20–40 minutes, you may wait). No return at the airport
Nippon Rent-A-Car	JR Gotemba Station	Hakone-Otome exit side, across from the highway bus stop. 8:00–19:00
ORIX Rent-A-Car	Fujisan Station (Fujikyu Railway)	1-minute walk from the station. 8:00–19:00. One-way rentals allowed

Source: Toyota Rent a Car; Times Car Rental; Tokyo International Airport (Haneda); Nippon Rent-A-Car; ORIX Rent-A-Car (checked on 26 October 2026)

What can I see around the Fuji Five Lakes?

Stop	Notes
Arakurayama Sengen Park (Chureito Pagoda)	Pagoda with Mt Fuji. Nearest IC is Kawaguchiko IC. In the cherry blossom season parking is paid, with no shuttle from the temporary car parks
Oishi Park	North shore of Lake Kawaguchi, about 15 minutes from Kawaguchiko IC. Lavender in early summer, red kochia in autumn. 40 spaces
Michi-no-Eki Katsuyama	Fujikawaguchiko town. 9:00–17:00. 90 spaces
Michi-no-Eki Narusawa	Shop 9:00–18:00, observation deck and tourist information. 319 spaces
Michi-no-Eki Fujiyoshida	Free Mt Fuji spring water. About 5 minutes to Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine. Parking and toilets open 24 hours

Source: Yamanashi Tourism Organization; Japan Michi-no-Eki Association; MLIT Kanto Regional Development Bureau (checked on 26 October 2026)

What can I see on the Gotemba side and west of Mt Fuji?

Stop	Notes
Michi-no-Eki Fuji-Oyama	On National Route 246, about 7 minutes to Fuji Speedway. 7:00–20:00
Michi-no-Eki Subashiri	Reachable from Route 138 and Subashiri IC. Foot bath from early March to late November. 9:00–20:00 (9:00–18:00 from late November to early March)
Michi-no-Eki Asagiri Kogen	On National Route 139, about 15 minutes to Shiraito Falls. 8:00–17:00. Ultra-rapid EV charger

Source: MLIT Chubu Regional Development Bureau; Japan Michi-no-Eki Association (checked on 26 October 2026)

What can I see in Hakone?

Stop	Notes
Owakudani	Volcanic area. Read the gas rules above. Car park ¥500
Onshi-Hakone Park (Lake Ashi)	View over Lake Ashi to Mt Fuji. Car park 7:00–21:00 (entry until 19:00), ¥320 per hour

Source: Kanagawa Prefecture; Kanagawa Park Association; Kanagawa Tourism Association (checked on 26 October 2026)