Mt. Ashitaka

Mt. Ashitaka (愛鷹山) is the collective name for the Ashitaka range in eastern Shizuoka Prefecture; its highest peak is Echizendake (1,504m), one of the 200 Famous Japanese Mountains.
Stretching to the south of Mt. Fuji, its charm is the close-up panorama of Fuji from the ridge. In May the endemic Ashitaka azalea blooms, and it is popular and accessible even for beginners.
From Gotemba Station, access Jurigi by Fujikyu Mobility Bus.

The trailhead reachable by public transport is Jurigi (Jurigi Kogen).
From the Jurigi bus stop, via the Jurigi Kogen observation deck and Uma-no-se to the Echizendake summit takes about 1 hour 50 minutes; a round trip takes roughly 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours. The summit offers a grand panorama of Mt. Fuji.
*Some sections, such as toward Kagami-iwa and Wariishi-toge, are closed due to collapse. Check the latest trail information. The Yamajinja trailhead has no bus service, so for public transport Jurigi is the starting point.

*Timetable last checked: unverified

How to access the trailheads

1. [Outbound] Gotemba Station → Jurigi
2. [Return] Jurigi → Gotemba Station

1.[Outbound] Gotemba Station → Jurigi

From the Fujisan Exit of Gotemba Station, take the Fujikyu Mobility Bus “Jurigi Line / Grinpa Line” (toward Fuji Safari Park) and get off at Jurigi.
Travel time: about 40–43 minutes
Fare: ¥880
Service: daily (same schedule on weekdays and weekends/holidays)

Bus TimetableGotemba Station to Jurigi

Reference: [Fujikyu Mobility]

2.[Return] Jurigi → Gotemba Station

From Jurigi, take the Fujikyu Mobility Bus “Jurigi Line / Grinpa Line” and get off at Gotemba Station.
Travel time: about 40–43 minutes
Fare: ¥880
The times below are departures. The 7:00 departure runs on weekdays only.

Bus TimetableJurigi to Gotemba Station

Weekdays

Sat/Sun/holidays

Reference: [Fujikyu Mobility]

Photo by Sato S / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0