Chureito Pagoda
By Andrew Liyan · Last updated: October 9, 2026 · Facts verified: October 9, 2026
Chureito Pagoda (忠霊塔) is the five-story memorial pagoda in Arakurayama Sengen Park, on the hillside above Fujiyoshida, with Mount Fuji rising behind it from the viewing deck. Entry is free. From Shimoyoshida Station on the Fujikyuko Line it is a short walk to the park entrance and then 398 steps up. Go on a clear morning outside cherry blossom season if you want the view without a long queue.
- Area
- Fujiyoshida
- Best For
- Mount Fuji views, Photography, Cherry blossoms, Autumn colors
What the Chureito visit involves
The pagoda is a memorial, and Fujiyoshida City describes it as a symbol of the town. It stands partway up Mount Arakura inside Arakurayama Sengen Park, a city park with Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine (新倉富士浅間神社) at the foot of the hill. The famous photograph, with the red pagoda in front and Mount Fuji rising beyond the city, is taken from the viewing deck above the pagoda, not from the pagoda itself.
Popularity has outgrown the neighborhood. Fujiyoshida City did not hold the park's cherry blossom festival in 2026: at peak bloom more than 10,000 people a day had been arriving, with one- to three-hour queues for the viewing deck, traffic jams in narrow lanes and repeated trespass on private homes. The city still ran crowd and traffic controls through April, and it asks visitors to use public transport, stay out of residential areas and not photograph people or homes without permission.
The most rewarding visit is a clear morning outside the cherry blossom weeks, when the deck is calmer and Mount Fuji is more often free of cloud. The city reports bear sightings around the park and asks visitors to take particular care early in the morning and after dusk, when few people are about, so go with company and once it is light.
What to do at Chureito Pagoda
Climb the 398 Sakuya-hime steps
The staircase from the shrine up to the pagoda has 398 steps. At an easy pace it takes roughly 10 to 20 minutes, and the landings are the places to stop, not the middle of the stairs.
Take the classic view from the viewing deck
The deck above the pagoda gives the composition people come for: the pagoda below, Fujiyoshida beyond and Mount Fuji behind. At cherry blossom peak the city reported queues of one to three hours for the deck; on a winter weekday morning there may be no queue at all.
Visit Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine
The shrine at the foot of the hill is where the climb starts. It is an active place of worship, so keep voices down and photography respectful in its grounds. Its history and the rest of the park, including parking and facilities, are in the Arakurayama Sengen Park guide.
See the pagoda lit up
The pagoda is lit from dusk until 10:00 PM, with the start time changing through the year. Given the city's bear warning, go with company and stay on the main paths after dark.
Come back for autumn color
From late October to early December the trees on the hillside change color. It is a quieter alternative to spring, although the city expects the nearest parking lot to fill then too.
How to Get to Chureito Pagoda
Chureito Pagoda is in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi Prefecture, on the Fujikyuko Line between Otsuki and Kawaguchiko.
From Shimoyoshida Station
Shimoyoshida is the nearest station, and Fujikyuko lists it as the stop for Arakurayama Sengen Park. Fujiyoshida City publishes a walking route from the station; allow roughly 10 to 15 minutes on foot to the park entrance, then the 398 steps.
From Kawaguchiko or Fujisan Station
Take the Fujikyuko Line toward Otsuki. Shimoyoshida is two stops from Fujisan Station (Fujisan, Gekkoji, Shimoyoshida) and four from Kawaguchiko.
From Tokyo
Some JR trains from Tokyo and Shinjuku, including the Fuji Excursion limited express, run through onto the Fujikyuko Line; check that yours stops at Shimoyoshida. Otherwise take the JR Chuo Line to Otsuki and change to the Fujikyuko Line. Highway buses from Shinjuku stop at Fujisan Station and Kawaguchiko Station, two and four stops from Shimoyoshida; see the highway bus guide.
By car
Use the paid city lots (P2 and P3 at 1,000 yen) rather than the narrow roads near the park, where parking is prohibited. Buses and microbuses cannot reach the park.
In cherry blossom season
In spring 2026 the roads around the park were restricted from 1 to 19 April, the P1 lot was closed and vehicles without permits could not enter parts of the area. The city recommends public transport at that time of year. Similar measures may return in later springs, so check the city's announcement, usually published in February.
- •Shimoyoshida is two stops from Fujisan Station and four from Kawaguchiko on the Fujikyuko Line.
- •Drivers should use the paid city lots; roadside parking near the park is prohibited.
- •In early to mid-April, expect traffic restrictions around the park and use the train.
Best Time to Visit Chureito Pagoda
Clear mornings from late autumn to early spring; cherry blossoms in early to mid-April bring the biggest crowds.
- •For the view, pick a clear morning; Mount Fuji is more often hidden by cloud later in the day, especially in summer.
- •Cherry blossoms usually peak in early to mid-April, when the city has reported 1 to 3 hour queues for the viewing deck and runs traffic restrictions.
- •Late autumn and winter give the best odds of a clear mountain, with far smaller crowds than spring.
The busiest weeks. In 2026 the city ran crowd measures from 1 to 17 April and traffic restrictions until 19 April, and the nearest city lot (P1) was closed. The city announces each spring's arrangements around February.
The city expects the nearest lot to fill in foliage season too; the hillside colors under the pagoda.
Cold, dry air gives the best odds of a clear Mount Fuji. Steps can be icy early in the day.
Entry Fee & Hours
- •Entry to the park, Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine and the viewing deck is free.
- •The direct route up is the Sakuya-hime staircase of 398 steps. A road reaches the plaza in front of the pagoda, but the city asks visitors not to drive up to it because of crowding, and it has not published a step-free walking route. Visitors who cannot manage stairs should contact Fujiyoshida City before going.
- •Four city lots opened in phases from 1 April 2025 and charge 1,000 to 1,500 yen. P2 and P3 cost 1,000 yen and are about 5 to 10 minutes on foot from the park entrance; P4 is for motorcycles only. Parking on the roads around the park is prohibited.
- •Tour buses and microbuses cannot use the narrow roads to the park; groups get on and off at Shimoyoshida Station.
- •Bears have been sighted around the park. Take particular care early in the morning and after dark.
Nearby Attractions
Combine with Chureito Pagoda on the same day
Arakurayama Sengen Park
Lake Kawaguchiko
Oshino Hakkai
Oishi Park
Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine
Fuji-Q Highland
Chureito in a Fuji Five Lakes day
Chureito is on the same railway as Lake Kawaguchiko and Fujisan Station, so it fits easily at the start of a day around the lakes.
Pagoda first, then the lake
Early morning
Train to Shimoyoshida and climb to the Chureito viewing deck while the mountain is most likely to be clear
Late morning
Fujikyuko Line four stops to Kawaguchiko Station
Afternoon
Lake Kawaguchiko and the flower walk at Oishi Park on the north shore
Fujiyoshida and the spring ponds
Morning
Chureito Pagoda and Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine
Midday
Train two stops to Fujisan Station, then the bus to Oshino Hakkai
Afternoon
Back to Fujisan Station for the train or a highway bus to Tokyo
Frequently Asked Questions
References
View references
Fujiyoshida City
Fuji Kyuko Railway
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