Japan Rail Pass NowAustralia's No.1 Choice
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Japan Rail Pass NowAustralia's No.1 Choice
Tokyo to Mount Fuji is less a single journey and more a choice of destinations, since there is no bullet train to the mountain itself. Most visitors head for the Fuji Five Lakes area around Kawaguchiko, about 100 kilometres west of Tokyo, for the classic reflected view. Here is how to get there by train and bus, and how to reach the climbing trails in summer.
The most comfortable rail option is the direct Fuji Excursion limited express from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko in about two hours, with no changes. Alternatively you can ride the JR Chuo Line to Otsuki and change to the Fujikyu Railway, which is cheaper but slower. Both bring you to Kawaguchiko Station, the gateway to the lakes, viewpoints and sightseeing buses.
| Option | Time | From (one way) | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuji Excursion limited express | about 2 hours | from AUD 35 | Direct and comfortable from Shinjuku |
| Highway bus from Shinjuku | about 1h 45m | from AUD 18 | Cheapest and often fastest |
| JR plus Fujikyu Railway | about 2h 30m | from AUD 25 | Flexible with a rail pass |
| Car | about 1h 45m | fuel plus tolls | Touring the lakes and viewpoints |
Decide what you actually want to see before choosing a route. For the postcard view of Mount Fuji reflected in the water, head to Lake Kawaguchi and Kawaguchiko Station. For the shrines and the famous five storey pagoda view, aim for the Arakurayama Sengen Park near Shimoyoshida. To actually climb the mountain in summer, you continue by bus from Kawaguchiko or Fujisan Station to the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station.
Highway buses run from the Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal, known as Busta Shinjuku, directly to Kawaguchiko and the Fuji area in about an hour and forty five minutes for as little as AUD 18. They are often the fastest and cheapest option and drop you right by the lake. Book ahead in summer and at weekends, as popular departures sell out. Buses also run from Tokyo Station and Shibuya.
The official climbing season runs from early July to early September. In that window, buses connect Kawaguchiko and Fujisan stations with the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station, the usual starting point for the Yoshida Trail, in about 50 minutes. Private cars are restricted during the busiest periods, so the bus is the standard way up. Outside the climbing season the trails and mountain buses are closed, but the lake views remain open all year.
The Japan Rail Pass covers the JR portion of the trip, such as the Chuo Line to Otsuki and the JR section of the Fuji Excursion, but not the Fujikyu Railway beyond Otsuki, which is a private line you pay for separately. The highway buses are not covered by the pass either. If you hold a pass, the JR plus Fujikyu route lets you use it for most of the journey.
For most visitors the highway bus from Busta Shinjuku is the best way to Mount Fuji, being cheap, direct and often the fastest to Kawaguchiko. Choose the Fuji Excursion limited express if you would rather travel by train in comfort, or the JR and Fujikyu combination if you are making the most of a rail pass. In the July to September climbing season, continue by mountain bus to the 5th Station to reach the trails.
Planning more of Japan by rail? Keep exploring:
Tokyo to Kyoto · Tokyo to Osaka · Tokyo to Nagoya · All train tickets
Times and fares are indicative and change with the season, especially during the July to September climbing window.
Ensure you get the most out of your trip to the land of the rising sun with our comprehensive 249-page Japan Travel Guide.