fuji five lakes Archives

So you want to see Mount Fuji, the 3,776-meter-high icon of Japan? It's actually a volcano, but let's not think too much about that ... Whether you plan to climb to the summit of Mt. Fuji or just Fuji-spot around the lakes below, there are a few different transport options. Here's an overview of how you can get from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji -- in or out of the climbing season -- plus other useful stuff to know. How to get to Mt. Fuji from Tokyo There are two main points that visitors to Mt. Fuji will travel to -- the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station (not a train station) for climbing, and Kawaguchiko Station for the best views, from Kawaguchiko. Buses are the easiest, fastest, and cheapest way to get to Mt. Fuji, but not necessarily the most comfortable. If you prefer trains to buses, there are a lot of options, including fancy direct trains, themed trains, and regular trains. Most buses and trains depart from Shinjuku and arrive in Kawaguchiko. You'll find all of the details below. Pro tip: If you are in a group, consider booking a private driver -- costs for four people and is the most convenient way to enjoy the Mt. Fuji area. For other options, there's a wide range of . Transport options from Tokyo to Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station Those who want to climb Mt. Fuji should head to the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station. Here are some of the options for getting to the 5th Station from Tokyo. Transport Comfort Convenience Price Time Direct bus (in climbing season) ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (one way) 2.5 hrs Special express train + bus ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ (one way) 3 hrs + transfer time Regular trains + bus ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ (one way) 3.5 hrs + transfer time Car + bus ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ From (one way) 3 hrs + waiting time for the bus Transport options from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko If you're more interested in sightseeing than climbing, head to Kawaguchiko in the Fuji Five Lakes area. Here are your options for getting from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko. Transport Comfort Convenience Price Time Booking Links Bus ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ From (one way) 2 hrs Willer Express | Kosoku Bus Special express train ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ From (one way) Under 2 hrs Klook Regular trains ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ (one way) 2 hrs 45 min + transfer time Buy at station Tour bus (full day trip) ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ From (return) 2 hrs Headout Private driver (full day trip) ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ From (return) 1.5 hrs depending on traffic Pro tip: Don't miss our full guide on getting from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko. Buses from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji There are a few different bus options between Tokyo and Mt. Fuji, depending on whether you want to go to the 5th Station or Kawaguchiko. Direct buses from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji during the climbing season 2 hours 30 minutes (one way) During the climbing season (July 1 to September 10), hikers can take a direct bus from the Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal to the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station, which is the starting point for the Yoshida Trail. Bus tickets cost one way and the trip takes about 2.5 hours. You can book tickets on the Highway-buses.jp website. Don't miss: There are also 2-day Mount Fuji climbing tour packages available. Other bus services Year round, there are buses that run from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko. From around April through November (depending on the weather), there are also buses from Kawaguchiko to the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station. Taking a bus from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko 2 hours From (one way) The most frequent departures are from the Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal, which is also the most user-friendly of Tokyo's long-distance bus hubs. These buses run about once an hour, with more frequent departures in the morning (for Kawaguchiko) and in the afternoon (returning to Shinjuku). There are also departures from Shibuya Station and Tokyo Station. All buses also stop at Fuji-Q Highland (the famous theme park, which is a fun addition to a trip to Mt. Fuji). The journey from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko takes about 2 hours and can cost as little as , depending on when you book. All seats are ticketed. We recommend checking out the booking sites Willer Express and Kosoku Bus to compare routes and ticket prices. Note: This is confusing, but a few years ago, the city of Fuji-Yoshida (near Kawaguchiko) changed the name of its train and bus station to Fujisan Station, which appears on timetables in English as Mt. Fuji Station. Fujisan/Mt. Fuji Station is NOT the stop for climbing Mt. Fuji! Fuji-Yoshida does, however, have some neat, historical attractions. Taking a bus from Kawaguchiko to Mt. Fuji 50 minutes (one way) There are seasonal buses from Kawaguchiko to the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station. Buses depart hourly during the climbing season and less frequently in the shoulder season. The ride takes about 50 minutes and costs for a return ticket. You can buy tickets at the bus ticket counters at Kawaguchiko Station and Fujisan Station, as well as via the Quick Trip for Mt. Fuji app and website, and Jorudan. Pro tip: You can also book an all-inclusive sightseeing tour from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji and Hakone. You can take the bus both ways, or . Taking the train from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko If you aren't keen on a bus, you can take a train from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko. However, this is pricier than the bus and, if you want to get to the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station, you will still need to take a bus from Kawaguchiko. As with the buses, Shinjuku is the most convenient departure point. Options include deluxe limited-express trains (expensive, but fast and comfortable) and a combination of regular trains (cheap but so darn slow). Fuji Excursion Limited Express trains Just under 2 hours From (one way), book online in advance The special Fuji Excursion Limited Express train is the fastest train from Tokyo to Mount Fuji. It takes less than 2 hours from JR Shinjuku Station to Kawaguchiko Station. There are four departures every morning. There are also four trains running the return route in the afternoon. The Fuji Excursion trains have both reserved and non-reserved tickets -- though we recommend booking reserved tickets as the non-reserved one does not guarantee a seat. Note: Tickets sell out fast. We recommended that you book online, either on Klook or Eki-net, 1-4 weeks in advance. We have tried to get these tickets on the day, without success. Note: Fuji Excursion trains also stop at Fuji-Q Highland and Shimoyoshida Station -- the nearest station to the famous Chūreitō Pagoda -- on the way to Kawaguchiko. What is the train like? The Fuji Excursion is a comfortable train, with power outlets at every seat, toilets, and space for luggage. However, it can get crowded, with overflow passengers sometimes trying to stand in the aisles and inter-carriage decks. This is not recommended! Can I use the Japan Rail Pass on the Fuji Excursion train? The Fuji Excursion train runs on both JR lines (from Shinjuku to Ōtsuki) and private Fujikyu Railway lines (from Ōtsuki to Kawaguchiko). The Japan Rail Pass only covers the JR part (the JR Tokyo Wide Pass is an exception; it covers travel on the Fujikyu Railway). JR Pass holders need to pay a surcharge for the Fujikyu Railway part of the journey and are only permitted to sit in seats that have not been reserved -- you can check by the light above the seat. JR Limited Express trains from Shinjuku 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes (one way) A compromise option (price/convenience-wise) is to take a JR Limited Express "Kaiji" or "Azusa" train from Shinjuku Station to Ōtsuki, then transfer to the Fujikyu Railway for Kawaguchiko. You can also get Kaiji trains from Tokyo Station. Board on Platform 2 at Tokyo Station and Platform 9 at Shinjuku Station. The total journey takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours (depending on transfer time) and costs around from Shinjuku and from Tokyo. Times vary, but departures from Tokyo Station usually take place in the afternoon and departures from Shinjuku take place every hour from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Ōtsuki Station is pretty small and easy to navigate, so don't worry about getting lost. Fujikyu Railway trains between Ōtsuki and Kawaguchiko run once or twice an hour. Note that some ~special~ trains require a small surcharge (more on that below). Regular trains from Tokyo and Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko 2 hours 45 minutes (one way) Direct trains Two daily regular trains run directly from Tokyo Station (via Shinjuku Station) to Kawaguchiko Station. These are commuter trains, so they depart Tokyo in the evening and Kawaguchiko in the morning. The train you're looking for in Tokyo is the "Chuo Line Commuter Rapid (For Kawaguchiko)" and it will depart from the Chuo Line platforms at both Tokyo and Shinjuku Stations. The journey takes a total of 3 hours from Tokyo Station, and 2 hours and 45 minutes from Shinjuku. It costs from Tokyo Station and from Shinjuku. Trains with transfers It is possible to do this same route throughout the day, just with transfers. The price will be the same, but it may take 20 to 30 minutes longer depending on transfer times. Take the JR Chuo Special Rapid Service to Takao, then a Chuo Main Line train for Ōtsuki. At Ōtsuki, transfer for a Fujikyu Railway train for Kawaguchiko. Special Rapid Service trains run approximately every 20 minutes (except during the weekday morning rush hour, when there are no Special Rapid Service trains). A regular rapid train adds maybe 10 minutes to the journey. Some trains terminate at Hachiōji; if yours does, just wait for the next train that is continuing on to Takao. Important: Do not get on an Ōme-bound train! If you do, by accident, then get off at Tachikawa (before the line splits) and get a Takao-bound train there. Cheapo train option via Takao 2 hours 45 minutes (one way) Take a Takaosanguchi-bound Keio Line train from Shinjuku to Takao. At Takao, transfer to a JR Chuo Line train for Ōtsuki and then transfer again to a Fujikyu Railway train for Kawaguchiko. This takes about as long as going non-direct, regular JR all the way but costs a bit less: . Make sure to catch one of the special express trains, which gets you to Takao in about 50 minutes (as opposed to 80 minutes on the local). They run often enough; see the schedule here. Caution: Do not get a train bound for Hashimoto or Keio-Hachioji! Especially not Hashimoto; if you get a Hachioji-bound train get off at Kitano and transfer to a Takaosanguchi-bound train. Fujikyu Railways special trains from Ōtsuki 54 to 57 minutes From , plus surcharges (one way) Travel from Ōtsuki to Kawaguchiko is on the Fujikyu Railway, which runs several resort/themed trains in addition to regular trains. These trains only run a few times each day, so make sure to check the schedules ahead of time. The base fare is ; listed below are the additional costs to ride each of these trains. Travel time between the regular and express trains is negligible (around 5 minutes). All trains also stop at Fuji-Q Highland Station. Fujisan View Express Check the schedule here Surcharge: for an unreserved seat; for reserved seat; and first-class reserved seat A fancy train with big windows for Fuji-spotting. On weekends and holidays, first-class reserved seats can be booked as part of a "sweets package" that includes sweets and coffee/tea and costs adult/child /. Fujisan Express Check the schedule here (link in Japanese) Surcharge: Unreserved/reserved seat / Another express train. It has cartoon Fujis on the exterior, which is a fun photo op. They may replace the train with a less-fun alternative, so check the website on its status. Thomas Land Train Check the schedule here (link in Japanese) Surcharge: None! A regular train decorated with characters from Thomas the Tank Engine. Discount passes for travel from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji Fujikyu Railway has a few different discount schemes for rail passengers coming from Ōtsuki Station. Note: Getting to Ōtsuki from Tokyo (Shinjuku Station) is not covered by any of these passes, and costs on a combination of Keio and JR regular trains, on regular JR trains, and on a Limited Express JR Azusa or Kaiji train. You can purchase discount passes at Otsuki Station or online. Mt. Fuji Pass Get it on Klook Throughout the year, you can take advantage of a 1-3 day Mt. Fuji Pass, which covers entry to Fuji-Q Highland, as well as other attractions and transport in the area. Fujisan Limited Express Free Ticket Get it on Jorudan This pass covers unlimited rides on Fujikyu Railway trains between Ōtsuki and Kawaguchiko for two days. You can also use the Fujisan View Express or Fujisan Express trains (unreserved seats only). If you just do a round trip on the Limited Express trains, you'll only save , but if you also use the trains for sightseeing, you can save more. This is a good option if you also plan to do some sightseeing at Fuji Q Highland or Chūreitō Pagoda. Get tickets via the app here. There are a few other discount transport passes available -- enquire at Ōtsuki Station. More details. What about the JR Tokyo Wide Pass? The JR Tokyo Wide Pass, which costs , does cover the Fuji Excursion Limited Express train (the priciest but most convenient train), which would usually cost over for a round trip. The pass is good for three consecutive days, so if you tack on a day trip to Nikkō or even just a ride into Tokyo from the airport on the Narita Express you are saving money. Get tickets. Driving from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji Pro tip: If you prefer to be driven than drive, or just want the easiest option, then you can hire a private driver for a day trip to Mt. Fuji. Viator have a reasonably priced -- it's for four people. In addition to the usual caveats about the cost of driving in Japan (and the stress of driving in Tokyo), there are pros and cons for taking a car (your own or a rental) to Mt. Fuji. On the pro side, if you want to do anything other than climb Mt. Fuji, having a car is handy for visiting attractions (like hot springs) without having to rely on irregular local buses. It also makes gear wrangling easier. On the other hand, private vehicles are banned from the access road to the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station during most of the climbing season. It's usually open in early to mid-July. For the rest of the climbing season, you have to pay to park at a big lot () and take a bus up the access road. Also, unless you are in very good shape your legs are going to hurt the next day -- which can make driving kind of miserable. The highway toll for a regular car from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko costs somewhere between and (ETC price) depending on where you are starting in Tokyo and the route you take. Use Nexco Drive Plaza's toll calculator to determine the exact cost. The drive takes about 2 hours (depending on traffic) -- longer if you need to get through central Tokyo. So if you want to explore the area before or after climbing Mt. Fuji, it makes the most sense to rent a car in Kawaguchiko. Helicopter to Mt. Fuji Okay, this isn’t a realistic option for most of us, nor is it particularly sustainable, but for those with cash to burn and/or special occasions to celebrate, there is a that takes you from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji (the area nearby, anyway) and back. You’ll fly to Hakone, taking in Mt. Fuji and other sights from the skies. Staying overnight? See our Mount Fuji accommodation guide. Frequently asked questions Where is Mt. Fuji? Mt. Fuji straddles the border of Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefectures, southwest of Tokyo. It's about 100km away, so at a minimum it's a proper day trip (or overnight trip if you're climbing). Wait, where is Kawaguchiko? Kawaguchiko is a popular resort town in the Fuji Five Lakes region at the base of Mt. Fuji, and a useful transport hub for the area. Where does the Fuji hike start? For climbers coming from Tokyo, the Yoshida Trail, which starts at the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station, is the most convenient of the four trails to the summit. It can be reached directly from Tokyo or Kawaguchiko. Both the Yoshida Trail and Kawaguchiko are on the Yamanashi side of Mt. Fuji. When is the best time of year to go to Mt. Fuji? Mt. Fuji has an official climbing season, which runs from July 1 to September 10. (On the Yoshida Trail, that is; the other trails open on July 10). Fuji Five Lakes (of which Kawaguchiko is a part), meanwhile, is a year-round destination for hiking, hot springs, and Mt. Fuji viewing. But the clearest time to see Mt. Fuji is in the winter. Can I take the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji? Sort of. You can take the Tōkaidō Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo Station to Mishima. This takes just under an hour. Note that only the Kodama and some Hikari trains stop at Mishima. From Mishima Station, buses run hourly-ish to Kawaguchiko (schedule here). The journey takes about 90 minutes and costs about . Note: Some people try to climb Mt. Fuji outside of the climbing season but this can be super dangerous! Outside of the climbing season, the mountain trails are off-limits, and first aid stations are closed. Check out our guide to climbing Mt. Fuji for other need-to-knows. We work really hard to keep everything current and correct. But, alas, all information, including costs and travel times, is subject to change. This post was first published in June 2017. Last updated in June 2025.

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