kawaguchiko Archives | Tokyo Cheapo

Google (or ChatGPT) "best day trips from Tokyo", and we guarantee two of the top results will be Hakone and Fuji-Kawaguchiko. And for good reason -- both are about 100 km west of Tokyo, and both have their own distinct charms. Hakone's flowing rivers, comfy hot-spring hotels, volcanic landscapes, and world-class art museums offer a peaceful reprieve from the city. Similarly, the hiking trails, adventure sports, and scenic beauty of Kawaguchiko have made it a popular destination for Tokyoites for decades. One thing the two places have in common, though, is some of the most iconic views of Mount Fuji that the country has to offer. Until recently, you would have had to make a difficult choice between the two destinations, but those days are thankfully behind us. With the arrival of a special new bus route between Hakone and Kawaguchiko, you can now do a Mt. Fuji-packed return trip in one day, or add a convenient one-way side adventure to your Japan itinerary. More details on the different options below. By now, you're probably asking yourself, "Wait, why wasn't this an option before?" "What's included in the trip?" and "Where do I sign up?" We tried out the tour ourselves, so we can answer all these questions and a mountain more. The quickest and cheapest way to see the many faces of Mt. Fuji Before now, it was unrealistic to do a day trip from Hakone to the Fuji-Kawaguchiko area. There weren't any convenient bus or train routes between the two. Traditionally, separate companies have overseen most of the transport infrastructure in each town, with basically zero overlap. If you were super keen and willing to shell out for a taxi, you'd be looking at well over for the 75-km, at least 90-minute trip. Otherwise, you'd be looking at a trip to and from Shinjuku, x 2. With this new route, though, you can save a ton of time, money, and stress with a one-day round-trip from Hakone, or a one-way trip between the two towns. Both options are worth considering, but we personally like the one-way trip the most. The two special bus routes The return trip from Hakone leaves at 8 a.m., returns at 5:15 p.m., and will set you back . The one-way trip from either Hakone or Kawaguchiko takes just over 3 hours and costs . Both trips offer epic views of Mt. Fuji and take a lot of the stress and hassle associated with lugging suitcases around on local trains, buses, or expensive taxis. Let's get into the specifics of the two kinds of trips. What to expect Here's the basic itinerary for both the round-trip and the one-way trips. For the one-way trip, we'll focus on the Hakone to Kawaguchiko route (rather than the reverse). Both types of trip come with a friendly local guide who will give you insights into the area and the various views of Fuji-san along the way. One-day round trip from Hakone to Kawaguchiko For those who want to experience lots of panoramic views of Mt. Fuji, and only need a taste of Kawaguchiko. We meet at the front of Yumoto Fujiya Hotel at 7:50 a.m. and hit the road at 8. Yumoto Fujiya Hotel is super central, basically across the street from Hakone-Yumoto Station, so it's great if you're arriving from Tokyo or already staying in that part of Hakone. From there, the bus makes its way up the mountains through Gora and stops briefly to pick up passengers at other key locations like Hotel Kowakien Tenyu, Hakone Museum of Art/Koen-Kami Cable Car Station, and Sengokuhara. This way, regardless of where you're staying in Hakone, you don't need to travel too far to jump on the bus, and they've coordinated the stops to coincide with the arrival of the cable car. Popping out the top of Hakone onto the highway, you're straightaway greeted with a view of Fuji to whet your appetite. From 10:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., you get a chance for a quick toilet break at one of Japan's many scenic rest stops. Why are we telling you this? If you're quick, you can squeeze in time to buy a Mt. Fuji ice cream from one of the stores there -- recommended for the photo ops. Next up is a seriously epic view of you know who at perhaps the least expected location -- Fuji Q Highland. That's right, the OTT theme park near Kawaguchiko. In 2020, someone clearly decided that the view from the Fuji Yama Rollercoaster was so good that it deserved its own Mt. Fuji viewing platform IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRACKS. You'll be there for around 30 minutes, which is more than enough time to get some great photos of Mt Fuji and, if you're lucky, see the rollercoaster go by a handful of times. Unfortunately for some (maybe less so for others), there won't be time to actually ride the rollercoaster. If the weather isn't great, don't worry -- they've got you covered. You'll still make your way into Fuji Q for a 4D-flight experience on the theme park's Fuji Airways attraction, where you can experience the sights, smells, and sounds of Mt. Fuji from the comfort of a theater seat. After getting back on the bus, it takes around 35 minutes to arrive at Oishi Park. The park has one of the best views of Mt. Fuji, as well as beautiful gardens that have something different blooming in every season, from cherry blossoms in spring to fiery leaves in the fall. Note: Lunch isn't included as part of the tour package, but while you're there, you'll have 80 minutes of free time to grab your own eats from one of the area's cafés or restaurants. Brand New Day Café and Pizzeria has some vegetarian options. After lunch and a stroll, it's time to jump back on the bus and make your way back to Hakone. On the return, the bus will stop for a quick rest break at Kawaguchiko Station before heading into Hakone past Ōwakudani volcanic valley for some variety. You'll make brief drop-off stops at Sengokuhara, Kojiri Port, Hakone Museum of Art/Koen-kami Cable Car Station, Hotel Kowakien Tenyu, and finally Yumoto Fujiya Hotel. The stop at Kojiri Port is timed perfectly with the arrival of the Pirate Ferry Boat, in case you're staying on the other side of Lake Ashi or just wanting to get some extra sightseeing in. One-way trip from Hakone to Kawaguchiko If you just want to get from A to B, but still with some great Mt. Fuji views. This is for those who want to spend a bit of time in the Fuji Five Lakes area, or plan to take the Tōkaidō Shinkansen onwards to Kyoto or Osaka. This version of the trip to Kawaguchiko is a little different and gets you to where you're going in just over 3 hours. You'll still leave Yumoto Fujiya Hotel at 8 a.m. and make your way up through the mountains, stopping at the same locations. But this time you'll skip Fuji Q Highland in the interest of getting to Kawaguchiko sooner. On this trip, you'll arrive at Tourist Base Kawaguchiko, just outside Kawaguchiko Station. Tourist Base is a great spot to get your bearings, grab a drink, a snack, and some info on the area. They've got an all-you-can-drink soft-drink bar for and a buffet food and drink menu that includes rice balls, yakisoba noodles, pasta, miso soup, and curry for . They've also got beer and wine and don't skimp on the Mt. Fuji views, with a panoramic rooftop vista to boot. Tourist Base Kawaguchiko also serves as a hub for experience-based tours from the Kawaguchiko area. If it's a panoramic view of Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchiko you're after, their Fujiyama Twin Terrace tour is a roughly 50-minute experience that takes you via private shuttle bus and minibus to one of the area's scenic lookouts. If you are keen on nature walks or cycling, they've got plenty of other outdoor and sightseeing activities available, depending on your taste and the season. Chat to the staff while you're there to see what's available. And while you're there, there's a direct bus from Kawaguchiko Station to Mishima Station, where you can get the Shinkansen onwards to Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, or Tokyo. Weather As we mentioned before, the organizers have factored weather into the tour plan. If it's cloudy, you'll still make your way to the Fujiyama viewing platform inside Fuji-Q Highland on the extended tour -- but be warned that it's hard to guarantee good visibility of Mt. Fuji. If it's raining, you'll instead visit the Fuji Airways 4D flight simulator inside the theme park for a more virtual experience. It's hard to predict the cloud coverage around Mt. Fuji, so be sure to plan ahead when you're booking a date. How to book Head to the Sunrise Tours Mt. Fuji Connections page (From Hakone) to see all available dates and tour options departing from Hakone (Hakone-Yumoto, Kowakudani, Gora, Sengokuhara), with both round-trip and one-way plans. Current pickup locations include: 1. Hakone Yumoto (Yumoto Fujiya Hotel) 8:00 a.m. departure View tour options Round-trip One-way 2. Kowakudani (Hakone Kowakien Ten-yu) 8:45 a.m. departure View tour options Round-trip One-way 3. Gora (Hakone Museum) 9:00 a.m. departure View tour options Round-trip One-way 4. Sengokuhara (Ramen Kuraichi) 9:25 a.m. departure View tour options Round-trip One-way If you are starting from Kawaguchiko, check the Lake Kawaguchi to Hakone route for that option. You can complete your booking online in just a few steps. Is the Hakone to Kawaguchiko bus trip worth it? The short answer is yes. It ticks a lot of different boxes, depending on what kind of traveler you are. If you do the one-day round trip, admittedly, you are on the bus for most of the day, but it is one of the only ways to experience both Hakone and Kawaguchiko in a single day and soak up a variety of views of ol' Ms Fuji San. If you choose the one-way trip, it's arguably the most convenient way to get between the two towns in about 3 hours. On top of that, you'll enjoy heaps of views of Mt. Fuji, plus you'll have the freedom to spend as much time at your destination as you like. While we do our best to ensure it's correct, information is subject to change.

Kawaguchiko Posts

Experience the Best of Mt. Fuji in One Day, From Hakone to Kawaguchiko

Sleeping in Mount Fuji's Shadow: Accommodation Guide

The Ultimate Tokyo to Kawaguchiko Day Trip

The Complete Guide To Getting From Tokyo to Mount Fuji

11 Things To Do Around Kawaguchiko Station

New Ride Zokkon Opens at Fuji Q Highland Theme Park

Kind Travel: Explore These Alternatives to Owl Cafés in Tokyo

Kawaguchiko Posts

Experience the Best of Mt. Fuji in One Day, From Hakone to Kawaguchiko

Sleeping in Mount Fuji's Shadow: Accommodation Guide

The Ultimate Tokyo to Kawaguchiko Day Trip

The Complete Guide To Getting From Tokyo to Mount Fuji

11 Things To Do Around Kawaguchiko Station

New Ride Zokkon Opens at Fuji Q Highland Theme Park

Kind Travel: Explore These Alternatives to Owl Cafés in Tokyo

Log in

Create Account

Recover Password

Log in Successful