How to Get from Tokyo to Mt Fuji

First: "Mt Fuji" Is Not One Place

The biggest mistake is treating the Fuji area as a single destination. It splits into five practical places, each with its own best route from Tokyo:

• Lake Kawaguchiko (Fuji Five Lakes) — the main sightseeing base: lake views, Chureito Pagoda, Oshino Hakkai, ryokan and onsen. Best for first-timers and photographers.
• Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station (Yoshida Trail) — the launch point for the most popular climb, relevant mainly in the July–September season.
• Hakone — a hot-spring and art-museum resort with distant Fuji views, on a separate Odakyu-based transport network.
• Gotemba — the Premium Outlets and the longest climbing trail.
• Fujinomiya / Shin-Fuji (Shizuoka side) — the southern approach, reached by Tokaido Shinkansen.

Most visitors are heading to Kawaguchiko — so start there.

The Three Ways to Kawaguchiko, Compared

Highway Bus — the Value Champion

Fujikyu and Keio jointly run frequent direct buses from Busta Shinjuku (above the JR Shinjuku South Exit) to Kawaguchiko Station — about 1h 45m, ¥2,200 (¥2,000 online), roughly two per hour. Buses also run from Tokyo Station (~2h, ¥2,300) and Shibuya. Book on Highwaybus.com, Willer, Japan Bus Online, or Klook; they sell out on weekends and holidays. Travel time is traffic-dependent, especially on the return to Tokyo on weekend evenings.

Fuji Excursion — the Fastest Direct Train

The only direct train from Shinjuku to the Fuji area, jointly run by JR East (Shinjuku–Otsuki) and Fujikyu Railway (Otsuki–Kawaguchiko). About 1h 53m for ~¥4,130–4,200. It runs 3 round trips on weekdays and 4 on weekends, all seats reserved (only cars 1–3 continue to Kawaguchiko — the rest split off at Otsuki). Modern E353 trains with luggage racks, power outlets, and WiFi. Reservations open a month ahead and routinely sell out in peak season.

Chuo Line + Fujikyu — the Budget Route

Take the JR Chuo Line from Shinjuku to Otsuki (~70 min / ¥2,430 by limited express, or ~100 min / ¥1,410 by local trains), then transfer to the private Fujikyu Railway to Kawaguchiko (~55 min, ¥1,170). Cheapest all-local fare bottoms out around ¥2,510, but the whole journey runs 3–3.5 hours. Suica/Pasmo IC cards work on the Fujikyu line.

Which Pass Covers What (the Big Confusion)

Pass coverage is the single biggest source of wasted money and missed connections. Here's the short version:

Key takeaway: the standard Japan Rail Pass does not cover the Fujikyu Railway (Otsuki–Kawaguchiko), so you'll pay roughly ¥1,170–1,770 extra. If you're doing several Kanto day trips, the JR Tokyo Wide Pass is the best single pass for a rail-based Fuji trip.

The Bullet Train & the Shizuoka Side

The Tokaido Shinkansen does not reach Kawaguchiko — it serves the southern/western approach and Hakone:

• Tokyo → Shin-Fuji: ~1h 7m (Kodama only), ~¥5,170; then buses to Fujinomiya, Shiraito Falls, and the Fujinomiya 5th Station. The famous train view of Fuji comes just after Mishima.
• Tokyo → Mishima: under an hour; a gateway to both Hakone and (by Fujikyu bus) Kawaguchiko (~90 min).
• Tokyo → Odawara: the most convenient Shinkansen station for Hakone.

Planning a hot-spring day instead? See our Hakone day trip itinerary, which covers the Romancecar and the Hakone Freepass in detail.

Driving & the Seasonal Car Ban

Tokyo → Kawaguchiko via the Chuo Expressway is about 90 minutes without traffic (~100 km). A compact rental runs ¥5,000–8,000/day plus ~¥2,600–3,800 in tolls one way (most gates are ETC-only, so rent an ETC card with the car). You'll need an International Driving Permit, your home licence, and passport.

Important seasonal ban: during the climbing season (roughly July 1–September 10), the Fuji Subaru Line to the Yoshida 5th Station is closed to private vehicles. Drivers park at the Fujihokuroku lot (¥1,000/car) and take a shuttle (~¥2,100 round trip). The same applies to the Fujinomiya and Subashiri access roads. If you're planning to climb, read our how to climb Mt Fuji guide first.

Practical Tips

• Book far ahead in peak seasons — cherry blossom (late March–mid April), Golden Week, summer holidays (mid-July–August), and autumn foliage. Fuji Excursion seats and highway buses sell out days to weeks in advance.
• Reserve Fuji Excursion seats online via the JR-EAST reservation site; Tokyo Wide Pass holders reserve for free.
• Carry cash — some local buses and higher-elevation vending machines don't take IC cards or credit.
• Around the lakes — Kawaguchiko Station is the hub for the Red, Green, and Blue sightseeing bus lines; a ¥1,500 day pass is worth it.
• Weekend return traffic — if travelling back to Tokyo on a weekend evening, favour the train over the bus to avoid congestion.

Quick Recommendations

• First-time sightseer → Kawaguchiko: highway bus for value, or the Fuji Excursion if you value speed and book a month ahead. Switch to the train on busy weekends.
• Multiple Kanto day trips: the JR Tokyo Wide Pass pays for itself with a Kawaguchiko round trip plus one more excursion.
• Climbers (Jul–Sep): the direct Shinjuku → 5th Station bus, or the Fuji Excursion to Kawaguchiko plus the 5th Station bus. Don't plan to drive up — private cars are banned.
• Onsen travellers: Hakone with a Hakone Freepass and a Romancecar seat.
• No planning at all: a guided day tour with transport included (above).

Ready to build the day itself? Our DIY self-guided day trip guide turns these routes into an hour-by-hour plan.

Tokyo to Mt Fuji Transport FAQ