Konnichiwa to Mount Fuji!
As spring’s gentle touch melts winter’s chill, an itch for exploration takes root in the Land of the Rising Sun.
Imagine setting out on a journey that begins with the electric pulse of Tokyo, only to crescendo as you approach the foot of a revered mountain.
The story unfolds with a backdrop that doesn’t need an introduction – Mount Fuji, a majestic sentinel that beckons adventurers from Tokyo and beyond.
It is not just a mountain you are heading to; it’s a voyage through a landscape that metamorphoses with the seasons.
From the delicate pink cherry blossom blooms of spring to the fiery foliage of autumn, Mount Fuji dons a few robes of colours every year.
So, leave behind the ordinary and dive into a Mt Fuji day trip from Tokyo.
For the allure of the mountain in Japan, we unravel the best ways to travel from Tokyo to Mount Fuji and the treasures that await your discovery around it.
The Iconic Japanese Journey - How To Go To Mount Fuji From Tokyo
As the sun rises over the urban landscape of Tokyo, your quest to Mount Fuji begins.
What avenue shall you choose?
The well-trodden path by bus, the iron rails of the train, or the guidance of an expert-led tour?
The canvas of choice is yours.
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For the easiest conveyance from Tokyo to Mount Fuji, board the Fujikyuko Bus from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal.
Step onto the direct bus and watch the skyscrapers of Tokyo give way to rural vistas as you glide towards the icon of Japan.
The buses run towards the looming presence of Mount Fuji every 10 to 30 minutes from 6:45am to 8:15am and drop you at Kawaguchiko Station.
Travel Time: 2 hours
Price: 2,000+ yen per person
Feel the gentle rumble beneath your feet as you gaze out the window, watching the urban landscape gradually transform into rolling fields.
While several trains connect Tokyo and Mount Fuji, the Fuji Excursion Limited Express train, included in the JR pass, from Shinjuku Station is the best option.
The train departs only in the mornings and as early as 7:30am.
Travel Time: 1 hour 50 minutes.
Price: 1600 yen per person.
Do you prefer a well-curated expedition?
Join a guided Mt. Fuji tour from Tokyo that weaves the narrative of your journey.
Knowledgeable guides transform mundane travel into a tapestry of stories, revealing the nuances of this extraordinary terrain.
With every step, you are not merely exploring the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park but connecting with its history, culture, and nature.
Navigating the 10 Treasures of Mount Fuji Area
The rolling wheels of a bus or the rhythmic clatter of this train becomes the soundtrack to your anticipation, setting the stage for your grand arrival at Mount Fuji.
As you disembark, the adventure intensifies.
Each step reveals a new facet of the enchantment of Mount Fuji, beckoning you to explore its wonders.
Behold the symphony of colours as you stroll through Oishi Park on the northern shore of Lake Kawaguchiko.
From a pink carpet of moss phlox in early May to lavender bloom from mid-June through early July, the meadows enliven with stunning floral displays adorning the landscape.
Walk the Flowers Road or gaze across the mirror-like Lake Kawaguchi, its surface reflecting the magnificence of the mountain.
Time: Open daily, 24 hours
Price: Free
Address: Oishi, Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi 401-0305, Japan (map)
Lake Kawaguchi, or Kawaguchiko, is the most popular among the Fuji Five Lakes Itinerary.
Dip into tranquillity at Kawaguchiko, where the water holds a mirror, capturing the perfection of Mount Fuji.
While each of the five lakes has unique vantage points and offers different perspectives of Mount Fuji, Lake Kawaguchiko is the easiest to access and with the most things to see around it.
Address: Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi, Japan (map)
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A crescendo of melodies awaits within the Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum.
Let the notes guide you through antique music boxes and mechanical organs against the backdrop of Lake Kawaguchiko and Mount Fuji.
The atmosphere is fairytale-like, with European-style houses, manicured gardens, canals, and a winding path that leads towards the lake.
Time: Open daily, 10am to 5pm
Price: 1800 yen
Address: 3077-20 Kawaguchi, Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi 401-0304, Japan (map)
Ascend 400 meters on the Mt. Kachi Kachi Ropeway, or the Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway, from the shores of Lake Kawaguchi to an observation deck at 1000 meters above sea level.
Witness Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi intertwined in a dance of beauty, in a journey of panoramas that paints a canvas of serenity and steals your breath.
Time: Open daily, 9:30am to 5pm
Price: 900 yen
Address: 1163-1 Azagawa, Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi 401-0303, Japan (map)
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Scale the path of ancient pilgrims to reach the halfway point of the Yoshida trail leading to the summit of Mt. Fuji.
A commanding view of the Fuji Five Lakes area awaits at Mt. Fuji 5th Station at 2300 meters, especially from an observation deck at Komitake Shrine.
Welcome to the realm where climbers prepare for their ascent and utilise their last chance to stock supplies.
Time: Open daily, 10am to 5pm
Price: 1570 yen (one way) and 2300 yen (round trip)
Address: 9PVM+P2, Narusawa, Yamanashi 401-0320, Japan (map)
A tapestry of red leaves or cherry blossoms and a five-storied pagoda overlook Mt. Fuji on the horizon every autumn or spring.
As you climb the stairs to the Chureito Pagoda, you realize how the view frames the majestic mountain in a portrait of grace and grandeur.
The pagoda is part of the Arakura Sengen Shrine, a 10 minutes walk from Shimo-Yoshida Station on Fujikyu Railway Line.
Time: Open 24 hours
Price: 310 yen
Address: 2-chome-4-1 Asama, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi 403-0011, Japan (map)
Discover the whispers of ancient times at Oshino Hakkai, where eight crystal-clear ponds offer a glimpse into the site of a sixth lake that dried hundreds of years ago.
Snow melts from the slopes of Mount Fuji feed these ponds after filtering through porous volcanic rocks for over 80 years.
Traditional thatched roof houses surround these ponds, creating a picturesque setting with Mount Fuji rising behind them.
Time: Open daily, 9am to 5pm
Price: Free
Address: Shibokusa, Oshino, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0511, Japan (map)
Step into the Lake Yamanaka Flower Park, and you will get a whiff of sweet fragrances.
Vibrant blooms of every shade – from the soft pastels of cherry blossoms to the bold reds of tulips – carpet the grounds, painting the landscape into an artwork.
The gentle rustling of leaves, the occasional flutter of a butterfly, and the sight of Mount Fuji gracing the horizon lull you into a state of tranquillity.
Time: Open daily, 8:30am to 5:30pm
Price: Free
Address: 1650 Yamanaka, Yamanakako, Yamanashi 401-0501, Japan (map)
Springtime heralds the arrival of the Mount Fuji Shibazakura Festival, a spectacle that transforms the Fuji Motosuko Resort into a wonderland of pink moss blossoms.
Picture a living mosaic of pink, white, and purple as far as the eye can see, with a snow-capped Mount Fuji standing tall in the backdrop.
The juxtaposition of the grandeur of the mountain against the delicate petals is a sight to behold.
Time: Open during the festival period, 9am to 4pm
Price: 1200 yen
Address: 212 Fujigane, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0338, Japan (map)
Extend your adventure to a Hakone Day Trip From Tokyo, a realm that cradles a tranquil lake, hot springs, shrines, and many more wonders.
Ride the Hakone Ropeway for panoramic vistas of the sulfur springs of the Owakudani Valley.
Or hop on the Komagatake Ropeway to the peak of Mount Hakone.
What steals the show is the iconic torii gate of Hakone Shrine emerging from the mirrored surface of Lake Ashinoko.
On a good weather day, Mount Fuji appearing in the distance becomes the cherry on top.
Pro tip: make it a point to visit Lake Ashi, and combine your trip the Komagatake Ropeway.
Address: 171 Motohakone, Hakone, Kanagawa 250-0522, Japan. (map)
Touring Within Mt. Fuji Area
Once you reach Kawaguchiko Station, there are four types of buses and a train to help you get around the Mount Fuji area. A 1-Day Mt. Fuji Pass covers all these transportation options for 5,500 yen, with additional discounts on several attractions and a free ride on Kachi Kachi Ropeway.
Kawaguchiko Sightseeing Bus (Red Line of Omni Buses)
You can board these buses upon arriving at Kawaguchiko Station with a pass for two consecutive days, which costs 1500 yen. These Red Line buses are best for Kawaguchiko sightseeing, covering Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway, Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum, and Oishi Park.
Fuji Subaru Line bus
For Mt. Fuji 5th Station, take the Fuji Subaru Line bus from Kawaguchiko Station to the Fuji-Subaru Line 5th Station stop. The travel time is 50 minutes from Kawaguchiko Station. The one-way fare is 1,570 yen, while the round-trip costs 2,300 yen.
Fujikko-Go Bus
If Oshino Hakkai and areas around Lake Yamanakako are part of your plan, ride the Fujikko-Go Bus. The travel time is 30 minutes from Kawaguchiko Station. The two-day unlimited ticket for this bus is 1,500 yen per person.
Fujikyu Railway Line
To visit the Chureito Pagoda, take a train on the Fujikyu Railway Line from Kawaguchiko Station to Shimoyoshida Station. The ride lasts about 15 minutes, and a single ticket costs 310 yen.
Shibazakura Liner
Shibazakura Liner is a special shuttle bus connecting Kawaguchiko Station to the Mt. Fuji Shibazakura Festival venue. The fare costs about 2,400 yen, which includes the round trip fare and entrance fee to the festival.
An Itinerary for a Day Tour of the Mount Fuji Area
- Take the Fujikyuko Bus or Fuji Excursion Limited Express train from Tokyo’s Shinjuku Station to Kawaguchiko Station.
- Ride the Kawaguchiko Sightseeing Omni Bus (Red Line) from Kawaguchiko Station to Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center bus stop for Oishi Park. The ride time is about 30 minutes.
- Take the reverse Red Line bus from Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center to Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum. The ride time is 7 minutes.
- Again, take the same bus from Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum to Ropeway Entrance. The ride time is 7 minutes.
- Ride the Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway to Fujimidai Station for 3 minutes for a panoramic view of the area.
- Return to Kawaguchiko Station on another Red Line bus and change to the Fuji Subaru Line bus for travel to Fuji 5th Station.
- Back at Kawaguchiko Station, board a train on the Fujikyu Railway Line to head to Chureito Pagoda. Alternatively, switch to Fujikko-Go Bus for Oshino Hakkai, instead.
- Take the reverse train or Fujikko-Go Bus to Kawaguchiko Station and head back to Tokyo.
A Journey to Remember at Mount Fuji
In the journey from Tokyo to Mount Fuji, every step, every view, every encounter is a brushstroke that colours your memories with the poetry of nature.
From the cherry blossoms that flirt with the breeze to the crimson leaves that blanket the earth, the journey is a sensory masterpiece, a rendezvous with Japan’s soul-stirring beauty.
As you return to Tokyo, you will carry the echoes of a great mountain’s call in your heart.
