From Tokyo to Mt. Fuji: By Train and Bus, Tours, Best Views

Tokyo to Mt. Fuji: Distance and How to Travel

Kawaguchi Station near Mt. Fuji. Photo by Pixta

Mount Fuji stands about 100 km southwest of Tokyo. Where you should go depends on what you want to do.

If your goal is to enjoy a day of outdoor fun at the base of Mount Fuji, Kawaguchiko is your ideal destination. Located at the foot of Mount Fuji by Lake Kawaguchiko, this city offers scenic views along with activities like cycling and ropeway rides.

If you're planning to climb Mount Fuji, you should head to the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station on the Yoshida Trail. This station is located at an altitude of 2,300 meters and is approximately a 50-minute car or bus ride from Kawaguchiko.

Overview of Tokyo - Mt. Fuji Travel Methods

Travel Method	Fare	Travel Time	Recommended Level
Fuji Excursion (limited express)	4,123 yen	1h 23 min	*****
Other Train Connections	3,923 yen	2h 6 min	****
Highway Bus	2,000 - 2,500 yen	1h 45 min	****
Car	approx. 10,000 yen (gasoline + tolls)	1h 20 min	**
Bullet Train (+Regular Train/Bus)	5,170 yen (+ other fees)	1h 7 min (+ additional travel)	*
Day Tour from Tokyo	from 8,000 yen and up	one-day roundtrip	***

From Tokyo to Mt. Fuji by Train: The Fastest Way

The Fuji Excursion limited express. Photo by Pixta

The Fuji Excursion is a direct express train connecting Shinjuku Station in Tokyo to Kawaguchiko Station, located right at the foot of Mount Fuji.

This train offers the fastest and easiest way to reach the mountain from Tokyo, with a travel time of just 1 hour and 53 minutes. The ticket with a reserved seat costs 4,123 yen.

The Fuji Excursion departs four times every morning, at 7:30, 8:30, 9:30, and 10:30. You can catch this train from platforms 9 or 10 at Shinjuku Station.

To ride the Fuji Excursion, you need a ticket with a reserved seat. These tickets can be purchased online on Klook.

Other Train Connections

Another way to reach Kawaguchiko is by taking a limited express train from Shinjuku Station.

- From Shinjuku Station, board the Limited Express Kaiji or Limited Express Azusa to Otsuki Station.
- At Otsuki Station, transfer to the Fujikyuko Line, which will take you directly to Kawaguchiko.

The total travel time for this route is approximately 2 hours and 6 minutes, and the cost is 3,923 yen.

Important: A ticket with a reserved seat is required for limited express trains. You can purchase your ticket for the Shinjuku to Otsuki portion either online or at the JR ticket office within Shinjuku Station.

From Tokyo to Mt. Fuji by Bullet Train

The nearest bullet train station to Mt. Fuji is Shin-Fuji Station on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line, which can be reached in 1 hour and 7 minutes from Tokyo Station (5,170 yen, unless you're using the Japan Rail Pass or a similar travel pass).

Please note that only the Kodama, which is the slowest bullet train, stops at Shin-Fuji Station.

From Shin-Fuji Station, you can easily reach Fujinomiya, a city in Shizuoka at the foot of Mt. Fuji, which offers hiking trails, museums dedicated to Mt. Fuji, historical shrines, and other outdoor activities. The Mt. Fuji 5th Station on the Fujinomiya Trail is also easy to reach from here for those who plan to climb Mount Fuji.

Please note, however, that you'll need to take a separate train or bus from Shin-Fuji Station to reach the major attractions around Mount Fuji. If it's your first visit, we recommend going to Kawaguchiko, which can be reached by a direct limited express train from Tokyo's Shinjuku Station.

From Tokyo to Mt. Fuji by Bus: The Cheapest Way

Highway buses in front of Kawaguchiko Station. Photo by Pixta

Highway buses offer another convenient and often more economical way to travel to Kawaguchiko from Tokyo.

You can catch highway buses departing from two main terminals:

- Shinjuku Bus Terminal - See on Google Maps
- Tokyo Station's Yaesu Bus Terminal - See on Google Maps

Buses from Shinjuku typically take around 1 hour and 45 minutes to reach Kawaguchiko. Ticket prices for this route range from 2,000 to 2,200 yen, making the highway bus the most budget-friendly option for traveling to the Mount Fuji area.

Please keep in mind that highway conditions can vary daily, so your bus might arrive later than scheduled if there's a traffic jam.

To ensure you get a seat, we highly recommend reserving your express bus tickets online in advance, much like you would for limited express trains. Buses to Kawaguchiko are very popular and often sell out completely.

Driving from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji: Access by Car

The Fujiyoshida Interchange Toll Gate. Photo by Pixta

If you’re traveling by car, it takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes to reach Kawaguchiko from Tokyo via the Chuo Expressway and the Fujiyoshida Expressway.

The highway toll fees will amount to about 3,000 to 5,000 yen, and the gasoline costs about 5,000 yen in total.

If you plan to rent a car, use our 10% discount coupon on Nippon Rent-A-Car services.

Day Tours from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji

If this is your first time visiting Mount Fuji and you'd rather not spend time planning logistics and checking routes, a guided day tour departing from Tokyo is an excellent option.

These bus tours typically cover major attractions near Mount Fuji, including the picturesque Oshino Hakkai village and Oishi Park with its stunning flower fields, as well as other sights in Kawaguchiko. With lunch and multiple sightseeing stops included, you won't have to worry about planning your itinerary – just relax and enjoy the scenery.

To help you plan your visit, here are some of the most popular Mount Fuji day tours departing from Tokyo:

- Mt Fuji and Hakone Tour by Bus and Bullet Train: This highly-rated tour combines spectacular views of Mount Fuji with a scenic cruise on Lake Ashi and a bullet train ride back to Tokyo.

- Mt Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi 1-Day Bus Tour: A more affordable option that focuses on the beautiful Lake Kawaguchiko area, including iconic spots like Chureito Pagoda and Oishi Park.

- Mount Fuji Full Day Customized Private Tour with English Guide: For a personalized experience, consider a private tour that allows you to tailor your itinerary to your preferences.

- Mt. Fuji, Oishi Park, and Seasonal Fruits Picking: This tour offers a unique combination of Mount Fuji sightseeing and a fun fruit-picking experience (December - May: strawberries, June: cherries, July: peaches/oranges, August - November: grapes/apples).

Where to See Mt. Fuji from Tokyo

Night view from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatory. Photo by Pixta

For some of the best free views of Mount Fuji from Tokyo, head to one of the two Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatories. Located on the 45th floor, just west of central Tokyo, they're a great starting point for your sightseeing.

For a stylish photo experience, visit Shibuya Sky, a rooftop observatory nearly 230 meters above ground in Shibuya. Adult admission is 2,700 yen before 3 PM and 3,400 yen in the afternoon and evening. For details, please check our Shibuya Sky feature.

Tokyo Skytree also provides excellent views of Tokyo, including Mount Fuji in the background. Adult admission to the Tembo Deck observatory is 2,100 yen on weekdays. For details, please check our Tokyo Skytree feature.

Please note, however, that Mount Fuji is only visible from Tokyo on clear days, especially during the winter months (December to February) when the air is dry and the weather is stable. June, being Tokyo's rainy season, is generally the least recommended time to seek Mount Fuji views.

How to See Mount Fuji from the Bullet Train

To spot Mount Fuji from the bullet train between Tokyo and Kyoto, Osaka, or Nagoya, pick seats E and F (or C and D in Green Cars). The mountain will be visible on the righthand side of the train, approximately 40 to 45 minutes into your journey, provided you're traveling during the daytime and the weather is clear.

Enjoy Your Trip to Mount Fuji

From the scenic views around Lake Kawaguchiko to thrilling rides at Fuji-Q Highland and exploring picturesque sites like Oshino Hakkai, there's plenty to enjoy at the foot of Mount Fuji.

If one day isn’t enough, consider staying overnight at a hotel or resort in the area. Check the articles below for hotel and activity recommendations near Mount Fuji.

Main image by Pixta