Tokyo to Mount Fuji: Train, Bus and Choosing Your Side of the Mountain

Most people who search for Tokyo to Fuji want to see Mount Fuji on a day trip or a single overnight. The mountain sits across Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures, so there is more than one way in. The most popular route with Thai travellers is the Yamanashi side, with Lake Kawaguchiko and the town of Fujiyoshida, about two hours from Tokyo. The Shizuoka side is reached by Shinkansen and suits people already travelling the Tokyo to Kyoto corridor.

Summary: which side of Fuji to pick

The Yamanashi side suits first-timers because it offers lakes that reflect the mountain, cafes, viewpoints and plenty of places to stay, and you can reach it directly from Shinjuku. The Shizuoka side suits people who like tea fields and southern views, for example around Fujinomiya or Fuji City. It needs an extra local connection and is possible as a day trip from Tokyo but tighter. If you only have one day and want the familiar photo, choose the lake side.

The fastest way

For the lake side, the fastest no-change option is the Fuji Excursion limited express from Shinjuku Station, which runs straight through to Kawaguchiko Station in roughly two hours. It uses reserved seating, and some services run only in periods the operator decides, so check the current timetable. The alternative is the JR Chuo Line to Otsuki, then the Fujikyu Line on to Kawaguchiko. That needs no seat reservation but involves one change and is slightly slower.

For the Shizuoka side, take the Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Shin-Fuji or Mishima, which takes roughly an hour to an hour and a half depending on the train type. From there you continue by bus or taxi to the viewpoint you chose. That last connection is the part that takes the most time, so plan it on a map first.

The budget way

Highway buses from the Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal (Busta Shinjuku), located above Shinjuku Station, to Kawaguchiko and Fujiyoshida are usually cheaper than the limited express, and several companies run them. They take roughly two hours but vary with traffic, especially on weekends and in the autumn colour season. Fares and departures should be checked with the bus company directly. The upsides are comfortable seats and luggage stored under the bus; the downside is that traffic delays are out of your hands.

Comparison table

How to buy tickets

• Limited express and Shinkansen tickets can be bought at counters, ticket machines or the operator's online booking, and each line uses a different system.
• Most highway buses can be booked online in advance, and seats can sell out before the travel date on long weekends or in autumn.
• IC cards such as Suica or PASMO work on local trains, but the seat charge for limited expresses is bought separately.

Passes that may apply

A JR Pass covers only JR trains, so under certain conditions it works on the Tokaido Shinkansen to Shin-Fuji or Mishima, but it does not cover the Fujikyu Line or private highway buses. For Kawaguchiko there are area tickets from local operators that combine trains and sightseeing buses around the lake. Compare them against single tickets first, because for a single day they are not always worth it. Pass conditions change, so read them on the issuer's website.

Luggage and bag storage

On a day trip, avoid hauling a large suitcase. Leaving it at your Tokyo hotel or in a coin locker at Shinjuku Station is far easier. If you are staying overnight, highway buses take bags in the hold, while limited expresses have limited luggage space, and Japan's luggage forwarding service, called takuhaibin, works with some accommodation. Lockers at Kawaguchiko Station are limited on busy days, so arrive early if you plan to use one.

Mountain roads and viewpoints do not always have strong signal. Mobile data helps you check local bus times, maps and the weather on the spot, and an eSIM can be installed before you fly without swapping your physical SIM.

See Japan eSIM plans

Frequently asked questions