There are a few ways to get to the Mount Fuji Area from Tokyo but I find the most 2 most common ways my clients get here are by train or express bus.

 

The three stations that are most suitable to get to the Mt Fuji area are the following:

 

1. Kawaguchiko Station - Kawaguchiko station is the busiest and most popular of the three. It is also closest to Kawaguchiko lake (Less than 15 minute walk to get to the lake). This station is the most tourist friendly due to the proximity to the lake, shops and tourist sites such as the boat tour and ropeway. Kawaguchiko station is also where the tourist red line buses start. buses and trains stop at this station.

 

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2. Fuji Q Highland Station - This stop is at the Highland Resort and Onsen and right next to the Fuji Q Highland Amusement Park. You ideally want to go here if you are going to the amusement park for a day of thrills or staying at the Highland resort or another hotel near by. To get lakeside from here is about a 45 minute walk. Only buses stop at this station.

 

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3. Mt Fuji Station - This is the quietest of three stations located beside/inside the Q-Sta Shopping mall. The mall is a smaller one with a nice souvenir shop, Muji, and many other local stores and restaurants. Not many people know about this but the best area to feel the local night life is just a 25 minute walk away from this station so keep in mind if you find accommodations near here. The little bar and restaurant district is called Nishiura, so just plug that into your map app and you should find a straight easy walk downhill towards this little pocket of fun. Some of the shops that I personally love to go to are Yakitori Megumi, Tobari (Yakitori), Bon (Yakiniku) for food. Don't worry if you find yourself to be the only foreign customers, these places are friendly to all (very local and can get smokey with tobacco). As for bars check out ChinChiki and my favorite Masadon kitchen, where Don the proprietor will get your beer or mix you a drinks with a smile and good convo in English. Try the hot sauce challenge at Masadon's. Trains and buses available at Mt Fuji Station.

 

 

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THE FASTEST WAY TO TRAVEL FROM TOKYO TO MT FUJI (TRAIN)

Travelling by train is the most consistent way to get to the Mt Fuji Area as you will not be held up by any road traffic in or out of Tokyo. However tickets tend to sell out for the Fuji Excursion Express trains so make sure you get yours in advance (bookings can be make up to one month I believe) Otherwise you have to use the local trains (Which is also totally easy to do) and make an easy transfer at Otsuki station.

 

 

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It can get a little confusing so here is a simple breakdown on how this works.

 

1. The Fuji Excursion train is a limited express train meaning there are only a few that go in a day. It is less frequent, costs more (about 4000 Yen one way), no transfers thus most convenient, quicker with a travel time of 1Hr 52Mins to Kawaguchiko Station.

Goes from Shinjuku Station direct to Kawaguchiko Station and vice-a-versa. Seats tend to sell out especially on weekends, public holidays and high tourist seasons which nowadays is always.

This is a major negative about this option. If you wish to try and book your seats online in advance you have to use a 3rd party online vendor such as Klook (which also charges a premium) or try and navigate the very non-user friendly website that is the official JR rail ticketing site eki-net.. the link is the following: https://www.eki-net.com/personal/top/index

 

For more info on this train I found this website. Please note that I do not have any affiliation with this website, it is a 3rd party authorized reseller site for JR Rail Passes. I Simply found they have some useful information regarding this train that might be informative to you. https://www.jrailpass.com/blog/fuji-excursion-train

 

2. The Limited Express Rapid Train on the Chuo Line

If you don't want to try for above then this is your best option. This train leaves Shinjuku station every approximate hour. If you have a JR Rail pass I believe you are covered until Otsuki Station where you have to transfer onto the Fujikyu line and pay to get on this train to Kawaguchiko or Mt Fuji Station.

If you do not have the JR Rail pass the trip one way to Kawaguchiko Station or Mt Fuji Station should all in cost approx. 2300 Yen.

 

WHAT TO DO: At Shinjuku Station, find a kiosk that sells the Limited Express Train on the Chuo line to OTSUKI STATION. Once at Otsuki Station, make a short easy walk over to the FUJIKYU LINE that goes to Kawaguchiko station, Mt Fuji Station or your preferred stop on the line. This trip in total from Tokyo should take you approx. 2 -2.5hours.

 

3. Local Train from Shinjuku or Tokyo Station for Otsuki Station

This is the cheapest way, takes the longest amount of time so if you have lots of time and are on perhaps budget or simply is your last resort this is the way to go.

Get on the the Chuo Line (Orange) from Shinjuku station. Platform 12 to either Takao station or Otsuki Station. If your train is not a Special rapid train which goes direct to Otsuki then you will have to get off at Takao station and make a quick transfer to a train that goes to Otsuki. From Otsuki you transfer to the FUJIKYU Line to Kawaguchiko or Mt Fuji Station. This all in costs around 1300 Yen and will take about 2.5-3 hours one way

 

Here are some additional links and timetables for more information:

Fujikyu Tourist Info site

https://e.fujikyu-railway.jp/sightseeing/fujisan.php

 

Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko train timetables

https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/routemaps/pdf/routemaps_timetable.pdf

 

JREast tourist guide Mt Fuji

https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/fuji/about.html

 

 

THE MOST CONVENIENT WAY TO TRAVEL FROM TOKYO TO MT FUJI

(EXPRESS BUS)

 

This is my personal favorite way to travel to Mount Fuji and back to Shinjuku/Tokyo. Buses are comfortable and clean most equipped with a toilet, free wifi, no transfers required. The only issue with the bus is that you may run into traffic so pick your departure times wisely. During Japanese public holidays buses/roads can be extremely busy coming into the Mt Fuji area from Tokyo at the beginning of a holiday or weekend and extremely slow going back to Tokyo at the end of the weekend or holiday. Plan accordingly. Find and check a Japanese Calendar for their public holidays.

 

 

 

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Directions: Find the express bus station near Shinjuku station. 4th floor of NEWOMAN building (atop Shinjuku station). You can buy tickets online in advance here https://www.highwaybus.com/gp/inbound/index

OR at the bus station. If you buy online you are departing from Tokyo to Yamanashi prefecture. The rest if straight forward.. surprisingly (one of the more simpler Japanese sites to navigate..haha)

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Lately there are 2-3 or more buses going to the Mt Fuji area per time slot. There is a bus every 10-30 minutes. Thus is very frequent due to the increased tourist traffic to the region. Morning buses tend to sell out quicker than afternoon so if you plan on a day trip to Mt Fuji be proactive and either buy online (up to 1 month in advance) or go to the station in advance to purchase/pick up your ticket.