Tokyo to Mount Fuji: Best Ways to Get There

A well-liked tourist site is Mount Fuji, the tallest volcano and the most renowned peak in Japan. But it can be difficult and time-consuming to travel from Tokyo to Mount Fuji, often requiring multiple transportation changes.

In reality, the majority of tourists from Tokyo to Mount Fuji are making their way to the mountain's 5th Station, which is situated more than 2,300 meters above sea level. With a clear view of the snow-covered summit and the surrounding mountains, this is Mt. Fuji's best vantage spot for non-climbers.

Here are the best routes from Tokyo to Mount Fuji, regardless of your preference for efficiency, comfort, breathtaking scenery, or additional stops along the way:

Nothing beats a customized tour where you may choose where to travel, how long to stay at each location, and when to return for the best Mt. Fuji experience. Even better, depending on how many people you're traveling with, the tour can be planned for either an individual or a small group.

A limousine or van will pick you and your group up from your hotel and take you to Mt. Fuji's 5th Station, Lake Kawaguchi, Hakone, and other local attractions during the 10-hour private full-day sightseeing tour from Tokyo to Mount Fuji and Hakone.

You decide how much time you spend in each location; if you're unsure, the driver will offer suggestions, such as going to Komitake Shrine for unimpeded views over the stunningly blue Lake Yamanaka and standing on the observation deck at Mount Tenjo (reachable after a 400-meter ascent via the Kachi Kachi ropeway cable car) for sweeping views of Mt. Fuji.

Another must-see is Hanoke, known for its hot springs and stunning Lake Ashinoko, as well as Lake Kawaguchi and the lovely resort region nearby. You may boat through the lake throughout the summer to get stunning views of Mt. Fuji.

At the conclusion of the day, the driver will transport you back to your hotel.

Regular year-round trains run from Tokyo to Mount Fuji area. Additionally, trains provide breathtaking views of mountains and lakes along the journey, while costing more and taking longer than buses.

The Fuji Excursion Limited Express train, which travels from Tokyo's Shinjuku Station, widely regarded as the busiest rail hub in the world, to the Kawaguchiko stop, is the most effective available train option. Please be aware that if your final destination is the Subashiri 5th Station, you will still need to board a local bus after getting off there.

Only in the mornings, twice throughout the week, and three during the weekends, the Fuji Excursion Limited Express train leaves from Shinjuku, with the first departure scheduled for 7:30 am. The latest train on weekends leaving from Kawaguchiko Station leaves at 5:38 p.m., making the return trips not too late.

As a result, you won't have much time to explore when you first arrive and will need to make careful plans to see everything in the allotted time.

There are several more rail connections that can take you to the Fuji area, but they all involve changing trains along the way and then taking a bus to get there. This may be the ideal moment if you are determined to ride the Shinkansen (bullet train) while in Japan. The bullet train will transport you to a neighboring location with some of the best views of Mt. Fuji, but it won't take you to the 5th Station on Mount Fuji.

Take the Tokaido Shinkansen train from Tokyo to Odawara Station with your JR pass (Japan Rail pass). At this station, change to a local Hakone Tozan train and alight at Hakone-Itabashi. Some of the best views of Mount Fuji may be seen in Fuji's Five Lakes Park, which is located at the mountain's northern base.

A tour that includes Lake Ashinoko and Mt. Fuji may be a wonderful choice if you want to see more of Japan's breathtaking natural beauty in a single day.

Shinjuku City, Tokyo's bustling financial district and "Skyscraper District," is the starting point of the 10-hour Mt. Fuji & Hakone One-Day Tour. The van will proceed directly to Mount Fuji's 5th Station from this point, where you will have some opportunity to take pictures and have a quick bite at a nearby restaurant.

The journey next moves on to Owaku-dani Valley, an active volcanic region where tourists can observe bubbling pools, hot springs, and steam vents. The Hakone Ropeway, a cable car that transports passengers up a volcanic mountain to the shores of Lake Ashi, is the next item on the schedule.

The excursion comes to an end at Lake Ashinoko, where you may take a leisurely sail and see Mount Fuji. If you decide to take the Bullet Train back to Tokyo, the van will drop you off at Odawara Station or close to Shinjuku Station.

Bus travel is the quickest and least expensive method to get from Tokyo to Mount Fuji, but you'll miss out on some of the most beautiful scenery.

When arranging a trip, it's crucial to go to the correct bus station because Tokyo (and greater Tokyo) have multiple bus stations. Due to its accessibility and ease of use, the main Tokyo station is where most visitors depart from.

Between the hours of 6:20 am and 9:20 pm, a direct bus runs from here to the vicinity of Mt. Fuji. The travel takes between 2 and 2.5 hours, depending on traffic. Plan ahead of time because there are more buses in the morning than in the afternoon.

These buses transport you to the larger Fuji area and have four main destinations there: Lake Yamanakako station, Fuji-Q Highland, which is famed for its thrill-ride amusement park, and Kawaguchiko Station, which is well-known for its lakes and accessible hiking paths. Depending on what you want to see, you can choose where to get off, but keep in mind that none of these stops are exactly near Mount Fuji.

You must take a second bus to go to the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station, which is the lookout point, and Mt. Fuji Basecamp from whence all walks that follow the Yoshida Trail up the mountain begin. Simply exit at Kawaguchiko Station and board a local bus for the remaining 50 minutes of travel. Local buses normally have signs to help you identify them and operate them every hour.

There is a direct bus from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal (located in Greater Tokyo, outside the city center) to the 5th Station if you're visiting Mount Fuji from mid-July to mid-September. It is best to make a reservation in advance on the Highway-buses.jp website because the trip takes 2.5 hours and the buses fill up quickly.

Many tourists to Japan like taking day trips from Tokyo to Mount Fuji and the lesser-known Hakone Five Lakes region, so the information above on how to see this iconic location should come in handy. Above has the ideal guide for you to get the most out of this vacation, whether you like to climb or move at a slower pace.