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Mount Fuji day trip from Tokyo: bus, train or tour?

To Lake Kawaguchiko, the highway bus from Busta Shinjuku is cheapest (¥2,200, about 1 hour 45 minutes, with dozens of departures a day); the Fuji Excursion limited express is a direct train for ¥4,200 in about 2 hours. A day tour saves planning, but there is usually no refund if Fuji is hidden by cloud. Fares are from Fujikyu, checked on 29 October 2026.

By Mikako Yoshida ·Published 29 October 2026

Mount Fuji day trip from Tokyo: bus, train or tour?
Nakamise-dori, Asakusa · Photo: Maarten Heerlien from Voorschoten, The Netherlands (CC BY 2.0)

Shinjuku to Lake Kawaguchiko

HowTimeAdult fareBooking
Highway bus from Busta Shinjukuabout 1 hour 45 min¥2,200 (¥2,000 booked online)All seats reserved; opens 1 month ahead
JR Fuji Excursion, directabout 2 hours¥4,200Reserved seats; sales open at 10:00 one month ahead
JR to Otsuki, then Fujikyu Railwayabout 2 hoursJR fare plus ¥1,170 on FujikyuNo booking needed
Day tour (Klook, KKday)10–12 hoursDepends on the tourBook online
Mount Fuji from Lake Kawaguchiko
Mount Fuji from Lake Kawaguchiko · Photo: LMP 2001 (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Highway bus

Fujikyu and Keio buses leave from the 4th floor of Busta Shinjuku 56 times a day, from 6:45 to 22:25, and take about 1 hour 45 minutes to Kawaguchiko Station. Seats are reserved: book on Fujiyama Connect up to a month ahead (¥2,000 online) or buy at the counter (¥2,200). Children pay half.

Fuji Excursion at Kawaguchiko Station
Fuji Excursion at Kawaguchiko Station · Photo: Suikotei (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Fuji Excursion train

The Fuji Excursion runs from Shinjuku straight to Kawaguchiko 4 times a day, more in season, leaving at 7:30, 8:30, 9:30 and 10:30 and taking about 2 hours. It has no unreserved seats; tickets go on sale at 10:00 one month ahead on JR East’s booking site and at ticket offices. Fujikyu Railway is a private line, so the JR Pass does not cover the part beyond Otsuki.

Getting around Lake Kawaguchiko

TicketAdultCovers
Sightseeing bus pass, 1 day¥1,500Red, Green and Blue sightseeing lines; Suica accepted
Sightseeing bus pass, 2 days¥2,000The same lines
Mt. Fuji & Fuji Five Lakes Passport, 2 days¥3,300Buses plus Fujikyu Railway between Kawaguchiko and Shimoyoshida
Bus to the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station¥3,400 return5 buses a day from Kawaguchiko; none when the road is closed

Useful before you fly

eSIM for Japan, installed before you leave home

Airalo Saily Yesim

JR Pass and Shinkansen tickets

Klook KKday

Airport transfer when you have a lot of shopping bags

Klook Trip.com Welcome Pickups

Luggage storage in Tokyo for the hours before an evening flight

Radical Storage

Hotels in Japan

Klook Trip.com

Coupons

Chureito Pagoda and Mount Fuji
Chureito Pagoda and Mount Fuji · Photo: Supanut Arunoprayote (CC BY 4.0)

Chureito Pagoda, the 5th Station and tours

For the view of Chureito Pagoda with Fuji behind it, take Fujikyu Railway to Shimoyoshida and walk about 30 minutes, following the signs.

The bus to the 5th Station runs only while the Fuji Subaru Line is open: it turns back at the 4th Station when the road is open only that far, and does not run when the road is closed.

Day tours from Shinjuku or Tokyo Station usually take 10–12 hours by coach and stop at Chureito Pagoda, Oishi Park, Oshino Hakkai and Lake Kawaguchiko. Compare: Mount Fuji tours on Klook, KKday.

Crowds and new local rules

Fujikawaguchiko town asks visitors not to park illegally around crowded spots such as Oishi Park, and will charge an accommodation tax of ¥200 per person per night from 1 April 2027.

Questions

Bus or train?
The bus is cheaper and runs far more often; the train avoids motorway traffic but runs only 4 or 5 times a day.
Do I need to book the bus?
Yes. All seats are reserved, so book online, up to a month ahead.
Can I use Suica on the local buses?
Yes. Suica and PASMO work on the sightseeing buses around Lake Kawaguchiko.

Related guides

Japan trip checklistEntry steps and costs in the order you meet them.Accommodation taxRates by city, with a calculator.Tax-free shoppingHow the refund works from 1 November 2026 and what to keep.

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