Need to get from Toyko to Mount Fuji? There are a few ways to get there, but despite Mount Fuji being Japan’s most famous and tallest mountain, it can be a tricky journey. But, it comes with a great reward. Most travellers who aren’t actually climbing the mountain head to the 5th station, which is at about 2400 meters above sea level. It’s the best lookout point for those who aren’t climbing the mountain, offering incredible views of the summit and the sweeping mountains. Whether you’re short on time or have all the time in the world, here’s how to get from Tokyo to Mount Fuji.

Getting from Tokyo to Mount Fuji

Train

A lot of the time, the journey is just as important as the destination. Getting the train from Tokyo to Mount Fuji is certainly a beautiful journey, with stunning views of mountains and lakes along the way. It is one of the more expensive options, but it’s also the quickest.

There are train connections that get you there, but they require many switches and buses. The most convenient way to travel by rail is the Fuji Excursion Limited Express train, which takes just 1 hour and 50 minutes. It goes from Shinjuku Station to Mount Fuji’s Kawaguchiko stop. From there, you do have to get a bus to the 5th station, but they’re regular. Alternatively, you can get a taxi, but this will be more expensive.

The Fuji Excursion Limited Express train departs from Tokyo twice on weekdays and three times on weekends. The latest train departs from Kawaguchiko Station at 5:38pm on weekends, so be sure to get to Shinjuku Station in Tokyo as early as possible if you want a good amount of time to explore.

Bus

The most affordable and easiest way to get from Tokyo to Mount Fuji is by bus. Tokyo has many bus terminals, and they’re quite complicated to navigate, but the Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal is the most user-friendly. It also has the most departures to Mount Fuji’s Kawaguchiko stop, so it’s a win-win. They run about once an hour and go more frequently in the morning. There are also departures from Shibuya Station and Tokyo Station.

The journey generally takes about 2 hours, depending on traffic. Then, when you reach Kawaguchiko, you need to get a bus to the 5th station, the same as you do when getting the train. This takes around 50 minutes with buses running every hour. We recommend taking a look around Kawaguchiko, which is actually the name of the famous lake in the town. You get an incredible view of Mount Fuji, which itself is worth the journey.

While getting the bus is the more affordable option, you do miss out on some seriously breathtaking views along the way. If you don’t mind that and wold prefer to save your money, then getting the bus is a good option.

Private Tour

So, if you’ve been planning your trip to Japan for a long time and are really looking forward to seeing the majestic Mount Fuji, why not go the extra mile and book a private tour? There is also so much more to see in the area that isn’t as reachable by public transport, but on a private tour, you can.

Group tours take the planning element off your shoulders, but if that’s actually something that you enjoy and you know exactly where you want to visit, you can tailor your tour to that. You decide when to go, where to go, how long you want to spend in each place, and when to leave. You can go alone or take a small group with you, which would help with the burden of the price because it is the most pricey option. But starting right from your accommodation door, you’re taken to the 5th station and wherever else you want to go. If you’re not sure, your driver can recommend places.

You can visit the famous hot springs of Hakone, the views of Lake Yamanaka from the Komitake Shrine, hop on a cable car for panoramic views of Mount Fuji, Lake Ashinoko, and so much more.

Group Tour

If you want to see more of Japan’s incredible natural beauty while you’re here, but a private tour is a bit steep, then there are some brilliant group tours too. While they’re not as independent as the private tours, they’ll combine Mount Fuji with some of the area’s incredible spots. They might not hit all of them, though, so be sure to check out different options. Many tours tend to go to Lake Ashinoko as well as Mount Fuji, taking you through Owaku-dani Valley, which is full of hot springs, and then you hop on a cable car to begin your ascent up the mountain before reaching Lake Ashinoko.