Mount Fuji Trip from Tokyo | How to Best Get There

Planning a trip from Tokyo to Mount Fuji? You’re in the right place!😍 I took a weekend trip from Tokyo to Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchiko in April 2024, and it couldn’t have been easier. There are several ways to reach Mount Fuji from Tokyo, and because travelers have different preferences — from budget to speed to convenience — I’m sharing the 4 best ways to get to Mount Fuji from Tokyo.

If you didn’t know already, Mount Fuji is just about 160 km (100 miles) from Tokyo. Depending on your chosen transportation — bus, train, or car — the journey can take anywhere from about 1.5 to 3 hours. My goal with this guide is to make sure you find the best way to get from Tokyo to Mount Fuji that fits your budget, schedule, and travel style.

Keep reading to learn the best ways to reach Mount Fuji from Tokyo, plus the top activities around Fuji, travel tips, and answers to the most frequently asked questions!👇

Disclaimer: This post has affiliate links that can help me earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. If you click through and buy with these links, thank you in advance for the extra support.💖😊

4 Best Ways to Get to Mount Fuji from Tokyo

Don’t have time to read yet? Grab my Quick Recommendations!👇
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🇯🇵 Guides2 Days in Lake Kawaguchiko, 3-Day Tokyo Itinerary, 5 Day Tokyo Itinerary, Ten Day Japan Itinerary
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1. By Bus: Most Efficient Way to Get to Mount Fuji from Tokyo

A view of Mount Fuji with a snow-capped peak, seen behind residential houses and rooftops in a small Japanese town on a cloudy day—a serene scene often admired during a Mount Fuji trip from Tokyo.

If you’re looking for the most affordable way to get from Tokyo to Mount Fuji, the Highway Buses are your best bet — comfortable, convenient, and budget‑friendly!

Most buses depart from the Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal. Depending on your final stop, the ride takes about 1.75 to 3 hours, and tickets typically range from ¥2,000–¥2,500 (≈ $13–$23 USD).

If you are planning to climb Mount Fuji, your final destination will be Mount Fuji 5th Station.

If you want to admire Mountain Fuji’s beauty, then you can pick any destination like Lake Kawaguchiko (Kawaguchiko Station) and Lake Yamanakako. To reach Kawaguchiko Station from Shinjuku the price is around ¥2,200 (≈ $14) and travel time is 1.75 hours.

Click here for more information on the Highway Buses!

2. Bestselling Guided Tours: Visit Mount Fuji Worry Free

If you want your Tokyo to Mount Fuji day trip to be stress free and fully planned, a guided tour is perfect for you! Here are 3 of the most popular, bestselling tours to pick from, all of which offer different things.👇

Mt. Fuji, Hakone, Lake Ashi Cruise and Bullet Train

  • 🌟 Bestseller
  • 💴 Price: $153
  • 🕰️ Duration: 10 Hours
  •  Cancellation Policy: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
  • 🗺️ Language: Live Tour Guide English. Audio guide for Spanish, Italian, German, and more!

If you are looking for the ultimate guided Tokyo to Mount Fuji day trip, that let’s you see it all – this best-rated group tour is for you!

This 10 hour itinerary will introduce you to endless wonders, from Mt. Fuji and its 5th station, to the Hakone Ropeway, Lake Ashi Cruise, a Ninja Village, and more. During this day trip from Tokyo, you will also enjoy a traditional Japanese lunch and hop on a 30-minute bullet train ride to Tokyo.

This is the perfect tour for those who enjoy activity-packed days, and want to see as much as possible. Because of its popularity, it’s crucial to book this tour well in advance.

Book your spot before it sells out!👇

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Mt. Fuji Full-Day Sightseeing Trip with breathtaking parks

  • 🌟 Bestseller
  • 💴 Price: $85
  • 🕰️ Duration: 10 Hours
  •  Cancellation Policy: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
  • 🗺️ Language: English, Chinese

Similarly to the tour above, this best-rated tour is another, ultimate day trip filled with many must-sees.

The difference is that this tour brings you to two parks, Arakurayama Sengen Park and Oishi Park, Oshino Hakkai for lunch, and ends in Mt. Fuji 5th Station. You will get to see the iconic Arakura Sengen Shrine and enjoy Lake Kawaguchiko.

If you’re looking to see the most famous Mt. Fuji sightseeing spots, this is the perfect tour for you!

Book your tickets now, before they sell out!👇

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Private customizable tokyo to mt Fuji Tour: the ultimate experience

  • 🌟 Bestseller
  • 💴 Price: $431 per Group (Up to 5)
  • 🕰️ Duration: 10 Hours
  •  Cancellation Policy: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
  • 🗺️ Language: English

If you are traveling with a group or family, and want to enjoy specific sights to the fullest, stress free – this customizable private tour may be the perfect option!

This customizable private tour offer 7 different pickup locations and you will be in a car. This itinerary comes with some iconic sights and places to visit, like Chureito Pagoda and Lake Kawaguchi, but then gives you plenty of options for other places you can add to the itinerary.

For example, you can choose whether to visit places like Mt. Fuji 5th Station, the breathtaking Lake Kawaguchi Maple Corridor, an the Hakone Ropeway.

Because this is a customizable trip, the tickets to attractions (ex. ropeway) are not included. What’s really nice though is that this private tour includes both hotel pickup and drop-off (a dream), is customizable, offers WiFi when needed, and the driver speaks English.

This private tour is the ultimate experience, especially if you are traveling with other people. It allows you to choose the places you visit, it’s only you and your people, and most importantly – it allows you to put your full focus on enjoying your trip to the fullest.

If this sounds like the perfect experience for you, book it before it sells out!👇

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3. By Train: Fuji Excursion, the New Direct Train

In recent years, JR East introduced a new train service that makes traveling from Tokyo to Mount Fuji by train easier and more efficient: the Fuji Excursion.

The Fuji Excursion train connects Shinjuku Station directly to Mount Fuji, with a commute of only an hour and 50 minutes. There are currently 3 trains running daily every week, Saturday, and on certain holidays.

Not only does the Fuji Excursion connect you directly to Mountain Fuji, but it also stops at other must-sees, including the Fujikyu (Fuji-Q) Highland Amusement Park and Lake Kawaguchiko.

Get your Fuji Excursion train tickets hassle free, here!

Pro Tip: See Mount Fuji from the Shinkansen 🚅

If you are on a time crunch and cannot afford a day trip to Mount Fuji, but are hopping on a Shinkansen train to your next destination – this tip is for you!👇

If you are traveling to Osaka or Kyoto, you will have the chance to admire Mount Fuji in its full glory from the comfort of your bullet train seat.

To get the views, make sure you sit on the right side (Tokyo -> Kyoto) or left side (Kyoto -> Tokyo).🚅

4. By Car: The World is Your Oyster

If you want to go on the ultimate adventure, rent a car and drive freely!🚗

Renting a car gives you the most flexibility when traveling from Tokyo to Mount Fuji. You can stop at scenic spots, explore on your own time, and enjoy the ride through Japan’s beautiful countryside.

P.S. In Japan they drive on the left side!

Find your car with Klook, and experience one of the best day trips from Tokyo!👇

Best Things to Do in Mount Fuji and Nearby

Climb Mount Fuji: Season & Tips

  • Hiking season: July–mid Sep
  • Permit cap: 4000 hikers/day
  • Duration: 8–12 hours round trip

Starting with the least obvious… not😂 You can go hike the beautiful Mount Fuji!

To climb Mount Fuji, it’s important to note that there’s a limit of 4000 hikers per day and there’s an entry fee of 4000 Yen ($27). Given the daily limit, it’s important to book ahead online and as soon as you can!

Ascending this icon can take from 5 to 10 hours, and 3 to 5 to descend. Due to this, if you plan to climb Mount Fuji, know that it will a day long activity, and it will be wise to book a stay in the area.

Every year, the Mount Fuji hiking season starts in early July and ends in mid-early September. Visiting Japan in the summer time is usually advised against for the heat and humidity, but if your dream is to climb Mount fuji – then it’s the season for you to go!

Explore the Five Lakes of Fujikawaguchiko

A wooden Japanese building overlooks a lake with a tree nearby. In the background, Mount Fuji rises with a snowy peak under a cloudy sky—a stunning view often seen on a Mount Fuji trip from Tokyo, with traditional houses lining the shoreline.

If you want to admire Mount Fuji in its full glory, along with a serene lake atmosphere – this is the perfect activity for you!

The Five Lakes of Fujikawaguchiko are Lake Kawaguchiko, Yamanaka, Saiko, Shōji, and Motosu. Lake Kawaguchiko, in terms of accessibility with public transportation, is the best lake to visit Mount Fuji.

I personally spent 2 days in Lake Kawaguchiko and I cannot recommend it enough. It’s a very small town, but the nature that surrounds you offers the most serene and refreshing atmosphere – especially after experiencing the chaos of cities like Tokyo and Kyoto.

As a celiac, I was also pleasantly surprised to find that there’s a family-owned restaurant that’s gluten free friendly. I ate here 2 days in a row and had the BEST tuna sashimi of my life!😍

Staying in Lake Kawaguchiko is the perfect opportunity to relax, wake up to Mount Fuji views, enjoy and onsen or two, and discover a different side of Japan.

Important Note: Being such a small town, it’s especially crucial for us tourists to be on our best behavior and be as respectful as possible of locals, the environment, and culture.

Lake Kawaguchiko became a victim of Instagram obsessed people who all want the same Lawson convenience store picture. I’ve seen tourists obstruct places, litter, not follow simple trash instructions, and so forth.

If you visit, remember you are a guest – please be respectful of the locals and their town.

Read my Japan Do’s and Don’ts List to learn about the Japanese Cultural Etiquette

Go on peaceful strolls or bike rides

A person in white rides a bicycle near blooming cherry blossom trees, with Mount Fuji in Lake Kawaguchiko —perfect for a Mount Fuji trip from Tokyo—towering in the snowy background under a cloudy sky.

If you opt for one of the Lakes of Fujikawaguchiko, let yourself slow down and take in all the beauty surrounding you.

You can do so by strolling around, sitting at a park, or even renting a bike!

Seasonal Flowers: Fuji Shibazakura Festival

A vibrant field of pink flowers with a heart-shaped patch of white blooms brightens the landscape near a pond, at the Fuji Shibazakura Festival, surrounded by green hills under a cloudy sky—an idyllic scene reminiscent of a Mount Fuji trip from Tokyo.

Opening yearly from mid-April to late May, the Fuji Shibazakura Festival is something you cannot miss out on!

The Shibazakura is a beautiful, small Japanese flower that is often called, Pink Moss. At this yearly festival, you are surrounded by an endless field of over 800,000 stalks that create a sea of pink.

To take it a step further, the Shibazakura are laid out in ways to create patterns, such as hearts and checkerboards, and even a mini Mount Fuji!

On clear days you can see Mount Fuji from here, making it an even more perfect place to visit!

Visit Fuji‑Q Highland Amusement Park

How many people can say they went on a roller coaster while looking over Mount Fuji?

Fuji-Q Highland is an incredible amusement park famous for it’s record-breaking rides, seasonal events, and various attractions. As a fun fact, Fuji-Q Highland is home to Fujiyama, once the world’s tallest roller coaster, and Takabisha, the world’s steepest roller coaster.

In other words, if you thought you mastered the craziest heights in amusement parks, Fuji-Q Highland is here to challenge you!

Book your tickets today!

Relax at a Traditional Japanese Onsen

No matter how long you’ve been traveling for, it’s always important to take a moment to slow down, relax, and recharge. Now that you’ll be out of Tokyo’s chaos, this is a great opportunity to enjoy an authentic Onsen experience!

Cultural & Historical Sights Around Mount Fuji

Depending which side of Mount Fuji you’re on, there are several historical and cultural sites to visit! Here are some sites to look out, or search, for:

  • Iyashi no Sato. Traditional Japanese village with thatched-roof houses, near Lake Saiko
  • Kawaguchi Asama Shrine. Shrine from the 9th century dedicated to the Goddess of Mount of Fuji
  • Hakone Shrine.
  • Hakone Gora Park.

Where to Stay | Hotels in the Mount Fuji Area

I had the blessing to stay at the beautiful Togawaso, a traditional Ryokan with an Onsen. This Ryokan is perfectly situated on the mesmerizing Lake Kawaguchiko, Yagizaki Park, and has offers phenomenal Mountain Fuji views.

The only thing to note, is that this is a shared experience with fellow tourists – meaning, the only private thing you’ll have is your bedroom.

If you’re looking for an affordable and don’t mind sharing space, this is perfect! Make sure to book ASAP as it sells out quickly!!👇

If you want a more luxurious experience with great amenities and privacy, the Fujikawaguchiko Onsen Konanso will be perfect for you!😍

This is a 3-star hotel that offers everything you could think of – from public and private onsens, to karaoke party rooms, roof terrace, great cuisine, and more.

Book your stay at this best-rated hotel before it sells out!👇

Mount Fuji FAQs

How long does it take from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji by bullet train?

A trip from Tokyo to Mount Fuji typically takes 1.5–3 hours depending on your chosen transportation.

Can tourists climb Mount Fuji?

Yes, tourists are allowed to climb Mount Fuji! Just make sure you reserve you spot online, as there’s a limit of 4000 hikers per day.

Is Mount Fuji worth visiting?

Whether you’re climbing it or admiring it from a far, Mount Fuji is always worth visiting!

How long to stay in Kawaguchiko?

While Mt. Fuji is a great day trip from Tokyo, I highly recommend staying at least 2 days in Lake Kawaguchiko itinerary. That is, of course, if you have some extra time!

Kawaguchiko is a wonderful, smaller town that allows you to experience a more quiet side of Japan, as you’re surrounded by endless Japanese nature. This is a great place to end your Tokyo travels in, as you can relax in Onsens and be with nature.

Discover here the perfect 2 days in Lake Kawaguchiko itinerary, which shares everything you need to know about the town, and essential tips.

Is Mount Fuji closer to Tokyo or Kyoto?

Mount Fuji is closer to Tokyo, than Kyoto.

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I have to ask…

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