How to Get to Mt. Fuji from Tokyo: A Complete Guide

Yadana Chaw

One of Japan’s most iconic landmarks, people flock to Mt. Fuji to see the mountain in person, hike it during climbing season, and take in the views across Lake Kawaguchiko. The question is, how do you get there from Tokyo?

In this guide, we’ll explore how to travel from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji, sharing the distance between the two, whether a day trip is realistic, and comparing the main travel options, so you can choose what suits your plans and budget best. You can also learn more about the Wise card, an easy way to stretch your dollars when paying in foreign currencies.

Table of Contents

How far is Mt. Fuji from Tokyo?

Before jumping into travel methods, let’s take a look at whether Mt. Fuji is in Tokyo, and if a day-trip is possible.

Mt Fuji lies approximately 100km to the south-east of Tokyo, on the border of the Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures. Despite the distance Mt. Fuji is visible from certain buildings in Tokyo, including the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku.

The efficiency of the Japanese transportation network is world renowned, and makes it relatively quick and easy to travel from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji. As a result, it's possible to do a day trip, leaving Tokyo early in the morning and returning in the evening.

How to get to Mt. Fuji from Tokyo

There are four main ways to travel from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji, each with its own benefits and challenges.

  • Train
  • Guided day tour
  • Highway bus
  • Rental car

Before delving into each choice in more detail, here’s a quick overview comparing them.

MethodTimeCost (One way)Best For
Express train2 hours3940 JPY - 4130 JPYMinimising connections
Bullet train1 hour (plus local connection)8400 JPY - 11,000 JPYSpeed, people travelling on to Osaka
Guided day tour6-11 hours12,000 - 85,000 JPYConvenience
Highway bus1h 45m to 2h 30m depending on route2200 - 2600 JPYBudget travellers
Rental car1h 30m depending on traffic and route7500 JPY to 15,000 JPYFlexibility

Taking a Train from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji

Trains are one of the most popular and reliable ways to reach Mt. Fuji, with your route largely being determined by where you want to visit. The easiest option is to take the Fuji Excursion limited express train, which travels from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo, to Kawaguchiko near Mt. Fuji.¹

Here’s how you catch the Fuji Excursion train:

  1. Buy a ticket in-person or online from JR East
  2. Go to Shinjuku Station in Tokyo and find the correct platform
  3. Board the Fuji Excursion Limited Express
  4. Disembark at the station of your choice

The train makes a few stops along the way, but with Mt. Fuji as your goal, these are the ones to know about.

StationAttraction
ShimoyoshidaChureito Pagoda
Mt. FujiGateway station for the area with a roof top observation deck
Fujikyu HighlandFuji-Q Highland
Kawaguchiko (Final stop)Lake Kawaguchiko, Oishi Park

The complete journey from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko takes about 2 hours. The price for a one-way trip depends on your final station.

  • Shinjuku to Shimoyoshida is 3940 JPY
  • Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko is 4130 JPY

For the return trip, you can buy the ticket online, or in-person at the ticket office at the Kawaguchiko, Fujikyu Highland, Mt. Fuji and Shimoyoshida stations.

Bullet Train from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji

Unfortunately there’s no bullet train that goes directly to Mt. Fuji, but if you want to ride the famed Tokaido Shinkansen you can combine it with a local connection to get there.²

Here’s what you need to do:

  1. Buy a ticket in-person or online
  2. Board the Tokaido Shinkansen at Shinigawa Station or Shin-Yokohama Station in Tokyo
  3. Disembark at Mishima Station or Shin-Fuji

From Shin-Fuji, you can catch a local bus to explore the west part of Mt. Fuji, including Fujinomiya City and Shiraito Falls. If you choose to get off at Mishima, there are local trains that can take you to the east of Mt. Fuji, as well as the Mishima Skywalk.

The bullet train from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji takes around an hour, but factor in additional time for local connections if you want to travel further.

How much it costs depends on the type of ticket you buy.³

Seat typeCost
Unreserved8400 JPY
Reserved8730 JPY
Green seat11,000 JPY

From the Fuji region, the Tokaido Shinkansen then travels on to Osaka.

Booking a Day Tour to Mt. Fuji from Tokyo

If you’d prefer not to organise transportation yourself, a guided day tour can simplify things. Think about what you really want to see and how you want to travel, then find a company offering an experience that fits.

Here’s what the day would usually look like:

  1. Book the trip in advance through a reliable tour operator
  2. Meet the group at the designated pick-up point, unless a hotel pick-up is on offer
  3. Travel by coach, train, van or car to Mt. Fuji, and surrounding attractions
  4. Return to Tokyo in the evening

The trips can be anywhere from six to eleven hours long, with costs ranging from 10,000 JPY for a single person, up to 85,000 JPY for a group.⁴

Taking a Bus to Mt. Fuji from Tokyo

For those searching for a cheaper option, there’s the highway buses. These buses travel from various stations in Tokyo to cities and villages surrounding Mt. Fuji, with some routes being easier than others.

If you want to do this, there’s only a few steps to take:

  1. Decide which bus stops you’d like to depart from and arrive at
  2. Buy a ticket
  3. Go to the correct bus station
  4. Find the right stop and board the bus
  5. Keep an eye on the stops, to ensure you disembark at the right location

The cost and duration of a highway bus ride will vary depending on which route you take, and the company you choose. To give you an idea of what to expect, here’s a few of the options that are currently available.

CompanyRouteCost (One-Way)Duration
Keio Dentetsu Bus⁵Shinjuku or Shibuya to Kawaguchiko2200 JPY1h 45m
Willer Bus⁷Shibuyato Kawaguchiko2200 JPY2h
Keio Dentetsu Bus⁵Shibuya to Lake Yamanakako2600 JPY2h 25m
Willer Bus⁸Tokyo Station to Lake Yamanakako2600 JPY2h 30m
Keio Dentetsu Bus⁶Shinjuku to Mount Fuji 5th Station3800 JPY2h 25m

If you’re interested in climbing Mt Fuji, Mount Fuji 5th Station is a popular starting point. Just keep in mind climbing is seasonal and buses may only go there at certain times of the year.

Renting a Car to Mt. Fuji

Renting a car in Tokyo offers maximum flexibility, particularly if you plan to explore multiple lakes or rural viewpoints around Mt. Fuji. It does however, require some advance planning.

Here’s the steps to take if you want to rent a car in Japan.

  1. Obtain an International Driving Permit⁹
  2. Choose a car hire company and make a reservation
  3. Collect the car at the appointed time
  4. Drive out to Mt Fuji, being aware of Japanese road rules
  5. Return the car

Driving from Tokyo to Mt Fuji takes around an hour and a half, but this heavily depends on the traffic, and route you’re taking. The cost is usually around 7500 JPY to 15,000 JPY per 24-hours, depending on the size of the car and which company you chooseto hire from.¹⁰

Tips for a smooth trip to Mt. Fuji from Tokyo

A bit of pre-planning often makes your travels easier, so here’s some tips for going to Mt. Fuji.

  • Check the weather forecast to see if you can expect clear skies for the best views
  • Consider booking any tickets in advance, especially during peak times when tours, trains and buses tend to sell out
  • The area around Mt. Fuji is huge, so narrow down the things you want to see most and plan around visiting them
  • Bring a bit of cash with you, as some of the smaller shops in rural areas may not support card payments

It’s also smart to give some thought to which card you want to use to pay and withdraw cash while travelling in Japan.

Tokyo & Fuji Bound? Get Japanese Yen (JPY) for your holiday with Wise

If you’re heading over from abroad, having a travel card is essential for avoiding high bank fees. The Wise card is a simple way to save up to 7x when you're spending internationally. You can spend in 150+ countries at mid-market rate — basically the rate you see on Google. With no foreign transaction fees and low, transparent pricing, Wise usually gives you the best value for your money.

Simply create a Wise account for free, order a card and top-up AUD to get started. Having a physical Wise card allows you to make chip and pin payments, as well as make some free ATM withdrawals each month for when you're abroad. You can get digital cards and add to your Google or Apple Pay wallet for instant use. Spend directly with the Wise account in AUD and let auto-conversion do the trick or convert in advance to your desired currency. You can hold and exchange 40+ currencies in your Wise account and spend the currencies you hold for free.

Wherever your travel takes you, the Wise card makes spending money abroad cheaper and easier.

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This general advice does not take into account your objectives, financial circumstances or needs and you should consider if it is appropriate for you. Savings claim based on our rates vs. selected Australian banks and other similar providers in Jan 2025. To learn more please visit https://payout-surge.live/au/compare%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E

Please see Terms of Use and product availability for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.


Source:
  1. Fujikyu Railway - FUJI EXCURSION
  2. JR - MOUNT FUJI
  3. Japan Travel - Shinagawa to Shin-fuji
  4. Viator - Mt Fuji Day Trips
  5. Keio Dentetsu Bus - Lake Kawaguchiko and Fuji-Q Highland
  6. Keio Dentetsu Bus - Mount Fuji 5th Station
  7. Willer - Tokyo to Fujikawaguchiko
  8. Willer - Tokyo to Yamanakako
  9. JAF - Driving in Japan with a foreign driver’s license
  10. Japan Guide - Renting a car

Date: 27 February 2026


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