As you know, Mt. Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan. Sometimes we can see it even from downtown Tokyo. And when you travel to west from Tokyo by Shinkansen, you will be able to see this beautiful shaped mountain through the window on your right side.

*If you want to see Mt. Fuji on Shinkansen, when you reserve the ticket for Tokaido Shinkansen, try to get D which is isle side, or E which is window side unless you travel as party of 3. The seat configuration on Shinkansen is 3 (A,B,C) + 2 (D,E). (If you take Green seat, C and D are the right place to see it.) Even if you travel to opposite direction (from Osaka to Tokyo), the seat configuration is same. D and E are always on the mountain side.

Of course Mt. Fuji is one of most popular destination for the tourists. We have several choices to enjoy Mt. Fuji. Let’s see how much you can use Japan Rail Pass to get Mt. Fuji.

View How to get Mt. Fuji in a larger map

Hakone

This is the most well known place to see Mt. Fuji and also is known as the famous hot springs resort. When you go to Hakone, you can take “Kodama” on Tokaido Shinkansen to Odawara. Then transfer to Hakone Tozan Railway. Hakone Tozan Railway is the private railway company. So you cannot use Japan Rail Pass and need to pay the extra. If you need more information about access to Hakone, please refer the post, How to get Hakone from Tokyo. Compare Japan Railway and Odakyu lines. And also, Hakone Navi (external link) the following site gives you lots of information too.

Kawaguchiko (=河口湖=Lake Kawaguchi) area

This is the most popular area at the base of Mt. Fuji. It is located the north side of Mt. Fuji. We have another four lakes, such as Lake Motosu (=本栖湖), Lake Sai (=西湖), Lake Shoji (=精進湖) and Lake Yamanaka (=山中湖) around Lake Kawaguchi. So these lakes are called Fuji Goko (=富士五湖=Fuji five lakes).
You can access from Otsuki (=大月) on Japan Railway Chuo line to get Lake Kawaguchi. JR East operates Limited Express trains “Super Azusa (=スーパーあずさ)”, “Azusa (=あずさ)” and “Kaiji (=かいじ)” from Shinjuku (=新宿). It takes just 1 hour from Shinjuku to Otsuki. But you have to take Fuji Kyuko line from Otsuki to Lake Kawaguchi. I will explain you about the trains and rates to take Fuji Kyuko line.

Fuji Kyuko

Fuji Kyuko operates the railway from Otsuki to Kawaguchiko via Fuji-Yoshida and a lot of the bus lines. When you get Kawaguchiko, you need to take the trains from Otsuki to Kawaguchiko. They have Limited Express train “Fujisan Tokkyu” (=フジサン特急=Mt. Fuji Limited Express), Rapid train “Fuji Tozan Densha” (=快速富士登山電車=Rapid Mt. Fuji climbing train) and the local trains.

Limited Express “Fujisan Tokkyu”

This train takes you to Kawaguchiko station in 45 minutes. They have 4 round trips between Otsuki and Kawaguchiko on weekdays. They have 6 trips to Kawaguchiko on weekend and holidays, and 8 trips to Otsuki on weekend and holidays. Basic fare is 1,100yen and Limited Express surcharge is 300yen.
This train is operated by 2000 series. It has the observation seat on car#1 with the huge glass windows. If you want to take the seat on car #1, you need to pay the extra 100yen for securing your seat. This extra charge is not for the seat assignment. You are guaranteed to get the seat on car#1, but it is first come, first serve. If you want to get the front row, come to the station as early as possible.
And also this train has a compartment room on car#2. If you want to take this room, the extra charge is 1,000yen. This compartment can accommodate up to 6 passengers.

Interior images
seat | observation seat | compartment | lounge on car#1

Rapid train “Fuji Tozan Densha”

This train takes you to Kawaguchiko station in 1 hour. They have 1 round trip between Otsuki and Kawaguchiko on weekdays except Thursday. They have 2 round trips on weekend and holidays. They do not operated this train on Thursday. Basic fare is 1,100yen and Express surcharge is 200yen. This express charge is not for the seat assignment, but you are guaranteed to get the seat on this train.
This train is operated by specialized train 1200 series. This train is designed by Eiji Mitooka who designed many express trains of JR Kyushu. This train gives you very nostalgic atmosphere and traditional culture of Japan.

Interior images

Reservations and Local trains

Unfortunately they take a reservation on the phone only. (Of course it’s in Japanese!) If you really want to take these trains, you have to use the travel agency. As long as they have a seat, you can get the ticket at the station. But if you cannot make it, take the local trains. They have the local trains every 20 to 30 minutes. It takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes to get Kawaguchiko. And also Japan Railway operates some Rapid trains to Kawaguchiko directly from Tokyo via Shinjuku. When you take this train, you don’t need to transfer the trains at Otsuki. But you still need to pay for Otsuki to Kawaguchiko. They have 2 round trips (to Kawaguchiko in the morning) between Tokyo/Shinjuku and Kawaguchiko. It takes 2 hours and 45 minutes from Shinjuku and 3 hours from Tokyo.

Bus line from Kawaguchiko station

If you want to go to Lake Kawaguchi or Lake Sai, you can take Retro Bus. You can get more informations at Retro Bus info on Mt. Fuji and Fuji Goko Navi. If you want to go to Lake Yamanaka, you can take the bus “Fujikko-Go” at Fuji-Yoshida station. You can get more informations at Fujikko-Go info on Mt. Fuji and Fuji Goko Navi. And you can catch the bus to Fuji Skyline 5th station on Yoshida trail for Mt.Fuji climbing.

Gotenba (=御殿場) Area

You can access to Mt. Fuji from South side. Gotenba is the place to catch the bus to Fuji Skyline 5th station on Gotenba trail and Fuji Skyline 5th station on Subashiria trail for Mt.Fuji climbing.

Gotenba is accessible by Japan Railway. But you need to transfer the train twice. First of all, take Tokaido Shinkansen to Odawara (=小田原). Most of Hikari do not stop at Odawara. So you better take Kodama. After getting off Shinkansen, transfer to the local train to Kouzu (=国府津). Then transfer the local train on Gotenba line. It takes 35 minutes to get Odawara from Tokyo by Shinkansen, takes 7 minutes from Odawra to Kouzu and takes another 50 minutes from Kouzu to Gotenba. You will not have many trains on Gotenba line. It usually is operated every 30 minutes. Please be sure to check the timetable.

*Odakyu Railway (=小田急電鉄) has Limited Express train “Asagiri (=あさぎり)” from Shinjuku to Gotenba. This train takes you to Gotenba from Shinjuku directly. This is the easiest way to get there. But Japan Rail Pass does not cover from Odakyu Shinjuku to Matsuda. But from Matsuda to Gotenba, this express train go through on Japan Railway Gotenba line. So you don’t need to pay for this section. You need to pay 1,420yen (Base fare 750yen + Ltd Exp surcharge 670yen) to take this train by using Japan Rail Pass. If you need more info about Odakyu, please see Odakyu Railway website (English ver).

Fujinomiya (=富士宮) Area

If you want to take Fujinomiya trail to climb Mt. Fuji, Fujinomiya station and Shin-Fuji station are the place to get the bus. Shin-Fuji (=新富士) station is on Tokaido Shinkansen. So it is more accessible and easier. But if you want to save the money as much as you can, you have to take Shinkansen to Shizuoka, and transfer Limited Express train “Fujikawa (=ふじかわ)” to Fujinomiya.

*Actually the bus fare is only 340 yen difference between Shin-Fuji and Fujinomiya. If you access from Tokyo side, I think you don’t need to go to Shizuoka. Just get off Kodama at Shin-Fuji.

Hikari do not stop at Shin-Fuji. So you need to take Kodama from either side Tokyo and Nagoya. It takes 1 hour and 15 minutes from Tokyo. 1 hour and 30 minutes from Nagoya. If you take Fujinomiya via Shizuoka route, some of Hikari stop at Shizuoka. It takes 1 hour from both Tokyo and Nagoya. It takes another 40 minutes to get Fujinomiya by “Fujikawa”.

Readers who viewed this page, also viewed:

• How to access Hakone from Tokyo. Compare Japan Railway and Odakyu lines
• JR East Kanto Area Pass. Perfect choice for tourist who want to go to Fuji, Izu, Nikko from Tokyo.
• Access to Fuji, Shizuoka and Kofu. Limited Express Fujikawa
• Only 10,000 yen for unlimited ride in Tokyo and Tohoku area!!! JR East Pass Special
• How to access to Tsukiji Market by Japan Rail Pass

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25 Comments to “Japan Railways is the best way to access Mt. Fuji? How much can we use Japan Rail Pass to go to Mt. Fuji?”

1. Thia says:

   April 25, 2012 at 8:28 pm

   Hello,

   I will be travelling to Japan for two weeks in May with three other adults. We know it isn’t climbing season for Mount Fuji, but do want to try to get on the mountain. Instead of starting at the 5th station as I have read is what most do, we would like to start at the bottom at the Fuji Sengen Shrine. What is the best way to get to this location? We already purchased a JR Pass for the time we will be in the area. We will be coming from Tokyo and will be staying one night in the Fuji area (still working on selecting the hotel based on the transportation to Mt. Fuji.)

   Thanks for any help you can provide!!

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     April 25, 2012 at 9:59 pm

     Hi Thia,
     It can be accessed from Fujinomiya. See the above post about “Fujinomiya area” And also the following page will help you:
     http://www.fujikyu.co.jp/fujitozan/en/index.html
     Cheers,
     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply
2. roley says:

   April 24, 2012 at 5:29 am

   hi
   in tokyo for 7 days with friends in july and wanting to climb fuji whilst incorporating bullet train travel. from what ive read the best way of doing this is from tokyo station to shin fuji the a connecting bus to the fifth stations.can you think of any better alternatives and if these fares would be inclusive of the jr pass?
   cheers in advance

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     April 24, 2012 at 12:55 pm

     Hi roley,
     I am not very familiar with Mt. Fuji climbing. Have you read the following site:
     http://www.fujikyu.co.jp/fujitozan/en/index.html
     There are several way to approach. But any bus services are not included in the pass.
     Cheers,
     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply
3. Evie says:

   April 16, 2012 at 8:41 am

   Hi, I plan to go from Shinjuku to Taisekiji Temple. What is the fastest way to get there?Please explain in detail since I never go to Japan alone.

   Thanks.
   Evie

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     April 16, 2012 at 12:28 pm

     Hi Eve,
     You may take Shinkansen from Tokyo. Tokyo station is easily accessed by local train from Shinjuku. Take Shinkansen to Shizuoka and then transfer to limited express Fujikawa to Fujinomiya. Then take taxi. There might be a bus service. But I couldn’t find it. There are many way to get there. Please see the Google map link below:
     http://g.co/maps/z8syd
     Cheers,
     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply
4. Djoko says:

   March 23, 2012 at 9:07 am

   Hi,

   What is the best way to utilize my JR pass for this route: Tokyo – Kawaguchiko – Takayama – Kyoto?

   From my research, I have to go to Shinjuku – Otsuki, then transfer to Fujikyo Line: Otsuki – Kawaguchiko. But I’m not sure how to continue my trip on the next day to Takayama. Should I take a bus from Kawaguchiko to Mishima station, then to Nagoya? Next is Limited Express Hida Train from Nagoya to Takayama….is that correct? From Takayama to Kyoto, I believe I have to go back to Nagoya first, then board a bullet train to Kyoto. Please confirm.

   Thanks for your help.

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     March 23, 2012 at 9:36 pm

     Hi Djoko,
     I just would like to mention one thing.
     When you move from Kawaguchiko to Takayama, you may take Fujikyuko to Otsuki, Ltd Exp Kaiji/Azusa to Shinjuku, local train to Tokyo and take Shinkansen to Nagoya.
     If you take the bus to Mishima, it takes less than 2 hours. It is much faster than above route. But Kodama and a few Hikari stop at Mishima. So if you take Shinkansen at Mishima, you may have to take Kodama. As probably you know, Kodama is the slowest train on Shinkansen. If you take Kodama, you may lose your time when you are on Kodama and transfer to Hikari at Shizuoka. But only one Hikari every hour stop at Shizuoka. You may lose your time at Shizuoka too.
     If you take Shinkansen from Tokyo, you can take Hikari to Nagoya. And also you don’t need to pay any extra because JR Pass cover all rail trip except Fujikyuko.
     I don’t find any other things on your itinerary.
     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply