Fuji-Hakone access guide. How to combine Lake Kawaguchi and Hakone in one trip.

fujiChubu Area
View of Mt Fuji from Lake Kawaguchi
View of Mt Fuji from Lake Kawaguchi

Mt. Fuji is the icon of Japan. Many tourists visit and see this magnificent mountain. Hakone and Lake Kawaguchi are most popular places to see this mountain and you may think to visit both. I have written two posts in regards to Hakone and Lake Kawaguchi.

In this post, I will focus on the route of these two places. You can find how to combine these two places.

Overview

First of all, please see the map below:

Click to enlarge. *The map shows you major stations and spots only.
Click to view large. *The map shows you major stations and spots only.

The map shows the whole part of Fuji and Hakone area. Lake Kawaguchi is located at the north of Mt. Fuji. Hakone is located at the south side. Lake Yamanaka is located at the east side.

As I mentioned at the beginning, I will not explain the access to Lake Kawaguchi and Hakone areas. Please see the posts below to find the detailed information about the access to each locations and the sample itineraries:

In the map above, you can find the access route between Lake Kawaguchi and Hakone which goes at the east side of Mt. Fuji. This is the route which connects Hakone and Fuji.

Fuji Hakone Pass is highly recommended to travel in both Kawaguchiko and Hakone.

This pass is the best deal to cover both places. You can choose either Shinjuku version or Odawara version. Shinjuku version includes unlimited travel of the most local transportation in Kawaguchiko and Hakone area, one way Shinjuku – Kawaguchiko and one way Shinjuku – Odawara. You have to use one way each. You cannot take same way to get the round trip, such as Shinjuku – Odawara and Odawara – Shinjuku. If you get Kawaguchiko from Shinjuku, you have to go back from Odawara.

Odawara version does not include the round trip from Shinjuku. It gives you the unlimited travel of Hakone and Fuji only. Both Odawara version and Shinjuku version covers Kawaguchiko – Gotemba route too. Please see the official site in the link below to find the information of Fuji Hakone Pass:

Fuji Hakone Pass official site

Lake Kawaguchi – Gotemba (Hakone) bus route

I showed you the map of the whole part of Hakone and Lake Kawaguchi above. I show you the map which focus on this route only below:

Click to view large

Fujikyuko bus between Kawaguchiko and Gotemba

There are two kinds buses running between these places. All buses are operated by FujiKyuko bus.

The local bus

  • Travel time – approximately 1 hour 30 to 40 minutes
  • Frequency of the operation – every 30 minutes
  • It is covered by Fuji Hakone Pass.

This bus runs between Lake Kawaguchi, FujiQ Highland, Fujisan station, Oshino-Hakkai, Lake Yamanaka, Gotemba station and Gotemba Premium Outlet. There are 70 to 80 more bus stops between these places. This local bus service stops all bus stops. This bus runs a few different routes between Fujisan station and Fujisan Yamanakako bus stop. And also some bus trips do not go to Gotemba Premium Outlet. As I mentioned before, most buses to Hakone depart from Gotemba Premium Outlet. You may have to the free shuttle bus which runs between Gotemba station and Gotemba Premium Outlet to get the bus to Hakone. It depends on the bus connection at Gotemba station.

The limited express bus

  • Travel time – approximately 1 hour
  • Frequency of the operation – 3 round trips a day
  • It is NOT covered by Fuji Hakone Pass.

This bus connects Gotemba and Kawaguchiko directly. This bus stops at Kawaguchiko, FujiQ Highland, Gotemba station and Gotemba Premium Outlet only. This bus does not stop at Oshino-Hakkai, Lake Yamanaka, even Fujisan station. And the bus stops at either Gotemba station or Gotemba Premium Outlet. There is no limited express bus stopping at both bus stops in Gotemba. Please be careful.

You can find the timetable of the bus between Kawaguchiko station and Gotemba in the FujiKyuko bus official website:

FujiKyuko Bus official site- Route bus timetables

The departure point in Lake Kawaguchi area

Fuji Kyuko Railway's Kawaguchiko station
Fuji Kyuko Railway’s Kawaguchiko station

You can get the local bus at all major places in this area, such as Kawaguchiko station (Lake Kawaguchi), FujiQ Highland station and Fujisan station (Mt. Fuji station).

*By the way, Fujisan station is not located on Mt. Fuji. The elevation is not much different from Kawaguchiko. You have to take the other bus to get 5th station of Mt. Fuji.

But the limited express bus does not stop at Fujisan station.

The departure point in Gotemba area

Gotemba Premium Outlet (C) myself [CC BY-SA 3.0]

The bus to Lake Kawaguchi area departs from Gotemba Premium Outlet and Gotemba station. Gotemba is only place in Hakone area to get Lake Kawaguchi area directly. You cannot get Lake Kawaguchi area from other places in Hakone, such as Hakone-Yumoto, Gora, Togendai, Hakonemachi. You have to get Gotemba first.

Hakone Tozan bus runs in all part of Hakone which includes Gotemba. But most buses depart and arrive at Gotemba Premium Outlet. The number of the bus to Gotemba station is limited.

On the other hand, some local buses and the limited express buses to/from Kawaguchiko depart and arrive at Gotemba station only.

You may be able to take Odakyu Hakone express bus. This bus takes you to Togendai. It is located at the shore or Lake Ashi. You can change the buses at Sengoku if you go to Gora or Hakone-Yumoto.

JR Gotemba station

Otherwise you can take the free shuttle bus between Gotemba station and Gotemba Premium Outlet. The outlet free shuttle bus runs every 15 minutes during the operation hours of Gotemba Premium Outlet.

You may find the timetables of Hakone Tozan Bus and Odakyu Hakone express bus in the link below:

Hakone Navi – Transportation guide and the timetable

Other places along the bus route between Lake Kawaguchi and Gotemba

As you saw the map, Lake Yamanaka (Yamanakako) and Oshino-Hakkai are located on the route. You may drop by or stay overnight at the shore of Lake Yamanaka. Lake Yamanaka is much quieter than Lake Kawaguchi. You can enjoy and relax at the mountain lake resort.

You can access to Lake Yamanaka directly by FujiKyuko express bus from Shinjuku. You also can access to Lake Yamanaka by the express bus between Kawaguchiko and Mishima which is called “Mishima/Kawaguchiko Liner”. Please see the link below to find these express bus timetable:

FujiKyuko Bus official site – Express bus timetable

Sample itineraries

I have a day trip plan and 2-day trip plan which cover Fuji and Hakone. Please find the posts below to get the detailed trip plan:

Assessment

Lake Kawaguchi area and Hakone area are located at the base of Mt. Fuji. But these two places have the different atmosphere. As long as you have enough time, I recommend you to visit both. Fuji Hakone Pass helps you lots to travel in these places.

I hope this post will help you to build your plan.

Comments

  1. Geno says:

    Hi Takeshi,
    I’ll be travelling to Japan in April 2017. My itinerary is as followed:
    4-6th April: Tokyo
    6-9th Osaka
    9-10th Hakone/Gotemba
    10-15th Tokyo

    I will be getting the JR PASS during my stay in Japan. I plan to get to Hakone/Gotemba from Osaka, spending a night there and then back to Tokyo. What are the options I have and what would be the best way of travel?

    Thanks for your guidance

  2. Nick says:

    Hi Mr Takeshi,

    I would like some advise from you.

    1. From Kyoto to Odawara which is the cheapest and best train that we can take? we need to get to Odawara to buy Fuji Hakone Pass.

    2. We plan to go Yokohama after sightseeing for 2d1n Hakone and Kawaguchiko area. Which area do you recommend us to visit first?We have big backpacks with us.We havent booked our accommodation and it will be based on your recommendation which area to go first.

    Thank you

  3. joyce says:

    hi takeshi. my sister and i will be in nagoya. it is our first time in japan. we would like to go mt fuji. how can we get there

  4. XinYi says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    Thank you for such an amazing information about the transportation. However I have a few question wondering if you could guide me.

    My family and I will be travelling to Tokyo coming December for 4 nights 23/12 until 27/12
    1. May I know is it worth it to buy the JR wide pass 3 days (10,000 yen) for travelling from Narita to city area and so on. we will be staying in Shinjuku area.
    2. We wish to visit Mt Fuji to have a view of it. Also, we wish to cover gotemba outlet. May I know which way is better? I am nt sure which one is better since we are not planning to stay in Hakone.
    – JR wide pass to Kawaguchiko then pay extra to gotemba or
    – Odakyu line
    – express Bus

    thank you very much in advance 🙂

  5. Chris says:

    Hi Takeshi San,

    Thank you so much for having your written so intensively about Japan. Your info is so comprehensive and I have been visiting your site everyday ever since I booked a trip to Tokyo on 25th Nov 2016. There are just so many information for me to digest.

    My flight will reach Haneada Airport at 6.30am and I think it is just waste of time waiting to check-in at 3p.m so I plan to go Mt. Fuji and Hakone on my 1st day and will be staying there for 2 nights.

    I will be using Fuji Hakone 3 day pass.

    The Fuji Hakone pass says that I have to travel in such a way
    Shinjuku ==> Odawara (Odayaku Line)
    Kawaguchiko Station ==> Shinjuku ( Keio or Fujikyu highway bus).

    Now the problem is I will be travelling with quite large luggage (2 huge + 2 smaller for 3 of us).

    1) When I reached Odawara can I bring my luggage with be on board those train/buses to the hotel at Gora?

    2) On the last day, can I bring in my 4 big luggage into the bus/train to go to Kawaguchicho station (I believe I need to transfer at Gotemba).

    Appreciate your help.

    Thanks
    Chris

    • Hi Chris,

      You can take your luggage on any trains and buses. But most of trains and buses in Hakone and Fuji are local transportation. Those do not have any luggage space. You have to keep your luggage in your space. You may need to stand in the bus or train. It may be stressful.

      I recommend you to pack small for Fuji Hakone 2 nights trip and send huge luggage to your hotel in Tokyo. Most of hotels accept the luggage even if you arrive a few days later. Try to ask your hotel they can do or not. Delivery service is very popular in Japan. You can find the delivery service on arrival floor in Haneda airport.
      http://www.haneda-airport.jp/inter/en/premises/service/delivery.html

      It costs usually 2000 to 3000 yen per baggage. But it depends on size and weight.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  6. swister says:

    i need advice as i am not familiar and going by our own without any guide.
    Basically we intent to stay in Gora for 2 nights and 3 days and coming from Shinjuku and will be back to Shinjuku later.
    wanted to cover Hakone area and Mt Fuji area and also go to Gotemba outlet to shop. how should my iternary be? Since i am coming from Shinjuki, should my 1st day start from Hakone than back to Gora where our hotel is. than on 2nd day cover Mt Fuji area and the last day check out go to Gotemba outlet. Is this a proper way to travel?
    To and fro Shinjuku should i travel via Hakone Yumoto station back to Shinjuku? or Gotemba back to Shinjuku?
    I should be staying either Hakone Lake Hotel or Tokinoyu Setsugetsuka. Which is better and convenient to the area im covering.

    Thank you

  7. Vince says:

    Please help, I will be going to gotemba outlets from tokyo.

    1. Is the best way really by bus?
    2. What would be the fastest way to the outlets?
    3. Will i spend more if i get the hakone pass instead?
    4. Do i use a suica from shinjuku to odawara?
    5. How do i get to the nearest 5th station from gotemba outlet?

    Thanks in advance!

    • Hi Vince,

      1,2. Yes. If you visit only Gotemba, express bus is the best way. This is only direct service.

      3. Yes. If you want to visit some places, like Owakudani, Hakone-machi, Lake Ashi, Hakone free pass is the best choice.

      4. You can, but you can use Hakone Free Pass from Shinjuku and this is cheaper.

      5. You have to go to Lake Kawaguchi area. You need to take another bus from Gotemba to Fujisan station or Kawaguchiko station.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  8. Arief says:

    Hi Takeshi

    I’m planning to go to fujikyu highland via hakone area. As far as i read, you suggest going via kouzu to gotenba then change to bus to go to fujikyu highland, but kouzu is outside hakone area. Can you give me some advice to go to gotenba via hakone area? I’m coming drom Kyoto, so i stop at Odawara station.

    Thank you

    • Hi Arief,

      You can take Odakyu railway, Hakone Tozan Railway, Hakone Cablecar, and Hakone Ropeway to Togendai at Lake Ashi from Odawara. And then take bus to Gotemba. Or you also can take Odakyu railway and Hakone Tozan Railway to Gora, and then take bus from Gora. It depends on which area of Hakone you want to go through.
      http://www.hakonenavi.jp/english/traffic/transportation/

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Arief says:

        I just wanna sightseeing at hakone. Sorry, i forgot to mention, i wanna go to hakone machi and lake ashi. And after that going to fujikyu highland

        • Hi Arief,

          So you can take the route, Odakyu railway, Hakone Tozan Railway, Hakone Cablecar, and Hakone Ropeway to Togendai at Lake Ashi from Odawara. Togendai is located at the shore of Lake Ashi. You can access to both Hakone-machi and Gotemba from there.

          You also can take a bus from Hakone-Yumoto to Hakone-machi. But the view from ropeway is recommended. I recommend Odakyu, Hakone-Tozan, Cablecar and ropeway rote.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

  9. Joseph says:

    How would I best get from Fujinomiya to Hakone? thank you!

    • Hi Joseph,

      You need to take a train from Fujinomiya to Fuji, and Fuji to Odawara or Mishima. If you want to go to Lake Ashi, Gotemba or surrounding area, you can take a bus from Mishima. Otherwise Odawara is a gateway.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  10. Joseph says:

    Hi-
    I wonder if you could help guide me.
    I would like to go from hakone to MT fuji ( 5th station) and then to kyoto in one day. How would i do this most efficiently. I wanted to visit the 5th station and experience being on the mountain. perhaps climb for 1-2 hours but not to the summit.

    Thank you for your guidance.

    • Hi Joseph,

      You need to go to Lake Kawaguchi first. You can get there from Hakone via Gotemba. The bus to 5th station departs there.
      When you go to Kyoto, take bus from Lake Kawaguchi to Mishima. And you can catch Shinkansen to Kyoto.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

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