Mastering the access method from Tokyo to Mount Fuji & Lake Kawaguchi! What about train transfers when using the JR PASS?

When sightseeing Mount Fuji, many people head to Kawaguchiko Station from Tokyo and then use local buses or rental cars. However, there are many transportation options from Tokyo to the Kawaguchiko area, so it can be confusing to decide which one to use. Also, many people may not know what to do when they want to use the railway passes sold by the JR Group, such as the JAPAN RAIL PASS (hereinafter referred to as JR PASS) and the JR TOKYO Wide Pass. This time, we will feature the transportation methods to Kawaguchiko Station and tips for using railway passes such as the JR PASS!

How to get to Kawaguchiko Station from Tokyo

If you want to go to Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi from Tokyo, first aim for "Kawaguchiko Station" by train or bus.

If you are going by train, there are methods such as going from Shinjuku Station to Otsuki Station and then changing trains to Kawaguchiko Station, or heading to Kawaguchiko Station by limited express departing and arriving in Shinjuku. If you use a rail pass, you can get on and off freely in the applicable section, so it will be a good deal if you have long-distance travel between multiple destinations.

There are highway buses departing from various places in Tokyo such as Shinjuku, Tokyo Station, Shibuya, and Ikebukuro, and there are many departure and arrival points and many bus companies operating. Using a highway bus is convenient because you can get there without changing trains. It is also recommended for people who are prone to getting lost.

From here, we will introduce how to ride trains including rail passes and how to ride highway buses. Also, at the end, we will introduce the merits and demerits of moving by train and highway bus, so please refer to it and choose the means of transportation that suits you!

Means of transportation from Tokyo to Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi: Train Edition

If you are traveling from Tokyo to Lake Kawaguchi by train, the most convenient way is to take the JR/Fujikyu Line Direct Express 'Fuji Excursion', which goes directly from Shinjuku Station to Kawaguchiko Station. Alternatively, you can take the JR Chuo Line Express Train ('Azusa' or 'Kaiji') from Shinjuku Station to Otsuki Station and transfer there. When transferring, the travel time and fare will vary depending on whether you use the 'Express Train', which skips some stations to reach the final destination faster, or the 'Local Train', which stops at every station. Here, we introduce the following three routes.

Route 1

• Shinjuku Station to Kawaguchiko Station: JR/Fujikyu Line Direct Express 'Fuji Excursion'

Route 2

• Section ① Shinjuku Station to Otsuki Station: JR Chuo Line Express 'Azusa'/'Kaiji'

✙ (One transfer)

• Section ② Otsuki Station to Kawaguchiko Station: Fujikyu Line Express Train 'Fujisan Express'

Route 3

• Section ① Shinjuku Station to Otsuki Station: JR Chuo Line Express 'Azusa'/'Kaiji'

✙ (One transfer)

• Section ② Otsuki Station to Kawaguchiko Station: Fujikyu Railway local train "Fujikyu Line All Stations"

*In the section ② from Otsuki Station to Kawaguchiko Station, there are also trains such as the "Fuji Tozan Densha" and the sightseeing train "Fujisan View Express", but this time we will only introduce the express train "Fujisan Express" and the local train "Fujikyu Line Local Train".

Departing from Shinjuku, Tokyo. Let's compare the train routes to Kawaguchiko!

We thoroughly compare the train routes of Route 1 to 3! We will compare the time, number of services, and fare for the journey when you go to Otsuki Station by the direct express "Fuji Excursion" and the JR Chuo Line Express "Kaiji", and transfer once.

※The Shinjuku Station to Otsuki Station section was calculated based on the "Kaiji" as a reference. There are also other express trains (e.g., "Azusa"), and the travel time may vary. Please be careful when boarding.

The "Fuji Excursion" is an express train that allows you to travel from Shinjuku Station to Kawaguchiko Station on a single train without any transfers. As the travel time is short, you can secure plenty of time for sightseeing. However, all seats are reserved, so you need to reserve your seat in advance.

The next quickest way to travel after the "Fuji Excursion" is to transfer to the "Fujisan Express" at Otsuki Station. However, the "Fujisan Express" currently only operates two services a day, so there are few services. Be sure to check the timetable on the official website before boarding. Also, while there are non-reserved seats available, it is recommended to reserve a guaranteed seat in advance.

Also, from Otsuki Station, there is a tourist train "Fujisan View Express" where you can enjoy the view outside from a special space inside the train. Please note that the fare for this train is different from the "Fuji-san Express".

Lastly, there is the method of changing to a local train from Otsuki Station. This takes the longest time among the transportation methods introduced so far, but it has the most frequent services and can be used with non-reserved seats, so you can use it even if you forget to reserve a seat or miss the designated train. This method is also the cheapest.

For Kawaguchiko, JR PASS and other railway passes can be used. What are the differences in the available sections?

Foreign tourist railway passes such as "JR TOKYO Wide Pass", "JAPAN RAIL PASS", "JR EAST PASS" each have different available sections, so please be careful. The details are as follows.

JR TOKYO Wide Pass:

• "Fuji Excursion" is available. (Advance reservation of designated seats is required)

JAPAN RAIL PASS:

• The section from Shinjuku Station to Otsuki Station is included. (Express trains can be used)
• The section from Otsuki Station to Kawaguchiko Station is not included. (Separate fare/charge is required)

JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area), JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area) :

• The section from Shinjuku Station to Otsuki Station is included. (Express trains can be used)
• The section from Otsuki Station to Kawaguchiko Station is not included. (Separate fare/charge is required)

Point💡

• By train from Shinjuku Station to Kawaguchiko Station, it takes about 2 hours at the earliest and costs about 4,000 yen
• The fastest way to get there without changing trains is to use the Fuji Kyuko Line direct express "Fuji Excursion"
• Among the railway passes sold by JR, only the JR TOKYO Wide Pass applies to the use of "Fuji Excursion"

Transportation from Tokyo to Mount Fuji/Kawaguchiko: Bus Edition

There are many bus companies operating highway buses from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko, but this time, we will mainly introduce the bus routes of "Fujikyu Bus".

There are bus stops in popular tourist spots in Tokyo, such as Shinjuku, Tokyo Station, Shibuya, and Akihabara, which is very convenient. Only Busta Shinjuku operates a late-night service, and the fare for the late-night service is about 1,000 yen higher than the daytime service. Tickets can be purchased at the bus stop counter or reserved online in advance, and some routes are cheaper to reserve online.

Departing from Tokyo. Let's compare the highway bus routes to Kawaguchiko!

The details of each route, such as fare, travel time, etc., are as follows.

※ The fare in the brackets is the discounted fare for online prepayment.
※Depending on the bus company's route, the ticket price and travel time may vary. Please check again before purchasing your ticket.

There are many routes, but the fastest way to get to Kawaguchiko is to take a bus from the "Busta Shinjuku" (Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal) located at the south exit of Shinjuku Station. There are many departures throughout the day, so if you're unsure about the departure and arrival stations, we recommend choosing a bus departing from Busta Shinjuku.

If you are staying at a hotel outside of Shinjuku, it is advisable to choose a bus that departs and arrives near the nearest station to your accommodation. All of them take about 2 hours and cost about 2,000 yen for a ticket, there is not much difference, but be careful with routes that have few services. Make sure to board with plenty of time to spare.

Please note that JR Group railway passes such as the JAPAN RAIL PASS cannot be used to take the highway bus to Kawaguchiko.

Point💡

• It takes about 2 hours to go to Mt. Fuji/Kawaguchiko by bus from Tokyo, and the fare is about 2,000 yen
• Busta Shinjuku has many bus services and is the fastest to arrive (about 1 hour and 45 minutes)
• Only Busta Shinjuku offers a late-night service

Conclusion: Which is better, train or bus, when going to Kawaguchiko?

If you are traveling by train, you can use the limited express "Fuji Excursion" to reach Kawaguchiko in about 2 hours without any transfers, just like the bus. Also, for those who get car sick on buses, it might be better to travel by train. However, the "Fuji Excursion" costs twice as much as the bus, so it is recommended to use a railway pass.

On the other hand, if you are using a highway bus, it is very convenient as a means of transportation because it is cheap, requires no transfers, and has a short travel time. In addition to Shinjuku Station, there are multiple departure and arrival points such as Shibuya Station, Ikebukuro Station, and Akihabara Station, so you don't have to worry about getting lost on the train platform or having to transfer. Also, there is a luggage storage area on the bus, so if you are traveling with large luggage or suitcases, the bus is recommended.

To summarize the information so far, if you are planning to purchase a railway pass, the train is recommended, and for those who are not planning to purchase a JR Group railway pass, the bus is recommended because it is cheap and easy to use.

The way to get to tourist attractions varies depending on the individual tourist's health, preference for transportation methods, and travel schedule. Let's enjoy the spectacular view of Mount Fuji at Lake Kawaguchi with the transportation method that suits you!