How to Visit Mount Fuji from Tokyo: Day Trip Guide, Tours and Where to Stay
Mount Fuji is about two hours from Tokyo, close enough for a day trip. The easiest base is the Lake Kawaguchi area (Fuji Five Lakes), where you get the classic views of the mountain over the water and from the Chureito Pagoda. This guide covers how to get there by bus or train, what to see, whether to take a tour, and where to stay if you want sunrise views.
This guide has affiliate links (details) · Last updated October 2026 · Fares checked against official and operator sources (how we research)
Tokyo to Mount Fuji: your options
| Option | From | Time to Kawaguchiko | One-way fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highway bus | Busta Shinjuku | About 1 hour 45 minutes | About ¥2,200 |
| Fuji Excursion limited express | Shinjuku Station | About 1 hour 55 minutes | About ¥4,100 to ¥4,200 |
| Local trains via Otsuki | Shinjuku Station | About 3 hours | About ¥2,500 |
| Guided day tour | Central Tokyo meeting points | Coach, about 2 hours | Includes transport |
The bus is the cheapest direct option and drops you at Kawaguchiko Station. Book seats ahead, especially on weekends. The Fuji Excursion train is the most comfortable and needs no transfer. A nationwide Japan Rail Pass only covers the JR section to Otsuki; the Fujikyu Railway section after that costs extra. Fares above are as published in 2026, so check the current price when you book.
Should you take a tour instead?
If you only have one day and want to see several viewpoints without working out local buses, a tour is the easiest way. The most-reviewed day trip on GetYourGuide covers the Chureito Pagoda, Oishi Park on Lake Kawaguchi and Oshino Hakkai in about 10 hours. It’s rated 4.8 from 5,800+ reviews. Check dates and prices
An alternative full-day tour adds the Gotemba outlets (rated 4.5 from 5,300+ reviews). See this tour
What to see around Mount Fuji
Chureito Pagoda (Arakurayama Sengen Park)
The five-story pagoda with Fuji behind it is the view on most postcards. It’s a short walk from Shimoyoshida Station on the Fujikyu line, followed by a climb of roughly 400 steps to the viewing deck. Come early in the morning for clearer skies and fewer people.
Lake Kawaguchi and Oishi Park
Lake Kawaguchi is the most developed of the Fuji Five Lakes, with hotels, cafés and sightseeing buses. Oishi Park on the north shore has open views of the mountain across the water and seasonal flower beds.
Oshino Hakkai
A small village of clear, spring-fed ponds between Lake Kawaguchi and Lake Yamanaka. It’s photogenic but can be very crowded in the middle of the day.
When is Mount Fuji visible?
Fuji is often hidden by cloud, especially in summer. Your best chance of a clear view is in the colder months and early in the morning. Check a live camera on the morning of your trip, and if the forecast is poor, consider moving your Fuji day.
Climbing Mount Fuji in 2026
Climbing is a separate trip from sightseeing. On the popular Yoshida Trail (Yamanashi side), the 2026 season runs from July 1 to September 10. Climbers pay a ¥4,000 fee, the 5th Station gate closes from 2 p.m. to 3 a.m. (unless you’re staying in a mountain hut), and entry is capped at 4,000 climbers a day. Reservations are made through the official Mt. Fuji climbing website.
Where to stay near Mount Fuji
Staying a night lets you see Fuji at sunrise, when it’s most likely to be clear. Stay near Kawaguchiko Station for transport, on the lakeshore for views, or in Fujiyoshida (Arakura) for the Chureito Pagoda.
1. Mt. Fuji View Onsen Ooike Hotel (Lake Kawaguchi)
Price: Mid range · Best for: Onsen with a view, couples · Guest rating: 8.7/10 on Agoda (4,863 reviews)
- On the shore of Lake Kawaguchi
- Hot spring baths, as the name says, with views toward Fuji
Why guests like it: Lake and mountain views from an onsen, at a mid-range price.
Watch out for: Ask for a Fuji-view room when booking; not every room faces the mountain.
2. Highland Resort Hotel & Spa (Fuji-Q Highland)
Price: Mid to upper range · Best for: Families, Fuji-Q Highland · Guest rating: 9.0/10 on Agoda (8,242 reviews)
- Next to the Fuji-Q Highland amusement park in Fujiyoshida
- On-site spa
Why guests like it: Families like being next to Fuji-Q Highland; guests also mention the Fuji views.
Watch out for: It’s built around the theme park, so it’s less of a quiet lakeside stay.
3. HOTEL MYSTAYS Fuji Onsen Resort (Fujiyoshida)
Price: Mid range · Best for: Value, Chureito Pagoda · Guest rating: 8.8/10 on Agoda (20,740 reviews)
- In the Arakura area of Fujiyoshida, near the Chureito Pagoda
- Hot spring baths
Why guests like it: The most-reviewed hotel in the area on Agoda, with a consistently strong rating.
Watch out for: It’s away from the lake, so you’ll take a bus or taxi to Kawaguchiko.
4. Fuji Gran Villa TOKI (Fujiyoshida)
Price: Upper range · Best for: Families and groups · Guest rating: 9.0/10 on Agoda (6,000 reviews)
- Villa-style stays in Arakura, Fujiyoshida
- Good for groups who want more space than a hotel room
Why guests like it: Space, privacy and a high rating from a large number of guests.
Watch out for: Villas are priced per unit, so they’re better value for groups than for solo travelers.
5. Cabin & Lounge Highland Station Inn (Fujiyoshida)
Price: Budget · Best for: Solo travelers, tight budgets · Guest rating: 9.0/10 on Agoda (4,146 reviews)
- Capsule-style cabins
- Right by Fujikyu Highland Station, one stop from Kawaguchiko
Why guests like it: A very low price with a 9.0 rating and a station on the doorstep.
Watch out for: Capsules are small and shared spaces can be noisy; not ideal for couples or big luggage.
Before you go
- Staying connected: Bus times and live Fuji cameras are easier with data. See Airalo Japan eSIM plans
- Cash and IC cards: Local buses around the lakes accept IC cards on many routes, but keep some cash for smaller shops and stalls.
- Weekends and holidays: Buses from Shinjuku sell out and roads get congested, so travel on a weekday if you can.
- Planning your Tokyo stay? See our guide to the best areas to stay in Tokyo.
FAQ
Can you do Mount Fuji as a day trip from Tokyo?
Yes. Leave Tokyo early, spend five or six hours around Lake Kawaguchi and the Chureito Pagoda, and take an evening bus or train back.
What’s the cheapest way from Tokyo to Mount Fuji?
The highway bus from Busta Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko, at about ¥2,200 one way.
Is the Japan Rail Pass valid to Mount Fuji?
Only partly. It covers the JR line to Otsuki; the Fujikyu Railway from Otsuki to Kawaguchiko costs extra.