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Mt Fuji Day Trip from Tokyo: Kawaguchiko by Bus, Train or Tour (2026)

The cheapest way is the highway bus from Shinjuku, about an hour and 45 minutes each way. Book your seats a few days ahead, leave early, and you'll have the best chance of a clear view. If you'd rather not plan anything, a day tour does the whole loop for you.

We booked the bus on 〈Nov 10, 2026〉 to check the steps and the times below.

Only one day and no time to plan? Fuji day tours from Tokyo include the bus, a guide and the main viewpoints.
Compare Fuji tours on Klook ↗
By [EDITOR NAME]Last checked 〈Nov 10, 2026〉

Some links on this page are affiliate links. Doing it yourself by bus is the cheapest option, and we explain how.

The short version
Cheapest
Highway bus from Busta Shinjuku: about 1 h 45 min, ¥2,000 each way booked online (¥2,200 at the counter)
Most comfortable
Fuji Excursion train from Shinjuku: about 2 hours, no change, reserved seats
Book ahead?
Yes on weekends. Morning buses sell out days before.
Best time for Fuji
Mornings from November to February. In summer it's often in cloud by midday.

Bus, train or tour?

Cheapest

Highway bus

¥4,000 return online1 h 45 min each way

Sunday traffic can make the trip back slow.

How to book the bus ↓
Most comfortable

Fuji Excursion train

¥8,400 returnAbout 2 h, no change

Partly covered by the JR Pass; the last stretch is extra.

No planning

Day tour from Tokyo

From 〈¥8,000〉Guide included

Fixed times and no lingering, but zero planning.

Compare tours ↗
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A day that works

  1. 7:45Bus from Busta Shinjuku (4th floor).
  2. 9:30Arrive at Kawaguchiko Station. Buy a sightseeing bus pass at the counter.
  3. 10:15Oishi Park on the north shore: the classic lake-and-Fuji view.
  4. 12:30Lunch: hoto, a thick noodle stew from the area.
  5. 14:00Train two stops to Shimoyoshida, then climb the 398 steps to Chureito Pagoda.
  6. 17:00Bus back to Shinjuku. Arrive around 18:45, later on Sundays.

How to book the bus

  1. Open Fujikyu's highway bus booking site, Fujiyama Connect (English). Choose Shinjuku → Kawaguchiko Station and your date.
    Screenshot · bus search · 〈Nov 10, 2026〉
  2. Pick a time and the number of seats, then press Reserve .
  3. Pay by card. You'll get a booking number by email.
  4. Show the email to the driver when you board. Book the return the same way.

What if…?

…Fuji is hidden in cloud?

Check a live camera the night before and the morning of your trip. If it's cloudy, swap with another Tokyo day: Fujikyu bus seats can be changed until departure.

…the morning buses are full?

Take the Fuji Excursion train instead, or an earlier bus from Shibuya. Or let a tour handle the seats.

Fuji tours with seats ↗

…there's Sunday traffic?

The bus back can take three hours or more. Take the train back if you have dinner plans.

Also near Mt Fuji

Hakone has hot springs and a loop by ropeway and pirate ship, with Fuji views on a clear day.

Hakone Freepass: is it worth it? →