Tips for Planning a Day Trip From Tokyo to Mt Fuji
Japan is a great country with so much to see! It can be difficult to try to fit in everything you want to see in Japan for first time visitors. We highly recommend that you use Tokyo as a home for a couple of days. Tokyo is a great base for lots of various day trips. While there are lots of fun things to do in Tokyo, it can also be very overwhelming. There is lots of sensory and stimulation, so it’s good to take some day trips from Tokyo. Japan makes it so easy to get around, with their efficient public transportation. Planning a day trip from Tokyo to Mt Fuji is really easy and a must do while in Japan. Seeing Mt. Fuji is truly amazing and it can easily be done on a day trip from Tokyo. A day trip from Tokyo to Mt Fuji and Fuji Five lakes is one of our favorite things to do in Japan. We’ll help you plan the perfect day trip from Tokyo to Mt Fuji, including how to get to Mt. Fuji and things to do around Mount Fuji.
How far is Mt. Fuji from Tokyo?
Mt. Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan at 12,389 feet (3776 meters). Mt Fuji is only 60 miles (100km) from Tokyo. Mt Fuji’s exceptional symmetrical cone is a well known symbol of Japan. On a clear day, you may be able to see Mt. Fuji from Tokyo. Mt. Fuji is only 60 miles (100km from Tokyo). It will take 2-3 hours to get to Mt. Fuji from Tokyo.
If this is your first time in Tokyo, here’s a complete guide to Tokyo, Japan to help you plan your trip
How to get from Tokyo to Mt Fuji?
If you want to travel to Mt. Fuji from Tokyo on your own you can take the highway bus or the train. We suggest taking the bus as it is faster and takes you directly there. You can board the bus from Shinjuku station. The bus will stop at Fuji Q Highland, Fujisan Station, and Kawaguchiko Station. From Shinjuku station, the bus will take about 2 hours and cost 1750 JPY ($15.50) one way, or the train will take 3-3.5 hours for about 3640 JPY ($32.50) one way. If you want to take the train, you’ll take the JR Chuo Line from Shinjuku Station to Otsuki Station then the Fujikyu Railway Line to Kawaguchiko Station.
[box type=”bio”] If you don’t want to go to Mt. Fuji on your own, there are a ton of day tours to Mt Fuji. We recommend this day tour to see Mt. Fuji [/box]
When is the best time to visit Mt Fuji?
If the weather is not cooperating, you may not see Mt Fuji. Generally, earlier in the day will have best views of Mt Fuji. We recommend getting there super early, or staying the night in order to have a better chance of actually seeing Fujisan.
Getting around Mt. Fuji
There are multiple bus routes to get around Mt. Fuji and Fuji Five Lakes. The buses will depart to Mt Fuji and the Five Lakes from Kawaguchiko station and Fujisan station. There are lots of bicycle rental shops around too. We found it very easy to rent bikes and get around.
Things to do around Mt. Fuji
There are a ton of things to do around Mount Fuji and the surrounding Fuji Five Lakes. Whether you’re into adventure, relaxing or shopping, there is plenty to do near Mt. Fuji.
Climbing Mt. Fuji
Climbing season lasts from July to the middle of Sepetember. The specific dates depend on the year and the trail. The weather is generally mild, and the trails are clear. There are four major routes to the summit. Climbing Mt Fuji from October to May is strongly discourage due to the weather and trail conditions. Here’s more detailed information on the climbing Mt. Fuji.
Visit the Fuji Five Lakes
Fuji five lakes formed due to the eruption of Mt Fuji. The Fuji Five lakes area is the perfect location for a day trip from Tokyo. The five lakes around Mt Fuji are where you can find amazing views of the mountain. Some popular activities include cycling and taking a boat ride. Rent a bicycle at a local bike shop and spend your time biking around the lakes.
Lake Kawaguchiko
It’s said that Lake Kawaguchiko has some of the best views of Mt Fuji. Lake Kawaguchiko is our personal favorite lake near Mt. Fuji. It has a gorgeous view of the mountain, and close to lots of other nearby attractions. This is also the bus station we arrived at when we traveled from Tokyo. Kawaguchiko is the most accessible of the Fuji Five Lake area, with a great view of Mt Fuji from the north of the lake. There are also some onsens, a great sake brewery, and museums around Lake Kawaguchiko.
Taste Local Sake at Ide Sake Brewery
As we were walking around Kawaguchiko, we stumbled upon this cute little sake brewery, and noticed that a brewery tour was going on. While it was too late to join the tour, the lady offered us a tasting of sake. It was our first time getting taste a bunch of different sakes, and we loved it. This brewery has been in business for 21 generations and their sake is a high-quality sake made with Mt. Fuji spring water. We had to buy a few bottles to take with us. The sake tour explains the brewery process and includes 2-3 types of sake tastings, and costs 500 yen. The tours start at 9:30 am and 3pm every day. If you just want to taste the sake, the tastings are 300 yen for 4 different tastings.
Visit a Japanese Onsen (Hot Spring)
Japan is famous for their glorious hot springs, or onsens. There are lots of onsens near Mount Fuji. Lake Kawaguchi is a popular spot to try an onsen near Mount Fuji. There are all different levels of onsens, from basic to luxury. If you’re really wanting to splurge and enjoy yourself, we recommend finding an onsen with a view of Mt. Fuji like Hotel Konansou on Lake Kawaguchi. You don’t necessarily have to stay the night to enjoy the onsen, as some are available for day time visitors.
Fuji Q Highland
Fuji Q Highland is an amusement park near Mt Fuji. One of the most popular amusement parks in Japan, best known for its thrilling, record breaking roller coasters and anime themed rides. Dodonpa is currently the parks fastest roller coaster and holds a world record for the fastest acceleration. The park is located right around the Fuji Five Lakes right before Lake Kawaguchi. It is fairly easy to get to Fuji Q Highland as nearly every bus from Tokyo to Mt Fuji and the Fuji Five Lakes stops at Fuji Q highland. Or you can take a bus from Lake Kawaguchi to Fuji Q highland. Entrance to the park is free, but the rides cost between 400-1700 yen ($3.50-$15).
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Fuji Shibazakura Festival
If you are in Japan during the sakura season, you are in for a treat. But not only are the cherry blossoms beautiful, there are lots of other flowers blossoming. From mid April to late May, 800,000 “Shibazakura” or moss phlox, bloom at the base of Mt Fuji. During the festival you can view huge fields of pink, white, and purple colored flowers. Tickets are 600 yen for adults.
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Chureito Pagoda
A little bit away from the lakes, but a great view of Mt. Fuji. Chureito Pagoda is a popular place to see Mount Fuji so be preared for crowds. Chureito Pagoda is one train station away from Lake Kawaguchi, and takes about 15 minutes. The five story pagoda has great views of Mount Fuji and Fujiyoshida City. You’ll have to climb 400 steps from the bottom, where the main shrine is, to the pagoda at the top to really enjoy the views. We recommend getting there early for a better view of the mountian and less people.
Gotemba Premium Outlets
The Gotemba outlets are Japans most popular outlet stores, and located at the base of Mount Fuji, near Hakone. The mall features over 200 stores and a 50 meter high ferris wheel. You can catch the bus from Kawaguchiko station to Gotemba station, where a bus will transport you to the outlets.
Hotels near Mt. Fuji
If you decide you want to stay more than one day in Mt Fuji area, there are some amazing places with great views of Mt Fuji. Staying near Mt. Fuji doesn’t have to be expensive, there are lots of budget options. Search for hotels around Mt Fuji.
- Budget
- If you want to stay near Mount Fuji and are on a tight budget, check out K’s House backpackers hostel
- Mid-range
- We stayed at Maruyaso, which has a great view of Mount Fuji from the room, separate onsens, and a great price!
- Luxury
- If you’re looking to splurge Fuji Lake Hotel is located right one Lake Kawaguchi with a gorgeous view of the mountain
There are some great ryokans to stay in around Mt. Fuji. In Kawaguchiko, Fujikawaguchiko Onsen Konanso and Shuhokaku Kogetsu are top rated traditional ryokans.
Tokyo to Mount Fuji Day Tours
If you don’t want to visit Mt Fuji on your own, there are lots of tour companies that have day trips from Tokyo to Mt Fuji.
Mt. Fuji is an easy day trip from Tokyo. We think, it’s the number one thing to do while in Tokyo, as long as the weather cooperates. We highly recommend taking the bus from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji where you can see the mountain up close. The lakes surrounding Mt. Fuji have gorgeous views and its super easy to get to from Tokyo.
Hopefully, now you are ready to take a day trip from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji. We hope you enjoy Mt. Fuji as much as we did! Please let us know below, if you have any questions about getting to Mt. Fuji or your time around Mount Fuji.
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