How to go to Mount Fuji/Kawaguchiko (河口湖)? You can get from Tokyo to Mount Fuji by train. If you want to take a direct train from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko, the Limited Express Fuji Excursion train is the best option. To accommodate the large number of passengers traveling from Tokyo to Mount Fuji, JR East Japan introduced the limited express service, Fuji Excursion (富士回遊), in March 2019.
Fuji Excursion connects JR’s Chūō Line and Fujikyūkō Line, replacing the Narita Express (成田エクスプレス). The best thing about Fuji Excursion is that it saves the trouble of changing trains at Ōtsuki Station (大月駅), saving you time on transportation!
However, Fuji Excursion only has four services (sometimes five services depending on the season) to and from Kawaguchiko each day, so planning is required if you want to take Fuji Excursion to Mt Fuji.
What You Need to Know About How to Get to Mount Fuji from Tokyo
- Fuji Excursion Train Ticket Price and Type
- Fuji Excursion Train: Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko Timetable and Travel Time
- Luggage Compartments on Fuji Excursion Train
- Things to Note About the Fuji Excursion
- The Best Seats on the Fuji Excursion
- How to Reserve the Fuji Excursion
- What If All Fuji Excursion’s Tickets Are Sold Out?
Fuji Excursion Train Ticket Price and Type
The Limited Express Fuji Excursion train has two types of tickets: seat-reserved tickets (指定席特急券) and seat-unreserved tickets (座席未指定券). The cost of the reserved and unreserved Fuji Excursion train ticket is the same. Thus, we highly recommend purchasing a reserved seat ticket if you want to take the Fuji Excursion train from Tokyo to Mount Fuji.
Without a JR Rail Pass or JR East Pass, a one-way journey from Shinjuku Station to Kawaguchiko on the Limited Express Fuji Excursion train costs 4,130 yen.
Please note that you can only purchase seat-unreserved tickets if you board the Fuji Excursion Train between Otsuki Station and Kawaguchiko Station. Therefore, you may have to stand.
Important: For JR Rail Pass and/or JR East Pass holders, a separate fee will be charged when boarding Fuji Excursion as Fujikyūkō Line is operated by Fuji Kyuko Co., Ltd, a different company from JR East Japan.
Tip: Get the JR Tokyo Wide Pass for unlimited rides on the Fuji Excursion. You can pre-purchase yours HERE!
Fuji Excursion Train: Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko Timetable and Travel Time
Taking the Fuji Excursion will take around 2 hours to travel from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko.
Refer to the official website HERE for the Fuji Excursion train timetable and station information.
Luggage Compartments on Fuji Excursion Train
You can bring luggage onto the Limited Express Fuji Excursion Train. Overhead racks are available in all three cars. Dedicated luggage compartments can also be found on the Fuji Excursion Train cars 1 and 3.
Important Things to Note About the Limited Express Fuji Excursion Train
- It is best to book Fuji Excursion Limited Express train as early as possible. Fuji Excursion tickets sell out quickly.
- Fuji Excursion’s reservation is open at 10 am, 1 month in advance.
- The Limited Express Fuji Excursion Train has three carriages in general. If your train departing from Shinjuku has more than three carriages, ensure you are in cars 1 to 3 from Ōtsuki Station.
- If the Fuji Excursion Train has more than three carriages, it means it is a combined service with limited express train, Kaiji (かいじ) or Azusa (あずさ).
- An easy way to determine if a seat in Carriage One to Three is reserved is to check the colour of the indicator light above the seat (refer to the second photo in the Instagram Post).
- Red = The seat will be vacant for a while. It is okay for a passenger to sit.
- Yellow = The seat will soon become a reserved seat (within the next two stations).
- Green = The seat is currently reserved.
- If the Fuji Excursion Limited Express train you take departs from Chiba Station, the train will separate into two parts at Ōtsuki Station. In this case, the indicator at the platform will only show the destination of the limited express. It can be confusing, but you are on the correct platform as long as Carriage One to Three is marked ‘Fuji Excursion’ on the ground.
- You can utilize the time required for this process for a short break from a long train ride.
The Best Seats on Fuji Excursion Limited Express Train
The main reason to take the Fuji Excursion is to get to Kawaguchiko/Mt. Fuji. So, you might wonder which seat offers a view of Mt Fuji.
- If the train departs from Shinjuku, please choose seat D.
- If the train departs from Kawaguchiko, please choose seat A.
How to Book the Fuji Excursion Train
Fuji Excursion’s ticket can be purchased by one of the methods below:
- Via JR East’s Train Reservation Website
- Via Klook
- Via any JR East Ticket Office (みどりの窓口) at JR East Travel Service Center (びゅうプラザ)
- JR East’s reserved ticket vending machine
- Major travel agencies in Japan
Please note that the Limited Express Fuji Excursion train reservation is open at 10 am, 1 month in advance.
As previously mentioned, it will be free for you if you have a valid JR Tokyo Wide Pass.
Tip: From Tokyo to Shinjuku, seats on the right-hand side of the train are best to adore the magnificent Mt. Fuji.
What If All Fuji Excursion’s Tickets Are Sold Out?
If you are in a hurry and all Fuji Excursion’s tickets are sold out, there are a few options for you to consider:
- Split the train trip in half at Hachiōji Station (八王子駅).
- As previously mentioned, Fuji Excursion may only be the first three carriages of the train if it departs from Chiba Station. The rest of the carriages are limited express, Azusa or Kaiji.
- While the chances are low, seats from Hachiōji Station to Kawaguchiko Station on the Fuji Excursion might be available. You can make a reservation for Azusa or Kaiji from Tokyo to Hachiōji and another reservation for Fuji Excursion from Hachiōji to Kawaguchiko.
- Fuji Excursion also has unreserved seat tickets. The prices are the same as reserved seat tickets. While the unreserved seat ticket isn’t ideal as it means you won’t be seated during the train ride, it is still an option if you want to get to Kawaguchiko as soon as possible.
- Note that the Fuji Excursion’s speed slows down from Otsuki to Kawaguchiko, allowing you to enjoy the scenery on your way to Kawaguchiko. This prolongs the standing time of those who don’t have a seat.
- You can reserve seats on the limited express, Azusa or Kaiji. That way, you won’t be required to stand throughout your ride from Shinjuku to Otsuki Station.
- But remember to head to the first three carriages at Otsuki Station.
Tip: If no reserved seats are left on the date you try to book, check again later, as someone may cancel their reservation.
How to Get to Mount Fuji from Tokyo: Other Options
Fuji Excursion isn’t the only way to get to Kawaguchiko from Tokyo. You can also consider taking the local train or a direct bus to Mt. Fuji.
For more information, refer to our Guide to How to Get to Kawaguchiko from Tokyo!
