Seeing Japan’s most well-known landmark is on the wishlist of many guests. So, how do you’re taking a day journey to Mount Fuji from Tokyo? Our information under explains every part it’s essential to know for a DIY Mount Fuji journey.
Seeing Japan’s most well-known landmark is on the wishlist of many guests. So, how do you’re taking a day journey to Mount Fuji from Tokyo? Our information under explains every part.
Mount Fuji is definitely some of the iconic and well-known spots in Japan. The lively volcano stands at 3,776 meters tall, making it the tallest mountain within the nation. If you happen to’ve ever seen Mount Fuji in actual life, you may instantly perceive why this mountain has been worshipped for hundreds of years. It’s pure magnificence.
If you happen to haven’t seen it but, or solely shortly whereas passing it on the Shinkansen between Tokyo and Kyoto, planning a day journey to Mount Fuji from Tokyo may be tough. Mount Fuji hides within the clouds usually, plus, how simple is it to get there on public transport? To assist, we’ve put collectively this useful information on the right way to take a day journey to Mount Fuji from Tokyo (plus a pattern itinerary!).
Mount Fuji Day Journey Overview
Whenever you’re visiting Mount Fuji on a day journey, you’ll be visiting the areas round Mount Fuji. Kawaguchiko and Fujiyoshida are the most well-liked spots within the Fuji 5 Lakes space as they’re simply accessible by public transport and have among the greatest views of the long-lasting mountain.
Nonetheless, don’t let social media trick you into pondering it’s essential to go to the precise “Instagram” spots to see Mount Fuji. Mount Fuji may be seen from nearly in all places across the 5 Lake Space, and these Instagram-famous spots are inflicting points for native visitors.
You’ll be able to see views all through Fujiyoshida, not simply the well-known picture spots. Simply wander across the city, and also you’ll be rewarded with unimaginable views throughout. The picture under was taken on a random avenue whereas strolling round Fujiyoshida. If in case you have a rental automotive, testing among the different lakes may be a good way to keep away from giant crowds.
Climate performs an enormous position in relation to planning your Mount Fuji day journey, as Mount Fuji is infamous for hiding within the clouds. You’ve bought the perfect likelihood of seeing Mount Fuji throughout winter (December – February) and within the morning/night.
You’ll be able to examine this web site, which predicts the visibility, however it solely exhibits it for a couple of days. If you happen to’re staying in Tokyo for a couple of days and also you’re set on seeing Mount Fuji, it might be value having a looser itinerary the place you may swap days round. Whenever you’re in Tokyo, you may get a greater thought of the climate forecast and visibility, so you may determine when to see Mount Fuji.
Staying in a single day will enhance your probabilities of seeing Mount Fuji because it provides an additional day, plus you’ll be there within the morning and night (when the mountain is usually extra seen in comparison with the remainder of the day).
From Tokyo, it’s also possible to take a journey to Hakone to get some first rate Mount Fuji views. They’re nowhere close to pretty much as good as those at Kawaguchiko and the 5 Lake Space, however there’s a lot to see and do in Hakone, so it might be different.
Learn how to Get to Mount Fuji from Tokyo
There are alternative ways to get to Mount Fuji from Tokyo. You’ll wish to get to Kawaguchiko Station, the place you may simply discover the world and see Mount Fuji in all its glory. Listed below are the perfect methods to get there:
Freeway Bus
The freeway buses from Tokyo are the simplest option to get to Kawaguchiko Station. That is additionally the route I used on my final go to to Mount Fuji. From Shinjuku, it prices ¥2,200 per individual a technique (¥1,100 for kids) and takes you to Kawaguchiko in round 1 hour and 45 minutes. You’ll be able to guide tickets right here.
It’s additionally doable to get the bus from Shibuya, which prices ¥2,100 per individual a technique (¥1,050 for kids) however takes 2 hours and half-hour because it makes a couple of stops alongside the way in which (together with Fuji-Q Highland and Gotemba Premium Shops).
The Shinjuku possibility is far faster, so your best option while you solely have at some point. Nonetheless, it might be an possibility in case the Shinjuku one is bought out on your journey dates. You’ll be able to guide tickets right here.
It’s important to pre-book your tickets as they promote out shortly throughout busy durations. Tickets open up round 30 days upfront. As there are a number of buses on daily basis, you may choose a time that works greatest for you.
Prepare
Taking the prepare to Kawaguchiko is another choice, however it’s costlier than the freeway bus. There are a few routes you may select:
- Fuji Tour Prepare: You will get this specific prepare from Shinjuku on to Kawaguchiko in simply below two hours. Nonetheless, tickets are fairly costly (¥4,130 per individual a technique, ¥2060 for kids). As there are solely a few trains per day, it’s greatest to guide forward. The JR Move is legitimate for a part of this line, till Otsuki, so JR Move customers must buy an extra ticket from Otsuki to Kawaguchiko.
- Native Trains: Taking the native prepare in the direction of Ōtsuki can also be an possibility. It’s less expensive in comparison with the specific prepare, however it’ll take roughly 2–2.5 hours.
Automotive
If you happen to’re comfy driving in Japan, hiring a automotive to drive to the Fuji 5 Lakes space generally is a nice thought. It might probably work out extra cost-effectively in case you’re travelling with a gaggle and cut up the associated fee. On high of that, you’ll have the liberty to go to areas that aren’t as accessible by public transport, making them quite a bit quieter.
When hiring a automotive in Japan, I often go along with Toyota Lease a Automotive, however there are many different rental locations out there in Tokyo. Earlier than going with this feature, ensure you have the right paperwork and paperwork to legally drive in Japan and be comfy driving on the left facet of the highway.
Day Tour / Personal Driver
Whereas I’m an enormous fan of DIYing your Japan itinerary (therefore this web site), reserving a day tour from Tokyo or a personal driver can undoubtedly be an incredible possibility for a Mount Fuji day journey. The costs can be greater than doing it your self, however with a deliberate tour, you’ll be sure you cease at the perfect spots.
If in case you have the finances for a personal driver, you’ll often have some flexibility along with your itinerary too. This lets you go to the perfect locations across the 5 Lake Space, with out having to fret about the right way to get there.
Klook has a ton of various day excursions and personal drivers out there. Because it’s a market, be sure that to double-check the critiques and skim the cancellation insurance policies earlier than making a reserving!
Mount Fuji Day Journey Itinerary (Self-Guided)
If you happen to’re planning on taking a DIY day journey to Mount Fuji, here’s a recommended itinerary that you should use. As with all our itineraries, there are some choices you may swap out to make it your individual:
1. Arrive at Kawaguchiko Station
When visiting the Mount Fuji space on a day journey, ensure you depart Tokyo as early as doable. It takes round 2 hours to get to Kawaguchiko from Tokyo, and since we solely have at some point, we have to profit from our restricted time.
For this present day journey itinerary, we’ll concentrate on a couple of of the favored spots to go to, however I’ll keep away from any “Instagram-famous” picture spots. In all honesty, these spots that go viral on-line are inflicting quite a lot of points for the local people.
For instance, the well-known Lawson comfort retailer that has a lovely backdrop of Mount Fuji bought so busy that there should be visitors wardens on the road attempting to information vacationers away. There have been even some restrictions put in place the place the retailer blocked the view with a big signal, which was ultimately eliminated.
Much like Honcho Road in Fujiyoshida, the place you may see Mount Fuji via a busy avenue. Japan is fighting overtourism in spots like these, so when visiting, don’t add to the issue. You’ll be able to stroll anyplace in Fujiyoshida, and get stunning, clear views of Mount Fuji – you shouldn’t have to go to those particular spots to get the perfect views (and with out giant traces).
On this brief at some point Mount Fuji itinerary, I’m specializing in two fundamental issues: visiting Arakurayama Sengen Park & Chureito Pagoda and renting a motorcycle to cycle round (a part of) Lake Kawaguchiko. There are quite a lot of smaller stops and sights as a part of these two huge factors within the itinerary, so learn on for the complete data.
2. Go to Arakurayama Sengen Park & Chureito Pagoda
The primary huge cease on our itinerary is visiting Arakurayama Sengen Park, which can also be dwelling to the well-known Chureito Pagoda. If you happen to’ve come throughout any images of Mount Fuji, likelihood is you’ll already be accustomed to this spot.
That is the one “picture spot” we advocate on this itinerary, because it’s a part of the temple grounds and is among the most iconic views of Mount Fuji within the space. Visiting this spot isn’t inflicting related points to those in Fujiyoshida, however naturally, bear in mind to be respectful.
From Kawaguchiko Station, you may get the prepare to Shimoyoshida Station. It will solely take round 10–quarter-hour and price a couple of hundred yen (you should use your Suica card). From this station, it’s solely a brief stroll to get to the park and Arakura Sengen Shrine, of which Chureito Pagoda is part.
Because the shrine and pagoda are constructed on Mount Arakura, put together for round 400 steps to be climbed. Fortunately, you’ll cross a number of viewing factors, together with the beautiful torii gate of Arakura Fuji Sengen Jinja-Shrine and the shrine itself.
Throughout my first go to, I additionally picked up my first goshuin guide at this shrine. Goshuin are sacred seals you may get as proof for visiting a shrine or temple. Most of them are handwritten on the temple. To obtain considered one of these seals, you want a particular goshuin guide, which may be purchased at most temples that supply goshuin. It’s crucial to notice that you just shouldn’t put the rest in these books!
Hold strolling up the mountain to succeed in Chureito Pagoda. I’ve to be trustworthy, and earlier than I had visited this spot, I imagined the pagoda itself to be quite a bit larger. It was barely disappointing to see how small it’s up shut, however it didn’t take away from the unimaginable, iconic view with the Mount Fuji backdrop.
To get the picture, you probably must queue to entry the viewing spot the place you may see the pagoda in entrance of Mount Fuji. Relying on how busy it’s, you might also solely get a short while on the viewing platform to get a couple of images.
3. Cycle Round Lake Kawaguchiko (Cease by Oishi Park)
After having spent a while round Arakurayama Sengen Park, head again in the direction of Kawaguchiko. The most effective methods to discover the encircling areas of Lake Kawaguchiko is by bike. There are a number of bike leases across the lake (together with electrical bikes). With a couple of stops alongside the way in which, biking round the entire lake will take round 3–4 hours.
Across the lake, there are a number of cafes, eating places and different spots the place you may park your bike and luxuriate in a bit break.
Oishi Park is among the hottest spots across the lake. Many tour buses and day trippers cease right here to get some unimaginable views of Mount Fuji. The park itself is full of flowers and crops that bloom at totally different instances of the yr. There’s a cafe and a present store too.
Relying on how a lot time (and power) you have got, it’s also possible to select to cycle to Osihi Park and again. It’s a bit shorter than biking throughout Lake Kawaguchiko.
4. Head Again to Tokyo
On the finish of your day journey to Mount Fuji, it’s time to go again to Tokyo. Relying on how you bought right here within the first place, ensure you know what instances the final bus or prepare heads again to Tokyo – you don’t wish to miss it!
Conclusion –Is a Day Journey to Mount Fuji Sufficient?
Visiting Mount Fuji is totally value it! Despite the fact that the journey time from Tokyo is round two hours, it’s doable to cowl fairly a little bit of floor round Kawaguchiko or the encircling 5 Lake Space.
The one factor to bear in mind is that the climate performs an enormous issue. Mount Fuji is infamous for hiding within the clouds, so it may be tough to time your go to properly. Some web sites predict the visibility of Mount Fuji, however in case you’re reserving a tour or transport upfront, it may be very hit and miss.
As Mount Fuji is usually extra seen within the night and morning, staying in a single day in one of many villages round Mount Fuji is a good suggestion to offer your self a bit extra likelihood of success.