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How to travel between the Fuji Five Lakes and Tokyo

By bus from Shinjuku Station

Fujikyu and Keio Bus operate one to two direct buses per hour from Tokyo's Shinjuku Station (Keio Highway Bus Terminal) to Kawaguchiko Station in the Fuji Five Lakes region. The one way journey takes about two hours and costs 1700 yen. Most buses stop at Fujisan Station and Fujikyu Highland before arriving at Kawaguchiko Station and some of them continue on to Lake Yamanakako (2.5 hours, 2000 yen one way from Shinjuku). The Japan Rail Pass is not valid on these buses.

By bus from Tokyo Station

Fujikyu and JR Kanto Bus operate about half a dozen direct buses per day from Tokyo Station (Yaesu South Exit) to Kawaguchiko Station in the Fuji Five Lakes region. The one way trip takes about three hours and costs 1700 yen. The buses stop at Lake Yamanakako along the way (2.5 hours, 1700 yen). The Japan Rail Pass is not valid on these buses.

By train

Take the JR Chuo Line from Tokyo's Shinjuku Station to Otsuki Station (70 minutes, 2700 yen by direct limited express train or 100 minutes, 1280 yen by local trains with usually one transfer along the way). From Otsuki, take the Fujikyu Railway Line to Kawaguchiko Station (55 minutes, 1100 yen one way). The Japan Rail Pass and JR East Pass cover trains between Shinjuku and Otsuki, but they are not valid on the Fujikyu trains between Otsuki and Kawaguchiko.

By guided tour

Japanican offers various guided tours from Tokyo to the Fuji Five Lakes and Hakone, including a popular guided day trip by bus (from 11,000 yen) and a guided two day trip with hotel (from 25,500 yen).

Above fees and schedules are subject to change. For the current yen exchange rate, click here.

 
Orientation

The two major transportation hubs in the Fuji Five Lake region are Kawaguchiko Station and nearby Fujisan Station (formerly known as Fujiyoshida Station), both located along the Fujikyu Railway Line. From these two stations, buses depart into all directions, providing access to the five lakes and other attractions.

Bus Network Map:

The retro buses are generally the easiest way for tourists to get around. There are two lines starting from Kawaguchiko Station: the Kawaguchiko Line runs along the eastern and northern shores of Lake Kawaguchiko, while the Saiko-Aokigahara Line runs along the southern shore of Lake Kawaguchiko and around Lake Saiko. A 2-day pass for unlimited use of the Kawaguchiko Line on two consecutive calendar days costs 1000 yen, while a 2-day pass for both retro bus lines costs 1300 yen.

For transportation between Fujiyoshida, Oshino Village and around Lake Yamanakako the Fujikko Bus can be useful, although buses run only once every one or two hours. A 2-day pass for unlimited use of the Fujikko bus on two consecutive calendar days costs 1300 yen, while a cheaper version for 1000 yen covers just the area between Oshino and Yamanakako, not including Fujiyoshida.

Apart from the retro buses and the Fujikko Bus, there is a network of regular buses, which can be useful for access to the more remote Lake Shojiko and Motosuko, as well as in direction of Oshino, Lake Yamanakako and Gotemba. Another bus line of interest connects Kawaguchiko Station with Kawaguchiko 5th Station halfway up the mountain.

A rental car can also be a convenient way to get around, especially if visiting places outside of central Kawaguchiko. A few rental car outlets can be found near Kawaguchiko Station. Similarly, a rental bicycle can be an attractive way to get around, although some roads in the region are rather busy and distances between the lakes are considerable.

 
Special Tickets

Several passes are available for the Fuji Five Lake area, which can provide savings and comfort:

• Fuji Hakone Pass (7200 yen)
  The Fuji Hakone Pass is a pass for foreign tourists, which provides access from Tokyo and transportation within the Fuji Five Lakes region and the neighboring Hakone area.

• Rakuraku Goko Free (1700 yen)
  Two consecutive days of unlimited use of regular buses (excluding retro buses) around the lakes.

• Rail & Goko Free (3600 yen)
  Same as the Rakuraku Goko Free Pass above plus unlimited travel on the Fujikyu Railway Line between Otsuki and Kawaguchiko and the Kachi Kachi Ropeway. This is a pass to consider by Japan Rail Pass holders, who can only get as far as Otsuki with their rail pass.

• Fuji Hanshu Free (3000 yen)
  Same as the Rakuraku Goko Free Pass above plus unlimited travel on the Fujikyu bus between Kawaguchiko, Gotemba and Mishima Station on the JR Tokaido Shinkansen. This is another pass for Japan Rail Pass holders to consider.

• Fuji Q Highland Plans
  There are various discount travel plans available for a visit to the Fuji Q Highland amusement park. The plans combine access by bus with park passports. See the Fujikyu Highland website linked below for more details.