Nikko to Mt Fuji or Tokyo first

Please help discern what is best for early August trip.

I will be coming from Misawa and stopping in Nikko for one night using JR East pass. Should I go straight to Mt. Fuji from Nikko for 1 night(Kawaguchiko I think is better than Hakone right) or stop in Tokyo first? I was planning 1 night at Mt Fuji and 2 nights in Tokyo. I am trying to minimize train travel time because to get there I actually go through Tokyo.

Also, can I use the Suica card for bus in Nikko to go to the falls and the bus to get to 5th station from Kawaguchiko? Thanks!!!

You will travel from overseas and have eligibility for a JR East Pass, right?
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/eastpass/index.html

Should I go straight to Mt. Fuji from Nikko for 1 night (Kawaguchiko I think is better than Hakone right) or stop in Tokyo first?

It sounds better to stay overnight on the way.

If you travel from Nikko via Utsunomiya and Shinjuku to Otsuki with a JR East Pass,
a one-way railroad trip from Nikko Station to Kawaguchiko Station lasts for about 4 and a half to 5 and a half hours
If you travel from Nikko via Utsunomiya and Tokyo to Odawara with a JR East Pass,
a one-way railroad trip from Nikko Station to Hakone-Yumoto Station lasts for about 3 and a half to 4 and a half hours
Each of the above may require more time if you start from Chuzenji area / Kinugawa area.

can I use the Suica card for bus in Nikko to go to the falls and the bus to get to 5th station from Kawaguchiko?

You can.
I recommend you would check bus fares in advance and keep enough e-money on your IC card. (1000-yen banknotes can be useful for recharging it.)

- japan-guide.com: Nikko Travel: Kegon Waterfall
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3812.html
- japan-guide.com: Nikko Travel: Ryuzu Waterfall
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3813.html
- japan-guide.com: Nikko Travel: Toshogu Shrine
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3801.html
- japan-guide.com: Bus Timetable
: Mount Fuji Buses during the climbing season
http://www.japan-guide.com/bus/fuji_season.html

thanks omotenashi

I am coming from overseas and will be able to purchase JR East pass prior to arriving. I am using pass to go from Narita to Sendaii, to Misawa, to Nikko, to Mt. Fuji and back to Tokyo. I figure I would purchase a subway pass the last 2 days while in Tokyo.

I see you referenced Hakone... I understand it is closer to Tokyo but it does not look like there is a lot to do there and technically I won't actually get to Mt. Fuji and only see it. So to me the extra hour traveling might be worth it.

thanks for the advice on the card.

Sure, you can take the bus using the Suica to go to the Kegon Falls and Mt.Fuji 5th station.
I will recommend the means to become a little cheaper than using Suica.

In order to go to the Kegon Falls from Nikko Station, there is a need to take a bus to Chuzenji Onsen. Round-trip fee of the section is 2,300 yen. There is a way to buy a Bus Pass 2,000 yen instead of it. The Pass is named Chuzenji Onsen Free Pass, it is possible to buy Midorinomadoguchi of JR Nikko Station. It is possible if you buy it, to stop off in such Futarasan shrine and Akechidaira. If you use Suica, it becomes extra every time you get off the bus.
http://www.tobu-bus.com/pc/ticket/nikko.html#02 (Japanese)

When you go to the 5th station from Kawaguchiko Station, it is recommended that you buy a round trip ticket at the sales offices of the bus terminal. Round-trip fare is 2,100 yen. Maybe, round-trip fee does not apply if you use the Suica. Normal one-way fare of the period is 1,540 yen.

thanks passby168,

I need to save every penny where I can. I had planned on buying the 2 day bus pass in Nikko but I was thinking I would use the card to purchase it. It sounds like I just buy it without a card. I understand the card has convenience but it sounds like not necessarily in my case. thanks again.

@perezp77

I guess that it is not possible you buy Bus Pass using the Suica at JR Nikko Station. As you are thinking, I also seem to be no need to use the Suica in your travel plans.