Travel from Fujisan to Matsumoto

Hello!

I am planning my next trip to Japan and I plan to travel from Fujisan to Matsumoto. I am considering the following options:
- Fujikyu Bus Kofu Line (83 stops) to Kofu + Azusa 37 Go train to Matsumoto
- Fujisan Limited to Otsuki + Kaiji 35 Go to Kofu + Azusa 37 Go to Matsumoto

I like the bus option because it doesn't involve so many transfers, but the 83 stops make me hesitate.
Which option would you recommend?

On the other hand, and to understand once and for all the price of NaviTime, I see that in the second option, the price of the Kaiji 35 Go to Kofu is \760, but when I check other sites, it appears that the base price of the line is \1,340 and that the \760 is an additional surcharge for the limited express.
Do you know of any guide to understanding how train prices work in Japan that would help me with NaviTime and other sites?

Thank you very much!

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

If the connection is good, then I recommend the bus option. There is no need to worry about the 60+ stops. It is a simple local bus that has many stops along the way. Most of them will be skipped because nobody is getting on/off.

As for the limited express, you need to pay the base fare plus the limited express fee.

On the other hand, and to understand once and for all the price of NaviTime, I see that in the second option, the price of the Kaiji 35 Go to Kofu is \760, but when I check other sites, it appears that the base price of the line is \1,340 and that the \760 is an additional surcharge for the limited express.

On Navitime (https://japantravel.navitime.com/en/area/jp/route/) the total price of the route is displayed at the very top of the "route" section. Eg:
------
Route 1
16:31 - 17:06
35min JPY 1,620 IC JPY 1,618 No Transfer
------


Then, in the route description you have a breakdown of the cost.
------
JPY 860 IC JPY 858 35min
JPY 760 Reserved Seat
------

So it's 860 for the base fare, 760 for the reserved seat, for a total of 1620.


However, when there are multiple trains involved, I have to admit that I am also confused by the way Navitime displays the price breakdown.

Why not just backtrack to Otsuki and get the Azusa to Matsumoto - that is what I have done in the past when forced to visit the area. Adding in an extra change is just silly. Looks like the options you found lack common sense, but that is what the internet dishes up for people. And, this still reinforces why Hakone and Kawaguchi are a PITA when using public transport to get anywhere sensible afterwards.
My trip to Hakone this week impased 30 minutes sitting on a random platform between trains, and that was still the fastest, most direct/efficient way to get there. Fortunately the time passed quickly as my guests had many interesting and varied questions.

Quick follow-up, I presume you have luggage - then get the train. Big cases on a local bus is not fun.

Big cases on a local bus is not fun.

Not only are they no fun, but they are also against the rules of many bus companies, which restrict small to medium sized bags of up to 10kg.