One cannot say they have visited Japan until they’ve seen Mount Fuji. The symmetrical conical shaped active volcano is Japan’s tallest mountain and one of the most recognizable icons of Japan outside of it. A visit to Mount Fuji warrants at least a day trip out of Tokyo due to its distance, and the views it and the areas around it have to offer. Of course, if you plan to hike up Mount Fuji, give yourself a minimum of two days.
There are 2 main places to view Mount Fuji in its splendour, namely Hakone and Fuji Five Lakes, or Fujigoko. While Hakone, the southern route, seems to be the more popular route to take, including scenic cable car and boat rides, with a premium outlet mall to boot, the cheaper, more local and better view can be found at the Fuji Five Lakes area which is north of the famed mountain. This is also the closest to the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station, the most popular climbing route up Mount Fuji.
To get to the Fujikyu Railway (Fujikyuko Line), hope on to the Chuo Line from Tokyo or Shinjuku station to Otsuki station. For an additional fee, you could also catch the Limited Express Kaiji from Shinjuku station for a faster and more comfortable ride.
There are a few types of trains on the Fujikyu Railway – the normal commuter train, the Thomas Land Train (no additional fee), the Fuji-Tozan Train (200 yen fee with tour guide) and the Fujisan Limited Express (300 yen fee with tour guide and panoramic front view).
You can get a 2-day Fujisan Express free ticket (unlimited rides) for 2250 yen, or even a Mt. Fuji Round Trip Ticket from any JR station in Tokyo metropolitan district to the Fujikyu Railway and even the Fuji Tozan bus to the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station for 5600 yen, including a reserved seat on the Limited Express Kaiji.
The highly recommended train to take is the Fuji-Tozan Train which includes a themed train with a tour guide, on-board souvenir shop and scheduled photography stops along the way.
Along the way, you will be able to catch a glimpse of the future Chuo Shinkansen (Maglev) linking Tokyo to Nagoya, a distance of 286km, in 40 minutes, and of course, Mount Fuji itself.
Unfortunately, it was a bit cloudy at the time this photo was taken.
The main place to go is Kawaguchiko station, the end of the line, but remember to make a stop at Mount Fuji station for its namesake. A viewing gallery is available on the rooftop of the attached building.
Kawaguchiko station marks the end of the line and you can easily access Kawaguchiko (Kawaguchi Lake) by foot from this station. It also offers a view of Mount Fuji from the platform itself.
Here’s a look at some of the other trains running on the line:
Fujisan Limited Express
Fujikyu 8000 series
Fujisan Limited Express
Ex- Odakyu 20000 series RSE
Fujikyu 6000 series
Fujikyu Commuter Train (Local)
Ex-JR East 205 series Keiyo Line
Fujikyu 5000 Series
Thomas Land Train
Another less popular station that you could stop over at is Shimoyoshida station with a view of Mount Fuji and a preserved Blue Train coach bearing the Fuji headplate. You could however get a shot from the train, so it is not a must-do when you visit the line.
You could also view Mount Fuji from the train itself. A ride on the panorama car of the Fujisan Limited Express will get you a wider view of this.
Getting Here
Location: Kawaguchiko
Company: Fujikyu Railway
Line: Fujikyuko Line
Fare: 1140yen
Suggested journey from Tokyo (Shinjuku Station) to Otsuki
Location: Shinjuku Station
Company: JR East
Train: Limited Express Kaiji/Azusa/Super Azusa (check with counter on next departure)
Fare: 2570 yen (Fare:¥1320 Seat Fee:¥ 1250)
or
Train: Chuo Line Rapid Service > Chuo Line Local
Fare: 1320 yen, change trains at Takao