Researched guide · Checked on Nov 11, 2026
This article contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. See our Affiliate Disclosure.
Mt. Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain, is about 100 km west of Tokyo. You can see it from the city on some very clear days, but for a close view, head to the Fuji Five Lakes area at the foot of the mountain. Lake Kawaguchi is the easiest place to reach in a day from Tokyo.
Quick answer
Getting there: Fuji Excursion limited express from Shinjuku, or a highway bus from Shinjuku
Time needed: One full day. Stay a night for the best chance of a clear view
Best time: Early morning, and the colder months, when the air is clearer
Good for: Views of Mt. Fuji, lakes and photos
| Getting there | Fuji Excursion limited express from Shinjuku, or a highway bus from Shinjuku |
| Time needed | One full day. Stay a night for the best chance of a clear view |
| Best time | Early morning, and the colder months, when the air is clearer |
| Good for | Views of Mt. Fuji, lakes and photos |
Getting there from Tokyo
- Fuji Excursion: a limited express train that runs directly from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko Station in about two hours. All seats are reserved, and it sells out on busy days, so book early.
- Highway bus: buses run from the Shinjuku bus terminal (Busta Shinjuku) to Kawaguchiko. Book a seat in advance.
- Local trains: you can also take the JR Chuo Line to Otsuki and change to the Fujikyu Line. It is cheaper but slower.
A day at Lake Kawaguchi
- MorningChureito Pagoda (Shimoyoshida Station)
- Fujikyu Line
- MiddayKawaguchiko Station
- Walk or sightseeing bus
- AfternoonLake Kawaguchi north shore
Chureito Pagoda
The five-story pagoda in Arakurayama Sengen Park, with Mt. Fuji behind it, is one of the most famous views in Japan. The park is about a 10-minute walk from Shimoyoshida Station on the Fujikyu Line, and you climb about 400 steps to the viewpoint. It is especially popular in cherry blossom season and in autumn.
Lake Kawaguchi
The north shore of the lake has wide views of Mt. Fuji across the water. Sightseeing buses from Kawaguchiko Station loop around the lake, and there are boat rides, a ropeway to a viewpoint and small museums along the shore.
Seeing Mt. Fuji
- Mt. Fuji is often hidden by cloud, especially in summer and in the afternoon. Clear views are more likely in the colder months and early in the morning.
- Check the weather and live cameras on the morning you go, and have a plan for a cloudy day.
- Climbing Mt. Fuji is only possible in the summer season and needs special preparation. This guide covers sightseeing only.
Be a good visitor
Some photo spots around Mt. Fuji are in quiet residential streets. Do not stand in the road, block traffic or enter private property for photos, and take your trash with you.
Tours and staying overnight
A guided day tour from Tokyo is an easy option, especially if you want to visit several viewpoints. We compare five popular tours, with their meeting points and stops, in Mt. Fuji day tours from Tokyo. Staying a night near the lake gives you the early morning, which is often the clearest time of day.
Affiliate link
Affiliate link
Find Mt. Fuji tours
Opens the search results in a new tab. Prices and availability are set by each site. Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
FAQ
How do I get to Mt. Fuji from Tokyo?
Take the Fuji Excursion limited express from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko (about two hours), or a highway bus from Busta Shinjuku.
Where is the famous Mt. Fuji pagoda view?
Chureito Pagoda in Arakurayama Sengen Park, about a 10-minute walk from Shimoyoshida Station plus about 400 steps.
How long do I need for a Mt. Fuji trip?
One full day. Stay a night for the best chance of a clear view.
When is Mt. Fuji most visible?
In the early morning and in the colder months, when the air is clearer.
Keep reading
Sources
This guide is based on the official information below, not on our own visit. Facts last checked against official sources on November 11, 2026. Timetables, rules and prices can change, so please check before you go.
