#103 Train or Bus?
The best combination of public transportation when you make a day trip to the Mt Fuji area.
After a few days exploring Tokyo, you may be wondering where you should view Mt. Fuji, but you may want to get a closer view of the mountain, even if you don't climb it. If you pay a lot of money, it is easy to enjoy Mt. Fuji with a guide and ease. But you want to put a little of your budget into other things, such as souvenirs. What is the best way to spend a day sightseeing in a slightly more relaxed mood? I want to talk about the golden combination. The key is using the bus and train on the outward and return trips, which makes a big difference. I am sorry to talk about Mt. Fuji every week. Please bear with me for a bit this week as well.
Kawaguchiko Station is the gateway to Mt. Fuji on the Yamanashi Prefecture side. There are two main ways to get there: by train via the JR Chuo Line and Fujikyu Line or by highway bus directly from the bus terminal in Shinjuku. I have compiled a list of the characteristics of both trains and buses, so it should be clear which you need.
First, if you want a clear view of Mt. Fuji, you should arrive early in the morning when the weather is relatively stable. Therefore, it would be best to stay in the Shinjuku area, which is the starting point of your trip. Shinjuku is the largest of Tokyo's subcenters, and with the development of Kabukicho, the once bustling Kabukicho district, travelers have a much more comprehensive range of options to choose from. The bus terminal at Shinjuku Station is the largest of its kind, especially for those traveling by bus to destinations in Japan.
By train
JR runs four direct express trains daily from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko, "Fuji Kaiyu(Mt Fuji Excursion)" train service. Usually, you take a train from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko. In that case, you need to transfer to the Fujikyukou line at Otsuki, but with this express train, you do not need to change trains and can reach the destination in as little as 1 hour and 52 minutes. Departure times are hourly from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. from Shinjuku and four trains from Kawaguchiko from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the way back to Shinjuku. The following are key points when using the "Fuji Kaiyu" train. For the detailed schedule, please click here.
All seats are reserved. You’ll need to purchase in advance.
Fare: The fare from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko is 4,130 yen, which is more expensive than the bus fare.
Train position: Three cars out of 12 carriages are near the Tokyo side, and no green carriage is available. Most of the 12 carriages are bound for Kofu, so please avoid making a mistake.
On the outbound Fuji Kaiyu train at Shinjuku station, I noticed many foreign travelers standing on the train deck since it was the only place on board without reservations.
By bus
Buses are attractive in terms of the number of buses, fares, and ease of use, but they may not be suitable for those who need more time to spare. The Chuo Expressway is congested on weekends, outbound in the mornings, and inbound in the afternoons, so the critical point is whether you can tolerate such congestion. You can check the time and availability on the following Highway Bus booking site. For detailed information on the BUSTA=Shinjuku Bus Terminal, you can click here.
Frequency: Four buses per hour run in the early hours, with the first bus at 7:15 a.m. being the most frequent. The journey time is 1 hour and 45 minutes. Buses are much more frequent than trains.
Traffic congestion: Traffic congestion outbound on the Chuo Expressway is expected from early morning on weekends, and on-time arrival may not be guaranteed.
Fares are the cheapest, starting at 2,000 yen at the lowest.
Early reservations: Early reservations on the Internet are recommended, as the buses are often fully booked, especially in the morning. It is best to avoid purchasing on the same day. You can start booking one month in advance.
Flower season: May be especially crowded during the flower season from early April to late May.
There is a direct bus service to Lake Yamanakako and Oshinohakkai, which is convenient in this respect.
The best combinations I recommend
I think a well-balanced itinerary in terms of time and cost is necessary. I recommend the following combinations for efficient and comfortable travel.
Outbound: First or afternoon bus
It is possible to arrive at the site earlier than by train at the scheduled time. However, arrival may be delayed if traffic congestion on the expressway starts early, particularly on weekends. The earliest bus departs from Shinjuku at 6:05 a.m. (subject to change). It is seasonal, and you may encounter traffic jams even if you take the 7:15 a.m. bus.
Traffic congestion on the expressway calms down in the afternoon, so fewer variables depend on the time of day.
The first buses can be booked quickly, so you should book once you confirm your schedule. Reservations can be made a month in advance at most reservation sites.
Inbound: Fuji Kaiyu=Mt Fuji Excursion train
On weekends, when traffic congestion begins early in the afternoon, it may be best for you to use the train, and in that case, your best choice would be the Mt Fuji Excursion.
You can take a direct train at 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. from Kawaguchiko station. However, Fujikyu operates other local trains to Otsuki, so those who want to avoid traffic congestion should choose this option. At Otsuki, you can take the limited express coming from Kofu.
If you take the direct train departing from Kawaguchiko at 17:33, you will arrive at Shinjuku around 19:30, so you can have dinner in Shinjuku after your arrival.
Finally
Using the above method, you can stay up to 8 hours in the Mt Fuji area by public transportation. The cost is just over 6,000 yen. If you decide on a date and make reservations in advance, you should be able to have an inexpensive and comfortable trip. I want to discuss the attractions around Mt. Fuji on another occasion.
Finally, the weather often affects sightseeing around Mt. Fuji. If you are prepared to pay for the hassle and expense of cancellations, reserving a few days in advance as insurance is a good idea. I hope you can see the magnificent view of Mt Fuji when you visit!!