Mt Fuji Travel Guide 2026: Getting to Kawaguchiko, Top Sights, Climbing Rules and Where to Stay
For a Mt Fuji trip from Tokyo, the easiest route is a highway bus or the "Fuji Excursion" limited express from Shinjuku to Lake Kawaguchi (Kawaguchiko), about 2 hours either way, with bus fares from ¥1,500 early-bird. Around Kawaguchiko you'll find the Chureito Pagoda at Arakurayama Sengen Park, Fuji-Q Highland and Oshino Hakkai, so it's worth staying a night. If you want to climb, every trail charged a ¥4,000 hiking fee in 2026, and only climbers with a mountain-hut booking could go up from the 5th Station between 2 pm and 3 am; the 2026 season ended on September 10.
Key takeaways
- Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko: highway bus about 2 hours from ¥1,500 early-bird; the "Fuji Excursion" takes about 2 hours, and the JR Pass covers only the JR section east of Otsuki.
- 2026 climbing season: Yoshida and Subashiri trails July 1 – September 10; Fujinomiya and Gotemba trails July 10 – September 10.
- The hiking fee is ¥4,000 per person; on the Yoshida Trail the 5th Station gate closes from 2 pm to 3 am, with a cap of 4,000 climbers a day (mountain-hut guests excepted).
- Entry to Fuji-Q Highland is free; rides need a 1-day Free Pass or single-ride tickets, priced by date.
- The famous photo spot at the Lawson near Kawaguchiko Station was screened off with a black barrier in May 2024 after tourists kept crossing the road.
How to get from Tokyo to Mt Fuji and Kawaguchiko
The most common ways from Tokyo to Mt Fuji's Kawaguchiko area are a highway bus from Shinjuku or the direct "Fuji Excursion" limited express; both take about 2 hours.
| Option | Departs from | Journey time | Fare (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highway bus | Shinjuku (Busta Shinjuku / Keio Highway Bus Terminal), Tokyo Station, Shibuya | About 2 hours | From ¥1,500 (early-bird) | Stops at Fuji-Q Highland, Kawaguchiko Station, Fujisan Station |
| "Fuji Excursion" limited express | Shinjuku | About 2 hours | Depends on seat | JR Pass valid on the JR section; pay extra for the Fujikyu Line beyond Otsuki |
| Car | Central Tokyo | Depends on traffic | – | Private cars are banned from the Fuji Subaru Line in climbing season |
Bus fares vary by operator, date and how early you book. Book ahead for weekends and peak seasons, and compare services on platforms such as Kosokubus.
How do you get to the Mt Fuji 5th Station?
During the climbing season, buses run from Kawaguchiko Station and Fujisan Station to the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station (Yoshida trailhead). In 2026, private cars were banned from the Fuji Subaru Line from 18:00 on July 3 to 18:00 on September 10, so drivers had to park at the foot of the mountain and take a shuttle bus. See the official Mt Fuji climbing website for timetables and fares.
Kawaguchiko Station on the Fujikyu Line, with Mt Fuji behind. Photo: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
Top sights on a Mt Fuji trip
The most popular sights around Mt Fuji are in the Lake Kawaguchi area: the lake with Fuji reflected in it, the five-storey pagoda at Arakurayama Sengen Park, Fuji-Q Highland, and Oshino Hakkai, one of the World Heritage component sites.
| Sight | Highlights | How to get there |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Kawaguchi | The Fuji Five Lake with the most inns and restaurants; sightseeing cruises | Kawaguchiko Station |
| Arakurayama Sengen Park (Chureito Pagoda) | The classic pagoda-and-Fuji view; busiest in cherry-blossom and autumn-leaf season | Fujikyu Line to Shimoyoshida, then a climb |
| Oshino Hakkai | Eight clear spring ponds fed by Fuji snowmelt | About 15 min by bus from Kawaguchiko Station |
| Fuji-Q Highland | Famous for extreme roller coasters | Fujikyu-Highland Station or bus stop |
The Fuji Five Lakes and Lake Kawaguchi
The Fuji Five Lakes are Kawaguchi, Yamanaka, Sai, Shoji and Motosu, with cherry blossoms, fireworks, autumn leaves and snow through the seasons. Lake Kawaguchi is the easiest to reach and has the most lakeside inns and shops, plus a sightseeing bus and cruise boats around the lake, so it's worth a visit even if you're not climbing.
Mt Fuji from the shore of Lake Kawaguchi. Photo: Suicasmo / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
Chureito Pagoda at Arakurayama Sengen Park
The Chureito Pagoda at Arakurayama Sengen Park, framed with Mt Fuji, is one of the most photographed views in Japan. From Shimoyoshida Station on the Fujikyu Line you climb a long flight of steps to the viewpoint, and in peak season people queue for photos from early morning.
The Chureito Pagoda and Mt Fuji at Arakurayama Sengen Park. Photo: Stjepko Krehula / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0
Fuji-Q Highland
Fuji-Q Highland is known for its extreme roller coasters, including Eejanaika, Takabisha and FUJIYAMA, and it also has rides for children. Entry is free; rides need a 1-day Free Pass or single-ride tickets, priced by date. The park has announced a new large splash coaster for summer 2027.
Can you still visit the Kawaguchiko Lawson photo spot?
The Lawson convenience store near Kawaguchiko Station went viral for its "Mt Fuji on top of a convenience store" shot, but crowds photographing from the road, crossing traffic and trespassing on private land led the town of Fujikawaguchiko to put up a large black barrier at the spot on May 21, 2024.
- Stay on the pavement when taking photos; don't stand in the road or block cars and shop entrances.
- Don't walk onto private land such as the nearby clinic and homes.
- The barrier, guards and rules on site may change at any time, so follow local signs.
Mt Fuji climbing rules 2026: fee, gate hours and reservations
In 2026, all four Mt Fuji trails charged a ¥4,000 hiking fee per person, and between 2 pm and 3 am only climbers with a mountain-hut booking could set off from the 5th Station.
| Trail | 2026 season | Hiking fee | Night restriction | Reservation and pre-registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yoshida Trail (Yamanashi) | Jul 1 – Sep 10 | ¥4,000 | 5th Station gate closed 2 pm – 3 am; cap of 4,000 a day (mountain-hut guests excepted) | Book and pay online on Yamanashi's "Yoshida Trail Access Reservation System" |
| Subashiri Trail (Shizuoka) | Jul 1 – Sep 10 | ¥4,000 | Mountain-hut stay required 2 pm – 3 am | E-learning and quiz in the "Shizuoka Prefecture FUJI NAVI" app |
| Fujinomiya, Gotemba trails (Shizuoka) | Jul 10 – Sep 10 | ¥4,000 | Mountain-hut stay required 2 pm – 3 am | Same as above |
The 2026 season ended on September 10; outside the season all trails are closed and climbing is not allowed. The 2027 season is expected to run from early July to early September again, with dates and rules announced beforehand; check the official Mt Fuji climbing website.
Climbers and mountain huts on the Yoshida Trail. Photo: Alpsdake / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
Where to stay near Mt Fuji: Kawaguchiko hotels
To catch a Fuji sunrise or the morning reflection, stay around Lake Kawaguchi; on a budget, there are hostels and whole-house rentals around Kawaguchiko Station and Fujiyoshida.
| Type | Where to stay | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Onsen ryokan | Fuji Kawaguchiko Onsen Konansou | Lakeside onsen inn with views of the lake and Mt Fuji from the windows |
| Whole-house / apartment-style | Megufuji | In Fujiyoshida; one property is about a 1-minute walk from Shimoyoshida Station |
| Hostel | Kagelow Mt. Fuji Hostel Kawaguchiko | In a residential area near Kawaguchiko Station |
Rates vary a lot by season and room type. Fuji-view rooms fill up early in cherry-blossom season, autumn-leaf season and holidays, so book ahead.
What to do with big suitcases on a Mt Fuji trip
On a highway bus from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko, large bags usually go in the hold, and buses are often full in peak season. If you're heading straight from Haneda or Narita, or going on to Osaka or Kyoto after Fuji, dragging suitcases between buses and trains is hard work. Kawaguchiko Station has coin lockers, but they fill up quickly in peak season.
LuggAgent can pick up your bags from a hotel, airport or station and deliver them to your next stop the same day or the next day, for example from the airport or your Tokyo hotel straight to your hotel at Kawaguchiko, so you travel with just a day bag and can go sightseeing first. See Mt Fuji, Kawaguchiko and Hakone luggage delivery for coverage and details.
To go from Haneda straight to Kawaguchiko, send your bags from a Tokyo hotel to Kawaguchiko, or move them on to Osaka after Fuji, book these routes directly:
FAQ
How long does it take from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko, and how much is it?
The highway bus from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko takes about 2 hours, from ¥1,500 early-bird; the actual fare depends on the operator and date. The "Fuji Excursion" limited express also runs direct to Kawaguchiko in about 2 hours; the JR Pass covers only the JR section from Shinjuku to Otsuki, and you pay the Fujikyu Line fare beyond.
How much does it cost to climb Mt Fuji in 2026?
In 2026 the hiking fee was ¥4,000 per person on all four Mt Fuji trails. On the Yoshida Trail you can pay online through Yamanashi's reservation system; for the three Shizuoka trails you complete e-learning, a quiz and payment in the "Shizuoka Prefecture FUJI NAVI" app. Mountain huts are booked separately.
What time does the Yoshida Trail close?
The Yoshida Trail 5th Station gate closes every day from 2 pm to 3 am, and only climbers with a mountain-hut booking can pass during that time; it also stops letting people through once 4,000 climbers have passed that day. Officials ask even hut guests to pass the gate before 2 pm.
When can you climb Mt Fuji?
Mt Fuji is open only in summer: in 2026, the Yoshida and Subashiri trails opened July 1 – September 10 and the Fujinomiya and Gotemba trails July 10 – September 10. All summit trails are closed the rest of the year; the 2027 season is expected to run from early July to early September, subject to official announcement.
How much is Fuji-Q Highland?
Entry to Fuji-Q Highland is free; to ride the coasters and other attractions, buy a 1-day Free Pass or single-ride tickets, priced by date, so check the official site. The headline rides include Eejanaika, Takabisha and FUJIYAMA, and a new splash coaster is due in summer 2027.
Cover photo: Wikimedia Commons / Public domain
This article offers general travel tips for reference only. For actual services and conditions, please rely on the booking page and the latest official announcements.
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