Mount Fuji is one of the greatest and well known icons of Japan. Although close to Tokyo, Kawaguchiko isn’t as easily accessible as other day trips might be, thanks to the mountains that ring the area. However it is possible to access the area through a number of different routes.

Highway Bus

The highway bus is one of the easiest way of accessing the Mount Fuji area from Tokyo, with no need to worry about transfers of getting on the wrong route. The ticket costs 1,750 JPY to travel from the Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal to either Kawaguchi-ko station, Fuji-Q Highland or, at certain times of year Mount Fuji 5th Station and the Fuji Shibazakura Festival. I would recommend booking in advance and reserve your seat. See link below;

http://highway-buses.jp/fuji/

Train

From Shinjuku station in Tokyo take the LTD. Express Kaiji 107 to Otsuki station, the journey takes around 60 minutes. From Otsuki station take the Fujikyu Railway train to Kawaguchiko station, all in all the trip will cost around 2000 JPY. I enjoy the Fujikyu railway as the trains are decorated in such a cute way!

Shinkansen

Many people wish to take the Shinkansen, especially if they have a JR pass, however the Shinkansen route is not the best to get to somewhere like Kawaguchi-ko station. You can however get to Hakone by using your JR pass up to Odawara station, then you can use the Hakone Free Pass to get further. You can, on a clear day, see Mount Fuji from here. It is also possible to take the Shinkansen to Mishima station and then transfer to a bus to get to Kawaguchiko station.

Guided Tour

If you would rather be whisked away then there are a number of guided tours which go to the Mount Fuji and Hakone region. I have been on such tours but really prefer travelling without a tour group, but it can be a less stressful way to get around (although much more expensive).