Mount Fuji is a place you must visit at least once in your lifetime. It’s one of the most breathtaking sites you will ever see. The perfectly shaped volcano is the highest mountain in Japan and is the sacred symbol of the country. Located only two and a half hours away from Tokyo, a day trip is perfect to take in the beauty of Fuji.

In this blog, I’ll share my itinerary with you to help you make the most of your trip!

When to visit Mount Fuji?

Japan has four distinct seasons. I visited in June but you’ll be able to get spectacular views at any time of the year. Cherry blossom season would be the perfect time, which falls in spring between March and May, depending on when Japan’s cherry trees burst into full bloom. If you wanted to climb Mount Fuji, the summer months between July and September would be best. In October and November, the red and orange autumn leaves would also provide a beautiful picturesque setting.

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Tokyo to Mount Fuji in a day

During my trip to Japan, I was based in Tokyo. As Mount Fuji is only 100 kilometers south-west of Tokyo, I planned my itinerary such that I would spend one day visiting the Fuji area. I organised my trip to make sure I had enough time to visit the spots with the best views!

I visited Kawaguchiko, one of the Fuji Five Lakes, located at the foot of the mountain. Hiking up to the Chureito Pagoda, the most Instagrammable spot to see the mountain, was my favourite part of the day.

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The day before your trip

When you travel to the Fuji area, I recommend taking the Highway Bus from Tokyo’s Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal – it’s very reliable and cheaper than the Japan Rail. You should book your return bus tickets at least a day before you travel to guarantee tickets, as there are very few, if any, options left on the day itself. The tickets cost ¥1750 and you can book them online or at Shinjuku Station.

It’s wise to check the weather the day before you travel too. Even though it was 30°C and sunny in Tokyo on the day of my trip, the Fuji area was colder and cloudier, so definitely take a jacket or a jumper.

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The day of your trip

07.30: Arrive at Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal

As this is a day trip, you should leave as early as possible, so you get a good amount of time in the Fuji area, before returning to Tokyo in the evening. I arrived at Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal at 07.30 for the 8am bus to Kawaguchiko. Ensure you arrive at least half an hour early to allow time for ticket checks and boarding.

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08.00: Bus ride from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko

The journey from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko is approximately two hours long and is a scenic ride through the Japanese Alps. You can see Mount Fuji along the way too!

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10.00: Arrive and explore Kawaguchiko

From the Kawaguchiko Bus Terminal, I walked to Lake Kawaguchiko, which provides a great opportunity to take in the impressive mountain scenery.

There are a number of other things you could also do in Kawaguchiko including visiting shrines, museums or going on a scenic boat ride.

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12.30: Train from Kawaguchiko to Shimo-Yoshida Station

Next on my list was to visit the Insta-famous Chureito Pagoda. Just after midday, I got the local Fuji Express Line train from Kawaguchiko to Shimo-Yoshida Station. The train ride took about 10 minutes and cost ¥300 for a one-way trip.

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13.00: Hike up to Chureito Pagoda

From Shimo-Yoshida Station, I followed the signs to Arakurayama Sengen Park. Chureito Pagoda is located at the top of the park, so I hiked to the top. The views during the climb were amazing!

It was quite cloudy when I got to the top, so I patiently waited for three hours until I got a glimpse of Fuji – believe me, the wait was worth it! The time flew by and it was nice to meet and chat with people from many different countries who were also waiting for the clouds to pass.

The view from Chureito Pagoda is Japan’s most iconic and it’s a picture-perfect location, with Mount Fuji right in front of you. Only a few moments in life truly take your breath away, and for me, standing here was definitely one of those moments!

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16.30: Train back to Lake Kawaguchiko

I got the Fuji Express Line train from Shimo-Yoshida Station back to Kawaguchiko.

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17.00: Explore Kawaguchiko

Luckily, the cloud cover over Fuji reduced in the evening, so I spent some time in Kawaguchiko wandering around the local villages and catching glimpses of Mount Fuji from different locations.

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18.00: Bus from Kawaguchiko back to Shinjuku

At 6pm, I got the Highway Bus back to Shinjuku and was in Tokyo by 8pm!