How to travel between the Fuji Five Lakes and Tokyo
By bus from Shinjuku Station:
There are one to two direct buses per hour from Tokyo's Shinjuku Station (Keio Highway Bus Terminal on the west side of the station) to Kawaguchiko Station in the Fuji Five Lake region, operated by Fujikyu and Keio Bus. The one way journey takes slightly less than two hours and costs 1700 Yen.
Most buses stop at Fujiyoshida Station and Fujikyu Highland before arriving at Kawaguchiko Station and many of them then continue to Lake Yamanaka (2.5 hours, 2000 Yen one way from Shinjuku).
The Japan Rail Pass is not valid on these buses.
By bus from Tokyo Station:
There are about half a dozen direct buses per hour from Tokyo Station (Yaesu South Exit) to Kawaguchiko Station in the Fuji Five Lake region, operated by Fujikyu and JR Kanto Bus. The one way journey takes less than three hours and costs 1700 Yen. The buses stop at Lake Yamanaka along the way (2.5 hours, 1700 Yen).
The Japan Rail Pass is not valid on these buses.
By train:
Travel along the JR Chuo Line from Tokyo's Shinjuku Station to Otsuki Station (70 minutes, 2700 Yen by direct limited express train or 100 minutes, 1280 Yen by local trains with usually one transfer along the way) and then take the Fujikyu Railway Line from Otsuki to Kawaguchiko Station in the Fuji Five Lake region (50 minutes, 1110 Yen).
The Japan Rail Pass only covers the JR part of the journey, but is not valid on the Fujikyu train between Otsuki and Kawaguchiko.
By guided tour:
Sunrise Tours offers various guided tours from Tokyo to the Fuji Five Lakes and Hakone, including a guided day trip by bus (from 12,000 Yen) and a guided two day trip with hotel (from 27,000 Yen).
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. For the current Yen exchange rate, click here.
Orientation
The two major transportation centers in the area are Fuji-Yoshida Station and Kawaguchiko Station on the Fujikyu Railway Line. From there, buses depart to all the lakes. A rental car or bicycle can give you more flexibility.
Furthermore, various passes for unlimited local transportation in the Fuji Five Lake region are available:
