Trains to See Mount Fuji: The Most Scenic Ways to Travel from Tokyo
- Published on : 17/04/2026
- by : Joshua
- Youtube
Fuji Excursion JR 353 Kawaguchiko (Fujikyu Railway)
Seeing Mount Fuji by train is one of the most memorable ways to approach Japan’s most iconic mountain. While several routes connect Tokyo with the Fuji Five Lakes region, a few dedicated services stand out for offering especially scenic views, comfortable travel, and direct access to the best viewpoints around Kawaguchiko.
Among them, two trains are particularly well known: the Fujisan View Express and the Fuji Excursion Limited Express. Each offers a different style of journey—one focused on comfort and scenery, the other on speed and convenience.
The Fuji Excursion: Fast, Direct, and Convenient
The Fuji Excursion Limited Express is the most straightforward way to reach Mount Fuji from central Tokyo. It runs directly from Shinjuku Station to Kawaguchiko Station without requiring any transfers, making it especially popular with first-time visitors.
The train operates jointly on JR East and Fujikyu Railway lines, first traveling along the JR Chuo Line before continuing onto the private Fujikyu Railway line toward the Fuji area. This combination allows passengers to go from the heart of Tokyo directly into the foothills of Mount Fuji in around two hours.
Inside, the Fuji Excursion is designed for comfort rather than sightseeing luxury. It features reserved seating, luggage space, and large windows, and on clear days passengers can occasionally spot Mount Fuji along the route. However, the main advantage of this service is efficiency: it removes the need to transfer at Otsuki, which is required on other routes.
This train is ideal for travelers who prioritize speed, simplicity, and direct access to the Fuji Five Lakes region.
Fuji Excursion in front of Mount Fuij
© 甲武, wikimedias (CC 4.0)
The Fujisan View Express: A Scenic Railway Experience
In contrast, the Fujisan View Express is designed specifically as a sightseeing journey. It operates between Otsuki and Kawaguchiko, forming the final scenic leg of the route toward Mount Fuji.
This train is often considered one of the most visually impressive ways to approach the mountain. The interiors are crafted with a café-style atmosphere, featuring wooden finishes and large panoramic windows that frame the landscape. The design emphasizes slow travel, allowing passengers to fully enjoy the changing scenery as the train climbs toward Lake Kawaguchiko.
Unlike the Fuji Excursion, this service does not run directly from Tokyo. Most travelers reach Otsuki first via JR trains, then transfer to the Fujisan View Express for the final stretch.
The route passes through several stations close to scenic viewpoints, including areas near Fuji-Q Highland and Kawaguchiko, offering frequent glimpses of Mount Fuji along the way.
The experience is less about speed and more about atmosphere, making it ideal for travelers who want the journey itself to feel like part of the destination.
Fujikyuko line train, between Kotobuki and Mitsutoge stations
© MaedaAkihiko, wikimedias
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Mount Fuji from Nishihirabatake Park in Kanagawa
＠TANAKA Juuyoh on Wikimedia, CC BY 2.0
Key Differences Between the Two Trains
Although both trains serve the Mount Fuji region, they are designed for very different travel styles. The Fuji Excursion focuses on direct access from Tokyo, eliminating transfers and minimizing travel time. It is best suited for day trips or travelers with tight schedules.
The Fujisan View Express, on the other hand, is a scenic extension of the journey rather than a direct Tokyo connection. It requires a transfer at Otsuki but rewards passengers with slower travel, wider views, and a more immersive experience of the Fuji foothills.
In simple terms, the Fuji Excursion is about reaching Mount Fuji efficiently, while the Fujisan View Express is about enjoying the landscape along the way.
What You Can See Along the Way
Both routes bring travelers into the broader Fuji region, where scenery becomes increasingly dramatic as the train approaches the mountain. Depending on weather conditions, passengers may see Mount Fuji rising above forests, rivers, and rural towns, often appearing suddenly as the train turns or clears a ridge.
The Fujisan View Express in particular is designed to maximize these moments, slowing down in scenic sections and providing large viewing windows so passengers can take in the landscape without obstruction.
The Fuji Excursion also offers occasional views, but its primary strength is convenience rather than sightseeing.
Check out our tours that take you to the Fuji 5 Lakes Region!
Which Train is Best for You?
Choosing between the two depends on your travel priorities.
If your goal is to get to Mount Fuji quickly and without stress, the Fuji Excursion is the best option. It is especially useful for day trips from Tokyo, allowing you to maximize time in the Fuji Five Lakes area.
If you prefer a more atmospheric journey and want the train ride itself to be part of the experience, the Fujisan View Express offers a more relaxed and scenic alternative after reaching Otsuki.
Many travelers even combine both: taking the Fuji Excursion to the region and returning via the Fujisan View Express for a slower, more scenic journey back.
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