Travel by Local Trains on the “JR Line” and “Fujikyu Railway” ～ With Quick Fare Guide

When traveling from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji, a UNESCO World Heritage site, there are many ways to get there—by train, bus, or even car.

But if you’ve ever thought: “I don’t want to spend too much on a limited express!” or “I’d like to hop off at local stations along the way!”, then local trains are the perfect choice.

The charm of using local trains on the JR Line and Fujikyu Railway is that they are not only budget-friendly, but they also allow you to stop at smaller local stations and discover hidden gems along the journey.

For travelers using the Kaiji or Azusa to Otsuki Sta., it’s easy to transfer there to the Fujikyu Railway local trains, which will take you directly to Kawaguchiko Sta.

As a bonus, there are even special themed trains with fun character wraps—hugely popular with children—that operate during limited periods!

In this guide, we’ll show you how to enjoy a relaxed, affordable, and local-style trip to Mt. Fuji by ordinary trains.

Basic Information

When traveling by local trains from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko Sta., the journey begins with a ride to Otsuki Sta.

• From Shinjuku Sta., you can reach Otsuki directly without any transfers, making it very convenient.
• At Otsuki, transfer to the Fujikyu Railway (Fujisan Electric Railway), which will take you all the way to Kawaguchiko at the foot of Mt. Fuji.

Seat Types & Etiquette

• Local trains are non-reserved, so you may sit in any available seat.
• Please be mindful of Priority Seats, which are reserved for the elderly, people with disabilities, pregnant women, and passengers with infants or small children.
• Remember that some disabilities may not be visible. Look out for passengers wearing a Help Mark or anyone who seems unwell, and offer your seat when needed.

On weekdays from 7:30～9:30, Car No. 1 (the first car) on all Chuo Line trains bound for Tokyo is designated as a Women-Only Car (except limited express trains).

• Men should avoid this car during those hours and use other cars instead.

This system is unique to Japan, so foreign travelers should be aware of it to avoid confusion.

Fares

Timetable & Travel Time

Local trains run about 1–2 times per hour, so you can choose the departure that best fits your schedule.
You can also check the complete timetable through the official search system.

Here are sample times from major stations:

Outbound (Shinjuku Sta. ～ Kawaguchiko Sta.)

Inbound (Kawaguchiko Sta. ～ Shinjuku Sta.)

How to Purchase Tickets

Tickets for local trains can be purchased directly at the ticket counters of departure stations.

• For paper tickets, simply pay the fare for your travel section from departure to arrival.
• For IC cards (such as Suica or PASMO), the fare will be automatically deducted from your pre-charged balance when you tap in and out.

Fujikyu Railway “Thomas Land 25th Anniversary Train”

Located inside Fuji-Q Highland, Thomas Land is Japan’s only outdoor theme park dedicated to Thomas the Tank Engine.

To celebrate its 25th anniversary, a special Thomas Land Anniversary Train runs four times a day between Otsuki Sta. and Kawaguchiko Sta.

The fun isn’t just on the outside—the interior is decorated with Thomas and his friends, making it a delightful ride especially popular with families traveling with children.

Check the Thomas Land 25th Anniversary Train timetable here!

Summary

In this guide, we introduced how to travel from Shinjuku and other major Tokyo stations to Kawaguchiko using local JR trains and the Fujikyu Railway.

This option is not only budget-friendly, but also allows you to enjoy the charm of local stations and unique themed trains along the way.

Pair this journey with other train experiences we’ve introduced, and make the most of your trip to Yamanashi Prefecture and Mt. Fuji!

READ MORE

[2025 Update] Complete Guide to Train Access from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji & Lake Kawaguchiko Mt. Fuji, a UNESCO World Heritage site, attracts millions of visitors from Japan and abroad every year. One of the most popular gateways for climbing and sig…

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