How to take the railway to Lake Kawaguchi

Railway route from Tokyo City, Narita Airport, Haneda Airport to Lake Kawaguchi

Route route from Tokyo city to Lake Kawaguchi

From the Tokyo, take the railway to Lake Kawaguchi, and you will use the “JR Central Line”  and the “Fujikyu Line” .

◆JR The central line is the horizontal railway line connecting the counties and cities between downtown Tokyo and central Japan. The station closest to Kawaguchiko is the Otsuka Station. JR Central Line System Roadmap

The Fujikyu Line is the only joint railway route in Kawaguchiko, and the two ends are Da Yue Station and Kawaguchiko Station.

◆From the Tokyo metropolitan area to the direction of the Great Moon, the JR Chuo Line train departs from Shinjuku and stops at the Otsuka Station. It continues westward to all counties and cities in central Japan and does not enter the Kawaguchiko area. Therefore, passengers who want to go to Kawaguchiko must get off at Otsuki Station and transfer to Fujikyu Line to Kawaguchiko.

◆However, a few JR Express or Express trains on Fridays, weekends and holidays will run through the Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway through the Otsuka Station. Passengers will be able to get to the Kawaguchiko Lake from downtown Tokyo without having to transfer.
◆ In addition, from March 16th, 2019, there will be a JR Express train “Fuji Tour” from Shinjuku directly to Kawaguchiko. It is more convenient to take a tram to Kawaguchiko.

Railway route from Narita Airport to Kawaguchiko

◆From Narita Airport, take the railway to Kawaguchiko. It is recommended to take the “N’EX Narita Express” (hereinafter referred to as N’EX) of JR East Japan. N’EX can be directly connected to Shinjuku Station from Narita Airport. To Kawaguchiko, please transfer to the JR Chuo Line to Otsuka Station at Shinjuku Station, and then transfer from Fujikyu Station to Fujikyu Line to Kawaguchiko.

In addition, on weekends and holidays, N’EX will have a special class of Narita Airport directly to Kawaguchiko. Passengers can get a direct bus from Narita Airport to Kawaguchiko without having to transfer.
◆ If you wish to take the N’EX direct access to Kawaguchiko on weekends and holidays, please refer to the paragraph “How to Buy Tickets and Take the JR Kawaguchiko Direct Train” below.
◆From the Shinjuku Station to the Kawaguchiko Station, please refer to the paragraph “How to Buy Tickets and Take the JR Central Line Express Train” below.

Haneda Airport to Kawaguchiko Railway Route

◆From Haneda Airport, take the railway to Kawaguchiko. It is recommended to take the “Tokyo Monorail” to Hamamatsucho Station, or take the “Kyoto Electric Railway” to Shinagawa Station, and then take the “JR Yamanote Line” from Hamamatsucho Station or Shinagawa Station to Shinjuku station.

After arriving in Shinjuku, take the JR Chuo Line to Otsuka Station, then transfer from Otsuki Station to Fujikyu Line to Kawaguchiko.

◆From the Shinjuku Station to the Kawaguchiko Station, please refer to the paragraph “How to Buy Tickets and Take the JR Central Line Express Train” below.

Time and fare for taking the railway to Kawaguchiko

The railway from downtown Tokyo to Kawaguchiko is divided into three types of transportation according to the convenience. The time and fare are different. The lazy brothers are organized as follows:

[The most convenient: JR Kawaguchiko direct train]
“JR Kawaguchiko Direct Train” is the most convenient railway train from downtown Tokyo to Kawaguchiko. It will only run on Fridays, weekends and holidays until March 16, 2019, and will travel every day.

▌ Transfer times: Shinjuku Station – Kawaguchiko Station 0 times
▌ Time required: Shinjuku Station – Kawaguchiko Station approximately 110 to 140 minutes
Number of shifts: 1 to 3 shifts per Friday, weekend and holiday; 2 to 5 shifts per day after March 16, 2019
▌ One-way fare: Shinjuku Station – Kawaguchiko Station 2460 yen (fast train free seat) / 3180 yen (fast train designated seats) / 4060 yen (special express train designated seats)

The most intensive: JR Chuo Line Express Train + Fujikyu Line Express Train

Since the JR Chuo Line express train travels daily, and there are many shifts and speeds, take the “JR Chuo Line Express Train” from Shinjuku Station to Otsuka Station, and then transfer from Otsuka Station to the “Fuji Express Line Express Train”. Very common and time-saving way to ride.

▌ Transfer times: Shinjuku Station – Kawaguchiko Station 1 time
▌ Time required: Shinjuku Station – Kawaguchiko Station approximately 120 to 130 minutes
Number of shifts: driving every day, about 30 minutes
▌ One-way fare: Shinjuku Station – Kawaguchiko Station 3790 yen (free seat) / 4310 yen (designated seat)
※ The fare train designated seat fee for the Fujikyu line is calculated based on the fare of the “Fujiyama Express 1st car (forecast car)”

Minimum use: JR Central Line ordinary train + Fujikyu line ordinary train

The fare of the “JR Chuo Line ordinary train” of Shinjuku – Takao, Takao – Otsuki, and the “Fujikyu Line ordinary train” of the Otsuka-Kawaguchi Lake to the Kawaguchiko Lake is cheaper than the express train. However, the number of ordinary train stops is high, and the speed is slow.

It is necessary to change the car at least twice, which is time consuming and troublesome.

Therefore, it is usually only too early or too late to set off, can not take the JR Central Line express train passengers; or want to go to Kawaguchiko on holiday, but the trip can not pick up the JR Kawaguchiko direct train, but also worried that the express bus will stop the traffic, but it is also suspected of JR Central Passengers who are too expensive for the express train will choose to take the regular train to Kawaguchiko.

▌ Transfer times: at least 2 times at Shinjuku Station – Kawaguchiko Station
▌ Time required: Shinjuku Station to Kawaguchiko Station approximately 140 to 180 minutes
Number of shifts: driving every day, about 30 minutes
▌ One-way fare: Shinjuku Station – Kawaguchiko Station 2460 yen
※ The JR Central Line regular train includes all non-express trains such as fast, extra fast (express)

Should I take the railway to Lake Kawaguchi?

As can be seen from the above table, “JR Kawaguchiko Direct Train” is the most convenient, but unfortunately there are few shifts; the express train is the fastest and the fare is very expensive. Therefore, lazy brothers recommend that passengers who are holding or preparing to purchase the “JR TOKYO Wide Pass” take the express train to Kawaguchiko on weekdays.

“JR Tokyo Metropolitan Travel Pass” is a special coupon for foreign travelers launched by JR East Japan. The ticket can be used for JR East Japan Express (fast) trains, JR Kawaguchiko Express trains, JR express trains, Shinkansen free seats or designated seats, and regular trains and express trains on the Fujikyu Line in Tokyo and suburbs within three days.

Free seat, priced at 10,000 yen. If you plan to travel to Kawaguchiko within three days, as well as Karuizawa, Utsunomiya, Nikko and other places in the suburbs of Tokyo, or if you will use JR East Japan’s long-distance trains, express trains or Shinkansen, lazy brothers are very recommended to buy the ticket. Can save a lot of transportation costs.

However, if you only want to travel to and from the city of Tokyo and Lake Kawaguchi, you don’t have to go to other tourist attractions in Tokyo, and you are leaving on a weekday bus stop. It is more cost-effective to take a high-speed bus.

What are the direct trains at JR Kawaguchiko?

【富士回遊】（FUJI EXCURSION）

Pick up the terminal: Shinjuku Station – Kawaguchiko Station

▌ Driving time: approximately 110 minutes from Shinjuku Station to Kawaguchiko Station (1 hour 50 minutes)
▌Operating date: March 16th, 2019, two shifts each morning and afternoon
▌ One-way fare: Shinjuku Station – Kawaguchiko Station 4060 yen (specified seats price, no free seats)
▌Purchase method: Please go to the JR designated ticket vending machine or JR ticket office to purchase the designated ticket, or take the “JR Tokyo Metropolitan Pass” to the JR ticket office for free allocation and boarding. For detailed teaching, please see the following paragraph.
▌Details: Please see Fujikyu official website
▌ Official timetable: Please see Fujikyu official website

N’EX Narita Express・Kawaguchiko Special Direct Train

Pick up the terminal: Narita Airport’s first terminal station, the second terminal station (stop in the middle of Tokyo station, Shibuya station, Shinjuku station, etc.) – Kawaguchiko Station

▌ Driving time: 208 minutes (3 hours 28 minutes) from the first terminal of Narita Airport to Kawaguchiko Station
▌Operating date: Weekend holiday morning and afternoon return
▌ One-way fare: Narita Airport First Terminal – Kawaguchiko Station 6840 yen (specified seats price, no free seats)
▌Purchase method: It is recommended to purchase the “JR Tokyo Metropolitan Travel Pass”, please refer to the Tokyo Traffic Guide ‧ teaching section of this site; purchase “JR Tokyo Metropolitan Pass” at Narita Airport and the details of N’EX Teaching, please go to the Narita Airport Traffic Guide
※The “N’EX discount round-trip ticket” cannot be used directly on this train. It is necessary to supplement the designated train for the express train from Takao Station to Kawaguchiko Station to approximately 3,500 yen.
▌Details: Please see Fujikyu official website
▌ Official timetable:
N’EX Narita Express Timetable (going to travel)
N’EX Narita Express Timetable (return)

Holiday Kaisoku Fujiyama (Holiday Rapid Mt. Fuji)

Pick up the terminal: Shinjuku Station – Kawaguchiko Station

▌ Driving time: 134 minutes from Shinjuku Station to Kawaguchiko Station (2 hours 14 minutes)
▌Operating date: Weekend holiday morning and afternoon return
▌ One-way fare: Shinjuku Station – Kawaguchiko Station 2460 yen (free seat) / 3180 yen (designated seat)
▌Purchase ticket method: The free-seat car is the same as the general JR train. For detailed teaching, please go to the Tokyo Traffic Raiders ‧ teaching section of the station; in the designated seat car, please go to the JR designated ticket vending machine or JR ticket office to purchase the designated seat ticket. Or take the “JR Tokyo Metropolitan Travel Pass” to the JR ticket office for free placement and boarding. For detailed teaching, please see the next paragraph.
▌Details: Please see Fujikyu official website
▌ Official timetable:

Rapid Yamanashi-Fuji

Pick up the terminal: Shinjuku Station – Kawaguchiko Station

▌ Driving time: 138 minutes from Shinjuku Station to Kawaguchiko Station (2 hours 18 minutes)
▌Operating date: Part of the weekend and the morning and the afternoon return
▌ One-way fare: Shinjuku Station – Kawaguchiko Station 3180 yen (specified seats price, no free seats)
▌Purchase method: Please go to the JR designated ticket vending machine or JR ticket office to purchase the designated ticket, or take the “JR Tokyo Metropolitan Pass” to the JR ticket office for free allocation and boarding. For detailed teaching, please see the following paragraph.
▌Details: Please see Fujikyu official website
▌ Official timetable:

Rapid Fujiyama

Pick up the terminal: Shinjuku Station – Kawaguchiko Station

▌ Driving time: 126 minutes from Shinjuku Station to Kawaguchiko Station (2 hours 6 minutes)
▌Operating date: one for each morning on Friday morning and one for afternoon return
▌ One-way fare: Shinjuku Station – Kawaguchiko Station 3180 yen (specified seats price, no free seats)
▌Purchase method: Please go to the JR designated ticket vending machine or JR ticket office to purchase the designated ticket, or take the “JR Tokyo Metropolitan Pass” to the JR ticket office for free allocation and boarding. For detailed teaching, please see the following paragraph.
▌Details: Please see Fujikyu official website
▌ Official timetable:

How do I book or purchase a JR Kawaguchiko direct train ticket?

Among the direct trains of JR Kawaguchiko Lake, only “Holiday Express Fuji Mountain” has a free-seat (free seat) compartment, but it is likely to be full when there are many people. If you are concerned about not being able to grab a seat in a free seat, or to take a direct train to another JR Kawaguchiko Lake without a free-seat car, please book a ticket for the designated seat (check-in seat) in advance.

If you have a “JR Tokyo Metropolitan Area Pass”, please present the JR Pass at the JR ticket office (green window) of each station and inform you of the date, train or time you want to take the free seat on the designated seat.

If you do not have the “JR Tokyo Metropolitan Area Pass”, you can also purchase the designated ticket for the JR Kawaguchiko Express train by ticket machine at the JR Station with the Shinkansen ‧ Express Tickets. Detailed ticket machine operation teaching,

Once you have found the ticket vending machine, please click the “Specify the seat” button and then press the “Incoming line designated seat/agent unspecified coupon” button on the left. Next, please select “Emergency かいじ (Kofu)” on the right and enter the departure station (preset to Shinjuku) and the arrival station (Kawaguchiko).

The seat selection screen appears when you press the number of trains and the type of train you want to take. After you have selected your seat, you can decide which ticket area to purchase.

If you plan to transfer from JR Station outside Shinjuku to Shinjuku to JR Kawaguchiko, you can click on the left to purchase the JR ticket including your departure station (ticket station) to Shinjuku and Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko Station. To depart from other stations, tap the button on the far right to enter the departure station yourself.

After obtaining the ticket, the platform (fan line) that is parked by different JR Kawaguchiko direct trains will be different, so please confirm the platform number (the line) where the train stops at the JR official website timetable or the station information board, and then go to the correct one. Waiting on the platform.

How to buy tickets and take the JR Central Line express train?

The JR Chuo Line express trains at Otsuka Station are “Kai Fei Road” (かいじ, Kaiji), “梓” (あずさ, Azusa) and “Super zー」 (Super Azusa), all three express trains You can use the “JR Tokyo Metropolitan Travel Pass” to take the free-seat car directly, or you can take the “JR Tokyo Metropolitan Pass” to the JR ticket office to take the designated seat (check-in seat). Since most of the trains of “Kai Fei Road”, “Azusa” and “Super Azusa” are from Shinjuku Station, please go to JR Shinjuku Station and follow the indicators to the 9th and 10th (Central) This line has a special emergency platform) waiting for the bus.

It is important to note that a small number of “Kaifei Road” trains, as well as most of the “nickname” and “super nickname” trains will not stop at Da Yue Station, so be sure to check with Google Maps before boarding. Or check the schedule on the JR East Japan official website to confirm the number of stops at the Da Yue Station.