You can see Mount Fuji from the train on several different train journeys. However, one train offers the best views of Japan’s iconic mountain: the Fujisan View Express.
Starting from Otsuki Station and heading towards Kawaguchiko, the largest of the Fuji Five Lakes, this train also passes FujiQ Highland, the amusement park with the most rollercoasters in Japan. Being the only train of its kind and offering unique views, the Fujisan View Express is an experience unlike any other.
The Fujisan View Express features an interior that looks more like a cafe than a train, and the staff on board helps create a premium travel experience. Although booking can be a little more challenging and the fares slightly higher than those of other trains, the unique journey makes it worth it.
Whether you’re a train enthusiast or a traveller looking for a memorable experience, join me as I explore the Fujisan View Express in detail, highlight its special features, guide you through the booking process, and share tips to make the most of your journey.
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The Fujisan View Express
The Fuji Five Lakes area north of Mount Fuji is squeezed between the majestic mountain and the Japanese Alps. Like many other places in Japan, a small community railway connects the area.
But this community railway is different. It does not only serve the community (with local trains running once every 30 minutes), but it also serves visitors who want a particularly great view of Mount Fuji.
To do that, the Fujikyuko Railway runs the Fujisan View Limited Express, the train providing the best Fuji views in Japan.
Fujisan View Express Route
The Fujisan Express train runs from Otsuki to Kawaguchiko (or vice versa) two times a day.
The Fujikyuko railway line at Otsuki connects to the Chuo Line from Tokyo. To reach Otsuki, where you will change to the Fujikyuko Railway, you can either take the JR Kaiji or Azusa service from Shinjuku.
You can also take the dedicated JR Fuji Excursion train from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko. However, if you want to experience the Fujisan View Express, make sure you only take the JR train to Otsuki and then switch to the Fujisan View Express from Otsuki to Kawaguchiko.
The 26.6 kilometres (16.5 miles)between Otsuki and Kawaguchiko only takes about 45 minutes with the Fujisan View Express. But the incline between Otsuki and Kawaguchiko is almost 500 meters, from 358 meters above sea level to 857 metres.
The service makes four stops before reaching Kawaguchiko: Tsuru University Station, Shimoyoshida Station, Mount Fuji Station, and Fuji-Q Highland Station.
Shimoyoshida is the closest stop to the Chureito Pagoda (at the Akura Sengen shrine). The view of Mount Fuji with Chureito Pagoda in the foreground is probably the most famous view of Fujisan.
Fuji-Q Highland is owned by the same company that operates the Fujikyuko Railway line. You can buy combination tickets with Fuji-Q entry and a Fujikyuko train line ticket.
Best Times of the Year to Travel on the Fujisan View Express
Mount Fuji is typically snow-capped from late Fall through Spring. Regarding visibility, if you want to see Fujisan in all its glory, the best time is from December to February. From late March until mid-October, the air tends to be hazy, and the weather is frequently cloudy. Which means it is hard to see the mountain
On the train journey from Otsuki, you will start seeing Mount Fuji from the train once you pass Tanokura. From that point, there will be many stunning views along the train route to Kawaguchiko.
Another great time for scenic views is during Sakura season. Typically, the cherry blossoms flower from mid-March to mid-April, although it can be considerably earlier. The effects of global warming also affect cherry blossoms. Given the elevation difference, there is also almost a week’s difference between when the cherry blossoms in Otsuki and Kawaguchiko bloom.
The other season when the views becomes extra scenic is Fall. The bright yellow and red leaves mix with the green of conifers to form a dusty, purplish, deep orange, which makes for a great contrast with the majesty of Mount Fuji.
Train Design and Features
The Fujisan View Express, train model 8500, is the sightseeing train of Fujikyuko Railway. The 8500 model was purchased from JR, but its exterior reminds me of the Odakyu Line Romancecar.
The interior was completely remodelled under the direction of Eji Mitooka, an industrial designer specializing in trains and stations, who is perhaps most famous for the Kyushu series 800 Shinkansen and the Seven Stars in Kyushu luxury train. It went into operation in 2016.
The train consists of three cars. Car 1 is the most special as it looks like a fancy cafe. It only has 26 seats, which must be reserved. Similar to the Spacia X train to Nikko, it also offers a view of the driver’s cabin, and you can see out the huge front window.
Cars 2 and 3 have ordinary couch seating and can seat 57 and 60 passengers, respectively. The views from these cars are still good, but they are not the reason you would take the Fujisan View Express. Also, people in Cars 2 and 3 can’t view or take photos in Car 1. They can still purchase drinks and souvenirs through the onboard sales service.
Now, back to Car 1 because it is here that you really notice the touch of Mitooka-san. The interior looks more like an upscale cafe than a train compartment. The floor is exquisite parquetry. The walls are made of natural wood, and the upholstery has modern cloth patterns in modern combinations.
Brightly lit, with blonde wood chairs, tables, and shelves, there are several small and a huge round table with ordinary chairs (although fixed to the floor – this is a train, after all). Inspired by traditional crafts, a wooden latticework sets the driver’s compartment off from the passenger cabin, without restricting the view.
There is no wifi on the train and no power outlets. Bring a portable charger for your phone, as you may take so many photos that your battery may run out, and there are some snapshots you do not want to miss.
There is a restroom on board, which is wheelchair accessible. There is a wheelchair space in Car 2, but not in Car 1. If you want to use the wheelchair space you need to contact the Fujikyu Call Center on 0555-73-8181.
Onboard Experience
The interior of Car 1 makes you expect an upscale cafe, but the service exceeds expectations. Like so many other places in Japan, the staff of the cafe in the first car of the Fujisan View Express train are proud to introduce their local specialties.
As there are only 26 seats in the cafe in car 1, the staff has plenty of time to care for their guests. Unlike many other staff in Japanese restaurants, they speak English.
If you order the “Sweets Plan” (which has to be booked with the ticket), you get a bento of sweets, produced by the pastry chef of the Highland Hotel Resort & Spa. The sweets are not only delicious but they are also themed after Mt Fuji and the Fujisan View Express train.
The staff will serve you a complimentary drink included in the ticket price and come around offering a selection of local specialties. You can buy drinks such as beer, wine, and sake, as well as snacks such as dorayaki (a red bean pancake).
There is also a wide range of merchandise that can be purchased, including the cutest mascots of any train you have probably seen.
The staff will also point out where you should look when the train passes good viewing spots for Mt Fuji, and take photos of you in front of the mountain view.
They will explain that the strange grey plexiglass tube that crosses the Fujisan View Express tracks is the future of train travel: It contains the experimental tracks for the linear magnetic levitation train that will cut travel time from Tokyo to Nagoya to less than 30 minutes, running in tunnels like the one you just crossed at 500 km per hour.
The Fujisan View Express is built for sightseeing and is not a train for bringing a lot of luggage. Leave your bags in the Tokyo hotel and bring only a small bag with your mobile phone battery (you will be taking lots of pictures) and a windproof jacket. Since Kawaguchiko is more than 800 meters above sea level, the air can be a great deal colder here than in Tokyo.
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How to Book Tickets for the Fujisan View Express
Working out the fares for travelling on the Fujisan View Express train is more complicated than buying a normal JR ticket.
First, you need a basic fare ticket to get through the barrier at Otsuki or Kawaguchiko. You can use your Suica card (or another IC card for this) to cover the basic fare. In addition to the base fare, there is an express fare for all three cars, which costs 400 yen.
Children pay 50% of the adult ticket price for the basic fare and express fares.
Car 3 Ticket Requirements
To travel in Car 3, which has non-reserved couch-style seats, you only need to pay the basic fare and the express ticket price.
Car 2 Ticket Requirements
If you want to travel in Car 2, which has reserved seats, you must pay an additional 200 yen to buy a reserved seat ticket (on top of the basic fare and express ticket).
Remember that Car 2 only has regular couch seating (like Car 3), and you can’t see out the front of the car.
Car 1 Ticket Requirements
Car 1 is the most expensive because it is the most special. It requires reservations, and you have to pay an additional 900 yen for a first-class ticket. This cost is in addition to the basic fare and express tickets.
In Car 1, a “Sweets Plan” (available on weekends) can also be purchased, which costs 4,900 yen for adults and 3,900 yen for children. The price also includes the base, express and first-class ticket fares.
How to Buy Tickets Online
Klook does not offer tickets on the Fujisan View Express train, so you must book online through the Fujikyuko Railway website. When booking online, you can also select your seat. If you’re in Car 1, book as close to the driver’s cabin as possible.
Reservations open a month before the travel date. Booking this far in advance is recommended, particularly if you have firm plans. Also, the more there are at your party, the earlier you should book. A big cafe-style table for your family in Car 1 will surely be a memorable experience.
The train will be full on weekends and during peak travel periods (such as Golden Week). On weekdays, tickets for the less special Car 2 may still be available for booking closer to your travel date, but they will almost certainly be gone for Car 1.
Here’s an example of how quickly the seats book out. I’m writing this article on 3 June 2024, and I just tested Car 1 seat availability for Tuesday, 2 July (one month ahead). You will see that Car 1 seats are already booking out quickly, but heaps of seats are still left in Car 2.
I then selected the 1:45 pm train, and these were the seats left (shown in blue). Only half the seats were left, and reservations had just opened.
Here’s the Car 2 seat availability for the same date (Tuesday, 2 July). I selected 1:45 pm again, and this is what was available.
Here are the seats left. After reservations have just opened, all the seats are still available (shown in blue).
You can pay online for Fujisan View Express seats with any international credit card. The ticket is delivered online, and you need to save it so you can show it to the train staff when you board.
Final Thoughts
The Fujisan View Express is a unique train – there is only one such train in the world. It is also the only train on which you can get such great views of Mt. Fuji while you enjoy refreshments, such as a Fujisan View Express beer brewed especially for the train.
Is it worth the additional 1300 yen you have to pay on top of the basic fare to travel in Car 1? The answer is, without a doubt, yes. The 45-minute long trip is just long enough to enjoy it, and the helpfulness of the staff is worth the price in itself. And the photos from inside the train will be unique.
If you plan to enjoy views of Mt Fuji during your next Japan trip, include Fujisan View Express on your itinerary … and travel in Car 1.
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Wisterian Watertree has lived in Japan for more than 15 years, and traveled the country from the southern tip of Okinawa to the northern edge of Hokkaido with his three children. Enjoying every minute of it, even the tantrums and hours spent looking for lost mittens in the snow.
Now he writes books dedicated to help others get the best out of Japan.