FUJI EXCURSION is direct train to Mt.Fuji
FUJI EXCURSION is Limited Express train to Mt.Fuji area. This is only direct train to Mt.Fuji at the present (July 2024). It takes 1H52min from Shinjuku to Kawaguchi-ko Lake, 4130JPY one way.
It's operated by the cooperation of two railways companies, JR (Japan Railways) and Fujikyu Railways, a local railway company.
As being shared by 2 different companies, plus due to complicated express seat ticket system by JR Chuo Line, there seems to be confusion to secure seats for FUJI EXCURSION, especially with JR-pass users. As a private tour guide, I often see travelers with JR-pass standing on the car deck or on the aisle. I really feel sorry about this. To avoid this tough situation, I'd like to explain details of train and how to deal with seat ticket for this train for you.
From Shinjuku station - JR Chuo Express platform
You can take FUJI EXCURSION at platform of JR Chuo Express at Shinjuku station. (NOT Chuo Line (local) nor (rapid). 3 times round trip on weekdays, 4 times on weekends and holidays, as of July 2024.
Only 3 cars go to Mt.Fuji
It's 12 cars train at Shinjuku Station. However, only 3 cars (Car 1 to Car 3) go to Kawaguchi-ko station. Others will be disconnected at Otsuki station for different direction. Some extra trains might have more cars for FUJI EXCURSION.
How to book FUJI EXCURSION ( without JR-pass )
Reserved seat ticket for FUJI EXURSION goes on sale from one month prior to the ride day. Seats are quite limited, and will be fully booked by the time of departure in most cases. If you're late to ask, you'll find no more availability, or even if some left, just separated seats you get for your group.
Tickets can be purchased at any JR-east ticket office (Midori-no-madoguchi, Green ticket office of JR) after one month prior to the ride. In this case, you can purchase ticket for a whole route (between Shinjuku and Kawaguchi-ko) with seat reservation. So, you don't need to worry about the seats to the end.
I uaually use online reservation system by JR. Unfortunately only in Japanese as for Japan residents. I need to consider at least 3 weeks in advance to get seats.
You may be able to book seats via online ticket system by JR-EAST. JR-EAST train Reservation
However, you can only book seats between JR route (between Shinjuku and Otsuki), just half of this whole trip. This is the same condition which I'm gointg to explain on With JR-pass following.
How to book FUJI EXCURSION ( With JR-pass )
With use of JR-pass, system becomes more complicated, because it's not only JR operation.
As system, you can get on FUJI EXCURSION with JR-pass without any booking and sit on vacant seat shown with red lump. However, in reality, seats are fully booked in most cases. You might find vacant seats on 9 cars of Kaiji beween Shinjuku and Otsuki, but hard to find the rest of trip between Otsuki and Kawaguchi-ko (50min), as it has only 3 cars in this section.
Getting FUJI EXCURSION reserved seat ticket with JR-pass is a kind of tricky. Please understand the following system well, otherwise you'll end up to stand on the car.
(1) Where and how to get seat ticket with JR-pass
You can get seat ticket at the same place above, any JR-east ticket office. Problem is, it's often too late when JR-pass holders ask for seat ticket after they arrive in Japan and activate it in Japan.
To solve this issue, I suggest to use online reservation system in English for abroad travelers.
JR-EAST train Reservation
You can reserve FUJI EXCURSION seat ticket online from one month prior to the train departure. Then, you can issue paper tickets at desiginated locations or Reserved Seat Ticket Vending Machine at stations after you arrive in Japan. Or you can use your transportaion IC card (SUICA) if you he ve one.
If you don't have IC card, please make sure collect your seat ticket before 9pm of the day before departure after you arrive in Japan and activate JR-pass. Without collecting the seat ticket at proper ticket office or machine, your seat reservation will be cancelled autmatically. You need to be careful of the location you can pick-up ticket, because JR is divided into local branches. This one is JR-EAST (Tokyo area). You cannot issue this ticket in Kyoto (JR-WEST or JR-TOKAI) nor Kawaguchi-ko station (Fujikyu Railway's station).
(2) Cannot be full route booked!! Only for JR-section with JR-pass.
One more problem is that you can get seat ticket only for JR-section (only between Shinjuku and Otsuki) , NOT for Fujikyu Railway section with JR-pass. Sounds complicated, doesn't it? Sorry...
(3) How to do with Fujikyu section with JR-pass?
So, what can you do with Fujikyu section's seat (between Otsuki and Kawaguchi-ko) with JR-pass?
To go, no issue!
You can just keep sitting on the same seat. After passing Otsuki station, train conductor will come and ask for the Fujikyu ticket. Then you can just pay Fujikyu fare (1770JPY) . No worries for other passenger coming with your seat reservation, because purchasing reserved seat ticket for only Fujikyu section is not possible as system.
To back, take the seat before someone else takes!
Note that you have reserved seat ticket only from Otsuki to Shinjuku with JR-pass . Your seat from Kawaguchi-ko to Otsuki is NOT secured. It's considered as vacant seat on Fujikyu Railway secion (Red lump on = Anybody can take seat.) To get seat on the same seat which you reserve from Otsuki at Kawaguchi-ko station, you need to take seat before someone else takes. Better to line up in the first position, and go directly to your numbered seat to get it.
NEW!! JR TOKYO Wide Pass solves booking issue!
Whole route is bookable in advance.
The only way to book Fuji Kaiyu seats for a whole route for non-Japan residents, the answer is "JR TOKYO Wide Pass". This is different from regular JR-pass. JR TOKYO Wide Pass covers Fujikyu Railway Lines which operates Fuji Kaiyu together with JR. So, you can book whole route if you purchase JR TOKYO Wide Pass online. You can book seats on JR-EAST train Reservation.
I hope this article helps you understand FUJI EXCURSION better and avoid trouble caused from puzzling complexity.
Refer to my other blogs.
How to get to Mt.Fuji?
No easy access between Mt.Fuji and Hakone (inlcudes bullet train info for Mt.Fuji)
My Mt.Fuji private tour from Tokyo has diffetent transportation options. Now, I'm happy to offer one day trip to Mt.Fuji by my family car (Alphard up to 4-5 guests for 7 seater) driven by my husband who is a profeffional photographer. Feel free to contact me!
Also, I have varieties of private tours in Tokyo from basic highlights to off-the-beaten tracks. You might be able to get around by yourselves. But why not take a relaxing walk with local eyes & love even just for a day in Tokyo? What I love the most is talking and getting know each other while introducing my favorites.
Tokyo off-the-beaten selection in one day
Thank you for taking the time to read this article!