User Guide
How to Get from Tokyo（Shinjuku Sta.） to Kawaguchiko with the Kaiji Limited Express & Fujikyu Railway
Fuji Excursion sold out? Here's an easy alternative route to Lake Kawaguchiko via Otsuki Station.
Lake Kawaguchiko is one of the best places near Tokyo to see Mt. Fuji up close, and getting there is simpler than most first-time visitors expect. The direct Fuji Excursion limited express is the usual recommendation, but its seats sell out fast.
If you've found it fully booked, don't give up on the trip: there's an easy alternative route from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko using the Kaiji Limited Express and a short local-train connection. This guide walks you through the whole journey, ticket by ticket and gate by gate.
1. Fuji Excursion Sold Out? Take the Kaiji Limited Express Instead
The Fuji Excursion offers a direct ride from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko with no transfers, which is exactly why it's so popular. The catch is that tickets often sell out quickly, especially on weekends and during peak seasons such as cherry blossom and autumn foliage.
Kaiji Limited Express
If the Fuji Excursion is fully booked, an easy alternative is to take the Kaiji Limited Express from Shinjuku to Otsuki Station, then transfer to a Fujikyu Railway local train bound for Kawaguchiko:
- Shinjuku → Otsuki: Kaiji Limited Express
- Otsuki → Kawaguchiko: Fujikyu Railway (Fujikyuko Line) local train
Did you know? On some services, the Fuji Excursion runs coupled with a Kaiji or Azusa Limited Express between Shinjuku and Otsuki. At Otsuki Station, the trains separate: the Fuji Excursion continues toward Kawaguchiko, while the Kaiji or Azusa continues along the JR Chuo Line. If you happen to take one of these services, you may even get to watch the train split at Otsuki.
Fuji Excursion & Kaiji Limited Express
You can book the Kaiji & local train combination through Japan Bullet Train (JBT), offered in cooperation with JR East. This gives you access to more departure options than relying on the Fuji Excursion alone.
Compared with the direct train, this route adds one transfer at Otsuki and around 20 to 30 minutes — not a dramatic difference. The fare usually works out a little lower too, since the Fujikyu section runs as a local train with no limited express surcharge.
▼ Book Train Tickets to Kawaguchiko
2. Before You Go: Understand Your Two Tickets
When you book a train to Kawaguchiko through the Japan Bullet Train website, you'll receive two separate QR codes:
- Basic fare ticket (乗車券 / jōshaken):Covers your whole journey, including both the JR and Fujikyu Railway sections.
- Limited express ticket (特急券 / tokkyūken):Covers your reserved seat on the Kaiji.
Both QR codes must be exchanged for physical paper tickets before you travel. We'll show you exactly how in the next section.
Exchange the QR codes for paper tickets
Important: Read this before you leave Tokyo
Kawaguchiko Station cannot exchange QR codes for JR paper tickets. If you booked a round trip, make sure to issue your return tickets at the same time as your outbound ones, at a JR East reserved-seat ticket machine or JR Ticket Office in Tokyo. If you do not have a ticket for your return journey, you will need to purchase a new ticket.
3. How to Issue Your Tickets at Shinjuku Station
If you're unfamiliar with Japanese ticket machines, picking up your tickets at Shinjuku Station may seem a little confusing at first. But don't worry! In this guide, we'll show you step by step how to exchange your QR codes for paper train tickets to Kawaguchiko.
Shinjuku station
Here's how to exchange your QR codes for paper tickets in four simple steps:
1Find a Reserved Seat Ticket Machine (指定席券売機)
There are several Reserved Seat Ticket Machines at Shinjuku Station. We'll show you where to find them in the next section.
2Switch the machine's language to English.
Reserved Seat Ticket Machines
The ticket machines offer several language options. If you have trouble reading Japanese kanji, we recommend switching the language to English using the button in the top-right corner of the screen. Then, tap "Read QR Code" to proceed to the next step.
3Scan both QR codes: the basic fare ticket and limited express ticket.
Read QR Code
Prepare your two QR codes, then scan them one at a time using the scanner on the ticket machine. Once each QR code has been scanned, follow the instructions on the screen to continue.
4Collect your two printed tickets.
Last but not least, don't forget to collect your tickets! For each one-way journey on the Kaiji Limited Express, make sure you receive two separate tickets: a basic fare ticket and a limited express ticket.
If you've booked a round trip, be sure to collect your return tickets at the same time, as there are no Reserved Seat Ticket Machines at Kawaguchiko Station.
Tip: Setting the machine to English means part of your printed ticket is displayed in English too, which makes it easier to check your ticket during the journey.
4. Where Are the Ticket Machines at Shinjuku Station?
Ticket Machines
Shinjuku Station is huge, and even locals sometimes get lost. You can click the JR East station map below to find ticket machines where you can pick up your tickets.
The icon shown on the left side of the map indicates where you can exchange your QR code for paper tickets.The South Exit is one of the easiest options, since it has both reserved-seat ticket machines and a JR Ticket Office (Midori no Madoguchi) if you need help.
If you need assistance, you can also visit the JR EAST Travel Service Centers (Shinjuku), where staff can help with ticketing and other travel inquiries.
5. Boarding the Kaiji at Shinjuku Station
Once you have both paper tickets in hand, you're ready to head to the platform.
At the ticket gate, insert only your basic fare ticket into the machine at the same time and walk through as usual.
Insert only your basic fare ticket at the ticket gate
Make sure to collect your tickets again on the other side, as you'll need them later during your journey.
Collect your tickets on the other side of the gate
After passing through the gate, follow the signs for Platforms 9 and 10, where the Kaiji Limited Express departs.
The departure board for Platforms 9 and 10
Once you reach the platform, check the departure board for your train number and departure time, then find the car number shown on your reserved-seat ticket. After that, all that's left to do is board the train and enjoy the ride!
6. How to Transfer at Otsuki Station (JR → Fujikyu Railway)
Otsuki Station is where you'll leave JR and transfer to the Fujikyu Railway for Kawaguchiko. Transfers in Japan can sometimes feel confusing, but this one is quite straightforward and well signposted. We'll walk you through it step by step.
1Get off the Kaiji at Otsuki Station
Otsuki Station
2Follow the signs for the Fujikyu Railway
Signs to the Fujikyu Railway at Otsuki Station
3At the transfer gate, insert only the basic fare ticket (乗車券)
The transfer gate between JR and the Fujikyu Railway
You won't need your Limited Express ticket when transferring to the Fujikyu Railway.
4Board the local train bound for Kawaguchiko
A Fujikyu Railway local train bound for Kawaguchiko
Board the train bound for Kawaguchiko and enjoy the ride. The Fujikyu Railway also operates several themed trains, adding a little extra fun to the journey.
7. Arriving at Kawaguchiko Station
Kawaguchiko Station
Kawaguchiko Station has no automatic ticket gates. Simply hand your basic fare ticket to the station attendant as you exit.
Hand your basic fare ticket to the station attendant
Want to keep your ticket as a souvenir? Ask the attendant whether it can be stamped and returned to you as a memento.
8. Returning from Kawaguchiko to Tokyo
Lake Kawaguchiko
The return journey follows the same route in reverse. First, take the Fujikyu Railway from Kawaguchiko Station back to Otsuki Station. At Otsuki, transfer to the Kaiji Limited Express for the ride back to Shinjuku.
- Kawaguchiko → Otsuki: Fujikyu Railway
- Otsuki → Shinjuku: Kaiji Limited Express
Remember: your return tickets should already be printed before arriving at Kawaguchiko.
At Kawaguchiko Station
The staffed gate at Kawaguchiko Station, marked with a red arrow
At Kawaguchiko Station, there are no automatic gates for paper tickets. Just head to the staffed gate marked in red in the photo and hand your ticket to the station staff to have it checked.
At Otsuki Station: Fujikyu → JR
The transfer gate at Otsuki Station on the return journey
Once you arrive at Otsuki Station, head to the same transfer gate you used on the outbound journey. This time, insert only your basic fare ticket into the gate.
Arriving at Shinjuku Station
The automatic ticket gate at Shinjuku Station
Once you're back in Tokyo, if JR Shinjuku Station is your final stop, insert only your basic fare ticket into the automatic ticket gate.
If you're continuing your journey on another JR train, transfer without exiting the station. When you arrive at your final destination, show your tickets to the station staff. They will calculate and collect any additional fare from Shinjuku to your final station.
9. Quick Reference: Which Ticket at Which Gate?
Even with a detailed guide on how to get from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko, train transfers and ticket rules can still feel a little complicated. For a quick reference, check the table below and keep it handy during your journey.
| Point in the Journey | Ticket to Insert / Present |
|---|---|
| Shinjuku departure | Basic fare ticket + limited express ticket*Please insert only your basic fare ticket into the automatic ticket gate. |
| Otsuki transfer (JR → Fujikyu) | Basic fare ticket only |
| Kawaguchiko arrival | Hand the basic fare ticket to the attendant |
| Kawaguchiko departure (return) | Board with the basic fare ticket and show it if asked |
| Otsuki transfer (Fujikyu → JR) | Basic fare ticket only |
| Shinjuku arrival | Basic fare ticket + limited express ticket |
Important: You must use both QR codes to pick up your paper tickets.
With your tickets sorted, all that's left is to enjoy the ride and that first unforgettable glimpse of Mt. Fuji as the train curves toward the lake. Once you're ready to go, don't forget to book your tickets to Kawaguchiko in advance!
▼ Book Train Tickets to Kawaguchiko
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