Society

2 Day Scenic Mount Fuji Train Trip | Tokyo to Mount Fuji

May 11 (Solo Solo Travel) - Today, we travel through Japan’s mountains to experience spring at its most iconic site, Mount Fuji, and its stunning surroundings! From local food to scenic views—all in a 2-day journey.

The Fuji Excursion and Fujisan View Express are two limited express train services that connect Tokyo with the Mount Fuji area, catering to tourists and commuters alike. The Fuji Excursion runs directly from Shinjuku Station to Kawaguchiko Station via the JR Chuo Line and Fujikyuko Line, offering a seamless journey without transfers. Operated jointly by JR East and Fujikyu Railway, it typically runs three round trips per day and requires a reserved seat ticket in addition to the base fare. The train features comfortable seating and luggage space, and on clear days, passengers can enjoy views of Mount Fuji from their windows.

The Fujisan View Express, operated solely by Fujikyu Railway, runs between Otsuki Station and Kawaguchiko Station. It is known for its luxurious interiors, large panoramic windows, and a stylish café-style design that includes a lounge area and on-board drink service. Unlike the Fuji Excursion, the Fujisan View Express does not go all the way to Tokyo, but it connects easily with JR trains at Otsuki. This service is designed more for scenic enjoyment and slower travel, appealing especially to leisure travelers looking to experience the Mt. Fuji area in comfort. Both trains offer access to popular destinations such as Lake Kawaguchi, Fuji-Q Highland, and the Mt. Fuji 5th Station area.

Fee: (Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko) ¥4,130

(Otsuki to Kawaguchiko) ¥1,770

Train: The Fuji Excursion & Fujisan View Express

Seat: Seat D from Shinjuku for Mount Fuji views

Do Bears Prefer Acorns or Berries?

Bear sightings across Japan have already climbed to nearly twice the level recorded during the same period last year, prompting entry bans in mountain areas behind Kyoto’s Ninna-ji Temple and the cancellation of hiking events in Kansai, while new research suggests that the key to reducing encounters may lie in understanding what bears eat in each region.

Copper Thieves Target Japanese Shrines

Copper roofing panels were stolen from several shrines in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, including a city-designated cultural property, in the latest case amid a nationwide surge in copper thefts targeting shrines and temples across Japan, where soaring metal prices have fueled crimes that leave historic religious buildings damaged, exposed to the elements, and facing repair costs of millions of yen.

1200-Year-Old Temple on Miyajima Reduced to Ashes

Flames broke out on the morning of May 20th on Miyajima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture, home to one of Japan's World Heritage sites, destroying Reikado Hall near the summit of Mount Misen.

From Bento Boxes to Garbage Bags, Rising Costs Hitting Daily Life Across Japan

Uncertainty surrounding the situation in the Middle East is beginning to affect daily life in Japan, as concerns over crude oil supplies spread to restaurants, cleaning services and even household garbage disposal systems across the Kansai region.

Tochigi Robbery-Murder Suspect’s Wife Posted Dance Videos on Social Media

A 25-year-old woman arrested as a suspected ringleader in a robbery-murder case in Tochigi Prefecture once posted cheerful dance videos on social media and was remembered by those who knew her as an energetic and outgoing young woman.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Garbage Burnoff Spreads to 3 Buildings in Okayama

A fire that broke out in Kagamino, Okayama Prefecture, shortly after noon on May 20th destroyed three buildings, including a home, after flames from open burning spread to dead leaves and then to nearby structures.

Gang Members Arrested After Opening Office Near Nursery

Six people, including a senior member of a group affiliated with the Sumiyoshi-kai crime syndicate's Kohei-ikka faction, have been arrested on suspicion of opening a gang office in a prohibited area near a nursery school in Tokyo's Itabashi Ward.

Six Police Officers Injured After Man Sprays Liquid at Station

A man who visited a police station in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, in the early hours of May 21st allegedly sprayed a transparent liquid inside the building, causing six police officers to complain of eye and throat pain and be taken to hospital with minor injuries.