Mount Fuji is easily one of the most recognizable icons of Japan.

But for tourists on time restraints, a visit to Japan’s highest peak can seem daunting. The mountain’s location out in the countryside is not so easily accessible from central Tokyo. The closest train station to Mount Fuji is Kawaguchicho station, and from there you can take a bus part way up the mountain.

At the moment, there are no regularly running direct trains, meaning there is the added stress of changing trains, and overall getting to Kawaguchicho can take about 2 hours and a half. Direct buses do exist and taking one from Tokyo’s major hubs to Kawaguchicho station takes about 2 hours.

But in a win for mountain fans of Japan, this looks set to change from 16th March 2019, when the ‘Fuji Excursion’ train starts running from Shinjuku station, straight to Kawaguchicho station.

Will Fuji Excursion be the New Easiest and Cheapest Route to Mount Fuji?

According to the timetable given on the press release, it will take 1 hour 50 minutes, beating out the buses on time, and probably comfort. At 1600 yen one way, it’s also competitively priced.

It also stops off at Fuji Q Highland, one of Japan's most famous theme parks and home to some record-breaking coasters.

This update to the train timetables also included a change to the bullet train lines which will also come into place in March. By upping the maximum speeds, the railway companies have shaved a few minutes off the journey times. Thanks to this, the Hayabusa train on the Hokkaido Shinkansen line will take 4 minutes less to arrive at Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto from Tokyo, making it just under 4 hours at 3 hours and 58 minutes.

If you want some ideas about the best time to take in a view of Mount Fuji, check out our article on the mysterious phenomenon of Diamond Fuji...