Author: Eric Wilkinson

Kawaguchiko is one of the most popular day trips from Tokyo to see Mt. Fuji up-close and personal. It is also the most popular lake among the Fuji Five Lakes. This is because it has a more developed infrastructure and buses here run year-round.

If you’re planning on exploring Kawaguchiko on your own, READ our Kawaguchiko day trip itinerary ideas and read our recommended hotels to stay in Kawaguchiko. Aside from Kawaguchiko, you may also consider climbing Mt. Fuji if you’re visiting in summer.

A few options exist to get you from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko:

• By joining a day trip tour;
• By your own (using bus, train, or car).

1. By Joining A Day Trip Tour

For those of you looking for a hassle-free day-trip, the best option is to book a full-day tour package from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko. We’ve laid out all the available 1-day tours from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko from licensed tour operators in Japan. You just have to figure out the most suitable Kawaguchiko day tour for you. Note that most tours depart from Shinjuku, Tokyo.

Compare Kawaguchiko Day Trip Tours From Tokyo

2. By Fuji Excursion Limited Express Train

Fare: ¥4,130 per person (with seat reservation)
Travel Time: 1 hr and 52 min

The new Fuji Excursion Limited Express Train also known as “Fuji Kaiyuu” now departs from Shinjuku Station directly to Kawaguchiko Station and back without any transfers.

Bound for Kawaguchiko Station

Train	Shinjuku	Kawaguchiko
Fuji Excursion 1	08:30	10:22
Fuji Excursion 3	09:30	11:22
Fuji Excursion 93	11:32	13:35

Bound for Shinjuku Station

Train	Kawaguchiko	Shinjuku
Fuji Excursion 90	14:03	16:03
Fuji Excursion 16	15:05	16:58
Fuji Excursion 20	17:38	19:27

If you have a JR Pass, you will pay a separate fee upon getting off the train. That’s because the railway from Otsuki Station to Kawaguchiko Station that the Fuji Excursion Train used is not JR.

IMPORTANT: If you miss the scheduled trains, take a bus instead (see below). Don’t attempt to ride the other Fuji Excursion Trains outside of the hours mentioned above. Those trains will make a stop at Otsuki Station for 30 minutes! So taking the bus is going to be faster at that point in time.

3. By Bus

Fare: ¥1,750 – ¥2,100 per person
Travel Time: 2 hrs

Now, if you missed the Fuji Excursion Limited Express Trains, taking the bus is your next option. Buses from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko are reliable. There are several bus companies that run to Kawaguchiko from Tokyo, and they all offer the same price. The average fare from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko is around ¥1,750 – ¥2,100 per person one-way and takes about 2 hours.

Tokyo Bus Terminal to Kawaguchiko Station

Depending on which area you are staying in Tokyo, you can take the direct bus to Kawaguchiko Station from:

• Tokyo Station (Yaesu South Exit)
• Shinjuku Station (Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal)
• Shibuya Station (Shibuya Expressway Bus Terminal)

I recommend taking the bus from Shinjuku Station or Tokyo Station as their bus terminals are the easiest to find.

Bus from Tokyo Station to Kawaguchiko Station

From Tokyo Station, follow the Yaesu South Exit signs. At the exit, turn right to go to the Bus Expressway Terminal. There is always a bus stop staff around. So, if you are confused, don’t be afraid to ask where to depart for Kawaguchiko Station.

Bus from Shinjuku Station to Kawaguchiko Station

From Shinjuku Station, follow the signs towards the South Exit or New South Exit. Then follow signs towards Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal. From there, you can purchase your bus tickets at the automatic ticket machines or manned ticket office.

Bus from Shibuya Station to Kawaguchiko Station

From Shibuya Station, look for signs towards Tamagawa Exit, which is near the KEIO Line ticket gates. From Tamagawa Exit look for the escalator going up to Shibuya Mark City’s 3rd floor. Then take another escalator up to reach the 4th floor. Follow the signs to Avenue Exit where you can see signs towards the 5th floor, and that’s where you’ll find the bus terminal.

WEE NOTE: It’s worth mentioning that although it is a 2-hour ride to Kawaguchiko, buses will not stop anywhere for pee breaks. It is an uninterrupted ride. But this is because all buses that leave from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko are all equipped with a toilet.

How to Book Bus Tickets Online

Be sure to make advance bookings if you plan to travel during peak seasons. Depending on the bus company, bus prices may also shoot up to ¥3,600 from the regular price of ¥1,750.

Option 1: Kosoku Bus. I recommend Kosokubus.com to book your bus tickets as they are the cheapest highway bus company. The significant advantage here is that you can book your tickets up to 2 months in advance, to better prepare your Japan travel itinerary. Kosoku Bus bound for Kawaguchiko only departs from Shibuya Station, however.

Option 2: Highway-Buses.jp. This website is a KEIO Bus company website. Their buses to Kawaguchiko depart from both Shinjuku and Shibuya Expressway Bus Terminals.

4. By Car (Self-Drive)

Car Rental Price: Starts from ¥4,000 per day
Travel Time: 1 hr 20 min (depending on the traffic)

For those of you visiting with international drivers’ licenses, or expats who also own vehicles, renting a car could be the right option for you, too.

Why Self-Drive Around Kawaguchiko

1. Convenience. The cities and towns around Mt. Fuji are rural (well, Japanese rural), so most people get around these places by car. Buses in Kawaguchiko, while available and a viable option, run on a schedule with 30-45 minutes to even an hour  (if peak season) between them. Renting a car will not only give you the convenience to explore as many sightseeing destinations in Kawaguchiko as possible, but it will also save you a lot of time. Driving also allows you to visit off-the-beaten-path places surrounding Kawaguchiko.

2. Parking Lots are Free. Free parking is a rarity in urban Japan. So, this is a nice added bonus here.

How to Book Car Rental for Kawaguchiko

Web-Rentacar.com. Web-Rentacar is part of WBF Holdings, one of the largest travel agencies in Japan. Since they work directly with local car rental companies, they offer affordable rental options; around ¥4,000 – ¥5,000 a day. We’ve used their service before, and the process went smoothly. Schedule a pickup in Kawaguchiko Station.

Few Points to Consider When Renting a Car in Japan

• Consider renting an ETC for Toll Discounts. Tolls are something to consider while traveling on the highways, and Japan has some pretty ridiculous fees for their roads. Expect to pay between ¥3,500 – ¥4,500 in tolls one way. That said, if you’re going with a large group, then these costs can be very manageable. Fortunately, most car rentals in Japan come equipped with ETC (Electronic Toll Collector) cards for use on the highways, which allows you to skip the line at highway toll booths and you’ll get a discounted toll. The ETC will record which booths you use and will enable you to pay upon returning the car. (For reference, ETC cards are like an E-ZPass in the US).
• Do car rentals in Japan have English GPS? As for how to actually drive from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko, most rental cars should come with a reliable GPS programmable with your language of choice. But, if all else fails, Google Maps is very reliable in Japan. The GPS will also give you options on which routes have the cheapest tolls. But less expensive fees may also mean substantially longer travel times. You’ll just need to decide for yourself if saving $10 in tolls worth adding 30-60 minutes to your travel time. Describing the route without knowledge of Kanji (or your actual starting point) would take up most of the page. So, if for some reason you’re traveling without any GPS, I suggest thoroughly planning your trip beforehand, as Japanese roads don’t have street names as they do in most western countries. So you’ll likely be navigating off of a combination of landmarks and signs which are often written in Kanji and Romanji.
• Do I have to return the car with a full tank? As with any rental company, you must return the car with a full tank. Gas in Japan is quite expensive though. So, that is something else to consider. If you want to save, consider renting a car that’s fuel-efficient. Of all the options mentioned, traveling by car is your best bet if you’re looking to visit the Kawaguchiko area.

5. By Hiring a Private Driver/Tour Guide

There are now a couple of private drivers/tour guide that’s based around the area of Kawaguchiko Station. Price starts from ¥2,400 per 30 min per group and meets up at Kawaguchiko Station.

Bottom Line

As I said at this start of this article, the method of travel is really based entirely around what you’re looking to do in the area. If you’re on the cheap, the best and fastest option is by taking the 8:30 and 9:30 Fuji Excursion Trains or by joining the fully-guided Mt. Fuji day Tour.

If budget is not a concern and you want to make the most out of Mt. Fuji sightseeing, then car rental or if you don’t drive, hiring a private driver is the best option. Along with that, top with an overnight stay. If you’re looking for more information for what to actually do when you reach the Fuji area, take a look at some of our other articles, links down below!

Enjoy your trip!

• Guide to staying overnight in Kawaguchiko
• Hotel with the best view of Mt. Fuji
• Best places and things to do around Fuji Five Lakes

Benefits*

Parents:

• Eric (husband), 6’1, 240 lbs (108 kg)
• Ada (wife), 5’1, 110 lbs (50kg)

Child: 10-24 months

Narrowing down

During the search for the best child carrier backpack, we were choosing between these three brands:

Thule Sapling Elite	Deuter Kid Comfort Pro	Osprey POCO AG Plus
Check Price	Check Price	Check Price
Preceded by: Thule Sapling	Preceded by: Kid Comfort III	Preceded by: POCO AG Premium

We wanted to compare apples-to-apples here, so we choose between these backpack carriers because they each seemed to be designed for older babies, aged 7 months to 4 years old.

Kelty and Phil&Teds child carriers are other options but their packs seemed to be for smaller babies and can be quickly outgrown.

How did we end up with Thule Sapling Elite

Osprey POCO AG Fatal Flaws

Initially, we were looking at getting the Osprey POCO AG Premium. The design is more visually appealing than the two other child carrier backpacks and it seemed popular. However, in early 2016, about 31,000 units of Osprey POCO AG were recalled due to a fall hazard.

A cut in the plastic buckle on the shoulder strap can cause the shoulder strap to release, posing a fall hazard to a child in the carrier.

Source: United States Consumer Product Safety Commission

Aside from the defective buckles, many customers complained about a faulty hip design, which caused hip pain and even led to bruising after prolonged use of the carrier during their travel or hike due to the hip belt digging in.

Looks great but bruised my hips…

— Said one Amazon reviewer.

I found the hip belt to be anything but comfortable, it digs into my sides and when it’s belted in feels uncomfortable to have around me…

— Said another.

These major complaints were major deal breakers and made us scratch Osprey POCO AG off our list of choices. This left us with the Deuter Kid Comfort III and Thule Sapling Elite.

Deuter Kid Comfort Transition Issues

The reviews were all positive for Deuter Kid Comfort but didn’t provide any helpful feedback, like how long they used the backpack or any minor issues they encountered. These reviews screamed biased to me and we felt like many of the reviewers received their carrier for FREE and didn’t really use it for prolonged use.

I dug deeper and searched for more reviews online and, finally, I found some user reviews from people who used it specifically for hiking and travel. Some complained that Kid Comfort didn’t provide a good fit and didn’t adjust well for shorters parents. Aside from that, some complained about the stability of the carrier being unbalanced.

These were both huge deal breakers for us because we needed a carrier backpack that could easily be adjusted between me and my wife, and the balance issue denotes a poorly designed carrier.

My wife is 5’2 and fit, but dainty. This pack cannot fit her properly.

— According to an Amazon reviewer.

This pack is huge and not intended for short people, I am 5’2 and 108 lbs.

— Said another.

UPDATE: Deuter just released a child carrier backpack for Women’s Fit. Click HERE to see.

Due to those deal breaker reviews, we decided to get the Thule brand. We really couldn’t find any negative reviews regarding comfort or safety issues with the Thule Sapling Elite.

In fact, from what I’ve read, the only complaint that most customers have from Amazon is that they received a wrong version from the third-party seller. Instead of the Sapling Elite, they received the old version, the Sapling. So we avoided getting the pack from Amazon and ordered it from a reliable online outdoor store instead.

The one positive thing I liked about the Osprey POCO AG and Deuter Kid Comfort, which the Thule Sapling Elite doesn’t have, is the soft-padded chin pad. The Thule Sapling Elite doesn’t really have a padded chin pad, just a drool pad. But again, this was not a dealbreaker and was easily remedied by just tucking a small plush blanket underneath her chin when it’s time for her to take a nap.

Sapling Elite vs Sapling

There are two versions of Thule child carrier backpack, and the Sapling Elite is the latest version. The following table will show you the difference between the two:

Unboxing and First Impressions

We honestly thought we were doing it wrong at first because after adjusting we were like, “that’s it?” But it turns out that’s how easy it was to use and adjust the Sapling Elite.

We only needed to adjust three things when it arrived: The child seat height, the back panel to adjust for the torso length for the wearer, and the hip belt length. THAT WAS IT! Then we put our daughter in and we waited to see if she would be uncomfortable and to our surprise, she liked it!

How was the storage?

To be clear, while there is a surprising amount of space in the backpack, remember that the weight really adds up when you’re already carrying a 20lb child. That said, it does offer more than enough space for your child’s essentials (e.g. diapers, formula, change of clothes, blanket).

The lower storage compartment (which I recommend loading first before the backpack, for balance purposes) offers a fair bit less space than the upper compartment, but was perfect for the smaller items, like bottles and diapers.

There are also two hip pockets, one of which contains the mirror, which are great for phones and car keys since the pack can make reaching your pockets a bit awkward. The pack also has a space for a hydration bladder, but is sold separately, so I can’t speak to its usefulness.

What do you think of the removable backpack?

The removable backpack is a huge boon for hiking since, without it, my wife would be forced to carry all of the supplies, such as water, snacks, first aid kit, etc., which would really be difficult for her for a prolonged hike. The inclusion of the detachable backpack allowed me to share the load a bit, making the hike easier for her.

For shorter trips around the city we found ourselves removing the pack since we didn’t need the extra space, and because the extra bulk would make navigating the busy Japanese trains a hassle to us and the other commuters.

Is it comfortable for you?

The best part for me was the kickstand though, since whenever we stopped to rest, or we rode public transportation, we could simply set the carrier on the ground and not need to worry about it falling over. Now, our daughter hated this particular feature of the bag, but it helps the wearer nonetheless.

Is it comfortable for the baby?

Since I clearly can’t fit into the seat I will be basing this off of the reaction of our child. I believe our child has fallen asleep while in the backpack every time we’ve gone anywhere with her. I consider that pretty high praise considering how averse she is to falling asleep when interesting stuff is happening around her.

She doesn’t seem fussy while strapped in, and really only takes issue with being placed on the ground, or while actually placing her into the seat, which I will admit, is a bit difficult due it the tightness of the seat. But that tightness doesn’t seem to be an issue once inside, and she seems to enjoy the ride!

How’s the switch experience between parents of different height?

• 

• 

Switching between parents is as simple as adjusting the length of the back panel to the size of the wearer (using the kickstand to keep the pack stable on the ground), and pulling or loosening the shoulder straps and hip belt. That’s it. You don’t even need to remove your child from the seat!

How do you find the child-viewing mirror?

Letting your kid just see your face in the mirror can help calm them if they’re being particularly fussy as well. I suppose you could just substitute the mirror with your phone, but it takes up less space and comes with the carrier, so why not use it?

Anything you don’t like?

• 

• 

There are some minor issues that we’ve found, but they’re far from dealbreakers. For example, my wife had some issues deploying the kickstand by herself while still wearing the pack, which I didn’t really notice myself, most likely due to my longer arms.

Second is the sunshade. While easy to set-up, it was difficult to stow due to the design and the velcro constantly catching while pushing it down. Again not really a deal-breaker considering that it doesn’t really hinder comfort or child safety.

If I had to pick one issue I found to be a genuine “problem” of the Thule Sapling Elite, it would be with getting our daughter into or out of the seat. The construction leaves the space where your child sits with a tight fit, despite the adjustable side straps, and getting her legs through the leg holes was sometimes a problem.

Again, once inside she seemed very comfortable and only seemed to take issue with being placed on the ground, but getting her in and out is quite a task for one person alone, and was made much easier if one person prys the seatback open while you place the child inside.

The child shoulder straps can also be a problem since the buckles are in the very tight space in front of your child’s chest, and leaves little room for your hands. Also, if your child is having a fit, you might as well give up until they calm down.

In terms of accessories, I wished the rain cover was included in the package. But it needs to be bought separately, which costs another US$35.

Lastly, getting hit in the head, A LOT. Okay, this last one really only applies to hyper kids and is more of a joke than a real con. The pack, when properly adjusted, will leave your head in the perfect striking range of your toddler to slap, pull, scratch, and poke to their heart’s content… It can get VERY annoying (and painful).

So ensure they have something to keep them busy, make sure your child’s favorite toy is attached to it.

Any usage tips when using a child carrier backpack?

I definitely suggest buying a good set of hiking sticks, (we have these ones), if you plan on buying this or any other carrier pack, preferably carbon fiber hiking sticks for durability. Not just for helping to take some of the stress off your legs while hiking, but also for the stability and safety.

Remember, if you trip and fall while wearing this pack, your kid will fare much worse than you will. I would suggest these sticks, as they’re the ones we use.

Other tips include storing the pack in a cool dry area to prevent mold, and washing it after use; the drool pad in particular. I would also suggest purchasing the rain cover, even if it is really annoying that it costs extra. It’s a lot better than letting your kid get sick from being stuck in the rain.

Lastly, your child must be at least 16 lbs (7.3 kg) and be able to sit upright independently to use this child carrier backpack.

Bottom Line

Thule Sapling Elite was one of the best purchases we’ve made for our child, as it allows us to recover some of the freedom lost from having a child in the first place. We thought we’d need to wait a few more years for our daughter to get older before we could get back into hiking, or that we’d need to hire expensive babysitters for weekend getaways (no family nearby).

It’s the perfect child carrier backpack for prolonged use without bruising your hips, as well as offering a proper fit for short parents; unlike the Osprey and Deuter carriers which are absolutely dealbreakers. Thule Sapling Elite provides a quick and easy switch between parents with different heights, provides comfort for the child, and offers better balance on uneven terrain.

While the price may seem a bit steep, the reward is more than worth the price in our opinion. Thule is a Swedish brand known for producing high quality outdoor goods, such as bike trailers, rooftop tents, car roof racks, backpacks, and camper van accessories. The Thule Sapling Elite continues in this long line of quality craftsmanship and does not disappoint!