Last reviewed: · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.
Route At a Glance: Tokyo → Mt. Fuji → Shizuoka → Izu Loop
| Segment | Distance & Drive Time | Expressway / Toll Road (ETC) | Top Roadside Stops |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leg 1: Tokyo (Shinjuku/Chofu) → Fujikawaguchiko | ~105 km · 1h 35m | Chuo Expressway (~¥2,660 ETC) | Dangozaka SA, Chureito Pagoda (Fujiyoshida), Oshino Hakkai, Lake Yamanakako |
| Leg 2: Fujikawaguchiko → Fujinomiya → Shizuoka City | ~95 km · 2h 00m | Route 139 (Toll-free) + Shin-Tomei (~¥950 ETC) | Lake Motosuko (¥1,000 note viewpoint), Shiraito Falls, Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha, Nihondaira Terrace |
| Leg 3: Shizuoka → West Izu → Shimoda → Ito / Atami | ~165 km · 3h 30m | Suruga Bay Ferry or Izu Jukan Expwy + Izu Skyline (~¥1,580) | Dogashima sea caves, Cape Irozaki, Perry Road (Shimoda), Jogasaki Coast (Ito) |
| Leg 4: Atami → Hakone → Odawara → Tokyo | ~115 km · 2h 15m | Hakone Shindo + Odawara-Atsugi + Tomei (~¥2,450 ETC) | MOA Museum (Atami), Lake Ashi torii, Hakone Open-Air Museum |
Car Rental vs. Bus/Train Around Mt. Fuji & Shizuoka
| Mode | 1 Solo Traveler (3 Days) | 2 Travelers (Couple, 3 Days) | 4 Travelers (Family, 3 Days) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highway Buses + Local Sightseeing Buses + Izukyu Trains | ~¥16,500 | ~¥33,000 total | ~¥66,000 total | Long waits (30–60 min between rural buses around Lake Motosuko & West Izu) |
| 3-Day Compact Car Rental (Round-Trip Tokyo or Odawara) Rental ¥22,500 + Tolls ¥7,640 + Fuel ¥4,800 + Parking ¥2,000 |
¥36,940 | ¥36,940 total (¥18,470/person) | ¥41,940 total (¥10,485/person!) | Clear winner for 2–4 people: reach sunrise Mt. Fuji viewpoints at 5:30 AM before buses run |
Essential Driving Tips for Mt. Fuji & Izu
- Mt. Fuji 5th Station Summer Private Car Ban (July–Early September): During official climbing season, the Fuji Subaru Line and Fujinomiya 5th Station roads are closed to private/rental cars; park at the Fujisan Parking lot (¥1,000) and ride the shuttle bus. Outside July–September (weather permitting), you can drive up to the 5th Station (¥2,100 toll round-trip).
- Winter Snow & Ice Rules (December–March): High-elevation roads around Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanakako, Gotemba, and the Hakone/Izu Skylines freeze overnight. Specify studless winter tires (studless taiya) when booking between late November and March.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to rent a car in Tokyo or at Odawara/Kawaguchiko for Mount Fuji?
If you want to skip Tokyo metropolitan traffic on the Shuto Expressway, take the 35-minute Shinkansen to Odawara Station (or the 50-minute train to Mishima Station) and pick up your rental car right outside the station. You'll be on scenic mountain roads within 15 minutes and pay zero one-way drop-off fees when returning to the same station.
Can you drive around all five of the Fuji Five Lakes in one day?
Yes! Driving from Lake Yamanakako through Oshino Hakkai, Lake Kawaguchiko, Lake Saiko, Lake Shojiko, and Lake Motosuko down to Shiraito Falls covers only about 70 km and takes 2 hours of pure driving, leaving plenty of time for photo stops and cafés.
How much are tolls from Tokyo to Lake Kawaguchiko?
Driving from Shinjuku (hatsugai/Takaido IC) to Kawaguchiko IC via the Chuo Expressway costs roughly ¥2,660 with an ETC card on weekdays (or about ¥1,980 on weekends) and takes 90 to 100 minutes in normal traffic.
Official sources & further reading
Rules, prices and schedules change. Confirm details here before you travel: