Geographically, Mount Fuji is about 100 kilometers (60 miles) southwest of Tokyo. When traveling by bullet train (Shinkansen), the distance is covered very quickly, but there is a catch: the Shinkansen does not go directly to the mountain's base. You typically take the Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Mishima Station or Shin-Fuji Station, a journey of about 45 to 60 minutes. From there, you must transfer to a local bus or train to reach the 5th Station (the climbing start point) or Lake Kawaguchiko, which adds another 1 to 2 hours to your trip. In 2026, many tourists prefer the "Fuji Excursion" limited express train from Shinjuku, which takes about 2 hours but requires no transfers. While the bullet train is technically "faster" for the rail portion, the total travel time to the scenic areas is roughly 2.5 hours regardless of the method, making it a perfect day-trip distance from the capital.