Traveling from Tokyo toward Mount Fuji via the Shinkansen (bullet train) takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes, but it’s important to note that the Shinkansen does not go directly to the mountain's base. You would typically take the Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Odawara Station (for Hakone) or Shin-Fuji Station. While Shin-Fuji offers an incredible view of the mountain from the platform, it is not the most convenient station for sightseeing in the Fuji Five Lakes area. For the "classic" Fuji experience at Lake Kawaguchiko, most travelers prefer the Fuji Excursion limited express train, which takes about 1 hour and 55 minutes and goes directly from Shinjuku to the mountain's foothills without a transfer. So, while the "bullet train" portion is very fast, the total travel time to reach the actual sightseeing spots near Fuji is usually closer to the two-hour mark when you factor in the necessary local connections or bus transfers required to get from the Shinkansen tracks to the national park.