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Ultimate Shizuoka Transit Pass Guide (Mt. Fuji-Shizuoka Mini Pass, Lake Tanuki, and Gorikikun Bus)
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Ultimate Shizuoka Transit Pass Guide (Mt. Fuji-Shizuoka Mini Pass, Lake Tanuki, and Gorikikun Bus)

Mt. Fuji-Shizuoka Area Tourist Pass MiniShizuoka Mini Pass valid for 3 consecutive days

Often shortened to the Shizuoka Mini Pass, this transit pass is highly useful when traveling around Shizuoka, Lake Kawaguchiko, Fuji-Q Highland, and Atami for 3 consecutive days. Note that for trains, it only covers non-reserved seats on limited express and local trains.

Official Mt. Fuji-Shizuoka Area Tourist Pass Mini Site

1. Covered Train Lines

  • Eligible Lines
    • JR Lines: Atami to Toyohashi, Numazu to Matsuda, Fuji to Shimobe-Onsen
    • Private Railways: Izuhakone Railway: Mishima Station to Shuzenji Station section
  • Local Train vs. Limited Express Train (Shizuoka Station to Fujinomiya Station section)
    • Local Train: Requires one transfer at Fuji Station. It costs 860 JPY one-way and takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
    • Limited Express Train: Highly convenient as you can ride directly without any transfers. It takes about 40 minutes, and a non-reserved seat costs 1,620 JPY one-way.

The Fujikawa Limited Express runs between Shizuoka Station and Kofu Station. It operates about 7 times a day with an interval of around 2 hours. The train consists of 3 cars total. Car 1 is for reserved seats, while Car 2 and Car 3 are for non-reserved seats.

If you board the Fujikawa without knowing the difference between a local and a limited express train, you will face an issue. In this case, you will have to pay an additional limited express fee on board. The extra fee is 760 JPY for a non-reserved seat and 1,290 JPY for a reserved seat.

If you purchased the Mt. Fuji-Shizuoka Area Tourist Pass Mini, it is a good idea to check the Fujikawa timetable in advance. Since you paid for the pass, utilizing the limited express trains as much as possible is the best way to get your money's worth.

Fujikawa Timetable from Shizuoka StationFujikawa Timetable from Fujinomiya Station

2. Covered Bus Lines

  • You can take the express bus from Fujinomiya to Lake Kawaguchiko and Fujisan Station. The regular one-way fare for this section is around 2,500 JPY.
  • Eligible Lines
    • Fujikyuko Bus: Shin-Fuji Station to Fujisan Station section, etc.
    • Tokai Bus: Shuzenji Station to Shuzenji Onsen section, Shuzenji Station to Toi Port section, etc.
    • Izuhakone Bus: Numazu Station to Numazu Port section, etc.
    • Shizutetsu Justline: Shimizu Station to Tokai University Miho Aquarium section
    • Entetsu Bus: Hamamatsu Station to Kanzanji Onsen (Hamanako Garden Park) section, etc.

3. Covered Ferry Lines

  • Eligible Lines
    • Mt. Fuji Shimizu Minato Cruise: You can use the Mt. Fuji Shimizu Minato Cruise (sightseeing boat) that departs from and returns to Hinode. (Please note that this is listed incorrectly on the official website.)
    • Suruga Bay Ferry: Ferry service between Shimizu Port and Toi Port.

Combining trains, buses, and ferries allows you to design a much richer travel route. For example, when traveling from Shizuoka to Shuzenji Onsen, you can take the Suruga Bay Ferry from Shimizu Port, get off at Toi Port, and then take a bus to Shuzenji Onsen. After enjoying the hot springs, you can use the Izuhakone Railway to return via Mishima Station, creating an amazing multi-transportation loop course.

4. Important Notices

  • This pass is valid for 3 consecutive days from the date of activation.
  • If you booked online, you can exchange your voucher for the physical pass at JR Station ticket offices such as Shizuoka Station or Shin-Fuji Station.
  • You can choose your activation date at the time of exchange, allowing you to pick up the pass in advance.
  • While this pass covers travel from Fujinomiya Station to the Shiraito no Taki Iriguchi (Shiraito Falls Entrance) stop, it does not cover the section heading into Lake Tanuki.

1. Shiraito no Taki / Tanukiko Free Kippu

  • Price: 2-day pass 1,850 JPY
  • A bus pass that allows unlimited travel around the highly popular Lake Tanuki area and Shiraito Falls.
  • How to Buy: It can be purchased only with cash at the Fujinomiya Station bus ticket counter.
  • Buying Tip: Since the official name is long, simply saying "Tanukiko Free Pass Onegaishimasu" at the counter is enough for the staff to understand easily.
  • Cost Efficiency: If you travel the simple route [Fujinomiya Station → Lake Tanuki → Shiraito Falls → Fujinomiya Station], riding the bus just 3 times total saves you about 340 JPY compared to individual fares, making it a must-buy.
  • Covered Routes:
    • Fujinomiya Station to Shiraito Falls Entrance to Shiraito Falls to Kyukamura Fuji (Lake Tanuki) to Inokashira
    • Fujinomiya Station to Shiraito Falls Entrance to Shiraito Falls to Ashigata to Inokashira
    • Fujinomiya Station to Mt. Fuji World Heritage Centre, Shizuoka to Wakutama Pond to Shiraito Falls Entrance

⚠️ Beware of Ticket Counter Lunch Hours: The Fujinomiya Station ticket counter takes a lunch break from 11:25 AM to 12:25 PM, meaning you cannot purchase passes or tickets during this hour.

If you arrive at the station during this lunch hour and your bus departure time is close, it is best not to waste time waiting for the counter to open. For a basic trip visiting Lake Tanuki and Shiraito Falls with about 3 total bus rides, the difference between using the pass and paying individual fares is only about 340 JPY. Therefore, simply skip buying the pass, pull a numbered ticket (Seiriken) when boarding the bus, and pay with cash when getting off. This is the most efficient way to save time and ensure you do not miss the bus.

  • Features:

    • A convenient local bus tour that lets you visit major attractions comfortably without worrying about complicated bus routes and timetables.
    • It allows you to efficiently explore key sightseeing spots that are normally difficult to access via regular public transport within a short time. However, since it moves through multiple spots on a set schedule, you cannot spend an extended amount of personal time at a single location.
    • Operating Days: Runs only on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays.
    • Price: Morning Course only: 1,200 JPY / Afternoon Course only: 2,300 JPY / 1-Day Combined Ticket: 3,000 JPY
    • How to Buy: Can be purchased on the day of travel only with cash at the Fujinomiya Station bus ticket counter.

  • Course Details

    • Morning Course (Duration: 3 hours 5 minutes): Fujinomiya Station (09:30 departure) to Yamamiya Sengen Shrine to Murayama Sengen Shrine to Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine to Fujinomiya Station
    • Afternoon Course (Duration: 4 hours 10 minutes): Fujinomiya Station (13:00 departure) to Shiraito Falls to Lake Tanuki to Hitoana Fujiko Yoshiki Ruins to Fuji Milk Land to Fuji Takasago Sake Brewery to Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine to Fujinomiya Station

  • Tips & Recommended Route

    • If you want to visit Shiraito Falls and Lake Tanuki comfortably without any transfers, the Afternoon Course is highly recommended.
    • For the Afternoon Course, the most efficient itinerary is to tour the nearby Mt. Fuji World Heritage Centre or Yakisoba Street (Omiya Yokocho) on foot first, and then return to the boarding point with time to spare.

  • Important Notes

    • Advance reservations via internet or phone are not available; tickets can only be purchased on-site on the day of the tour.
    • The bus capacity is strictly limited to 33 passengers and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
    • Service may be suspended during the New Year holidays (dates vary), so checking in advance is essential if visiting during that period.
Detailed Guide to Gorikikun Bus Tour

3. Fuji West Side Story Passport

  • Features: This pass is ideal for travelers who do not have the 'Mt. Fuji-Shizuoka Area Tourist Pass Mini' but want unlimited bus travel between the western Mt. Fuji region [Fujinomiya Station to Kawaguchiko Station] for two days.
  • Price: 2-day pass: Adults 3,500 JPY, Children 1,7500 JPY
  • Key Advantage: Unlike the previously mentioned 'Shiraito no Taki / Tanukiko Free Kippu', this pass offers the major advantage of significantly expanding your travel area beyond Fujinomiya all the way to the Lake Kawaguchiko region. In addition, the Gorikikun Bus Tour operating on weekends can also be boarded with this pass.
  • How to Buy: Available for purchase only with cash at the bus ticket counters at Fujinomiya Station, Shin-Fuji Station, Kawaguchiko Station, and Fujisan Station.
  • Covered Routes:
    • Route buses between Shin-Fuji Station, Fujinomiya Station, Kawaguchiko Station, and Fujisan Station
    • Route buses between Fujinomiya Station and Taisekiji Entrance / Kamijo area
    • Route buses between Fujinomiya Station, Shiraito Falls, and Kyukamura Fuji
    • Fujinomiya City Regular Sightseeing Bus "Gorikikun"
    • Narusawa / Shojiko / Motosuko Sightseeing Bus (Blue Line)
    • Saiko Sightseeing Bus (Green Line)
    • Kawaguchiko Sightseeing Bus (Red Line)
Fuji West Side Story Passport Bus Routes Official Fuji West Side Story Passport Site

There are other bus passes available for use in the Atami, Mishima, and Ito / Izu-Kogen areas, but those have been summarized within their respective regional guides.