When traveling through Japan with my family we took rides on almost every possible mode of transport, Shinkansen high speed and local trains, domestic flights, taxis. Taking the bus wasn’t really on our agenda, until we found out that the LIMON bus was a perfect transfer from Tokyo to the mountain town of Takayama.
LIMON is a brand of Shinki Bus Group that specializes in day trips around the Kanto and Kansai region on Japan’s main island Honshu. Their service to Takayama included a detour to the 5th Station on Mt Fuji and a drive through Kawaguchiko Station and thus combined a day of sightseeing with getting from A to B, saving us an overnight stay in the Fuji region.
The company has a website in English, which I found to be informative but also a little confusing, so I booked the tickets via GetyourGuide.
The trip from Tokyo to Takayama costs about 105 Euros which is pricey compared to a regular bus (circa 35 Euros) or train (60 to 90 Euros). For comparison, the express bus takes about 3 ½ hrs; while the train is a relatively slow option on this route, with a change from the Hakutaka Shinkansen to the slower Hida Limited Service in Toyama and a travel time of circa 5 1/4 hrs.
Trip report
Our journey started from a small underground bus terminal in the Toranomon Hills Business Tower in Tokyo’s Minato City district where we were met by our hospitable guide. The driver helped us load our luggage and our guide showed us to our seats, which were comfortable and spacious.
A card on the seat pockets explained the stops en-route in Japanese and English. The route, times, and stops were also pointed out by our bus guide as we left the parking garage. She also very thoroughly explained that this bus operated on a scheduled service license, not as a tour bus, and thus had to stick exactly to the schedule and wouldn’t be able to wait for tardy passengers.
Traffic out of Tokyo was light and we soon left the metropolitan area and crossed into Yamashina prefecture.
The 1st stop was the Dangazoka Service Area where passengers can briefly explore a typical Japanese highway rest area.
Soon after Dangazoka the bus left the highway and started the journey up to Mount Fuji’s 5th Station. This busy mountain resort at an altitude of 2,300 meters above sea level is as far as you can drive and lots of tourist use it to sample a taste of the atmosphere on Japan’s highest mountain.
The stop was just 40 minutes, just enough to take a few pictures and sample the amazing Mount Fuji melon cake.
Up to our departure from the 5th station the weather was partly cloudy and Fuji-san shrouded himself, as he usually does. On our was down the clouds gave way for a few moments and the driver made an extra roadside stop to allow us to get a peek of the peak.
For lunch the bus stopped at the Highland Resort Hotel near Lake Kawaguchi. The restaurant there seemed very formal and not too inviting, so we just got some salads and microwavable meals from the konbini.
Our group parted ways here, with all fellow travelers hiking down to the lake from where a different bus would pick them up and drive them back to Tokyo. Our guide accompanied them, while our friendly driver and his young colleague would take us on to Takayama.
After leaving the hotel we drove through Kawaguchiko, even getting a glimpse of the famous Lawson convenience store (minus the iconic Fuji in the background, who had shrouded himself in clouds again).
There were only short toilet breaks for rest of the trip (in Yatsugatake and Fuketsu no sato), so the rest of the day’s sightseeing is through the windows.
We arrived on time at the bus terminal next to Takayama train station.
One tip: Takayama is very much a day-trip destination and a lot of restaurants close early.
Finding dinner after the bus arrives was a bit of a challenge. Making a reservation is a good idea.
Traveled in October 2024
Update 12/2025: At this time the tour was, unfortunately, no longer available.
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