How to see Mt. Fuji from the Shinkansen (Tokyo ⇄ Osaka/Kyoto)

A practical guide to the best Shinkansen seats, sections, and timing for Mt. Fuji views.

Written by a Japanese local, for visitors who don't want to miss the Mt. Fuji × Shinkansen view.

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Mt. Fuji view basics on the Tokaido Shinkansen

Many visitors to Japan want to see Mt. Fuji from the Shinkansen, but it's easy to miss if you don't know which side or section to sit in. This guide explains where and when Mt. Fuji is visible from the Tokaido Shinkansen between Tokyo and Osaka/Kyoto, and how to make it easier by using our free Shinkansen Mt. Fuji Seat Checker tool.

You won't see Mt. Fuji for the whole ride – it appears only for a short stretch of the journey, and it can be completely hidden by clouds on some days.

TL;DR – quick answers

  • Which side? Tokyo → Osaka/Kyoto = right side. Osaka/Kyoto → Tokyo = left side.
  • Which seat? In most standard 3+2 cars, Seat E is the Mt. Fuji window seat.
  • Where on the route? Around Shin-Fuji station, between Shin-Yokohama and Shizuoka.
  • When? Clear days, usually late morning to early afternoon (season-dependent).
  • Don't want to memorize this? Use the free Shinkansen Mt. Fuji Seat Checker on fujiseat.com before you book.

Which side of the Shinkansen is Mt. Fuji on? (Seat E explained)

  • Tokyo → Osaka / Kyoto: Mt. Fuji is on the right side of the train (window seat E in most standard cars).
  • Osaka / Kyoto → Tokyo: Mt. Fuji is on the left side of the train (again, window seat E in most standard cars).

In most standard (non–Green Car) 3+2 seat cars, Seat E is the window seat on the Mt. Fuji side. Green Cars may have a different layout, but the same left/right rule still applies. Some older guides still mention different seat letters, but on most modern 3+2 standard cars, Seat E is the Mt. Fuji window seat.

Best section and timing to see Mt. Fuji from the train

You won't see Mt. Fuji for the whole ride – it appears only for a short stretch of the journey. Mt. Fuji is usually visible on clear days between Shin-Yokohama and Shizuoka, especially around Shin-Fuji station.

  • Route: Tokaido Shinkansen between Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka/Kyoto (Nozomi / Hikari / Kodama).
  • Time of day: Late morning to early afternoon often gives a clearer silhouette. In summer, early morning can also work well.
  • Weather: On cloudy or hazy days, Mt. Fuji may be hard to see even from the correct side and seat.

Practical seat tips for a better Mt. Fuji view

  • Reserve your seat: When booking, choose a reserved seat in a standard car and request seat E on the Mt. Fuji side if possible.
  • Avoid obstructions: Window seats near the middle of the car often have the clearest views, away from doors and bulkheads.
  • Keep your camera ready: Mt. Fuji can appear and disappear quickly, especially around Shin-Fuji station.
  • Listen for announcements: Some trains announce when Mt. Fuji is visible—listen for English announcements if you're not watching the map.

Common mistakes when trying to see Mt. Fuji

  • Booking the wrong side: Forgetting that Tokyo → Osaka/Kyoto is right side, and the opposite for the return.
  • Expecting a guaranteed view: Even with the correct seat, clouds or haze can fully cover the mountain.
  • Looking too late: If you start looking only near Shizuoka, you might miss the best view around Shin-Fuji.

Make it easy with the Shinkansen Mt. Fuji Seat Checker

If you don't want to remember all the details, you can use our free Shinkansen Mt. Fuji Seat Checker. Just choose your direction and it tells you which seat to book for the best chance of seeing Mt. Fuji.

The tool is designed to work well on mobile, so you can quickly check it while booking tickets or travelling in Japan.

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