Tools and apps
A short, opinionated list. JR Pass, NFC IC cards, transit, weather, hotels and tours. Some links pay us a small commission, which keeps the site free. None of these are here just for the commission.
The four sites that solve the biggest hassles of a Japan trip: trains, planning, payments and tours.
Order the Japan Rail Pass online and pick it up at the airport. Covers Hikari and Kodama Shinkansen along the Tokaido line, the easiest way to reach Fuji from Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka.
Why we list it: Fast English checkout, real e-voucher, ships to most countries before you fly.
A planning hub for Japan trips with itineraries, train routes and on the ground tips. Useful for sanity checking a Fuji day trip against the rest of your route.
Why we list it: Clear English explanations of train types, IC cards and regional passes.
Buy a digital Suica or Pasmo IC card that lives on your phone via NFC. Tap to ride trains, buses and pay at convenience stores without queueing for a physical card.
Why we list it: Skips the Welcome Suica line at the airport and works on most modern Android and iPhone devices.
Book Japan tours, day trips and tickets including Mount Fuji bus tours from Tokyo, Hakone ropeway combos and Kawaguchiko lake cruises.
Why we list it: English checkout, instant e-tickets and a strong catalogue of Fuji area experiences.
Door to door routing in English with train, bus and walking legs. Knows JR Pass coverage so you can filter out Nozomi automatically.
Why we list it: The most accurate transit app for non Japanese speakers in Japan.
Still the best general map for Japan, with reliable bus times and walking directions around Kawaguchiko and Hakone.
Why we list it: Offline maps work fine for the Five Lakes area when signal drops.
Companion app with offline route saving, free Wi-Fi spots and tourist info points.
Why we list it: Useful when you need a backup route on a slow train back from Mishima.
Install a Japan data plan on your phone before you fly. Activates the moment you land.
Why we list it: No SIM swap, no airport queue, works on any unlocked eSIM phone.
Larger eSIM data buckets and easy top up if you upload a lot of photos or tether a laptop.
Why we list it: Better for photographers and remote workers than the smallest Airalo plans.
Pocket Wi-Fi rental picked up at the airport and returned in a postbox. Good for groups.
Why we list it: One device shared between four people is cheaper than four eSIMs.
Widest selection of Kawaguchiko, Hakone and Fujiyoshida hotels with free cancellation filters.
Why we list it: The only site that reliably lists small lakeside ryokans next to the chain hotels.
Day tours from Tokyo, private drivers and skip the line tickets for Fuji area attractions.
Why we list it: Easy refunds and English speaking guides on most tours.
Strong on bus tickets, ropeway passes and lake cruises with mobile vouchers.
Why we list it: Often cheaper than buying at the counter for the Hakone Free Pass and Fuji bus combos.
Camera mode reads kanji on menus, ticket machines and trailhead signs. Download Japanese for offline use before the trip.
Why we list it: The offline camera translation is genuinely good for restaurant menus.
Layered weather model with cloud cover, humidity and wind. The single best way to predict whether Fuji will be visible tomorrow.
Why we list it: Switch the model to ECMWF and check low cloud cover at 06:00 local.
Plans sunrise, sunset and moon alignment with the mountain. Essential for Diamond Fuji and Pearl Fuji shots.
Why we list it: The augmented reality view tells you exactly where to stand at Chureito or Lake Yamanaka.
Add a digital IC card directly in Apple Wallet, top up with any credit card. Works on every train, bus and konbini.
Why we list it: If your phone supports it natively, this is the simplest option of all.
Mt Fuji Today earns a commission on some of the tools listed here, marked as Partner. Pricing and availability are set by the providers and may change. See our affiliate disclosure on the about page.