This full-day Mount Fuji tour was my favorite part of my Japan trip

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Before I even arrived in Japan, I knew I wanted to see Mount Fuji with my own eyes. My original plan was to visit a town near the iconic mountain on my own. However, I quickly realized getting to these spots via Japan’s public transportation would be too time consuming.

That’s when I started looking into the multitude of Mount Fuji day trip options and discovered quite a few.

I eventually landed on this Full-Day Guided Day Trip to Kawaguchi Lake and Mt. Fuji. The meeting point was easy to reach and it seemed to provide the most value for cost. 

The day trip was well worth the money and it ended up being a major highlight of my trip. This is a breakdown of the entire experience and why I think it’s worthy of your Japan itinerary, too. 

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The Itinerary

This excursion maximizes every second of the day to ensure that visitors experience as much as possible. Here is how the day trip played out:

Pick Up & 2 Hour Drive

After meeting up with my tour group of approximately 20 other tourists, we promptly boarded the bus and hit the road by 8:30 am. The tour guide introduced himself, broke down the itinerary for the day, and then we just sat back and enjoyed the ride. 

Around two hours passed before we arrived at our first stop of the day – Lake Kawaguchi. 

Lake Kawaguchi

Our bus parked right on the banks of Lake Kawaguchi. We had a few minutes to get a sense of the area. We were given our included tickets for the cable car and instructions to be back at the bus in 1.5 hours after having our fun at the viewpoint. 

Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway

It took around 15 minutes to get through the line before we were packed into one of the cable cars like sardines. The further we were pulled up the mountain, the more staggering the views became until we finally saw what we all came for…

Everyone just stopped and stared in awe for a moment at the pure grandeur of Japan’s most famous mountain. Then, we scattered. There are actually lots of things to do at this spot besides just taking photos of Mount Fuji (although that did take up most of my time). 

Bunny Temple & Shops with Mount Fuji Views

At the top of the mountain, you’ll find a souvenir shop, a place to get food, and a cute tiny Bunny temple. There are a few cute bunny statues and a machine where you can get a temple fortune. 

Traditional Matcha Tea Ceremony

We headed over to a nearby establishment where we participated in a traditional matcha tea ceremony. Our instructor taught us about the importance of these ceremonies in Japan before showing us the process.

The ingredients were insanely delicious. It was definitely the best matcha I’ve ever had. 

Lunch (Optional for a Fee)

At the midpoint of the day we visited a local restaurant where we had an incredible pre-ordered platter waiting for us. We ordered at the start of the bus ride and had the choice between chicken, beef, or eel. I got the eel and it far exceeded my expectations. 

Lunch only cost ¥1,300 ($8.56) and we paid at the end of the meal. Alternatively, participants are given the option to spend the lunch hour in the nearby town and to find their own food. 

Kimono Trial (for Women)

After lunch, women had the chance to try on an authentic Japanese kimono and take photos in the garb. There were several different colors to choose from and attendants helped visitors put on the kimonos.

Scenic Lawson Shop

Next, the bus made a pit stop at a Lawson shop that’s famous for having one of the best Mount Fuji views in the country. The tour guide ran into the store to grab everyone an ice cream cone and we all gathered to take photos of the hotspot for around 20 minutes. 

Oshino Hakkai with 1 Hour of Free Time

The final stop of the day trip was a tiny town basking in the shadow of Mount Fuji called Oshino Hakkai. We learned a little about the area before being given about an hour and a half to explore on our own. 

The scenic town was adorable with lots of places to eat and an overall peaceful atmosphere. It was the ideal note to end the day trip on. 

Drop-Off

Once we finished in Oshino Hakkai, the bus started the 2.5-hour journey back to the meeting point at Tokyo Station. After ten hours of exploration, I fell into a much-needed nap the entire drive back. 

Quick Info About the Tour

🕰️ Length – This full-day tour takes around 10 hours to complete.

💴 Cost – The tour costs $69 per person, but prices can fluctuate depending on the season. 

💬 Languages Available – English, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean.

🚌 What’s Included – Pick up & drop off, tour guide, cable car tickets, free time at the points of interest.

📍 Meeting Points – Tokyo Station at 8 am or Shinjuku Station at 8:30 am.

🎟️ Book Tour – From Tokyo: Guided Day Trip to Kawaguchi Lake and Mt. Fuji

Tips For Your Trip

Tip #1 – Take the Train to the Meeting Point Early

The instructions for the day trip emphasized that participants must arrive at the meeting point at exactly 8 am or risk being left behind. So, I made sure to rise with the sun.

The journey to the meeting point outside Tokyo Station was only supposed to take around 30 minutes. However, I knew I needed a cushion to navigate one of the city’s busiest locations. 

Even with the extra time, I only just made it there on time because of how confusing this particular major train station is. Plus, there were a bunch of different tours meeting in the same spot, so it took awhile to find my group. Save yourself the stress and arrive extra early. 

Tip #2 – Look Out the Windows During the Drive

Every couple of minutes our tour guide would eagerly urge us to take a peek outside the window. We would be met with glances at the beautiful mountain in the distance. 

That’s why I recommend staying awake and looking out the window instead of at your phone during the drive. 

Tip #3 – Grab Some Traditional Snacks Along the Way

During my free time in Oshino Hakkai and at the shops near Lake Kawaguchi, I tried a bunch of yummy Japanese foods. One of my favorites of the day was mugwort dumplings with spicy sauce. Don’t miss out on all the cool, traditional foods around the towns!

Tip #4 – Try the Magical Water in Oshino Hakkai

According to legend, drinking the underground water from the village of Oshino Hakkai gives you a longer, healthier life. As such, a fervent line of people filling their emptied bottles formed around the fountains that dispensed the spring water. 

Of course, I tried it. It tasted clean and fresh and I haven’t gotten sick since, so it seems to be working out thus far. 

Tip #5 – Wear Layers to Stay Warm

The region around Mount Fuji is around 5 to 10 °F degrees colder than in Tokyo where the day trip starts. Many people in my group were shivering because they weren’t prepared for the temperature drop. 

Bring an extra jacket or wear layers to ensure you stay warm even during the coldest points of the day. 

Tip #6 – Consider the Season Before Booking the Tour

Tour providers can’t control the weather and you are not guaranteed to see clear views of Mount Fuji on your day trip. That’s why you should increase your chances of a cloudless day by doing this day trip during the right season. 

The best time to see clear views of Mount Fuji is in the winter from December to February. As the warm weather rolls in, your chances of seeing the mountain in the distance diminish. 

I got extremely lucky with near-perfect views of Mount Fuji for most of the day because I did my day trip in February. However, toward the afternoon as the temperatures rose, the clouds came through and it was much more difficult to see. 

Why I Though the Tour was Worth My Money

It’s an Affordable Excursion That Gives You a Bang for Your Buck

This full-day trip was one of the most affordable options compared to similar tours. Yes, it does cost around $69, which might feel like a lot for budget travelers. However, you get to do so many cool activities for that amount and I found it to be of solid value. 

You Get Insider Knowledge & Tips From an English-Speaking Guide

Our tour guide was very friendly and knowledgeable about the stops along the excursion. He was happy to provide answers to any questions and ensured that everyone was having a good time. 

With that being said, he didn’t talk our ears off and gave everyone their space to wander on their own when the time came. 

Easy Access to Some of Japan’s Best Mount Fuji Views

It’s difficult to find the best places to experience views of natural wonders like Mount Fuji with many possible vantage points as a foreigner. 

Joining this tour allowed me to see some of the lesser-known spots to take in the beauty of the mountain. As a photographer, this was priceless for me. 

There is Plenty of Free Time to Wander by Yourself

I’m not the biggest fan of tours that are on top of you throughout the entire day, which is another reason why I adored this Mount Fuji day trip. 

At every single stop, we were given plenty of time to just take in the area by ourselves without following around a guide. This made it easy for everyone in the group to do the things they preferred while still enjoying the convenient transportation. 

📚 Related Reading: I think Japan is one of the best destinations for solo travel. Here’s why.

Experience Different Parts of Japanese Culture in One Day

My favorite thing about this day trip was that I got to experience so much of Japan in less than 12 hours. From the expansive views of Mount Fuji and shopping in a tiny Japanese town to a tea ceremony and traditional lunch. 

This tour packs so much into just one day. I think joining this tour is a great Japan travel hack for those who are only visiting for a week or so and have to be very strategic with their planning to save time. 

***

There is something fun and exciting to find around every corner of Japan, yet this Full-Day Guided Day Trip to Mt. Fuji stands out in my mind as one of the best things I did on my trip. 

It provided everything I wanted for an affordable price. I had a blast and got some of my favorite photos I’ve ever taken. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Japan. 

On another note, I wasn’t as thrilled with other activities I did in Japan. In fact, I was quite disappointed by some of the country’s biggest attractions.

To find out what didn’t live up to the hype, check out my article about overrated attractions in Japan and where to go instead.