Seeing Mount Fuji was a huge bucket list moment for me —but I wasn’t sure I’d get lucky. The mountain is famously shy, only visible about 20% of the year. So I held off on planning anything until I actually got to Tokyo, kept an eye on the weather… and jackpot! Clear skies.
I quickly booked a One-day tour to Mount Fuji’s popular attractions on Klook, which turned out to be one of the highlights of my entire trip. If you’re planning a Mount Fuji day trip from Tokyo, I highly recommend this option.
This Mount Fuji Klook tour offers breathtaking views and a chance to explore the surrounding areas in a day, making it perfect for those short on time!
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Mount Fuji Day Trip from Tokyo:
Why I Chose a Guided Tour Instead of Going Solo
When I looked into doing a similar route by public transit, it was a lot—multiple trains, buses, connections, and a tight timeline. Plus, the total cost wasn’t all that different from the tour price.
With this day tour:
- 🚌 All transportation is included (you can just sit back and relax)
- 😴 You can nap between stops—huge perk if you’re jet-lagged
- 📸 Stops are curated for epic views and photo ops
- 💰 Great value compared to piecing it together on your own
Pro Tip: Don’t Assume You’ll See Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji is only visible around 60 to 80 days a year, mostly between November and February. Visibility drops in spring and summer—especially from April to August—and September tends to be rainy and foggy due to typhoon season.
As a general rule, the colder the weather, the higher chance you’ll be able to see Fuji-san.
So if you’re planning to go, try to:
- Monitor the weather in Tokyo daily
- Book last-minute if you see a clear forecast
- Keep your travel days flexible if possible
- I did this tour in late February and Mt. Fuji was visible the whole day!
- I was also able to catch glimpse of Fuji-san in Hakone and Kamakura.
Mt. Fuji Day Tour Itinerary (With Details!)
Here’s a breakdown of our stops, what to expect, and a few tips for each location:
🏪 1. Mt. Fuji Lawson
(10-minute photo stop)
The day kicks off with a super quick but fun stop at the iconic Lawson convenience store that has Mount Fuji perfectly framed in the background. You’ve probably seen this shot on Instagram—it’s a classic. Grab a coffee, a snack, or just that perfect pic of Fuji-san looming behind the signage.
🌊 2. Lake Kawaguchi
(30 minutes – self-guided)
Lake Kawaguchi is part of the Fuji Five Lakes and is often described as the “shining pearl” of the region. Ten thousand years ago, Mount Fuji’s eruptions carved out this dreamy scene of glassy water and mountain views.
Highlights:
- 📷 Best photo spot: Head to the second floor of the Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center for a stunning shot of the lake, the little red torii gate, and Fuji all in one frame.
- 🌸 If you’re here in spring, the cherry blossoms around the lake are unreal.
- 🧺 There’s a gift shop inside the Living Center with local snacks and small souvenirs (but again—bring cash).
💧 3. Oshino Hakkai
(1 hour 20 minutes – self-guided)
This was one of my favorite stops. Oshino Hakkai is a charming village built around eight spring-fed ponds, formed from Mount Fuji’s melted snow. The water here takes over 80 years to filter through volcanic rock—and it’s so clean, locals say it has healing properties.
Things to do:
- 💦 Taste the water! One of the ponds has a special spout where you can drink the spring water directly (refreshingly cold and sweet).
- 🐟 Watch the koi swim through unbelievably clear ponds
- 🍢 Grab lunch here! There are tons of street food stalls and cozy local restaurants—think soba noodles, grilled fish, roasted sweet potatoes, and matcha soft cream.
- 🧾 Bring cash. Many food stalls and souvenir shops don’t accept cards, so come prepared!
This is also where most people on the tour grabbed lunch, so if you’re picky or have dietary restrictions, it’s good to scout your options quickly.
🏯 4. Arakurayama Sengen Park & Chureito Pagoda
(1 hour – self-guided)
This stop is pure magic. The view from Arakurayama Park is one of the most iconic in Japan: the Chureito Pagoda framed by trees, overlooking Mount Fuji. It’s a bit of a climb (around 400 steps) but absolutely worth it.
What to see:
- 🏯 The Chureito Pagoda, a five-story red structure built in 1963 as a peace memorial
- 🌄 Mount Fuji towering in the distance, often with surreal lighting depending on the time of day
- 🌸 Come during cherry blossom season and this place will take your breath away (it’s one of the most-photographed spots in the country)
- 🙏 Visit Shinkura Fuji Asama Shrine, which dates back over 1,300 years—locals still come here to pray for family happiness and good fortune
📸 5. Streets of Fujiyoshida (Honcho Street)
(Optional 15-minute stop)
A short detour, but worth it for a quirky urban photo spot: Honcho Street lines up perfectly with Mount Fuji at the end of the road, giving you a cool, symmetrical street shot with Fuji in the distance. Keep your camera ready—there’s usually a short window before the clouds roll in!
🍎 A Sweet Surprise: Fuji Apples at Every Stop
One unexpected delight of this Mount Fuji day trip? The Fuji apples—and yes, they really do live up to the hype.
These apples, originally developed in Japan (and named after Fuji-san!), are crisp, juicy, and super sweet. You’ll find vendors at nearly every stop—Lake Kawaguchi, Oshino Hakkai, even the little pop-up stalls near photo spots—selling freshly sliced Fuji apples, apple juice, and apple-themed snacks.
Why try them?
- 🍏 They’re locally grown, incredibly fresh, and perfectly chilled
- 🍯 Some vendors sprinkle them with a touch of honey for extra sweetness
- 🛍️ You can also buy whole apples or apple-based souvenirs like jams and candies
- 💸 Again—bring cash! Most of these roadside stands don’t take cards
They make a great refreshing snack between sightseeing spots, especially on a sunny day. And honestly, munching on a Fuji apple while staring at Fuji felt like such a full-circle Japan moment
Want to DIY Your Mt. Fuji Day Trip?
Here’s how to get to the Fuji Five Lakes region from Tokyo:
By train:
- 🚉 Shinjuku → Ōtsuki Station (JR Chūō Line Express)
- Transfer → Fujisan Station via Fujikyuko Line
- 🕐 Travel time: ~2 hours
- 💸 Cost: ~4,000 yen one way
By bus:
- 🚌 Direct bus from Shinjuku Station to Kawaguchiko Station
- 🕐 Time: ~2 hours
- 💸 Cost: ~2,200 yen one way
Once there, you’ll need to navigate local buses and taxis to reach spots like Oshino Hakkai, Arakurayama Park, and Honcho Street. It’s doable, but time-consuming and logistically more complicated.
Final Thoughts: Is a Mt. Fuji Day Trip from Tokyo Worth It?
Absolutely. Seeing Mount Fuji in person felt surreal—majestic, peaceful, and honestly kind of emotional. Whether you do a guided tour like I did or plan your own adventure, don’t leave Japan without at least trying to see this natural icon.
Just remember:
- ✅ Be flexible with timing
- ✅ Check weather forecasts
- ✅ Bring cash
- ✅ And don’t forget to look up once in a while—you never know when Fuji-san will peek out
