Mount Fuji Day Trip from Tokyo: Guided Tour Review
Whether you decide to climb or take a day trip to the touristy areas of Mount Fuji, you need to wake up early. Depending on your preferred transportation, the journey to Mount Fuji from Tokyo takes around 2-3 hours.
On my first solo travel adventure to Japan, one of my top things to see was Mount Fuji, and I would still go back to this day to explore Kawaguchiko and other areas that I didn’t have time to see.
Keep in mind that this tour is separate from actually climbing Mount Fuji. You will need to prepare more in advance for climbing this sacred volcano.
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Mount Fuji & Hakone Day Trip Guided Tour Review
If you’re like me and only want a taste of Mount Fuji without having to worry about booking a hotel that requires you to book months in advance, going on a guided tour will give you the opportunity to see some of the best sites with enough time to take photos and enjoy an authentic Japanese meal.
You’re also not required to arrange your own transportation to get to and from Tokyo, especially if you’re still quite intimidated by the subway and train systems of Japan.
The only thing to you will need to do is to locate the meeting place for the tour bus. Most of the day trip tours embark in Shinjuku and arrive back near the same area.
Sites You Will See on Your Trip
Viator and Klook have a variety of different tours you can book to see Mount Fuji and the surrounding sites, but it gradually becomes more expensive if you are looking for a private experience in a luxury vehicle.
The tour that I booked through Viator stops at the Mount Fuji 5th Station, Owaku-dani Valley, Hakone Ropeway, and Lake Ashinoko.
These four stops perfectly encompass Mount Fuji as a whole with panoramic views, shrines, gift shops, and a museum that provides an interactive exhibit on the natural hot springs, which Japan is known for.
The one part of the trip that I wasn’t too fond of was the part where we had to take a pirate boat across Lake Ashinoko. It reminded me too much of the ferry at Magic Kingdom where they try to put as many people as possible on the boat.
But the views of the mountains made the ride more bearable.
Lunch Option
In the tour for the Mount Fuji day trip, there is the option to have lunch. On the way down the mountain, the tour bus stopped at a laid-back samurai-style restaurant that provides traditional food and shows.
However, they didn’t have the show the day I went, but it was still amazing to walk inside this restaurant and indulge in delicious food like Udon noodles and Tonkatsu.
Helpful Guide
I had a helpful guide that clearly expressed her passion for Japan culture and was excited to showcase her love for Mount Fuji.
Through every spot on the day trip, the guide was accommodating and gave us ample time to stop for a restroom break, explore and see what all Mount Fuji had to offer.
Worth the Price?
The particular tour that I booked was around $120 dollars per person, including transportation and lunch. Since the tour takes all day and stops at some of the most beautiful places in Japan, I would definitely say it’s worth it.
Even just the sights of rural Japan on the way to Mount Fuji are truly magical.
If you decide to take the bullet train back to Tokyo, there may be an extra expense as the Japan Rail passes are around $460 dollars for 7 days and even more if you choose to extend it.
Book your tour here and make unforgettable memories!
Final Thoughts
Before you travel to Mount Fuji, don’t forget to take a jacket, good walking shoes, and enough cash to purchase gifts inside the souvenir shops.
Hope your trip is as magical as mine!
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