For the Views: 10 Best Mt. Fuji Tours

So you want to go on a Mount Fuji tour while you’re in Japan? Well you’re in luck, because there are lots of different tours that will take you from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji as a day trip. But the thing is, the sheer number of options is overwhelming (and confusing). To save you some time, we’ve rounded up the very best Mt. Fuji tours out there.

3 tips for choosing the best Mt. Fuji tour

There are a few things you need to know before booking your Mt. Fuji tour.

1. Don’t book too far in advance

You need nice clear weather to get the best views of Mt. Fuji — if it’s even a little cloudy, you might not see anything! Trust us, we know from experience. So, the best thing to do is to check the weather forecast and book your tour no more than a week in advance. This is where the huge variety of tours really helps, because there’ll always be something available.

2. Avoid peak times

On a similar note, try to avoid booking a tour on weekends or during holiday periods. Not only will prices likely be higher, but it will also be more crowded. Traffic jams often happen, and if you’re on a bus tour this can add several hours to your journey time, both ways.

3. Decide whether you want a view OF or a view FROM Mt. Fuji

Finally, decide whether you want to go up Mt. Fuji or just look at it. Tours that go up Mt. Fuji usually stop at the 5th Station (about halfway up), unless they’re specifically a climbing Fuji tour. And while you get to say that you stood on Mt. Fuji, the view isn’t actually that impressive. If you want to get the best views, then there are plenty of other iconic photo spots and viewing areas you can visit instead.

The best Mt. Fuji tours, compared

Here’s a quick comparison of some of the most popular Mt. Fuji day-trip tours from Tokyo, so you can see how much they cost and what they include. Note that some charge per person, while others charge per group.

1. Most scenic: Lake Kawaguchi & views of Mt. Fuji tour

¥12,300 to ¥15,800 per person
Book here
Lunch upgrades available

This one-day bus tour takes the top spot for the most scenic tour of the Mt. Fuji area. You’ll visit the iconic Chūreitō Pagoda and (weather permitting) snap your own version of the above photo.

Next, you’ll have a lunch break near Lake Kawaguchi, before heading to Oishi Park. The park is known for its seasonal flowers, and the fantastic view of Mt. Fuji across the lake.

The final stop is Saiko Iyashi no Sato Nenba (also known as Healing Village). This open-air museum is on the site of an old farming village that was destroyed by a landslide in 1966. It was reconstructed, and the old thatched-roof houses were converted into museums, galleries, and shops. It’s a great spot to pick up handcrafted souvenirs, and of course there’s another chance to take a good photo of Mt. Fuji.

The tour includes round-trip bus transport from Tokyo. There are two pick-up locations: one in Shinagawa and one in Shinjuku. However, at the end of tour there is only one drop-off point, which is in Shinjuku.

The tour bus is large and comfortable, and along the way the guide will share information about the history of the sites in English. We recommend upgrading to include lunch, because there aren’t many other cafés or restaurants near the lunch stop. Otherwise, you can pack your own lunch and picnic by the lake to save a bit of money.

2. Best of both worlds: Hakone & Mt. Fuji 5th Station tour

¥19,488 to ¥21,539 per person
Book here
Lunch upgrades available (vegetarian and halal meals on request)

This tour gives you the best of both worlds — you’ll get stunning views and also get to step foot on Mt. Fuji itself. Your first stop is Mt. Fuji’s 5th Station, about halfway up the mountain. From here you can look out over the Fuji Five Lakes, but it’s not the best place to view the mountain itself.

Next, you’ll head to Shinobi No Sato Ninja Village, a ninja theme park. You’ll have lunch there, and then finish off the day with a visit to the Hakone area. Hakone is known for its natural beauty and — if the weather is good — a great view of Mt. Fuji.

On this tour, you depart Tokyo by bus from pick-up locations in either Shinjuku or Ginza. Included in the price is a return Shinkansen ticket to get you back at the end of the day.

There is WiFi on the bus, and there are multilingual audioguides available. If you upgrade to include lunch, it’s a buffet style all-you-can-eat affair. Vegetarian and halal options are available, but make sure to request them when booking.

3. Hot spring visit and Mt. Fuji tour

¥7,800 per person
Book here

If a day of relaxation is more up your alley, then you’ll like this one. Your guide will take you to an onsen (hot spring) spa near Lake Yamanaka, where you can soak away your troubles.

First, though, you’ll check out Lake Kawaguchi for postcard-perfect views of Mt. Fuji. You’ll also visit the legendary Chūreitō Pagoda, or — depending on the time of year and weather — the 5th Station of Fuji itself.

This tour includes round-trip travel from Tokyo Station or Shinjuku Station. However, lunch isn’t included, and you’ll also need to pay a bit extra for the hot spring entry ticket.

4. Shop till you drop: Gotemba Premium Outlets & views of Mt. Fuji tour

¥6,599 per person
Book here

If a shopping trip with views of Mt. Fuji sounds like your kind of thing, then this one-day tour is perfect. First, you’ll head to Gotemba Premium Outlets, where you’ll have two hours of free time to shop your heart out, and grab some lunch too. Gotemba Premium Outlets is an open-air mall with over 200 shops selling luxury and brand-name goods at bargain prices. You can also relax in a hot spring there.

In the afternoon, you’ll stop by Oshino Hakkai (the famous Fuji ponds) and Lake Kawaguchi to take in some lovely views of Mt. Fuji.

The tour includes round-trip bus transport from Ginza.

5. Best for families: Private & customizable Fuji tour

¥65,835 per group (up to five people)
Book here

For families, you can’t beat the convenience of a private Mt. Fuji day-trip tour from Tokyo. This particular one is great because it’s also fully customizable. An English-speaking driver will take you to some of the most famous sites around Mt. Fuji and even up to the 5th Station, if you like.

You’ll be picked up from your Tokyo hotel in an airconditioned vehicle, and dropped back off at the end of the day. The vehicle has free WiFi, and you can also request a child seat. We like that this particular tour is also stroller, wheelchair, and service-animal friendly.

6. Canoeing tour with Mt. Fuji views

¥5,500 per person
Book here

This small group canoe tour is perfect for all the sporty types out there. Rise bright and early for a 7 a.m. paddle around Lake Kawaguchiko with a professional guide, and drink in the spectacular views of Mt. Fuji while you’re at it.

The experience lasts for 90 minutes, and because of the early start it’s best suited for people who are already staying near Kawaguchiko. Also keep in mind, that the tour needs a minimum of two participants to go ahead.

7. Great in all seasons: Mt Fuji 5th Station & fruit-picking tour

¥10,898 per person
Book here
Lunch included (vegetarian on request)

This tour has a great range of activities that are perfect for a wonderful experience year-round. First, you’ll visit a farm in Yamanashi Prefecture to pick seasonal fruit — for example, grapes in fall or peaches in summer. Then it’s on to Oishi Park, known for its view of Mt. Fuji and beautiful flowers. In spring and fall, you might visit different locations that are known for their cherry blossoms or autumn leaves instead.

For lunch, you’ll have hōtō, a popular noodle dish from the Mt. Fuji area. Finally, in the afternoon you’ll take a ride on th Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway and visit Mt. Fuji 5th Station.

Bus pick-up and drop-off from Shinjuku is included in the tour. WiFi is available onboard. Lunch is also included, and there are vegetarian options available on request.

8. Once in a lifetime: Helicopter tours to Mt. Fuji

¥320,000 per group (up to three people)
Book here

For that once-in-a-lifetime, burn-through-money, not-at-all-sustainable experience, you can’t top a helicopter tour to Mt. Fuji. This one is a 70-minute round-trip from Tokyo, with the route changing depending on the weather — so you know you’ll get a good view, regardless. You’ll also get an aerial look at Tokyo, so keep your eye out for iconic sights like Tokyo Tower.

9. Best Mt. Fuji trekking tour (summer only)

¥175,000 per group (up to nine people)
Book here

Want to climb Mt. Fuji but not sure where to start? Then this is the tour for you. You’ll hike from the 5th Station to the 7th Station under the watchful eye of an experienced, English-speaking guide. There is also the option to continue to the summit, if you’re so inclined.

The tour includes pick-up and drop-off from your Tokyo hotel in a private, airconditioned vehicle. Snacks and drinks are also included. This tour is charged at a flat rate of ¥175,000 per group of up to nine people — so get some friends together to make the most of it.

10. Ski & snowboard tour to Mt. Fuji (winter only)

From ¥12,940 per person
Book here

Not into climbing Mt. Fuji? What about skiing or snowboarding on it instead? With this tour, you can do just that. We highly recommend it for beginners because it takes the hassle out of planning a ski trip. Plus, you get to boast that you learnt to ski on Mt. Fuji. Just be sure to get in quickly — this package has limited availability.

The basic package includes a round-trip bus ride from Tokyo to Fujiyama Snow Resort Yeti, and you can upgrade to include equipment and clothing rental, lessons, and lift passes. Prices start at ¥12,940 per person for the basic package, and go up to ¥25,060 per person for the full package.

Mt. Fuji tours: Frequently asked questions

Is a Mt. Fuji tour worth it?

For most travelers, yes. A Mt. Fuji tour from Tokyo is an easy, convenient and cost-effective way to see the mountain and surrounding areas in one day. Everything is arranged for you, so all you have to do is hop on the bus or into the car, and enjoy the sightseeing.

Should I upgrade my tour to include lunch?

Yes, we definitely recommend upgrading to include lunch in your tour. Attractions in the Mt. Fuji area are quite spread out, so there’s no guarantee there’ll be other dining options nearby — it’s much easier to go along with your group to a pre-booked restaurant. However, if you have special dietary requirements or preferences, confirm with your tour provider beforehand, because they might not be able to cater to your needs. If this is the case, or you just want to save some money, packing your lunch is always a good option.

When is the best season to see Mt. Fuji?

Winter is the best time to visit if you want to see the iconic mountain. If you’d like to climb Mt. Fuji, you have to wait for the official climbing season (usually July to September). If you visit during fall or spring you’ll be treated to some lovely seasonal scenery, but you might not be able to see Mt. Fuji clearly.

Can you take a bus up Mt. Fuji?

You can get a bus as far up Mt. Fuji as the 5th Station. During the climbing season there are frequent buses from Kawaguchiko Station, and there is also a direct bus from Shinjuku. The buses are less frequent during other parts of the year.

To find out more, check out our full guide on how to get from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji.

Is Mt. Fuji a good day trip from Tokyo?

Mt. Fuji is a good — and very popular — day trip from Tokyo. But we’ll be real with you: it’s a long day, with most tours lasting 10 or more hours, including the round-trip transport from Tokyo. If you’ve got the time, we recommend spending a night or two in the Mt. Fuji area. It’s more relaxing, and there’ll be more chances for Mt. Fuji spotting.

When is the best time to book a Mt. Fuji tour?

If you’re planning to book a Mt. Fuji day-trip tour, we recommend booking about a week in advance. This is because if the weather is bad, your chances of seeing Mt. Fuji are next to nothing — and weather forecasts just aren’t accurate enough much further in advance.

Check the weather a week ahead and book accordingly. Don’t worry too much about tours selling out; there are lots to choose from, so even if our top picks are sold out there’ll probably be something else just as good available.

While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change.

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