Mount Fuji Day Trip: A PERFECT Tokyo to Mount Fuji Day Trip!

Are you looking to go on a Tokyo to Mount Fuji day trip? You’ve come to the right place! 

This iconic mountain in Japan attracts travellers from far and wide, but there’s more to the Kawaguchiko region than just Mount Fuji. 

You might be wondering ‘What can you do in Mount Fuji in one day?’ This Mount Fuji itinerary will walk you through the best Mount Fuji one-day tours, as well as the coolest things to do in Kawaguchiko, Hakone and surroundings.

Read on to find out everything you need to know for an epic day trip to Mount Fuji!

About Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji is the tallest peak in Japan. It reaches 3,776 meters at its highest point and towers over the surrounding landscape.

Like many mountains around the world, Mount Fuji is the result of volcanic activity that is thought to have begun some 100,000 years ago!

But Mount Fuji is more than just a mountain. In Japan it is worshipped and revered by many.

When Hasegawa Kakugyo summited the mountain over 100 times the Fuji-jo was formed, a group of religious people who worshiped Mount Fuji. 

Now, the religion has been banned. Despite this, there are still many historical Sengen shrines that were built in worship of Mount Fuji at the mountain’s foothills. 

But you don’t have to be a religious fanatic to admire Mount Fuji. Modern day travellers come here to soak in the astonishing views of Japan’s highest peak, hike in the surrounding area, and visit the lakes and temples in the region.

It’s a must-see on everyone’s Japan bucket list, and a popular stop on many Japan itineraries.

How To Get To Mount Fuji From Tokyo

With A Rental Car

Hiring a rental car is the most convenient option. It will also offer you the most flexibility and give you more freedom.

It can be scary to drive in other countries, and bear in mind in Japan they drive on the left-hand side of the road, but if you’re up for the challenge it’ll save you a lot of hassle. 

You’ll also be able to visit some of my favorite spots around Mount Fuji, like Shiraito Falls, that aren’t on any of the classic Mount Fuji one-day tour itineraries, or which aren’t easily reachable from Kawaguchiko station.

Click here to compare prices and cars for your Japan car rental on Discover Cars!

With A Tour

If you’re not up for driving, going on a tour is the second-best option. Most tours include pick-up and drop-off, and there’s the advantage of going with a local guide who can tell you all about the local history of the area.

They’ll also know all the best-hidden spots you probably wouldn’t find on your own. 

There are loads of Tokyo to Mt Fuji guided tours available, but if you have the budget, I recommend this private Mt Fuji tour with driver.

Since it’s a private tour you can customise the stops, and visit places that most organised trip miss (like Shiraito Falls). It’s a bit more expensive than a group tour, but well worth it for the freedom and flexibility it gives you.

Click here to book your private tour to Mt Fuji!

With Public Transport

For a day trip from Tokyo to Mount Fuji public transport is the trickiest and least convenient way to travel.

The most famous sights and nature spots in the area of Kawaguchiko are spread out across different towns with poor transport links, which will limit how many attractions you can see in a day. 

If you’re travelling by bus from Tokyo you’ll want to take the bus from Tokyo’s Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal to Kawaguchiko Station.

There is about one bus an hour and it takes about two hours to get there, and the same amount of time to get back. Expect to pay around 14 EUR. 

There are also trains to Kawaguchiko from Shinjuku. The Fuji Excursion Limited Express train is more expensive but a little quicker than the bus.

You can expect to pay around 30 EUR, but if you have a JR Pass you’ll get a discount on your fare!

Best Places To Visit In Mt. Fuji In One Day

Chureito Pagoda

The Chureito Pagoda boasts five stories and is positioned on a mountainside opposite Mount Fuji. The views of the snowy peak in the distance are so spectacular that many consider it the most iconic viewpoint of Mount Fuji.

The pagoda is part of the Arakura Sengen Shrine that was built in 1963 as a peace memorial. You’ll have to tackle some 400 steps to reach the pagoda from the main shrine, and large crowds of tourists at the viewing deck, but it’s worth it!

Because it’s a super popular spot, it can get very busy in the early afternoon. If you can, get there early in the morning to skip the worst of the crowds. 

Kawaguchiko Lake

Kawaguchiko Lake is at the edge of Kawaguchiko town. Of the Fuji Five Lakes, it is the most easily accessible, especially by public transport.

There’s a path around the lake that you can walk or cycle, with stunning views of Mount Fuji following you along the way. 

If you’re looking to take the best photos of the lake and Mount Fuji in the distance, head to the lake’s northern shores. To capture the spring cherry blossom in all its glory head to the Kawaguchiko Music Forest.

In autumn, the Momji Tunnel road comes alive as the maple trees put on a bright display of autumn colours. You can also rent a kayak and go paddling on the lake itself!

Shiraito Falls

This stunning waterfall outside of the town of Jarauzawa is one of the top things to do around Mount Fuji. It was named Shiraito Falls after the Japanese for strands of silk yarn because of its wisp-like cascades.

The falls extend 150 meters in an amphitheater-like shape, engulfing you in the mesmerizing cascades that trickle down the cliff.

There is a walkboard around the waterfalls that you can stroll along, and there are some bars at the start of the short trail to the Shiraito Falls. 

One of my favourite things about the Shiraito Falls is how quiet it is. It’s not on the itinerary of any of the classical Mount Fuji day trips, so there’s never a flock of people there.

The easiest way to reach it is with a hire car. Check out my Shiraito Falls guide to find out more. 

Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine

This spectacular shrine is one of more than 1,000 shrines in Japan that were built in worship of the deity of the Mount Fuji volcano.

They are dedicated to Konohanasakuya-hime, which translates to the cherry blossom princess, the goddess of Mount Fuji. 

Built amidst a dense forest, you’ll have to walk along a shaded trail with mossy stone lanterns on either side to reach the shrine. Around the grounds of the shrine there are miniature replicas of Mount Fuji carved into rock.

It’s also worth looking out for four special trees on the grounds. They are each some 1,000 years old and have a girth of 23 meters! I also enjoyed the shrine because it’s less busy than some of the others. 

Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba

This beautiful ancient town with Mt Fuji views is now an open-air museum and craft village. It’s built on the site of a former farming village on the shores of Lake Saiko. Sadly the original town was destroyed by a landslide in 1966. 

Some 20 houses with cute thatched roofs have been built in its place, and each house is a shop, restaurant, museum, or gallery.

The village offers a glimpse into the past, as well as being a great spot to stop off and buy some local handcrafted gifts like pottery and incense. 

Oshino Hakkai

Did you know that there were once six lakes in the region? One of them dried out hundreds of years ago, and the Oshino Hakkai village was built on the former site of the lake. 

The village has eight ponds that are fed by snowmelt from Mount Fuji. The crystal clear water is the result of the 80-year filtering process it undergoes before reaching the pond. You can even drink the water by one of the ponds.

There are thatched cottages around the village, but I have to say that I didn’t find Oshino Hakkai as pretty as Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba. It’s also more touristic because it’s easier to reach.

Mount Fuji Distant Worship Site

A single torii gate was built at the site as a place where people could come and worship Mount Fuji. Now, it’s a popular place to come and snap a photo. 

You can’t reach it by public transport, so you’ll only be able to get here if you have your own car. 

Hakone

Hakone is another popular town at the foothills of Mount Fuji.

Sadly, it’s in a different area from Kawaguchiko so if you’re deciding what things to do in Mount Fuji on a one-day trip, you’ll need to pick the attractions around one or the other. 

The town is within the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.

Some of the most popular things to do around the town are visit the natural hot springs that are dotted around the surrounding area, a trip to the open-air museum that has sculptures and paintings on the grounds, or a ride on the Hakone Tozan Railway. 

The Odawara Castle is another popular destination, and a walk around Lake Ashinoko is a must. 

The Best Mt, Fuji Day Tours

This private day trip to Mount Fuji from Tokyo allows you to fully customize your itinerary of the area. They usually visit the Chureito Pagoda, Oshino Hakkai, Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine, Lake Kawaguchiko, and Oishi Park.

You can get in touch with them to see if you can swap out any of these attractions for some of the ones I’ve mentioned before.

The driver and guide pick you up for Tokyo, and take you on a customized full-day tour that lasts some 10 hours. They can take groups of up to 6 people and the prices vary based on group size, but cost around or less than 100 EUR each.

Click here to book your private Mt Fuji day trip from Tokyo with private driver!

Alternatively, this group tour picks you up from your hotel and takes you to the Arakurayama Sengen Park which has photo-worthy views of Mount Fuji.

Next, you’ll go to the Hikawa Watch Shop, an iconic street that looks like something out of a painting. 

From there you’ll taste the spring water at Oshino Hakkai before visiting Kawaguchiko Oishi Park and the Kawaguchiko Maple Corridor.

All in all, this tour stops at all the famous photography spots and is a dream for anyone looking to go on an Instagrammable tour of Mount Fuji. The tour takes some 10 hours and costs about 50 EUR per person.

Click here to book your Tokyo to Mt Fuji group tour!

If you want to explore the Hakone area instead of Kawaguchiko, then this Hakone tour is the tour for you. 

You’ll start with a visit to Mount Fuji 5th Station, the start point for those wanting to summit the mountain, before heading for lunch at a local restaurant.

Next, you’ll get the chance to snap some photos at a viewpoint, before you ride the Hakone Ropeway and take a boat cruise along Lake Ashi. This full-day tour takes about 10 hours and costs around 150 EUR.

Click here to book your Tokyo to Hakone tour!

Best Time To Visit Mt. Fuji

The great thing about Mount Fuji is that you can visit the mountain year-round. Most travellers plan to visit in the spring when the cherry blossom is in bloom, or in the autumn when the leaves turn vibrant hues of red and orange. 

You should be aware these are the busiest seasons, so if you want to avoid the crowds come in winter or summer.

In winter there is often snow which covers the peak of Mount Fuji and the surrounding landscape. If you’re planning on doing lots of hiking or summiting Mount Fuji, this isn’t the right season to visit.

However, if you’re just looking for the best views, winter offers surprisingly good visibility. Unfortunately, you’re never guaranteed a clear day, and sometimes the mountain gets hidden behind thick cloud cover. 

If you want to avoid the crowds the best time of day to visit is early in the morning. However, it’s pretty hard to get to Mount Fuji super early if you’re coming on a tour from Tokyo as it’s a long drive. 

Is A Mount Fuji Day Trip Worth It?

A day trip to Mount Fuji and the surrounding attractions is definitely worth it. If anything, it’s not long enough to really soak in the landscape and visit the most famous temples and lakes at the foothills of the mountain. 

I’d suggest not rushing your visit to Japan’s most iconic destination and staying in one of the towns at the bottom of Mount Fuji for a night or two.

That way you can properly explore the Five Lakes and enjoy Kawaguchiko or Hakone’s finest waterfalls and temples. 

We spent three nights at a beautiful glamping with Mt Fuji views and loved it. Besides giving us more time to properly explore the Mt Fuji area, the glamping was an experience in and of itself.

That said, if you don’t have much time in Japan and you can only squeeze in a one-day tour of Mount Fuji – it’s still worth it!

Where to stay for a perfect Mt Fuji day trip

Since this article is about visiting Mount Fuji on a day trip from Tokyo, I will give you suggestions for places to stay in Tokyo that will make it easier for you to travel to Kawaguchiko.

I suggest you stay in Shinjuku, as that’s the station from which buses and trains to Kawaguchiko set off from. You already have to travel to Kawaguchiko, you don’t want to have to cross Tokyo too on top of that!

Budget: Book and Bed Tokyo Shinjuku – As far as hostels and dorms go, this one is pretty unique. There are books everywhere that you can enjoy during your stay, spacious beds, clean toilets, and a super central position.

Click here to book your stay at Book and Bed Tokyo Shinjuku!

Mid-range: APA Hotel Shinjuku Gyoemmae – The APA hotels are a chain of hotels in Japan which provide affordable accommodation in central areas, the rooms are small, but you can’t beat the location and price.

Click here to book your stay at APA Hotel Shinjuku Gyoemmae!

Luxury: Park Hotel Tokyo – Ok, this hotel isn’t in Shinjuku, but it’s so beautiful and conveniently located in Tokyo that it’s worth travelling for. It’s an art hotel, with beautiful artworks by Japanese artists all over the hotel, spacious rooms, a delicious breakfast and incredible views of Tokyo Tower and Mt Fuji!

Click here to book your stay at Park Hotel Tokyo!

However, since I wouldn’t personally suggest visiting Mt Fuji on a day trip from Tokyo, but actually spend a few nights in the Five Lakes area, here are some great places to stay around Mt Fuji.

We stayed at Glamping Villa Hanz and loved it.

It was the ultimate Mount Fuji glamping experience, with comfortable villas or paos to choose from, public and private onsens to relax at after exploring Shiraito Falls, incredible Mt Fuji views, and a delicious barbecue dinner that you get to prepare yourself!

Click here to book your stay at Glamping Villa Hanz!

Alternatively, here are some other accommodation options close to Mount Fuji.

Budget: Kagelow Mt. Fuji Hostel Kawaguchiko – Newly renovated in 2015, this hostel offers cozy accommodations with shared amenities, an on-site bar, and stunning views of Mt. Fuji, just 2.7 km from Lake Kawaguchi.

Click here to book your stay at the Kagelow Mt. Fuji Hostel Kawaguchiko

Luxury: Fufu Kawaguchiko – Treat yourself to a luxurious stay with a garden, hot spring bath, sauna, and mountain views, featuring air-conditioned rooms with modern amenities and a restaurant.

Click here to book your stay at the Fufu Kawaguchiko

Final thoughts On Doing A Mt. Fuji Day Trip

With so many things to do in Mount Fuji, the hardest bit will be deciding what to add to your Mount Fuji day trip itinerary.

From temples to stunning lakes and traditional villages, a Kawaguchi one-day trip is a must while you’re in Japan. Pack your hiking shoes and your best camera and get ready for an adventure!

If you’ve got enough time on your holiday, stay in Kawaguchiko or Hakone for a few nights, and make the most of the stunning landscapes and incredible views of Mount Fuji. 

On my first Japan trip I did a day trip to Kamakura instead of Mt Fuji, and while beautiful, I think exploring Mt Fuji is more fun and adventurous.

Alongside hiking the Magome to Tsumago trail, it was the highlight of my second Japan trip.

Everyone travels to Japan for cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka, but the small countryside towns like Mt Fuji, Miyajima or Himeji are where the magic really happens.

Have you been to Mount Fuji before? Are you planning to go? Let me know in the comments below! 

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