One Day Mt. Fuji & Hakone Group Tour

After a hearty greeting, your guide will accompany you on a roughly 2-hour charter bus ride to Mount Fuji 5th Station, briefly introducing today’s Mt. Fuji tours. Although we disembark here, the “station” does not refer to a bus stop, but to a unit called “goume” in Japanese. Some say that 10 stations equal 1 liter, and the shape of a pile of 1-liter rice resembles Mt. Fuji; hence, the climbing route to the mountaintop is divided into 10 stations. Also, as the highest point reachable by transportation, Mount Fuji 5th Station is considered the boundary between the human and divine worlds. Therefore, climbing Mount Fuji typically begins at the 5th Station and involves ascending to higher areas available only on foot. Standing on the mountainside at an altitude of 2,300 meters (7,546 feet), with the iconic Mount Fuji close at hand against a blue sky streaked with fluffy, white clouds, it feels as if you are truly approaching a snow-capped paradise.

► Notes: 
1. Sunny weather is crucial for a clear view of Mt. Fuji, even from a close distance. Please check the weather forecast for your stay in Tokyo in advance.
2. There is a significant temperature difference between Mt. Fuji 5th Station and Tokyo. Even during the daytime, temperatures can drop to 14°C (57 ℉) in summer and -5°C (23 ℉) in winter, so you’d better bring a jacket to keep warm.
3. If the Fuji Subaru Line is closed, we will visit Oishi Park at Lake Kawaguchi or the Fujisan World Heritage Center instead.

Around noon, we’ll enjoy a Japanese-style meal, during which you might watch a spectacular performance of traditional Japanese drums called “wadaiko”, energizing listeners with its thunderous rumbling sound. Moreover, the menu also features a vegetarian option, a Muslim-friendly option, and an Indian thali option; please inform us if you need any of these when booking.

After lunch, let’s move to Hakone to enjoy a 15-minute cruise on Lake Ashi. While boating on the glistening lake, you can photograph the iconic grand red Peace Torii of Hakone Shrine amidst the waterscape and mountain scenery, all while admiring Mount Fuji in the distance.

Next, we’ll take the Komagatake Ropeway through the lush forest to the mountaintop, where the ruins of the original Hakone Shrine still stand. As you stand on Mt. Komagatake, the highest mountain in Hakone, the clouds seem almost within reach. When you enjoy the panoramic view of Lake Ashi, don’t forget to capture precious pictures of Mount Fuji and Lake Ashi in the same frame, as if the animated fairy world of Hayao Miyazaki, the famous Japanese animator, has become reality.

After descending by ropeway, follow your guide to take the charter bus returning to Shinjuku Station in Tokyo by around 21:00, and then proceed to your hotel independently. If you wish to continue exploring Hakone the next day, you can ask for a stop at Odawara Station, where you can catch the Hakone Tozan Train. We hope you enjoyed this day trip!

► What You Should Know About the Visibility of Mt. Fuji
A trip to Japan is incomplete without seeing Mt. Fuji. However, it is only visible for about 100 days each year, and in some years with severe weather, even fewer than 80 days. Therefore, when planning a day tour, it’s advisable to check the ideal date on the dedicated Mount Fuji visibility forecast website. Although the best viewing season is winter, from December to February, much better than the half-month visibility from March to May and September to November, coming to appreciate Japan’s famous cherry blossoms and autumn leaves will not disappoint.

► How to Increase the Chances of Meeting Mt. Fuji
If seeing Mount Fuji is your biggest wish during your trip to Japan, we recommend our private multi-day itineraries that offer flexible arrangements for viewing Mt. Fuji on the best day, depending on the weather. You can also select the southeastern Hakone or northern Kawaguchiko route to Mt. Fuji, based on the varying visibility from the north and south as indicated on the forecast website. Alternatively, you may stay in Hakone for two days, significantly increasing your chances of seeing Mt. Fuji while also allowing you to experience the Japanese hot springs, the geothermal landscape of the Owakudani Valley, and various art galleries. No matter how you would like to travel around Mt. Fuji, we can customize a personalized itinerary to meet your needs.