Mount Fuji & Lake Kawaguchi Tour: Small Group, 5th Station

Climb to Mount Fuji's 5th Station and photograph the Chureito Pagoda in one day

A small-group guided tour from Tokyo that visits Mount Fuji's 5th Station, Oishi Park, Arakurayama's Chureito Pagoda, Oshino Hakkai's ponds, and Fujiyoshida, with an English-speaking guide and round-trip transfers included. The tour runs 10 hours and involves climbing 400 optional steps at the 5th Station. Weather and traffic during peak season may affect visibility and return timing.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each2 stops

1. Oishi Park2h
2. Mt. Fuji 5th Station1h

Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi tour

• Meet guide at meeting location
• Visit Arakurayama and Chureito Pagoda
• Drive to Oishi Park for views
• Explore Oshino Hakkai ponds and houses
• Go to Mt. Fuji 5th Station
• Lunch and shop in Fujiyoshida
• Return to starting location

The experience

You meet your guide at a centralized location in Tokyo and travel by air-conditioned vehicle to Mount Fuji's surroundings. The route takes you first to Arakurayama, where you photograph the Chureito Pagoda against the mountain backdrop and visit the Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine. From there you drive to Oishi Park to stand at Lake Kawaguchi's edge and take in the landscape views of both the lake and Mount Fuji across the water.

Next comes Oshino Hakkai, where you walk among eight spring-fed ponds surrounded by thatched houses. The water is clear enough to see the volcanic sand beneath. You'll have free time in Fujiyoshida to grab lunch and browse traditional souvenir shops before heading up to the 5th Station. The climb to the viewing platform involves 400 optional steps. The payoff is panoramic views of Mount Fuji itself, though visibility depends on weather conditions. The tour ends back at your starting point in Tokyo.

A small group means the pace stays manageable and the guide can answer questions without rushing through each stop. Round-trip transfers from Tokyo remove the need to navigate trains or rent a car, and an English-speaking guide handles all the logistics. Keep in mind that during Japanese holidays, weekends, or peak season, traffic can delay the return, and some sites may shift or close depending on weather or availability on the day.

What’s included

• English-speaking tour guide.
• air-conditioned vehicle for round-trip transfers from Tokyo.
• visits to Oishi Park, Arakurayama's Chureito Pagoda and Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine, Oshino Hakkai's ponds, Fujiyoshida, and Mount Fuji's 5th Station.

Information

Lasts 10h, runs every day at 07:50, from JP¥ 19,238 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 15 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:50

GroupUp to 152 private ›

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.4 with pickup ›

Book up to1h before

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Tourist Japan

Is this one for you?Booking a small group tour removes the logistics of getting to Mount Fuji from Tokyo without a car. The guide handles the route, timing and navigation so you spend the day at the viewpoints instead of planning how to reach them. The group size also keeps the pace steady and the guide available for questions at each stop, which matters when you're trying to frame the Chureito Pagoda shot or understand what you're looking at across Lake Kawaguchi.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Chureito Pagoda and why do people photograph it with Mount Fuji?

The Chureito Pagoda is a five-story red pagoda at Arakurayama Sengen Park, and it sits at an angle where Mount Fuji rises directly behind it in the frame: making it one of the most iconic photo compositions in Japan. The tour includes time to take that shot.

Can I skip the 400 steps at the 5th Station if I'm not comfortable climbing?

Yes, the 400-step climb to the viewing platform at Mount Fuji's 5th Station is optional. You can stay at the base of the station or climb partway. The tour does not require you to reach the top.

What are the Oshino Hakkai ponds and what will I see there?

Oshino Hakkai is a small village with eight spring-fed ponds fed by snowmelt from Mount Fuji. The water is so clear you can see the volcanic sand on the bottom, and the village has traditional thatched-roof houses around the ponds that you walk past during your visit.

How long is the drive from Tokyo, and what time does the tour start?

The tour runs 10 hours total and you meet your guide at a centralized meeting location in Tokyo in the morning. The exact start time and pickup details are confirmed when you book.

What happens if the weather is bad and I can't see Mount Fuji at the 5th Station?

Mount Fuji's visibility at the 5th Station depends on weather conditions on the day of your tour. If clouds or fog block the view, the tour still visits the station, but the panoramic views may not be visible. The itinerary may also shift to alternative sites if weather or heavy traffic affects access to scheduled locations.

Is lunch included, and where do I eat?

Lunch is not included. You have free time in Fujiyoshida to choose your own meal at local restaurants and shops in that town before heading to the 5th Station.