Mount Fuji Private Tour: 5th Station & Kawaguchiko Lake

The Fifth Station sits at a high elevation, reachable only by vehicle, not on foot from the base.

A private full-day tour of Mount Fuji and the surrounding region with an English-speaking driver, covering the Fifth Station, Kawaguchiko Lake, Sengen Shrine, and Oshino Hakkai village. You control how long to spend at each location. The tour runs 10 hours and includes private transportation, fuel and tolls. Entry fees to the Fifth Station and Oshino Hakkai are separate. A surcharge applies if pickup is outside the Tokyo area.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Mount Fuji and Surroundings

• Visualize scenic views of Mount Fuji
• Walk along Lake Kawaguchi
• Visit peaceful historic village with Mount Fuji view
• Stop at Mount Fuji Fifth Station
• Hike to observation deck at Arakurayama Park
• Explore starting point for Mount Fuji ascent
• Visit traditional village with eight famous ponds

The Experience

What makes this tour different is the flexibility: you're not locked into a group schedule or a fixed itinerary. The driver takes you to Mount Fuji's Fifth Station, the highest point reachable by car, where weather permitting you step out at 2,300 meters to see the mountain's volcanic landscape up close. From there, the day branches into stops you choose: Kawaguchiko Lake, where a walk along the shore frames Mount Fuji across the water; the Sengen Shrine Complex, where a tree-lined approach and stone stairs prepare visitors for the mountain's spiritual significance; and Oshino Hakkai, a traditional village built around eight ponds with Mount Fuji as backdrop.

The vehicle is air-conditioned and the driver speaks English, handling all navigation and tolls so you focus on the views. The tour spans 10 hours total, which includes driving time between sites, not every minute is spent at attractions. If you're traveling with up to five people, one booking covers everyone. Larger groups choose the option that fits your party size. Pickup is included from your Tokyo-area hotel. If you're staying elsewhere, a surcharge applies.

Entry to the Fifth Station costs ¥2,100 per person and is paid on the day. The same applies to Oshino Hakkai at ¥500. Meals are not included, though you'll have time to eat at any of the stops. The weather determines whether the Fifth Station is accessible: on clear days the views extend across the Fuji Five Lakes region, but clouds or poor conditions may close the road.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• English-speaking driver.
• fuel and expressway tolls.
• pickup and dropoff at your hotel (within Tokyo area).

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Smile Tours

Is this one for you?The 10-hour duration and flexible stops suit travelers who want to see Mount Fuji and the surrounding lakes without joining a group or sticking to fixed timing at each site. If you're staying outside Tokyo, factor in the surcharge before booking.

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Top questions

Can I choose which sites to visit, or is the itinerary fixed?

You set the pace at each location. The driver takes you to Mount Fuji's Fifth Station, Kawaguchiko Lake, Sengen Shrine and Oshino Hakkai, but how long you spend at each one is up to you: some travelers linger at the lake for an hour, others move through in twenty minutes.

What is the Mount Fuji Fifth Station?

The Fifth Station is the highest point on Mount Fuji reachable by car, sitting at 2,300 meters. It's a viewing and rest area where you can see the volcanic landscape and, on clear days, views across the surrounding lakes and valleys. Entry costs ¥2,100 per person and depends on weather. The road closes if conditions are poor.

Does the tour include meals?

Meals are not included, but you have time to eat at any of the stops along the way. Kawaguchiko Lake and the village of Oshino Hakkai both have small restaurants and cafes.

How many people can book this tour together?

You choose the option that fits your group: up to five people, up to nine, or up to thirteen travelers can book as one private party in the same vehicle.

Is there an extra charge if my hotel is outside Tokyo?

If your pickup location is outside the Tokyo area, a $50 surcharge applies to the booking. Pickup and dropoff at your hotel are included in the tour price.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day of the tour?

The Fifth Station road closes during poor weather. If conditions prevent access, the driver will adjust the route to other sites: Kawaguchiko Lake, the shrines and Oshino Hakkai remain accessible in most weather.