Mt. Fuji: Aokigahara Ice Cave Tour with Permit & Pickup

Summary

Walk deep into Aokigahara’s forest and enter an untouched lava cave few ever see

You’ll follow an English-speaking guide through Aokigahara Forest near Mt. Fuji—crunching over soft pine needles—before entering a rarely accessed ice cave with your own headlamp and gear provided. Feel the chill of ancient lava tunnels at 0°C while seeing natural ice formations shaped by centuries of snowmelt. This small-group tour includes hotel pickup around Lake Kawaguchiko for an adventure that lingers long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

"You sure you’re not claustrophobic?" our guide, Jun, grinned as he handed me a helmet outside the edge of Aokigahara Forest. I laughed — half joking, half nervous — but already the air felt different here, thick with pine and something colder underneath. There were twelve of us, shuffling into overalls and gloves, everyone glancing at each other like we’d signed up for something slightly mad. The forest was quiet except for the crunch of boots and Jun’s stories about Mt. Fuji’s old eruptions. He pointed out how the ground felt spongy from centuries of fallen needles — I hadn’t noticed until I nearly tripped on a root. That got a laugh from Li, who tried to teach me how to say “sea of trees” in Japanese (I butchered it).

The walk through Aokigahara was longer than I expected — forty minutes or so — but it didn’t drag. There’s this weird hush in the Sea of Trees that makes you whisper without meaning to. At one point, a crow startled us all; someone joked it was checking if we’d get lost (not funny, honestly). When we reached the cave entrance, Jun flicked on his headlamp and told us this spot needed special permission — apparently most people never see it. Inside was pitch black except for our lights bouncing off walls that looked like frozen waves. My breath fogged up instantly; it must’ve been close to 0°C in there. The air tasted metallic and cold, almost sharp on my tongue.

I kept thinking about how old everything felt down there — like time just stopped after Mt. Fuji erupted 1,200 years ago and left these tunnels behind. We slid past icicles thicker than my arm and squeezed through gaps where only one person could fit at a time (my backpack got stuck once; embarrassing). Jun explained how snowmelt drips in every spring and freezes into these wild shapes — some looked like glass sculptures under our lights. It was quiet except for water dripping somewhere deeper in the dark.

By the time we stepped back into daylight, my hands were numb but I couldn’t stop grinning. There’s something about being underground with strangers that makes you feel weirdly close afterward — or maybe that was just relief? On the way back through Aokigahara Forest, nobody talked much; everyone just listened to their own footsteps and maybe tried to remember what sunlight felt like before going underground. Even now I still think about that silence in the cave sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Mt. Fuji Ice Cave Adventure

• Meet at meeting point
• Prepare with helmet and gear
• Move to tour departure site
• Walk 40 minutes in Aokigahara Forest
• Explore lava cave for 60 minutes
• Walk 40 minutes back in forest
• Return to meeting point
• Review and break up
• Go home safely

Top questions

How long does the Mt. Fuji ice cave tour take?

The full adventure lasts about three hours including walking through Aokigahara Forest and exploring the cave itself.

Is hotel pickup included for this Aokigahara Forest tour?

Yes, pickup is included from hotels around Lake Kawaguchiko or Kawaguchiko station.

Do I need any special equipment for the ice cave?

No—you’ll be provided with a helmet, gloves, overall suit, and headlamp as part of your booking.

How cold is it inside Mt. Fuji’s ice cave?

The temperature inside stays around 0°C (32°F), so dress warmly even though gear is provided.

Can children join this Mt. Fuji ice cave tour?

Children can join but must be accompanied by an adult; some physical fitness is required due to uneven terrain.

Is this tour suitable for pregnant travelers?

No, it’s not recommended for pregnant travelers due to safety concerns inside the cave.

How many people are in each group?

The small-group tour is limited to a maximum of 12 travelers per group.

Will we see natural ice formations during the tour?

Yes—you’ll see unique natural ice art formed by Mt. Fuji’s melted snow inside the lava cave.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation with pickup from your hotel or Kawaguchiko station, all taxes and entry fees (including special permit access to a secluded real cave), use of exploration equipment like helmets, gloves, overalls and headlights, plus guidance throughout from an experienced English-speaking local guide before drop-off back at your starting point.