Mt Fuji & Hakone Day Trip: Ropeway, Lake Ashi Cruise & Bullet Train

Summary

Mt Fuji’s 5th Station, Hakone ropeway views, Lake Ashi breezes and Shinkansen return

You’ll stand where clouds brush against Mt Fuji’s shoulder, taste local flavors at a lunch buffet near its base, ride Hakone’s ropeway above steaming valleys, and drift across Lake Ashi’s calm water—all with easy pickup and a smooth bullet train ride back to Tokyo. Expect small surprises along the way—and maybe one or two moments that stick with you.

What’s the experience like?

The bus was already humming when I found my seat near the window—somehow the city faded fast as we left Tokyo behind. Our guide, Saki, started pointing out little details about the landscape I wouldn’t have noticed on my own (she joked about how Mt Fuji hides behind clouds like a shy celebrity). By the time we reached the 5th Station, the air felt sharper and cooler—almost tasted clean. There was this moment when I just stood there, hands in my pockets, watching a group of hikers bow at a tiny Shinto shrine. It smelled faintly of incense and pine needles. I tried to take a photo but honestly it didn’t capture that feeling at all.

Lunch was at this spot right at Mt Fuji’s base—a buffet with things I couldn’t name (I probably ate too many pickled plums). Saki explained which dishes were local to Yamanashi; she laughed when I tried to say “hōtō” noodles in Japanese. After that, heading into Hakone felt like changing channels—suddenly more green, mist curling around the trees. The Hakone Ropeway was wobbly but worth it for those views; you could see steam rising from Owakudani below and if you squinted (or maybe imagined) you’d spot Fuji again through gaps in the clouds. Some people gasped when we crossed over a deep valley—I just gripped the rail tighter.

The Lake Ashi cruise was quieter than I expected. A couple of locals waved from a small boat as we passed by; one kid stuck his tongue out at us and then ducked away laughing. The breeze off the water felt good after so much bus time. When we finally boarded the bullet train at Odawara, everyone seemed a bit tired but in that good way—you know? Watching Tokyo lights flicker past through the window made me realize how far we’d gone in just one day trip from Tokyo to Mt Fuji and Hakone. I still think about that cold air up on Fuji sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Mt Fuji and Hakone sightseeing tour

• Visit Mt. Fuji 5th Station
• See Japanese Shinto Shrine at 5th Station
• Enjoy Japanese lunch buffet near Mt. Fuji
• Visit Mt. Hakone or Mt. Komitake area
• Ride Hakone Ropeway cable car
• Take Lake Ashi cruise
• Travel from Odawara to Tokyo by bullet train
• Arrive at Tokyo Station

Top questions

How long does this Mt Fuji & Hakone day trip take?

The tour departs early morning from Tokyo and returns around 18:10 by bullet train.

Is lunch included on this day trip?

A buffet lunch is included if selected during booking; vegetarian and Muslim-friendly options are available if requested in advance.

Does this tour include pickup?

Yes, pickup is available from Matsuya Ginza (7:20am) or LOVE Shinjuku (7:50am).

What happens if Mt Fuji’s 5th Station is closed?

If access beyond the 4th Station isn’t possible, an alternative like Oshino Hakkai will be visited instead.

Is there an English-speaking guide?

Yes, a professional English-speaking guide leads the tour; multilingual audio guidance is also available.

Are infants or children allowed?

Infants and small children can join; strollers are permitted but infants must sit on an adult’s lap during transport.

Can I bring large luggage on this tour?

No, large luggage exceeding total dimensions of 160cm cannot be brought onto non-reserved cars of the Shinkansen for return.

What is included in the price?

The price covers transportation by air-conditioned bus with Wi-Fi, entry fees for all activities including Lake Ashi cruise and Hakone Ropeway, lunch (if selected), bullet train ticket back to Tokyo, plus guiding services.

What’s included

Your day includes convenient morning pickup in central Tokyo before heading out by coach with free Wi-Fi toward Mt Fuji’s 5th Station. All entry fees are covered—from walking among shrines on Fuji to gliding above valleys on Hakone Ropeway and cruising Lake Ashi’s volcanic waters. Enjoy a generous Japanese buffet lunch near Mt Fuji (with vegetarian or Muslim-friendly options if requested), then finish with your reserved bullet train seat speeding you comfortably back to Tokyo Station by evening.