Mt Fuji & Hakone: Lake Ashi Cruise, Ropeway & Drum Show Tour

Summary

Mt Fuji’s heights, Hakone’s lake breeze, and drums echoing through lunch

You’ll ride an air-conditioned bus from Tokyo to Mt Fuji’s 5th Station, taste crisp mountain air, then share Japanese lunch while wadaiko drums thunder nearby. Cruise across Lake Ashi in Hakone and float up Komagatake Ropeway—all with a local guide who makes sure you catch both stories and small surprises along the way.

What’s the experience like?

Someone hands me a warm cup of tea as we step off the bus at Mt Fuji 5th Station—steam rising in the chilly air, even though it’s supposed to be summer. Our guide, Yuki, points out the old cedar trees twisting up into the clouds and laughs when I ask if this is where climbers start their hike (she says most people don’t get much further than here). The wind smells sharp and clean. I keep thinking the mountain will suddenly appear in full but it stays half-shy behind its own weather—still, standing there at 2,300 meters feels like being somewhere between earth and sky.

Lunch is served in a bright room with windows facing out toward green slopes. There’s a group setting up big wooden drums—wadaiko—and when they start playing, it’s impossible not to feel it in your chest. One of the drummers grins at us between songs; I try to clap along but totally lose the beat. The meal itself is simple but comforting—rice, pickles, something sweet I couldn’t name—and Yuki checks in about dietary needs (she remembered I’d asked for vegetarian). I didn’t expect to get goosebumps from a drum show over lunch, honestly.

The Hakone part is softer somehow. We board a boat on Lake Ashi—the Sorakaze—and drift past pine trees reflected in glassy water. There’s a family feeding crumbs to ducks near the dock; their little boy waves at us as we pull away. Later we cram into the ropeway car for Komagatake—the glass fogs up with everyone’s breath and someone jokes about “hot springs on wheels.” At the top you can see back down to the lake if you’re lucky with weather (we weren’t really), but there was this moment where everything went quiet except for wind and distant temple bells. So yeah, not every view was perfect but it felt real.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Mt Fuji and Hakone sightseeing tour

• Travel to Mt. Fuji base
• Visit Mt. Fuji 5th Station
• Enjoy Japanese-style lunch and drum show
• Take Lake Ashi cruise
• Ride Hakone Komagatake cableway
• Disembark bus at Odawara (if booked)
• Return to Tokyo Station

Top questions

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

The tour starts in the morning from Tokyo Station area and returns between 6pm and 9pm the same day.

Is lunch included on this Mt Fuji & Hakone tour?

Lunch is included only if you select the "With Lunch" option during booking; otherwise you need to bring your own meal.

What happens if Mt Fuji or Lake Ashi are closed due to weather?

If access is blocked or views are poor due to weather or road conditions, alternative sites like museums or other lakes are visited instead.

Is there an English-speaking guide on this tour?

Yes, a National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter accompanies the group throughout the day trip.

Can vegetarians or those with dietary needs join?

Vegetarian meals are available if requested when booking; Muslim-friendly and Indian thali options too. Allergy-friendly or gluten-free meals aren’t available.

Does this tour include hotel pickup?

No hotel pickup; you meet at Tokyo Station area for departure by bus.

Are children allowed on this tour?

Yes, children are welcome; kids up to 5 years old join free but won’t have their own seat or meal unless booked under child rate.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip transportation by air-conditioned bus from Tokyo Station area, entry fees for all scheduled attractions like Mt Fuji 5th Station and Hakone Komagatake Ropeway, an English-speaking local guide throughout, plus a Japanese-style lunch with tea or coffee (if selected) alongside a live wadaiko drum performance before heading back in the evening.