Mt. Fuji & Lake Kawaguchi: Cruise, Noodle Class & Shrine

Lake Kawaguchi & Mt. Fuji in One Day, Plus You Cook Lunch

You board a lake cruise with Mt. Fuji across the water, spend time in a flower-filled park, then make and eat traditional Hōtō noodles yourself. After a peaceful walk through spring-fed ponds at Oshino Hakkai, you climb to the famous pagoda at Arakurayama Sengen Shrine for the classic Mt. Fuji view. Hotel pickup at 7:20am from Shinjuku, return around 5:30pm.

Step-by-step itinerary

Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi tour

• Meet at LOVE statue
• Board Kawaguchiko Appare Cruise
• Enjoy views of Mt. Fuji and lake
• Visit Oishi Park for scenery
• Make traditional Hōtō noodles
• Eat your handmade Hōtō lunch
• Stroll through Oshino Hakkai village
• Visit Arakurayama Sengen Shrine
• See five-story pagoda and Mt. Fuji
• Return to Shinjuku Station

The experience

So you're sitting on a boat on Lake Kawaguchi and Mt. Fuji is just... there, across the water, and you realize why people have been painting it for centuries. The Kawaguchiko Appare Cruise leaves early enough that the light is still soft, and the mountain doesn't feel like a postcard yet. It feels like something you're actually looking at. Your English-speaking guide is already pointing out the seasonal details: which flowers are blooming in Oishi Park, how the light changes depending on where you're standing. The whole thing moves at a pace that lets you breathe instead of rushing between checkpoints.

Then comes the part that actually sticks with you: the Hōtō noodle-making class. You're kneeling at a low table (shoes off, which takes a second to get used to), rolling out thick, flat noodles by hand, and the instructor is patient even when your technique is clumsy. The noodles go into a miso-based broth with seasonal vegetables, and you eat what you made yourself, which tastes better than it probably should. It's the kind of thing that sounds like a tourist activity until you're actually doing it and realizing you're learning something real about how people in Yamanashi eat. After that, Oshino Hakkai is quiet: a village built around crystal-clear spring ponds fed by Mt. Fuji's snowmelt, and you can walk at your own speed without feeling rushed.

The last stop is Arakurayama Sengen Shrine, where the five-story pagoda sits with Mt. Fuji rising directly behind it. If you're there during cherry blossom season, there's a 30-minute walk from the bus stop to the observation deck, so wear shoes you don't mind in. The pagoda is the shot everyone wants, and it's worth the climb. You're back at Shinjuku Station around 5:30pm, which means you've done a full Mt. Fuji day trip without renting a car or figuring out train transfers yourself. The bus has WiFi, so you can actually upload photos on the way back instead of sitting in silence.

What’s included

• Your day includes pickup from Shinjuku at 7:20am, the Lake Kawaguchi cruise, entry to Oishi Park, a hands-on Hōtō noodle-making class with lunch, a walk through Oshino Hakkai village, and entry to Arakurayama Sengen Shrine with its five-story pagoda.
• A professional English-speaking guide accompanies the group, and the air-conditioned bus offers free WiFi.
• You're dropped off at Shinjuku Station around 5:30pm.
• Multilingual audio guidance in seven languages is available throughout the day.

Options for this experience

2 options

LOVE ShinjukuGuide in English or Japanese · 07:20Lunch is included, and a gluten-free option can be provided if you request it when booking. Starting point: Robert Indiana Sculpture: "LOVE", 6-chōme-5-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan

Lake KawaguchiGuide in English or Japanese · 08:45Lunch is included, and a gluten-free option can be provided if you request it when booking. Starting point: Lake Kawaguchiko Sightseeing Boat, 県営船津無料駐車場, 前, Funatsu, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0301, Japan

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except SaturdayDepartures at 07:20 and 08:45

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 43

Live guideEnglish and Japanese

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Ukrainian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Japan Panoramic Tours

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to see Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi without arranging your own transport or timing: the fixed pickup and return times mean you leave Tokyo early and come back in time for dinner, and the noodle class turns a sightseeing day into something you actually do with your hands.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Japanese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What time does the tour start and where do I get picked up?

Pickup is at 7:20am from the LOVE statue at Shinjuku. The tour returns to Shinjuku Station around 5:30pm, depending on traffic.

Is the noodle-making class included, or do I pay extra?

The Hōtō noodle-making class and lunch are included in the tour price. Gluten-free lunch is available if you request it when booking.

What's the restaurant like for the noodle lunch?

It's a traditional Japanese-style restaurant with tatami mats. You'll need to remove your shoes and sit on the floor.

How long is the walk at Arakurayama Sengen Shrine?

During cherry blossom season, there's approximately a 30-minute walk from the bus stop to the observation deck. Outside that season, the walk is shorter.

What if the weather is bad or a site is closed?

The itinerary may change due to weather or traffic. If a site is closed, the tour visits an alternative location (such as Swan Lake Cruise on Lake Yamanaka or Fujisan World Heritage Center) or provides compensation. Refunds are not given for these changes.

Is there WiFi on the bus?

Yes, free WiFi is available on the air-conditioned bus.

Can I bring a stroller or wheelchair?

Infants can ride in a pram or stroller, and you handle loading and unloading yourself. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health, and requires at least moderate physical fitness.

What dietary options are available?

Gluten-free lunch is available on request. Halal and allergy-friendly meals are not available. State any dietary requirements when you book.

What happens if I'm late to the pickup?

If you miss the 7:20am start time at Shinjuku, you cannot join the tour mid-way. Arrive on time to secure your spot.