Mt. Fuji Private Car Tour from Shimizu Port, Shizuoka: Skip the crowds

Options for this experience

4 options

Up to 5 per booking · Guide in English or Japanese13:00

Up to 5 per booking · Guide in English or Japanese6 departure times, from 07:00 to 12:00

Up to 9 per booking · Guide in English or Japanese13:00

Up to 9 per booking · Guide in English or Japanese6 departure times, from 07:00 to 12:00

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

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

Tanuki Lake and Shiraito Falls without the tour bus lines

A private car tour from Shimizu Port designed for cruise passengers, with an English-speaking local guide and your own vehicle for six to seven hours. You visit Tanuki Lake for the "upside-down Fuji" reflection, Shiraito Falls' 200-meter cascade, a sake tasting at a local shop, Fujinomiya Omiya Yokocho food alley, Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha shrine with its sacred spring water, and the Mt. Fuji World Heritage Center with a 360-degree rooftop view. The itinerary adjusts for weather and traffic to fit your port time. Choose between a mini van for up to five passengers or a large van for six to nine. Afternoon departures at 1pm run five hours instead of the full day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Mt. Fuji and Local Highlights Tour

• Visit Tanuki Lake for Mt. Fuji views
• Explore Shiraito Falls and walking paths
• Taste local sake at Mt. Fuji sake shop
• Enjoy Fujinomiya Omiya Yokocho food alley
• Visit Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha shrine
• Learn at Fuji World Heritage Center

The Experience

Shimizu Port sits close enough to Mt. Fuji that you can reach its quieter sides in the time between ship arrival and departure. This tour skips the crowded Fuji Five Lakes and instead takes you to Tanuki Lake, where the mountain's reflection on calm water, locals call it "upside-down Fuji", is the main draw. Your private vehicle means you're not waiting for a group to board or following a fixed schedule through each stop.

The route builds around water and culture. Shiraito Falls drops across a 200-meter width with walking paths on both sides. The entrance is free. You'll stop at a local sake shop at Mt. Fuji's base to taste fruit-infused and traditional brews made with the region's pure water. Fujinomiya Omiya Yokocho, a food alley in the nearby city, is where you can try Fujinomiya Yakisoba, the local noodle specialty, and regional sweets in the time you have. Your guide handles the stops and timing. You decide how long to linger.

Two stops anchor the spiritual side. Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha is the head shrine of over 1,300 Sengen shrines across Japan and part of Mt. Fuji's World Heritage designation. Inside the grounds, Wakutama Pond holds spring water fed by Mt. Fuji's snowmelt that has filtered underground for years. You can drink it directly. The Mt. Fuji World Heritage Center rounds out the day with exhibits on the mountain's formation, history and culture, plus a rooftop observation deck with views in all directions. Entry to the center is included. Parking and your guide's knowledge of local history and nature come with the booking.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned private vehicle with parking fees covered.
• English-speaking local guide who drives.
• Mt. Fuji World Heritage Center entry.
• sake tasting at a local shop near Mt. Fuji's base.
• access to Tanuki Lake, Shiraito Falls (free entrance), Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha shrine with its sacred spring water, and Fujinomiya Omiya Yokocho food alley for local noodles and regional sweets.

Days and timesDaily · 7 departure times, from 07:00 to 13:00

Meeting point and pickupNo pickup · ends where it startsMeeting point, per the operator: “when your ship arrives at Hinode Pier, please disembark and look for our guide holding a Sunny Tours Japan sign at the arrival gate.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Sunny tours Japan

Is this one for you?Book the morning departure to spend unhurried time at each stop. Choose the 1pm option if your ship's schedule allows only a few hours ashore.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Japanese.

Can I book this tour if my ship arrives in the afternoon?

Yes. The afternoon departure starts at 1pm and runs for five hours instead of the full six to seven, condensing the main stops to fit your port schedule. The itinerary adjusts based on timing and weather to make the most of the hours you have.

What is Tanuki Lake and why is it better than the other Fuji lakes?

Tanuki Lake is quieter and less crowded than the Fuji Five Lakes. From the shore you get a head-on view of Mt. Fuji, and on calm mornings or evenings the mountain reflects perfectly in the water: a sight locals call "upside-down Fuji." It's a peaceful spot to stand in front of the mountain without the tour groups.

Is the Mt. Fuji World Heritage Center entry included?

Yes. The center's entry fee is included in your booking. The rooftop observation deck gives you 360-degree views, and the exhibits cover Mt. Fuji's formation, history, culture and nature, so you leave with context for everything you've seen that day.

What happens if the weather is bad when I arrive?

Your guide will adjust the itinerary or omit certain stops depending on weather, traffic or timing to make the most of your visit. Mt. Fuji itself may not be visible on cloudy days, but the waterfalls, shrine and food alley don't depend on clear skies.

Do I need to arrange my own lunch?

Lunch is not part of the tour package, but you'll stop at Fujinomiya Omiya Yokocho food alley where you can buy local yakisoba, sweets and other regional dishes to eat on your own time. The sake shop also offers tastings during that stop.

How many people can fit in the vehicle?

You choose at checkout: a mini van holds one to five passengers, or a large van holds six to nine. Both are air-conditioned, and the price is per vehicle, not per person, so a family books one van regardless of size.