Japan » Shizuoka Prefecture » Shizuoka

Mt. Fuji from Shimizu Port: Lake Tanuki & Shiraito Falls Tour

★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (13 reviews)

Free cancellation

1/11

Duration5h 30m

GroupUp to 15

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Three stops around Mt. Fuji in 5.5 hours, starting and ending at your cruise ship

You're driven from Shimizu Port to three Mt. Fuji heritage sites: a quiet lake where photographers gather, two waterfalls fed by mountain spring water, and a 9th-century shrine built to protect against volcanic eruptions. An English-speaking guide handles the narration, the small bus (max 15 people) handles the transport, and the fixed timing gets you back to your ship on schedule.

5h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Travel from Shimizu Port to Lake Tanuki
Enjoy peaceful Lake Tanuki views
Travel from Lake Tanuki to Shiraito Falls
Visit Shiraito Falls and Otodome Falls
Travel from Shiraito Falls to Fujisan Hongu Sengen Shrine
Explore Fujisan Hongu Sengen Shrine
Return to Shimizu Port by bus

The Experience

The small bus pulls away from Shimizu Port and heads inland toward Lake Tanuki, a quiet lake that sits in Mt. Fuji's shadow and stays off most cruise itineraries. Your English-speaking guide points out why photographers camp here instead of fighting the crowds at Lake Kawaguchi — the angle is cleaner, the water reflects the mountain without the tourist infrastructure, and locals actually use the place on weekends. You get time to stand at the water's edge and take the shot, or just watch the mountain sit there across the water.

From there, the bus takes you to Shiraito Falls and Otodome Falls, both part of the Mt. Fuji World Heritage site and fed by spring water that runs down from the mountain itself. The falls aren't massive — they're narrow and precise, with a sound that fills the small gorge. There's a wheelchair-accessible viewing platform if you need it, and the walk to both falls takes maybe thirty minutes without rushing. The guide explains that this whole area was designated a heritage site because of its connection to Mt. Fuji's volcanic history, not just its beauty.

The last stop is Fujisan Hongu Sengen Shrine, built in the 9th century as protection against eruptions and now the head shrine of over 1,300 Sengen shrines across Japan. It's quieter than you'd expect for something that important — the shrine sits in a forest, and the guide walks you through what the architecture means and why this particular shrine matters to the mountain's spiritual history. Then the bus turns around and heads back to Shimizu Port, timing the return so you're back before your ship leaves. The whole thing runs 5.5 hours, which is tight but doable if you're docked for the day.

What’s included

Your tour includes small-bus transport with a professional, licensed driver.
an English-speaking government-certified guide.
highway toll fees and parking.
and pickup and drop-off at Shimizu Port. Lunch, personal expenses, and shrine entry donations are not included.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Local Travel Partners,Inc

Is this one for you?Book this if you're on a cruise docked at Shimizu Port and want to see Mt. Fuji's heritage sites without arranging your own transport or timing — the fixed 5.5-hour window and small-group format mean you get three stops and still make it back to your ship.