Plan a Mount Fuji Day Trip from Tokyo: Where, When, and Tips

Mount Fuji, the symbol of Japan, is a highly recommended must-see attraction during your visit to the country. It's about 1½ hours from Tokyo, making it frequently recommended as a day-trip option.

The Fuji Five Lakes region is the best place to view Mount Fuji due to its clear visibility and best views. Among them, Lake Kawaguchi is always the top pick. This is because it is easily accessible and provides experiences like boating and biking to admire Mount Fuji, along with other things to do in the area.

In this article, we'll help you plan a perfect Mount Fuji day trip, including where to see it, the best time to visit, and tips based on our real experiences.

When Is the Best Time to See Mount Fuji?

The best time to visit Mount Fuji is in winter from November to February. The visibility is better and there are fewer clouds blocking the view, increasing your chances of success to see the snow-covered mountain.

March to May is considered the second best time to admire Mount Fuji. While cloudy days are more common compared to winter, you still have a good chance to see the mountain and its snowcapped peak. It's extremely charming during the cherry blossom season from early April to mid-April.

The worst time to see Mount Fuji is from June to September because the mountain is often hidden by clouds, making it a gamble. Also, you couldn't see the snow-covered peak due to melting snow. However, the best time to hike up Mount Fuji is from July to early September.

Where to See Mount Fuji

The Fuji Five Lakes region is the best place to view Mount Fuji. Its proximity to the mountain provides a clearer, unobstructed view and a better chance to admire Mount Fuji. During your day trip, you could pick one to two places to explore since these five lakes are just 30–50 minutes' drive away.

Lake Kawaguchi is always the top recommendation. It's easy to reach and explore, with more hotels and restaurants than other lakes. It's great to enjoy views of Mount Fuji by boating, biking, taking a ropeway, or walking. Additionally, you could visit museums, such as the Itchiku Kubota museum or Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum.

Lake Yamanaka is the second-best spot to admire Mount Fuji with fewer crowds. It's the closest lake to the mountain, giving you a greater chance to enjoy the reflection of Mount Fuji. A special sight is the many swans around the lake, typically seen from November to March. But it's not as easily accessible as Lake Kawaguchi so renting a private car is recommended.

Lake Saiko, Lake Motosu, and Lake Shoji are three lesser-known spots to view Mount Fuji among the Fuji Five Lakes. They are great for outdoor activities, such as camping, fishing, and kayaking. However, getting there by public transport is not convenient and there are limited restaurant options. If you book with us, we can help arrange a private car for easy transport.

Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine is a popular spot to view Mount Fuji, offering different scenery compared to Fuji Five Lakes. You could view both the five-story pagoda and Mount Fuji in a single place, creating an especially beautiful sight during the cherry blossom season from early to mid-April.

Top Things to Do Around Mount Fuji

To fully appreciate Mount Fuji on a day trip, the best way is to view it from a distance. Lake Kawaguchi is the best place to admire Mount Fuji and offers more experiences. Most of the activities listed below are available at Lake Kawaguchi.

To maximize your travel experience, we suggest you choose two to three highlights based on your interests.

1) Boating on Lake Kawaguchi

Boating manually on the lake is highly recommended. With 1 to 2 hours of experience, you could enjoy a view of the mountain peacefully and in an interesting way with a professional guide.

2) Biking/Walking Around Lake Kawaguchi

Biking or taking a leisurely walk around the lake requires some physical effort but wouldn't tire you out too much. Both activities offer different views of Mount Fuji. When renting a bike, you could choose between 1 hour and 3 hours of riding. Walking halfway along the dedicated lakeside trail takes about 2 hours.

3) Taking a Ropeway to a High Observation Deck at Lake Kawaguchi

It is the easiest way to admire Mount Fuji. However, the deck doesn't offer much to experience, so you might feel a little bored. It's more suitable for those who can't walk for a long time or have leg issues.

You may need to queue for 30 minutes or an hour for the ropeway. When we visited there, it was the low season and the queue took 20–30 minutes to get through. The wait time is longer during the peak season, maybe lasting for over an hour.

4) Exploring Unique Museums at Lake Kawaguchi

The Itchiku Kubota museum and Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum are two popular museums at Lake Kawaguchi. Both museums offer unique themes and you could also admire part of Mount Fuji from a distance.

The Itchiku Kubota museum displays exquisite kimonos crafted using traditional techniques and some feature Mount Fuji. Don't miss the Japanese garden, especially when the autumn foliage turns red.

Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum features antique music boxes and a European-inspired garden. You could enjoy listening to music played by precious automatic instruments and the world's largest vintage organ. If you visit on a weekend or a Japanese public holiday, you could create your own music box.

If you only want to visit one museum, the Itchiku Kubota museum is better for its Japanese elements.

5) Looking at Mount Fuji in Arakurayama Sengen Park

Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine is one of the most famous spots to view Mount Fuji. You could capture both the five-story pagoda and Mount Fuji in one photo. It's especially charming during the cherry blossom season from early to mid-April.

However, with over 300 steep steps, it is not suitable for those with mobility issues.

Are you looking for a trip that includes a day excursion to admire Mount Fuji? Check out our popular 10-Day Japan Cherry Blossom Tour.

A Classic Mount Fuji Day Trip Itinerary

This itinerary includes the top two places to view Mount Fuji: Lake Kawaguchi and Lake Yamanaka. It allows you to enjoy most of the highlights around Mount Fuji. Visiting these two lakes in a day is suitable as they are just a 30-minute drive away.

To have more time to enjoy a clear view of Mount Fuji, we suggest leaving Tokyo by 8am or earlier. The morning light offers a clearer view, especially before 10am. Afternoon backlighting could make it appear slightly hazy.

It's better to start your day by visiting Lake Yamanaka and then head to Lake Kawaguchi. The view of Mount Fuji is more spectacular at Lake Yamanaka in the morning, offering a serene experience with fewer travelers.

Lake Kawaguchi, on the other hand, is less affected by afternoon backlighting compared to Lake Yamanaka. Additionally, there are other highlights to explore at Lake Kawaguchi, making it a better place for an afternoon visit.

Morning: Lake Yamanaka

After a 1½-hour drive from Tokyo, you would reach Lake Yamanaka, the closest lake to Mount Fuji among the five lakes and with fewer travelers.

For the best view of Mount Fuji, Hirano Beach and Swan Lake are perfect spots at Lake Yamanaka. In winter, you could see lots of swans around the lake at both locations and capture unique photos that would not be possible at other places.

If you prefer to take a sightseeing boat across the lake to admire Mount Fuji, don't miss the unique Swan Lake boat and the amphibious bus, KABA. Choose one based on your interests.

• Swan Lake boat: Its exterior resembles a giant swan and some window seats even have a simulated steering wheel, making you feel like the captain. The tour lasts about 25 minutes.
• KABA: Shaped like a hippo, this bus would take you from the land straight into the water, offering a truly novel experience. The tour lasts approximately 45 minutes.

On the way to Lake Kawaguchi from Lake Yamanaka, you would pass Oshino Hakkai. Enjoying a short stay (30–60 minutes) in this village is ideal. This small village features eight crystal-clear ponds fed by melting snow from Mount Fuji, traditional Japanese farmhouses, and Mount Fuji in the background.

Although the village is a bit commercial, you could still find a quiet corner to feel the serene atmosphere. It is an ideal spot to escape bustling city life.

Noon: Enjoy Traditional Hoto for Your Lunch

Enjoy your lunch at Lake Kawaguchi, where you would find a variety of restaurant options. While many restaurants may have long lines, our private guide would take you to a less crowded and delightful restaurant for a more enjoyable experience.

At noon, you would have the chance to try a local dish called hoto. It's made of thick wheat noodles that resemble udon but are cooked more like dumplings in a miso soup. The dish also includes seasonal vegetables, such as pumpkin and carrot.

If you have a gluten allergy, your Japan travel advisor could recommend another local dish that you might enjoy.

Afternoon: Lake Kawaguchi

In the afternoon, you would have a great time at Lake Kawaguchi. First, visit the Itchiku Kubota museum. Later, catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji when the backlighting is not heavy. On your way back to Tokyo, don't miss Arakurayama Sengen Park.

Stop 1: The Itchiku Kubota Museum

It's better to visit this museum first in the afternoon when the sun is shining brightly, creating a hazy outline of Mount Fuji due to the backlighting.

You could easily spend about 2 hours there exploring the kimono collections, beautiful architecture, and Japanese garden. Don't forget to treat yourself to some matcha and snacks at the tea house while enjoying the garden view.

Stop 2: Enjoy Experiences Around the Lake to Admire Mount Fuji

You could choose to ride a boat on the lake, go biking or walking around the lake's path, or take a ropeway up to a higher deck for a closer view of the mountain. We suggest you select one or two of the most suitable options based on your interests.

We highly recommend boating on the lake to admire Mount Fuji for the best scenery and fewer crowds. However, we do not suggest taking the ropeway as it tends to be crowded and less interesting compared to other experiences.

Stop 3: Arakurayama Sengen Park

On the way back to Tokyo, you would explore Arakurayama Sengen Park. You could admire the five-story pagoda and Mount Fuji at the same time.

However, the park has 300+ steep stairs and doesn't allow driving up to the observation deck, which could be challenging for people with mobility issues. Moreover, the area tends to be very slippery on rainy days. When we visited there, it had just finished raining. The steps were very slippery and a girl in front of us accidentally fell.

What's more, the observation deck is often crowded. To avoid the crowds, you're advised to visit early in the morning or later in the afternoon.

For more inspiration about a day trip to view Mount Fuji, check out our 10-Day Family Japan Tour.

How to Get To and Around Mount Fuji

We highly recommend having a private car to get to and around Mount Fuji during your day trip. This would make your trip smoother, save more time at attractions, and ensure a hassle-free day trip.

Getting to Lake Kawaguchi from Tokyo

Using Lake Kawaguchi as an example, taking a private car could get you there faster as it only takes 1½ hours.

On the other hand, using public transportation takes more time and tickets are hard to get. The journey from Tokyo typically lasts 2–2½ hours. There are two types of trains: direct trains (only four are available per day and could be challenging to book) and those that require one transfer.

Getting Around

Buses are the main way to travel around Lake Kawaguchi and Lake Yamanaka. However, the buses are often not on time and could be very crowded. Sometimes, you might wait for more than 30 minutes. If a bus is too crowded to board, you would have to wait for the next one. You could only visit one lake in this way.

Therefore, we recommend taking a trip with a private car. Having a spacious private car allows you to go directly to attractions and explore more within your limited time. Highlights at Lake Kawaguchi are only 10–20 minutes away by private car, significantly reducing travel time. With a private car, you could visit two lakes in a day.

If you book with us, our Japan travel advisor will arrange a private car for you.

Tips to Enhance Your Mount Fuji Day Trip

To help you avoid disappointment during your day trip to Mount Fuji, here are some tips based on our experiences at Mount Fuji:

• Depart Tokyo before 8am. The best time to view and take pictures of Mount Fuji is before 10am. Between 12pm to 3pm, Mount Fuji would be hazy due to the backlighting.
• Having a private car is essential. It could save you time and energy, which you could use to explore some highlights.
• Check the forecast for Mount Fuji's visibility a week ahead of time and again on the morning of your trip. Visit the 'SeeMtFuji' website for real-time updates.
• Staying overnight at Lake Kawaguchi is recommended. This would give you more time to enjoy a clear view of Mount Fuji in the morning without feeling rushed.

Let's Create Your Mount Fuji Day Trip Now!

Our Japan travel advisor would love to help you customize your Mount Fuji itinerary based on your preferences. Contact us now to create your trip together!

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