A trip to Tokyo is not complete without at least a day tour around Mount Fuji. I’ve been fortunate enough to visit Mount Fuji several times over the past eight years.
In 2017, I traveled to Kawaguchiko and enjoyed the breathtaking views of Mount Fuji over a 3-day, 2-night stay. I wrote about that first visit [here].
In October 2023, my friends and I returned to Kawaguchiko on a do-it-yourself day trip. We visited the Chureito Pagoda, Kawaguchiko Station, Lake Kawaguchiko, and Oishi Park—all via public transportation. I also shared details of this DIY tour [here]—feel free to check it out!
Fast forward to February 2025: I flew to Tokyo with my relatives and had the opportunity to visit Kawaguchiko once again. This time, we explored the area with a private driver we hired for the entire day. Let me share everything about this Mount Fuji Private Day Tour—from the cost and booking process to the full itinerary.
Private Day Tour Agency Booking & Cost
My relatives and I booked our private day tour with Your Travel Guide: Daily Private Tours & Airport Transfers via Facebook. This tour agency was recommended by several members of a Japan travel-related Facebook group. We had already used their service for a private Kyoto day tour back in February 2024 and were happy with their rates and service, so we decided to book them again for this Mount Fuji private tour.
After providing our pick-up and drop-off locations along with the number of passengers (in our case – 3 adults and 2 kids), the agency sent us a suggested itinerary and an initial cost estimate. Following a brief exchange of questions and clarifications, they gave us a final quotation, which was valid for three days. We made the payment via local bank transfer and received our tour confirmation on the same day.
We paid ₱18,068 for a 10-hour private day tour around Mount Fuji from Tokyo Haneda area. The fee included 10 hours of private car (7-seater) service with a basic English-speaking (Japanese or Chinese) driver, along with fuel, tolls, and parking fees. Pick-up and drop-off at our designated location/hotel were also included in the package.
Pre-Tour Arrangement
The tour agency sent us a WhatsApp group link the night before our tour. Both the tour operator and our private driver were included in the group. On the morning of the tour, the driver sent a message to notify us of his arrival at our hotel.
Day Tour Itinerary
Our driver picked us up from our hotel at exactly 7:00 a.m. We immediately began the tour and headed straight to Lake Kawaguchiko.
OISHI PARK & LAKE KAWAGUCHIKO
We arrived at the park before the crowds started to come in. We spent some time by Lake Kawaguchiko, walking around and enjoying the magnificent views of Mount Fuji from Oishi Park.
OSHINO HAKKAI
Oshino Hakkai is a small village located between Lake Kawaguchiko and Lake Yamanakako. It is known for its eight crystal-clear springs, believed to originate from Mount Fuji. My cousins and I enjoyed walking around the springs and taking in the serene atmosphere.
LAKE YAMANAKAKO
From Oshino Hakkai, we drove about 15 minutes to Lake Yamanakako. There, we strolled along the lake and boardwalk, enjoyed the view of Mount Fuji, and watched my cousins play with and feed the swans. The area had significantly fewer tourists—probably not even 10% of what we saw at Lake Kawaguchiko. If only we had more time, I would have rented a bicycle and ridden it around the lake.
GOTEMBA PREMIUM OUTLETS
Our final stop was Gotemba Premium Outlets. We had lunch there and did some shopping while still enjoying the stunning view of Mount Fuji. We left the outlets a little past 3:00 p.m. and made it back to our hotel just in time to complete the 10-hour tour.
Our Mount Fuji private day tour was a great mix of nature, sightseeing, and shopping. Since we were traveling with two kids, having a private car made the trip much easier and more comfortable. We did not have to deal with crowded buses or train schedules, and we were able to enjoy each stop at our own pace. From the lovely views of Lake Kawaguchiko and Lake Yamanakako to the charming village of Oshino Hakkai and the shopping at Gotemba outlets, every part of the trip was fun, relaxing, and stress-free. It was totally worth it!
Have you been to Mount Fuji before? Did you explore it through a private tour, a joiner tour, or a DIY trip? Which place was your favorite? Feel free to share your experiences and thoughts in the comments section below. Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? You’re welcome to send them via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com—I’d be happy to respond!
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PS. Photos were taken using my Google Pixel 8 Pro.