Mount Fuji Tour Packages

When I booked my cheap Mount Fuji tour package from Viator.com a few months back, I was not expecting much due to the low price I paid for it. But as I least expected it, the trip became one of the best highlights of my trip to Tokyo, Japan. Not only did I get to see Mt Fuji in its full splendor on a bright clear and sunny day, I had great fun and enjoyed myself thoroughly with all other aspects of the tour package and trip on a whole. The package of Mt Fuji, Lake Ashi and Bullet Train Day Trip from Tokyo with Viator.com was perhaps the most value-added tour I had in Japan, and worth every cent spent.

I had an early night the before to prepare for the trip, as I was expecting the morning rush hour on the train to Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal. However, the rush hour traffic in Tokyo is hugely exaggerated and no worse than in any other busy cities around the world. I got on the first train that came into the station near my hotel, and reached Hamamatsucho station in a couple of minutes later. Being early, I proceeded to have some breakfast in the World Trade Center eateries above the bus terminal. Some nice sandwiches to be had there too.

For this Mount Fuji tour, it was organized by Sunrise Tours and I had to check in about 20 minutes before it started. The check-in counter of Sunrise Tours was found easily within Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal and included picking up your sticker badge for identification purposes. The tour group started quite punctually apart from the usual wait for late members of the tour group. We had Mr Takashi as our English speaking tour guide and as I will explain later, the gentleman is quite a comic and really added to the fun on the trip to and from Mt Fuji.

Just a note for those who prefer tour pick ups from their hotels. If you are having difficulty finding your way around in Tokyo, and would prefer a Mt Fuji tour package which includes hotel pickups, this particular one does include it. They have a long list of qualifying hotels so if you stay in one of them, it makes your preparations a whole lot easier than taking the train to the bus terminal.

Once we boarded the tour bus headed for Mount Fuji, our tour guide Takashi proceeded to detail our itinerary for the day. Our first stop would be straight for the Mt Fuji Visitor Center, before heading next to the 5th (fifth) station of Mount Fuji. Lunch would follow at a classy hotel, where you can choose from the lunch package included (if you decide to pay for it), or enjoy your own lunch in the hotel's other restaurants. I skipped the lunch included to save on the tour package cost. After lunch and a short rest, we would head to Lake Ashi in Hakone for a nice boat cruise, before taking the cable car up to Mt Komagatake. The day would end with a Shinkansen (bullet train) super express return journey to Tokyo station.

On our way to the Mount Fuji Visitor Center, Takashi spent the hour long tour coach journey telling us more about Japan, Tokyo and its history. Interjecting it with funny anecdotes and some eye-opening facts of Japan, its youth and politics, Takashi was quite an entertainer. Not on purpose, but mostly due to his mannerisms and the classic Japanese English accent. It was to be the same for the rest of the trip, and often helped to enliven the atmosphere when it became slightly tiring or dull, in between traveling to locations. Takashi also included an origami session in the middle of the Mt Fuji tour, where we learnt how to fold an animated Mt Fuji origami! There was even 'lava' included sprouting from our miniature volcanoes.

After a brief stop at the Mt Fuji Visitor Center, we headed straight for the 5th station of the volcano mountain. Takashi congratulated us for being lucky to have picked a day when the weather was fabulous. The clear and sunny skies in the morning allowed us to have a far view of Mt Fuji's peak on our way to the center and up the fifth station. In between the visitor centre and the 5th station, we stopped at a popular spot for taking photos of Mt Fuji's snowy and beautiful snow covered peak. It was an exhilarating sight and really caught your breath and attention. It made the whole tour package worthwhile and a bargain in itself.

When we reached the 5th station of Mt Fuji, we were greeted by a quaint little sight of the various souvenir shops, a shrine, some roadside stalls selling hotdogs and sweet corns, as well as a nearby park where you could hire ponies or horses to have a relaxing ride in. There were more spectacular views of Mount Fuji and its awe-inspiring peak, and photo taking was the order of the day. The souvenir shops had the usual stuff for tourists, but the wide assortment of snacks and sweets merited a long look. I picked up some of the Japanese snacks and goodies, while the hotdog stand sold a mean hotdog. The shrine on the 5th station of Mt Fuji also had more views of the peak, and everything was as clear as day. We were indeed fortunate to experience perfect weather on the day.

At this time, we wondered when is the best time to visit Mount Fuji, or when the best time is for a day trip to Mt Fuji? From our experience on the tour and going there which was around autumn, the scenery was beautiful and so was the foliage. There was also peeks of snow forming and one would also naturally expect that on higher ground that is the mountain. However, summer is also a fabulous time to tour Mount Fuji. It is also traditionally the season when many many Japanese flock to attempt to climb and scale the mountain. Of course, for the tourist and leisure visitor, there is no need to go all the way to the top and highest station, as it requires you to really be physically fit and have some experience climbing. A lack of that might result in unwanted consequences. That is why we never had second thoughts about a tour, since everything is well taken care of and we get to have the guide telling us more about Fuji-san and also learn more about Japan as a whole.

After lunch, the tour group proceeded to Hakone and our boat cruise. Hakone town is known for its various spas and entertainment park. Unfortunately, we did not have enough time to enjoy an onsen or hot bath spa in Hakone. Instead, we boarded a boat cruise on Lake Ashi and had a very relaxing ride around it. The Lake Ashi boat tour provided a very smooth ride with lots to see across its waters and surrounding forestry and mountains. The lake was peaceful, tranquil and beautiful. The waters were very calm. But it was also the time when the skies were getting darker and rain beckoned. But we went through the cruise on Lake Ashi without incident, and even caught a glimpse of the dragon gates which legends spoke of Hakone's dragon guardian being held captive under it.

The cable car ride to the top of Mt Komagatake was pleasant as well, and included taking in spectacular wide views of its grassy mountain sides. The clouds were also gathering around Mt Fuji's peak, although we could still sneak peeks at it on the way up to Mt Komagatake. Get ready for even better views from atop the peak of Mt Komagatake, and there is even a short trip to a shrine on a grassy knoll. The air was refreshing and one could spend ages there just enjoying the moment of calm and tranquility.

Mt Fuji, Lake Ashi and Bullet Train Day Trip from Tokyo
From: Viator

The day ended with a relaxing Shinkansen (bullet train) ride back to Tokyo station. As with all Shinkansen experiences, you could literally sleep in the train without noticing it was moving. Takashi made sure we were comfortable throughout our journey, and as with most Japanese tour experiences, made sure to thank each and everyone of us at the end of the Mt Fuji tour. For the low price shelled out for the tour, this Mt Fuji day trip package from Viator.com was certainly one of the cheapest and best bargains out there for any tourist to Tokyo, Japan.