Locally Owned: Private Mt. Fuji Icons & Hidden Gems (Kawaguchiko)
Description
Forget the 4-hour round trip from Tokyo. We are a locally owned team based in Fuji Kawaguchiko, providing private, deep-access tours of Mt. Fuji's famous icons and secret local gems Weather-Optimized Itinerary We don't follow a robotic path. To ensure the best experience, your itinerary is strategically chosen on the day based on visibility and weather conditions . We typically visit 6–7 locations, prioritizing the best views of Mt. Fuji while avoiding the heavy bus crowds. Your Bucket List, Our Hidden Gems. Have specific "bucket list" spots? We'll build them into the day. Otherwise, let us lead the way to a blend of iconic highlights and secret viewpoints known only to locals. Why Choose Us? Local Authority: Residents who know the "locals-only" timing. Efficiency: 100% of your time is for exploring, not the highway. Flexibility: A private journey that adapts to the mountain. Approx. 6 hr. tour Starts in Kawaguchiko. Does not go to Fuji 5th Station.
Tour Options
Itinerary
*Optional stop* Feel like a little exercise to get the perfect shot? Go up 398 steps to get that famous photo of Chureito pagoda overlooking Fujiyoshida city with Mt Fuji in the horizon.
*Optional stop* Ōshino Hakkai, nestled near Mount Fuji in Japan, is a picturesque destination known for its eight crystal-clear spring ponds that beautifully reflect the iconic image of the nearby mountain on clear days. This serene site is steeped in history and surrounded by traditional thatched-roof buildings, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in Japanese culture and heritage. While exploring, you can sample delicious local cuisine, shop for unique souvenirs, and capture stunning photographs of the ponds and the charming village, making Ōshino Hakkai a perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural richness for travelers in the Mount Fuji region.
Walk through the beautiful tree-lined path that leads to the shrine dedicated to the goddess of Mt Fuji. Bask in the beauty and culture of this significant Unesco World Heritage site. Enjoy the tori gates and explore all the shrines on the grounds. Discover the four sacred 1000-year-old trees.
*Optional stop* Feeling hungry and want to try one of the most popular noodle dishes in this town? Houtou is a noodle dish with a rich vegetable/miso-based broth. There's a reason why it's the most popular restaurant in town! If you want something less touristy, or something else to eat, don't fret! I have many more local and delicious spots I would love to take you to!
A quick stop at this quaint little park for a quick photo op. Stunning views of Mt Fuji on a small hilltop make a perfect memory for you and your family and friends. When in season there is a beautiful path of hydrangeas and other flowers. If we're lucky we can see the swans resting shoreside near the lake.
Enjoy a drive around Lake Kawaguchiko, stopping at a few stops to take in the breath taking views.
Take in the views of Mt Fuji while enjoying the beautifully manicured garden at Hana Terrace. Check out the boutique shops and pick out your next souvenir. Try an array of interesting ice cream flavors, including shine muscat and peach-flavored ice cream. Pizza, coffee, and some Japanese food are served here.
*Optional stop* Haha-no-Shirataki Waterfall is a picturesque natural attraction located in Japan. Nestled in lush greenery, it is known for its serene beauty and is often visited for its tranquil ambiance. The waterfall's name, "Haha-no-Shirataki," translates to "Mother's White Waterfall," adding to its charm. Visitors come here to enjoy the soothing sounds of cascading water and immerse themselves in the surrounding natural beauty, making it a popular spot for relaxation and nature enthusiasts. After visiting the falls there is a small shrine yet tranquil shrine we will visit.
Motosuko Lake, situated in the vicinity of Mount Fuji in Japan, is a captivating destination known for its pristine beauty and tranquil ambiance. This crystal-clear lake is one of the Fuji Five Lakes and offers visitors a chance to soak in the breathtaking views of Mount Fuji's reflection on its surface, particularly during calm weather. Surrounded by lush greenery, Motosuko Lake is an ideal spot for relaxation and outdoor activities. Take a stroll by the water. We will then drive around this lake allowing you to soak up the natural beauty of this area. We will then stop for a great photo op, Hint: look at the back of your 1000 Yen bill
*Optional stop* Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba, nestled in the vicinity of Mount Fuji in Japan, is a tranquil and culturally rich destination. This traditional Japanese village has been carefully preserved and transformed into an open-air museum, allowing visitors to step back in time and experience the charm of rural Japan. With its thatched-roof houses, cobblestone paths, and lush gardens, the village offers a serene setting to explore local crafts, artisan shops, and traditional activities such as weaving and pottery. Surrounded by scenic beauty and with panoramic views of Mount Fuji on clear days, Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba invites travelers to immerse themselves in Japanese culture, history, and the stunning natural landscape of the Mount Fuji region.
Let's go off the beaten path and wander shortly into the beautiful Aokigahra forest where I will take you to the Dragon Cave. Explore the geological history of the area and its ties to the volcanic activity of Mount Fuji.
Descending into the Fugaku Wind Cave, the visitor will encounter illuminated ice and impressive stalactites and ice pillars all along its length
Lake Sai Bat Cave is the largest of the several lava tubes that are near Lake Sai, in the Aokigahara forest in the northern side of Mount Fuji,
The Narusawa Ice Cave is a lava tube located in the Aokigahara forest, in the part that belongs to Narusawa Village,
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Our pick up locations: We offer tours locally in the Kawaguchiko/Fujiyoshida area for clients coming in on their own by train, bus OR are already in the area. **PLEASE NOTE THAT PICK UP IS ONLY AVAILABLE IN LOCAL AREA - SERVICED AREAS INCLUDE FUJIYOSHIDA, KAWAGUCHIKO, and NARUSAWA VILLAGE. Ie. Pick up is not available from Hakone, Mishima Station, etc.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(69)
A fantastic tour - Johnny is so great fun and informative and loved the local knowledge of the best spots! Highly recommend if you want a special tailored tour!
I simply cannot say enough great things about Johnny and his team! This is a truly local small business and you will be guided by Johnny himself, Lewis, or Yuka. We had originally scheduled Johnny for our tour, but had some schedule complications forcing us to switch dates. Luckily, Lewis was available and we were able to switch. I don't think another tour company would have worked so hard to help us! We are truly grateful! Lewis did an amazing job! He took us to several popular locations as well as some "hidden gems" that are only familiar to those who truly know the area. He shared local history and customs with a passion that only someone deeply rooted in the local community can. Tour guides can show you places... local guides help you experience communities. My family was deliberate about choosing to stay in Kawaguchiko and find a local guide instead of joining a large group and rushing down for a day trip from Tokyo. I highly recommend that you do the same. If you must do a day trip, it is worth getting your own train ticket and meeting Johnny & his team at the train station rather than riding a crowded tour bus in from Tokyo. They will adjust the tour to your interests and help you have a great day!
Yuka was great, helpful, energetic and spoke & understood English well. She worked with us to meet our interests. She added and subtracted stops for us. Do a little research if there are things you want to see. Let her know at the start and she will try to fit it in.
This was such an amazing excursion for our family of 4 (two adult children). Johnny was phenomenal. He started by finding out what we were looking to get out of the excursion and tailor made an itinerary for us. We chose the less touristy option and it did not disappoint. We had spectacular views of Mt Fuji and saw stunning caves, forests, waterfalls , and shrines. He even directed us to a wonderful local gem for lunch. Having a tour guide that is local sets this apart, none of the places we visited were crowded or busy. Johnny is friendly, funny and knowledgeable. Don’t hesitate to book, this was a real stand out on our Japan trip! *Jonny also took the best photos and videos the whole time so we could be present in the moment and just really enjoy being there.
Our Mount Fuji tour was fabulous! Our guide Johnny was super knowledgeable and passionate about Japan’s culture and history, friendly and very flexible with great command of English language. Johnny organized everything and made our tour relaxing and enjoyable. He showed us breathtaking beauty of Mt. Fuji area including some unique and hidden jams and treasures. It was an amazing day! We highly recommend this tour and our guide Johnny to travelers who want a unique and personalized experience of this mysterious region. This is one of a kind tour designed by a real expert.
We had an absolutely fantastic day touring the Mount Fuji Kawaguchiko area with Johnny! From the moment we met him, he was warm, friendly, and genuinely interested in getting to know us. He took the time to understand our preferences and thoughtfully tailored the tour to match what we enjoy most. Johnny’s knowledge of the area was incredible. He shared so many interesting facts and stories that really brought each stop to life. What made the experience even more special was his ability to take us beyond the typical tourist spots and introduce us to hidden gems we never would have discovered on our own. He was engaging, informative, and made the entire day feel effortless and fun. If you’re looking for a personalized, memorable experience around Mount Fuji, we can’t recommend Johnny highly enough. Truly a five-star guide!
We had a fantastic experience on the Kawaguchiko Tours Signature Tour around Mt Fuji. The whole day was very well organised and our guide, Yuka was so friendly, knowledgeable, and made the experience really enjoyable. She even gifted us beautiful personalised drawings at the end of the tour! We loved visiting the 5 Lakes, the awe inspiring caves in Aokigahara Forest, Oishi Park, and Arakurayama Sengen Park with the iconic Chureito Pagoda views of Mt Fuji. Each stop was beautiful and we had plenty of time to take photos and enjoy the scenery. The tour was comfortable, relaxed, and definitely a highlight of our Japan trip. Highly recommend this tour if you want to see the best Mt Fuji views and sights in one day.
We spent New Year’s Day at Mt Fuji and wanted a peaceful relaxing day which Johnny arranged and we were able to enjoy the scenic views of Mt Fuji without the disturbance of big crowds and got some amazing photos. Johnny was a very friendly and helpful guide who made the day enjoyable and adaptable to our wishes.
I cannot recommend Johnny enough! The knowledge he has from actually living in the area makes such a huge difference! We booked a tour unknowingly during the holiday period in Japan, and everywhere was ridiculously busy. We expected that this was going to mean crowded spots, busy lines and photos full of tourists. Instead of your typical tour that has set spots and orders, Johnny had such deep knowledge of the area, he knew exactly where to go to avoid the rushes, where to go depending on the weather and view of Fuji and this made a world of difference. Had we have gone for a 'cookie cutter' tour just going with the set itinerary, we would have been sorely disappointed. Johnny's approach was also totally flexible around us, what and when we wanted to eat he knew the are inside out. This also meant he took us to some amazingly beautiful spots where we were the only people! This was insane, considering how crowded some other typical 'tourist' spots we passed were. Nothing felt rushed and he told us about historical, spiritual and even mythological aspects of everywhere we visited. This was hands down one of THE if not THE best tour we've been on, hence why I felt it deserved this long reveiw. If you're considering booking Johnny, pull the trigger, it will 100% be one of the best decisions of your visit to Japan!
Family of four (2 adults and 2 teenagers, 16 yrs and 17yrs) full day tour with Johnny was glorious. We took the bus from Tokyo and Johnny met us at the Kawaguchiko station. He was friendly, professional and super knowledgable. He is a true local who lives in the region (although originallly from Canada so English is his first language and therefore perfect). We went to the most amazing vantage points and got to experience superb areas and sights. Johnny discreetly took and then provided us with the most memorable famiky photos and videos. A brilliant keepsake of our day. If you want to see Mt Fuji and enjoy the Kawaguchico area, Johnnys tour is a 10 or 10 must do!! Expertly paced, thoughtful and considered day. Excellent value for money too.
