Mount Fuji Private Tour: Full Itinerary Guide (A vs B)

One of the most common questions before booking the private Mt. Fuji tour is: what exactly will we do, and how do Itinerary A and Itinerary B differ? This guide breaks down both options stop-by-stop so you can decide which fits your day — and what you can adjust.

Overview: Two Itinerary Options

Both itineraries include private air-conditioned vehicle, hotel pickup and drop-off (central Tokyo), English-speaking chauffeur-guide, bottled water, and a fully customizable schedule. Entrance tickets and meals are at your own expense.

Itinerary A: Mount Fuji Region (Deep Dive)

Lake Yamanaka — Morning Reflections

One of the Five Fuji Lakes, Yamanaka is the largest and sits at 981 metres elevation [GENERAL KNOWLEDGE]. On calm mornings, Fuji reflects perfectly on the still water. This is typically the first stop — arriving early maximises the stillness before wind picks up.

Oshino Hakkai — Eight UNESCO-Listed Spring Ponds

A cluster of eight spring ponds fed by snowmelt from Mount Fuji, Oshino Hakkai carries UNESCO World Heritage designation as part of the Fujisan Cultural Heritage area. The water is extraordinarily clear — visibility into the pools can reach 10 metres [GENERAL KNOWLEDGE]. Traditional thatched farmhouses surround the ponds. Allow 45–60 minutes.

The Lawson Fuji View Spot

A convenience store (Lawson) in Fujikawaguchiko gained viral fame for a perfectly framed view of Mount Fuji rising behind it. [GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: widely documented; the town installed a black barrier in 2024 to manage crowds — views may require slight repositioning.] Still a popular stop for the unexpected contrast of mundane and iconic.

Oishi Park — Lakeside Views

On the northern shore of Lake Kawaguchi, Oishi Park offers open lawns, seasonal flowers (lavender in summer, cosmos in autumn), and one of the most accessible unobstructed Fuji views. The kochia (fireweed) turns brilliant red in October. Good spot for picnic lunch from a local konbini.

Chureito Pagoda — Arakurayama Sengen Park

The five-story pagoda of Chureito with Mount Fuji behind it is arguably Japan’s most reproduced landscape photo. It involves climbing approximately 398 steps [GENERAL KNOWLEDGE] from the shrine gate to the pagoda level — allow 20–30 minutes for the ascent. The view is worth it in every season, extraordinary in cherry blossom (early April).

Itinerary B: Adding Hakone

Itinerary B keeps the Fuji region highlights and adds three Hakone stops:

Hakone Shrine

A lakeside Shinto shrine on the forested shores of Lake Ashi, with a torii gate rising from the water. [GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: founded 757 CE per shrine records.] Atmospheric and far less crowded than Kyoto’s major shrines.

Lake Ashi Pirate Ship Cruise

A 30-minute cruise across Lake Ashi on a (theatrically pirate-themed) sightseeing vessel. On clear days, Mount Fuji is visible rising above the Hakone mountain rim from the lake surface. The cruise connects Hakone-machi and Moto-Hakone ports. [GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: operated by Izuhakone Railway; times vary by season.]

Owakudani Volcanic Valley

An active volcanic zone with sulphur vents, steam, and boiling pools. The famous local product: kuro tamago — eggs hard-boiled in the volcanic springs, which turns the shells black. [GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: one egg is said to add 7 years to your life — local folk saying.] Distinctive smell, genuinely dramatic landscape.

Hakone Ropeway

Aerial gondola connecting Sounzan to Togendai, passing directly over Owakudani. On clear days, the Fuji view from the ropeway is stunning. [GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: operated by Hakone Ropeway Co.; closed periodically for maintenance.]

What You Can Customise

This is a private tour — the itinerary is a default, not a fixed schedule. You can:

• Add or remove stops (e.g., skip Chureito if you prefer more lake time)
• Adjust time at each location
• Make special requests at booking (photography priorities, dietary requirements for lunch stop)
• Choose a different drop-off location in Tokyo

Ready to Book?

The private Mt. Fuji tour is rated 5.0/5 by 184 guests and runs 9–10 hours door-to-door from your Tokyo hotel — from $325 per group with free cancellation.