Minimum Guests
2 Person
Activate Day
1 Nights/ 2 DaysKey Preparation Tips
• Transport Pass: Purchase a JR Pass (if eligible) or book round-trip Shinkansen tickets in advance via JR East's official website. Reserve seats for guaranteed comfort.
• Accommodation Booking: Secure a hot spring ryokan (inn) near Kawaguchiko or Yamanaka Lake in advance—request a room with Mount Fuji views (when available) and confirm kaiseki dinner is included.
• Weather Check: Use the Fuji Sanroku app to check visibility forecasts for Mount Fuji; pack layers as lake/volcanic areas are 3-5°C cooler than Kyoto.
• Essentials: Comfortable walking shoes, portable charger, sunscreen, a swimsuit (for onsen—most ryokans provide yukata robes), and a lightweight jacket.
• Luggage: Store non-essential bags at Kyoto Station Lockers before departure; bring a small overnight bag for the ryokan stay (ryokans often offer luggage transfer between stations for convenience).
Transport Summary
|
Segment |
Mode |
Duration |
|
Kyoto → Otsuki |
Shinkansen |
1.5hrs |
|
Otsuki → Kawaguchiko |
Fujikyu Railway |
30mins |
|
Local Travel (Fuji Area) |
Fujikyu Bus |
15-30mins/ride |
|
Kawaguchiko → Otsuki |
Fujikyu Railway |
30mins |
|
Otsuki → Kyoto |
Shinkansen |
1.5hrs |
Why This Works for Western Travelers
1. Balanced Pacing: Combines key sights with relaxation—no rushed itineraries, allowing time to savor both nature and culture.
2. Authentic yet Accessible: The onsen stay and kaiseki dinner offer genuine Japanese experiences, with Western-friendly amenities (English menus, signage, and ryokan staff trained to assist international guests).
3. Diverse Experiences: From volcanic landscapes and lake boat tours to traditional villages and hot springs, the itinerary covers nature, culture, and culinary highlights.
4. Convenient Transport: Public transport is reliable and easy to navigate, with clear bus routes and reserved Shinkansen seats ensuring a stress-free journey.
Tour Timeline
If you need to increase or reduce the number of travellers, please contact us for customised arrangements.
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07:00 | Depart Kyoto
• Transport: Take JR Tokaido Shinkansen (Nozomi) from Kyoto Station to Otsuki Station, then transfer to the Fujikyu Railway Line to Kawaguchiko Station (total travel time: approx. 2 hours).
• Pro Tip: Sit on the right side of the Shinkansen for early glimpses of Mount Fuji (on clear days).
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Shinjuku Goryo Park: Iconic Photo Spot
• Transport: Take Fujikyu Bus Route 5 or 10 from Kawaguchiko Station to the park entrance.
• Experience: Climb the stone steps to the observation deck—this is the classic spot for photos of Mount Fuji framed by a red five-story pagoda. The serene forest trail up offers a peaceful introduction to the region’s natural beauty.
• Western-Friendly Note: Restrooms and water fountains are available at the park entrance.
-
Kawaguchiko Lake & Lakeside Café Break
• Transport: Return by bus to Kawaguchiko Station, then transfer to the appropriate route for the lakeside area.
• Experience:
a. Stroll the Kawaguchiko Lakeside Promenade—the lake’s calm waters often reflect Mount Fuji (known as "Mirror Fuji") on windless days, creating postcard-perfect moments.
b. Refresh at a Western-style café with lake-and-mountain views. Try homemade pastries, avocado toast, or specialty coffee while soaking in the scenery.
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Lunch & Lake Yamanaka Boat Tour
• Transport: Take a bus from Kawaguchiko to Lake Yamanaka.
• Experience: Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant near the lake, savoring regional delicacies (such as houtou noodle stew or fresh lake fish) with English menus available. Afterward, embark on a boat tour across Lake Yamanaka—glide across calm waters for unobstructed views of Mount Fuji, with plenty of photo opportunities of the mountain towering over the lake.
-
Oshino Hakkai: Traditional Village & Spring Waters
• Transport: Take a bus from Lake Yamanaka to Oshino Hakkai.
• Experience: Wander this preserved traditional village, fed by eight crystal-clear springs from Mount Fuji’s meltwater. Explore thatched-roof houses, stone paths, and small shops selling local crafts (English signage throughout). Pause to taste fresh spring water or try yudofu (hot pot tofu) made with the village’s pure water.
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Check-In to Hot Spring Ryokan & Relaxation（from Oshino Hakkai）
• Transport: Take a bus from Oshino Hakkai back to Kawaguchiko or Yamanaka Lake (depending on your ryokan’s location).
• Experience: Check into your hot spring ryokan—unwind in your Japanese-style tatami room, change into the provided yukata, and soak in the public or private onsen baths. The mineral-rich hot spring water relieves fatigue from walking, with many baths offering views of Mount Fuji or the surrounding forests.
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Kaiseki Dinner at the Ryokan
• Experience: Indulge in an authentic kaiseki dinner—multi-course cuisine showcasing seasonal ingredients (such as fresh seafood, local vegetables, and mountain herbs). Each dish is artfully presented, blending flavors and textures that reflect Japanese culinary traditions. English explanations of each course are available upon request, and vegetarian/allergen-friendly options can be arranged in advance.
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Morning: Leisure at the Ryokan
• Experience: Enjoy a Japanese-style breakfast (rice, grilled fish, pickles, and miso soup) at the ryokan. Spend the morning relaxing—revisit the onsen, stroll the ryokan’s gardens, or browse nearby shops for Fuji-themed souvenirs (e.g., hand-painted fans or matcha tea sets).
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Great Boiling Valley (Owakudani) Ropeway
• Transport: Continue by bus from Hakone Pass to Owakudani (30 minutes).
• Experience: Ride the ropeway up to the volcanic plateau—feel the sulfuric steam and view boiling mud pots. At the top, capture panoramic shots of Mount Fuji with volcanic terrain in the foreground. Try black eggs (a local delicacy) and learn about the area’s geology via informative English signage.
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Daikichi Park: Seasonal Scenery & Final Fuji Views
• Transport: Take a bus from Owakudani back toward Kawaguchiko, stopping at Daikichi Park.
• Experience: Wander this lakeside park, famous for seasonal blooms (lavender in summer, fiery maple trees in autumn, and cherry blossoms in spring) and unobstructed Mount Fuji views. It’s the perfect spot to capture final photos of the mountain before heading back. Relax on a park bench or take a short walk along the lakeshore to savor the peaceful atmosphere.
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Approx. 15:00 | Depart Fuji Area → Return to Kyoto
• Transport: Board the Fujikyu Railway from Kawaguchiko Station to Otsuki Station, then transfer to the JR Tokaido Shinkansen (Nozomi) for the journey to Kyoto Station.
• Pro Tip: Sit on the left side of the Shinkansen for potential final views of Mount Fuji (on clear days).
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Approx. 16:30 | Arrive in Kyoto
• Experience: Conclude the trip back in Kyoto, with plenty of time to unwind or explore the city’s evening attractions (such as Gion’s lantern-lit streets or Nishiki Market’s night stalls) if desired.
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Accommodation
We draw from a wide range of hotels on our holidays, each one is chosen to suit the tour you are travelling on meaning your accommodation can range from a smart business hotel in one city to a family run guesthouse in a smaller town. Here are some examples of the type of hotel you can expect to find on this tour.
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