Mt. Fuji is Japan’s highest peak and one of many nation’s most well-known landmarks. Generally referred to as “Fuji-san, this lively volcano about 100 kilometers southwest of Tokyo is the nation’s tallest peak, at 3,776 meters.
Designated in 2013 as a World Heritage Web site, Mt. Fuji is taken into account one among Japan’s 3 sacred mountains, and summit hikes have remained a well-liked exercise for hundreds of years. The fantastic thing about this famed mountain has been featured in world-renowned woodblock prints by artists like Hiroshige and Hokusai.
It’s potential to go to Mt. Fuji by yourself. If you wish to go climbing or spend extra time within the space, go to an onsen, and spend time in different vacationer spots, you possibly can decide to remain 2 or 3 days within the space.
Fujisan is situated nearly 2 hours away from Tokyo, so it’s a well-liked day tour from Tokyo, with completely different itineraries accessible from platforms like Klook. Whereas a lot of the essential stops are the identical, some excursions have stops at a Ninja Village or embrace rides on a Pirate Ship. (Ebook right here).
Navigating Japan’s public transport system could be tough for first-time guests so if you need hassle-free transport, you can even simply take a guided day tour aboard coach and bullet practice, which saves you hours in journey time. You possibly can customise the stops you need and select to incorporate pre-arranged meals within the excursions to reduce ready time.
Throughout a household journey in Could 2019 with my mother and nephew, we took the day journey to Mt. Fuji and Hakone from Tokyo after visiting the traditional Tokyo landmarks and spending a day in Tokyo Disneyland.
For these touring with household particularly youthful children and seniors, the day journey is a cushty possibility in the event you don’t need to fear about arising with an itinerary, and would quite rent a information to assist in giving details about the area and its highlights.
Listed below are a number of the stops included within the Mt. Fuji day tour and what to anticipate.
Fujisan World Heritage Heart
We met up with the remainder of the group at a chosen choose up level from our lodge. After a cushty trip on the coach and a few hours on the street, our first cease was a fast go to and restroom break on the the Fujisan World Heritage Heart, a museum with reveals on the wildlife and people historical past of Mount Fuji. This space space supplied a superb glimpse of the snowy peak.
The middle comprises conventional paintings, an enormous scultpure that depicts the mountain in 3D, movies exhibiting the ascent of the mountain, and VR to expertise the journey to Mt. Fuji. The middle combines custom with expertise, so that everybody can expertise climbing up the Japanese landmark with out the bodily effort.
Mt. Fuji fifth Station
Our subsequent cease was one among Mt. Fuji’s fifth Stations, the areas designated for individuals to climb Mt. Fuji. These pit spots are situated already a superb half up the mountain. The are 4 completely different fifth stations, roughly one in every wind path, situated at round 2,000 meters above sea degree. The stations are stated to be the closest guests can get to the highest of Mount Fuji with out truly climbing up.
Many hikers begin their trek from right here, since these stations are nonetheless reachable by autos. From this level, it takes about 6 hours to get to the highest of the mountain by means of the established climbing trails.
Except for the busloads of vacationers on day excursions and the hikers heading up, the fifth station is a well-liked sightseeing spot for riders as properly. I seen a gaggle of Harley Davidson motorbike riders and cyclists within the space. With its excessive elevation and gorgeous views, the fifth station is a worthy spot for two-wheeled excursions from Tokyo.
We simply took a couple of memento photographs right here and checked out the close by memento outlets. One among my favourite finds was the “World Treasure” Mt. Fuji Unique Craft Beer brewed by Echigo Beer Firm.
The beer can artwork options the long-lasting woodblock prints by Japanese artist Hokusai, with one facet exhibiting one of many 36 views of Mt. Fuji whereas the reverse facet had the “Nice Wave off Kanagawa.”
Lunch at Hakone Nationwide Park
After visiting the fifth station, we proceeded to our lunch cease at one of many areas of Hakone Nationwide Park, which supplied a view of Lake Kawaguchi.
Our tour included a tempura rice set per individual. The meal consisted of some sort of deep-fried Wakasagi (a kind of lake fish), together with sashimi appetizers, rice, pickled greens, and stewed mountain greens.
The restaurant was situated on the 2nd ground of a 3-story constructing, which supplied an important view of the lake.
Lake Ashi Cruise
From the lunch cease space, we took the coach once more to the Hakone Kojiri Terminal for a cruise round Lake Ashi (additionally known as Hakone Lake).
This crater lake lies alongside the southwest wall of the caldera of Mount Hakone, a posh volcano.
The lake is understood for its views of Mount Fuji the recent springs, historic websites, and ryokan (conventional Japanese model inns). The lake is situated on the Tokaido street, the primary hyperlink between Kyoto and Tokyo.
Plenty of leisure boats and ferries traverse the lake, offering scenic views for vacationers and passengers. A few of the boats are impressed by the design of crusing warships, together with pirate ships.
Komagatake Ropeway
Our final sightseeing cease was the summit of Mt. Komagatake, reachable by the Hakone Komagatake Ropeway, one among Japan’s highest aerial tramways.
We received to get pleasure from spectacular views from the tramway and take a fast stroll alongside a mountain path on the prime.
The Hakone Shrine Mototsumiya is a brief stroll away from the precise peak at Komagatoke.
We didn’t have time to go all the best way as much as the shrine, so we simply loved the view from the statement deck. The realm affords a surprising view of the lake 1,327m above sea degree.
Heading again to Tokyo
Our return journey to Tokyo was by way of the Shinkansen bullet practice, which was an expertise in itself.
The trains attain a prime pace of 320 km/h, permitting individuals to get to wherever you want in little time.
After a satisfying day of sightseeing, it was again to our lodge in Tokyo. All in all, this Mt. Fuji and Hakone day tour was an important journey to get away from the standard Tokyo metropolis sights.
We have been capable of see completely different sides of Mt. Fuji, get pleasure from nature, and expertise completely different types of transport by bus, boat, and practice.
I extremely really helpful this or variations of the Mt. Fuji tour for first timers visiting Tokyo who need to maximize their journey.
You possibly can guide completely different tour choices to Mt. Fuji from Tokyo by way of Klook beneath.
