Mount Fuji, Kamakura, Big Buddha, & Lake Ashi Day Trip
Description
Begin your unforgettable journey with a visit to Big Buddha of Kotoku-in (if selected), a majestic 13-meter bronze statue that embodies peace and the essence of Japanese Buddhism. Continue to Hakone for a scenic cruise on Lake Ashi (if chosen), gliding across its tranquil waters and, weather permitting, enjoying the breathtaking reflection of Mount Fuji. Next, explore Oshino Hakkai, a village famous for its crystal-clear ponds fed by Mount Fuji’s underground springs. Enjoy lunch (if selected) or discover the local cuisine at your own pace while strolling among traditional houses and soaking in the serene atmosphere. Next, visit Oishi Park, the perfect spot to admire Mount Fuji amid seasonal blooms and Lake Kawaguchi’s serene waters, capturing unforgettable photos of Japan’s natural beauty. Note that, the Basic Option includes Oishi Park, Kawaguchiko, Oshino Hakkai, Arakurayama Sengen Park, and Fujiyoshida, but excludes the Big Buddha, Lake Ashi, other main highlights, and meals.
Tour Options
Itinerary
As one of Japan’s most recognizable landmarks, Mt. Fuji draws visitors from all over the globe to the Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures, hoping to witness its breathtaking beauty. For the Japanese people, however, Mt. Fuji holds deep spiritual significance and has inspired countless works of art over the centuries. Please note that Mount Fuji’s visibility depends on weather conditions. We kindly ask for your understanding if the view is limited.
Kotoku-in is home to the Great Buddha of Kamakura, one of Japan's most famous statues. This massive bronze Buddha stands at 13.35 meters tall and has survived natural disasters since the 13th century. This statue is unique because you can actually go inside it to see its internal structure. It symbolizes serenity and provides a great place to reflect while walking around the grounds. Please note that you can only see this option if you choose the correct option
Arrive at Oshino Hakkai (If option selected), a village known for its clear spring water and scenic beauty. For those who selected the meal option, lunch will be served at a restaurant in Oshino Hakkai. For those who did not select the meal option, there will be free time to enjoy the surroundings or have lunch on their own. Then, leave Oshino Hakkai and head towards the base of Mount Fuji. You will have one hour time in Oshino Hakkai and one hour time will be the ride by bus
Arrival at Oishi Park, located along the shores of Lake Kawaguchi, offering breathtaking scenery and unforgettable views of Mount Fuji.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Please note that the itinerary will vary depending on the option selected.
- Please note that Mount Fuji’s visibility depends on weather conditions. We kindly ask for your understanding if the view is limited.
- In case of adverse weather, traffic, or heavy congestion during weekends, or peak seasons, the return time may be delayed. This could result in shorter stays at certain attractions or adjustments to the schedule.
- We recommend carrying some cash, since certain scenic areas and local shops may not accept card payments.
- Please note that the meeting point for the Premium or Without Food options is Ginza Inz 2, across from Tokyu Hands (2 Chome, Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061; take Ginza Station Exit C9 or JR Yurakucho Station Central Exit), while for the Basic option it is 1-chōme-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0005 (Marunouchi South Exit, JR Tokyo Station, near the police box); please arrive at least 10 minutes before departure for check-in.
Reviews(1,451)
Unfortunately there was too much cloud so we could not see Mt Fuji at all. The big Buddha & lake ferry trip was awesome. The Obon festival & rain event caused chaos on the highways so our bus journey back took 2hrs longer than expected. The tour guides were delightful & very helpful.
Melody was a fantastic guide and Otsuka was a great driver!! Thanks for a great day :)
It was a very pleasant experience, I liked the narration by the guide Ángeles, very good English and transition to Spanish in a way that you feel taken care of in both languages. She addresses all questions and comments.
Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this trip. The guides did their best, but due to bad weather, except of the big Buddha near Kamakura, the sights were not special. However, I would like to add that even with good weather, I doubt that over 8 hours in the bus (and the traffic was not that bad) are really worth this driving effort. Including a 20-minute-stay at a restroom service station that meant 2h45 min of events alongside over 8h sitting in the bus, excluding 1h of traffic jam. That’s an odd ratio that made the tour feel somewhat tedious. Which is a pity, especially since our guides Angela and Melody were motivating and cheerful! It was definitely not their fault :)
Unlike other day trips purchased on this website, which have been very complete and spectacular, I do not recommend this excursion at all. The guides, Ángeles and Melany, limited themselves to doing their job very correctly inside the bus with very complete explanations. However, once off the bus, we felt a bit abandoned. It took us a very long time to reach the different stops due to traffic (I realize that this is a factor that depends on no one and I am not criticizing either the drivers or the company in this regard, since we counted on it when we booked the excursion) but it became very tedious. As for the stops, Kamakura and Lake Ashi are worth it, specifically the latter, which is spectacular with the boat ride (10 minutes to pass in front of the torii). The last stop at Lake Kawaguchi was an absolute disaster. The time established by the company is 15 totally random minutes to see the volcano (if you are lucky and the weather conditions allow it). If you are lucky in that time, great, if not, you gamble the most spectacular views of the whole day in 15 minutes or a little less time. Evidently, we had bad luck in this last aspect, but even so it seems like little time to contemplate a place that is so hard to reach. In short, if the day's forecast is good, it is an excursion that allows you to have different panoramic views of the mountain but if not, it is many hours on a bus to return absolutely disappointed. I would not risk it again.
The guide, Ángeles, was very good at all times. The itinerary is very attractive at first glance, but it is really unfeasible to want to cover so much in a single day. We spent more time on the bus than at the sites. The ferry ride on Lake Ashi is ridiculous in terms of duration, plus more time could be dedicated to doing more activities in the area. In Oshino you practically just get off to eat, and the village is worth much more time. The same in Kawaguchi, where there is only time to get off, buy an ice cream and return to the bus. In Kamakura at least you can see the great Buddha well although there is no real time to explore the commercial area and the beach area a little more.
I do not recommend the excursion. The guides explained things well during the journey, but outside the bus, there was a lack of accompaniment. Traffic made the travel times very long (without it being the company's fault). Kamakura and Lake Ashi are worth it, especially the boat ride. The stop at Lake Kawaguchi was disappointing: only 15 minutes to try to see Fuji. If the weather is good, it can turn out well, but if not, it's many hours on a bus to end up very disappointed.
Happy, I would do it again, my first time traveling to Tokyo, living the best experience, alongside guides with a vocation!
The experience is too hectic; little time is left at the stops, and there is hardly any time to enjoy, take photographs, buy souvenirs, etc. You spend most of the day on the bus. Furthermore, some people were left behind; they arrived late because it started to rain heavily, which must have caused them great distress. The guides, Melody and Ángeles, did a great job, though.
At one point we were 5 minutes late, because it rained very hard and the bus left us. They didn't notify us or call us. We had to pay for an Uber to find the bus at the next point. The agency took a while to send us the location of that point and the time it took us to catch up with the group was quite stressful. Returning to the tour, in general it was good, but Mount Fuji didn't let itself be seen, due to the rain clouds. The guides, Ángeles and Melody, treated us well in general and were kind and cordial in person and gave good information and explanations during the tour.
