Mount Fuji Lakes, Oishi Park & Oshino Hakkai Photo Tour from Tokyo
- DurationAbout 10 hours
- Daily
- Group
- Pickup available
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Overview
This day tour from Tokyo is built around the classic photo spots on the northern side of Mount Fuji. You start with morning reflections on Lake Yamanaka, wander the spring-fed ponds of Oshino Hakkai, follow the flower beds of Oishi Park on the shore of Lake Kawaguchi and finish at the Chureito Pagoda, the five-storey pagoda that frames the mountain above the town of Fujiyoshida. The default option is a shared coach tour with an English-speaking guide from Tokyo Station at 07:30; a Shinjuku departure and a private option with your own vehicle, guide and Tokyo hotel pickup are also available. All four stops are free to enter, and the route suits photographers, couples and friends.
Highlights
- Morning reflections of Mount Fuji and swans on Lake Yamanaka
- Oshino Hakkai's eight crystal-clear spring ponds and thatched farmhouses
- Oishi Park's seasonal flower beds on the north shore of Lake Kawaguchi
- The Chureito Pagoda viewpoint above Fujiyoshida, Fuji's most iconic frame
- Time for lunch among the snack stalls of Oshino Hakkai
- All stops free to enter, with an English-speaking guide all day
- Choice of departure from Tokyo Station or Shinjuku, or a private option with hotel pickup
Full Description
Lake Yamanaka: morning reflections
Lake Yamanaka is the largest of the Fuji Five Lakes and the closest to the mountain, lying at about 980 metres above sea level. Its northern shore around Hirano faces Mount Fuji almost head-on, and in the calm of the morning the water can hold a mirror image of the cone, often with swans drifting in the foreground. It is the first stop of the day precisely because the wind usually rises later.
The coach spends about 40 minutes here after the drive of just under two hours from Tokyo. Bring a light jacket: the lakeshore is noticeably colder than the city, especially from November to March, when the snow cap is at its fullest and the best time to visit Lake Yamanaka for clear views. Even so, the mountain can be hidden by cloud on any day, and views are never guaranteed.
Oshino Hakkai spring village
Oshino Hakkai is a cluster of eight ponds in the village of Oshino, between Lake Yamanaka and Lake Kawaguchi, fed by Mount Fuji's snowmelt after it has filtered underground through volcanic rock for many years. The water is cold and so clear that you can see every pebble and water plant on the bottom, and the ponds form part of the UNESCO-listed Fujisan World Heritage Site. Thatched farmhouses, a turning water wheel and the mountain behind create a very traditional scene.
This is the longest stop, about 70 minutes, and it doubles as the lunch break: stalls sell grilled rice cakes, tempura, soba noodles and Fuji-shaped sweets, with seafood and vegetable choices. Halal food is limited around the Fuji lakes, so some travellers bring a packed lunch. Visiting Oshino Hakkai is free; a few private gardens charge a small fee, and the paths can be crowded by midday.
Oishi Park on Lake Kawaguchi
Oishi Park lies on the quiet north shore of Lake Kawaguchi, the most visited of the Fuji Five Lakes, and its long flower corridor runs along the water with Mount Fuji directly across the lake. The planting changes through the year: lavender and other summer blooms from late June to July, the fluffy kochia bushes that turn bright red in October, and autumn maples nearby in November. Lake Kawaguchiko is also the easiest of the lakes to reach from Tokyo, by road or train.
You have about 40 minutes for the flower beds, the lakeside path and the small visitor centre with its café and local shop. Visitors often ask if Oishi Park is worth visiting outside the flower season: the view across the water to Fuji is the main reason to come, and in winter the lake is calm and the mountain at its whitest when the weather is clear.
Chureito Pagoda and Arakurayama Sengen Park
The Chureito Pagoda is the five-storey red pagoda on the hillside of Arakurayama Sengen Park in Fujiyoshida, built in 1963 as a memorial to peace. From the viewing deck behind it, the pagoda, the town and Mount Fuji line up in one frame, the image that appears on so many posters of Japan. Reaching it takes a steep climb of nearly 400 steps, with a gentler sloping path alongside.
The tour ends here with about an hour, enough for the climb, the photos and a rest. The best time to visit Chureito Pagoda is early to mid April, when cherry trees bloom around it, or November for autumn colours; on clear winter afternoons the light on the snow is superb. Below the park, the main street of Fujiyoshida runs straight towards the mountain and offers more photos if time allows.
Itinerary
- Departure from Tokyo Station North Exit (07:30)Meet the guide with the orange flag and board the coach; the Shinjuku option leaves at 08:00 from the West Exit.
- Lake YamanakaAbout 40 minutes on the north shore for morning reflections and swans.
- Oshino Hakkai and lunchAbout 70 minutes among the spring ponds, with lunch at your own cost at the village stalls.
- Oishi Park, Lake KawaguchiAbout 40 minutes for the flower corridor and lakeside path facing Mount Fuji.
- Street views in Kawaguchiko and FujiyoshidaShort photo stops where the town streets frame the mountain, when time and traffic allow.
- Chureito PagodaAbout one hour to climb to the viewing deck in Arakurayama Sengen Park.
- Return to TokyoDrive of about two and a half hours back to central Tokyo, arriving in the evening.
What's included
- Air-conditioned coach with driver
- English-speaking guide
- Return transport from the meeting point
- Lake Yamanaka, Oshino Hakkai, Oishi Park and Chureito Pagoda photo stops
- All stops are free to enter
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Meals and drinks (snacks on sale at the stops)
- Large luggage (tell us in advance)
- Personal expenses
- Guaranteed Mount Fuji views (visibility depends on the weather)
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Travellers without a car — hotel pickup is included
- Groups who want privacy — a private option is available
- Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.8/5 by past travellers
Not suitable for
- Pregnant travellers
- Wheelchair users
- People with high blood pressure
- Travellers over 70
Meeting point
For the default option, meet at 07:30 at Tokyo Station North Exit, Marunouchi 1-chome; arrive 10 minutes early and look for the guide holding an orange flag. The Shinjuku option meets at 08:00 at Shinjuku Station West Exit. The private option includes pickup from your Tokyo hotel lobby (please be there 15 minutes before the start) and drop-off at the same place. Shared tours return to central Tokyo in the evening.
Important information
- Mount Fuji views depend on the weather and are never guaranteed; the mountain is often hidden in summer haze.
- Wear comfortable shoes for the steps at the Chureito Pagoda and dress in layers: the lakes are colder than Tokyo.
- Meals are not included; Oshino Hakkai has many food stalls, but halal options are limited, so bring a packed lunch if you eat halal.
- Large luggage must be arranged with us in advance; food and drinks are not allowed in the vehicle.
- On weekends, public holidays and local marathon days the order of stops may change because of traffic or road closures.
- Families with children should check with our team before booking the shared tour.
- Travel details are sent by the evening before departure; please check your spam folder too.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
Is this a shared or a private tour?
The default option is a shared coach tour with an English-speaking guide, from Tokyo Station; a shared Shinjuku departure is also offered. A private option gives you your own vehicle, driver and English-speaking guide, with Tokyo hotel pickup and flexible time at each stop.
Can we change the itinerary or the pace?
On the shared tour the route is fixed, although the guide may reorder stops for traffic or weather. With the private option you set your own pace and time at each photo stop.
How many people join the tour?
Shared group size varies by day and the tour uses a coach. The private option is only for your party.
Is the price per person or per group?
Prices for every option are per person. The booking panel on this page shows the current price of each option.
Is hotel pickup included?
Only in the private option, which picks you up and drops you off at your Tokyo hotel. The shared options meet at Tokyo Station or Shinjuku Station.
What is included?
Transport in an air-conditioned vehicle with driver, an English-speaking guide and the photo stops at Lake Yamanaka, Oshino Hakkai, Oishi Park and the Chureito Pagoda, all of which are free to enter. Meals and personal expenses are not included.
How long is the tour?
About 10 hours from departure to return in central Tokyo, depending on traffic.
Is it suitable for children or travellers with reduced mobility?
It is not suitable for wheelchair users, pregnant travellers, people with high blood pressure or travellers over 70, mainly because of the Chureito climb. Families with children should contact us first.
Will we see Mount Fuji?
We cannot promise it. The mountain is clearest on cold, dry days from November to February and is often covered by cloud from June to August.
What should I bring?
Comfortable shoes, a warm layer, a camera with charged batteries, water and cash in yen for lunch and snacks.
What is the best season for Fuji photos?
April for cherry blossoms at the Chureito Pagoda, late June to July for lavender at Oishi Park, October and November for red kochia and autumn leaves, and winter for the clearest snow-capped views.
How do I book and confirm?
Select your option and date in the booking panel on this page. Our team confirms on WhatsApp within minutes and sends your meeting or pickup details before the day.
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