From Tokyo: Mt.Fuji, Tea Ceremony & Outlet Shopping Day Tour

One day, five ways to see Fuji. This tour strings together the classic Mt. Fuji viewpoints, starting with Lake Kawaguchi and ending at the Arakurayama Sengen Park photo spot where you get that iconic mountain-and-temple angle. It’s a smart route if you want your chances stacked: multiple viewpoints, not just one quick stop.

What I really like is the balance of culture and free time. You get Shikido matcha-making with a short tea experience, and you also have a clear choice to add a hot spring stop at Kinohananoyu if you’re not shopping in the outlets. The main catch is timing: the drive back to Shinjuku can get delayed if traffic builds around Gotemba, so keep your evening plans flexible.

Key highlights you will feel right away

• Mt. Fuji from multiple angles: Lake Kawaguchi in the morning, Arakurayama Sengen Park for the big photo view, and a chance for a clear sighting depending on conditions
• Matcha-making at Shikido: not just tasting, but a hands-on tea experience that breaks up the sightseeing pace
• Arakurayama Sengen Park photo stop: plan for a bit of climbing to reach the top viewpoints, since time on site is limited
• Gotemba Premium Outlets, the big one: Japan’s largest outlet mall with 200+ brands and discounts, plus time to actually use them
• Optional hot spring with Fuji views: Kinohananoyu adds a relaxing alternative to outlet shopping (tattoos are not permitted)

A Round-Trip From Shinjuku Built Around Fuji Photos

This is a 10-hour day trip with a straightforward rhythm: Tokyo area pickup, bus ride out to the Fuji region, a morning of scenery and tea, an afternoon built around either shopping or onsen, then the return to Shinjuku.

The big value here is focus. Instead of spreading your day across random stops, you get a Fuji-heavy route with enough structure to reduce stress. You’re not juggling trains, transfers, and schedules while hoping you arrive at the right view at the right time.

The tour uses an air-conditioned, 3-star safety bus. That matters because you’re sitting for long stretches. If you get warm easily or get tired in transit, bring a light layer anyway; air-conditioning on buses can swing from comfortable to chilly fast.

Shinjuku Meeting Point: Find the Yellow Flag, Then Relax

Your meeting point is in Shinjuku Nishiguchi. The guide holds a yellow flag with the tour logo ONTABI, which makes it easier than wandering around looking for the right bus.

The exact spot is described as the ground floor of Mitsubishi Sumitomo Bank, Shinjuku Nishiguchi Branch, left-hand side of the Shinjuku L Tower Starbucks. The nearest exits are the JR West gate or the Metro West gate. If you’re turned around, it’s genuinely helpful to open Google Maps and search for Shinjuku L Tower, then walk to the bank frontage.

One small practical tip: if you arrive early, don’t just wait wherever the bus curb looks busiest. Spend a minute to confirm the logo flag and the guide’s face-to-face check-in. That avoids the annoying scramble when multiple tours start from the same Shinjuku area.

Lake Kawaguchi: Morning Photos, Walking Time, and Matcha at Shikido

Lake Kawaguchi is the first real “Fuji moment.” The plan includes a photo stop plus time to walk and visit around the lake. In clear weather, this is one of the best places in the region for seeing Mt. Fuji with water reflecting the shape.

The other reason this stop works: it’s not only scenery. You also get a tea ceremony experience (about 45 minutes) connected with Shikido, where you can do matcha-making. This is the cultural brake pedal. After the bus ride and before the busy outlet time, you get something hands-on that feels distinctly Japanese instead of just another photo stop.

At this same stop, there is also shopping time. It’s not the huge outlet style mall. Think of it as local Fuji-region browsing: small souvenirs and practical gifts you can pick up without turning your day into a second job.

A useful way to manage your headspace here: treat this as your “slow start.” Do your main photos quickly if the sky looks good, then relax into the tea experience. Even if the light shifts later, you’ll already have your lake memory.

Arakurayama Sengen Park: The Best View Stop, With a Climb and Limited Time

Next up is Arakurayama Sengen Park, one hour total for photo stops and sightseeing. This is the stop built for the classic panoramic Mt. Fuji photo: the viewpoint at the top of the Sengen temple area.

Here’s the realistic part: reaching the top viewpoints can involve climbing steps. One detail that matters is that the time on site can be tight if you want both the trek and the photos. If you’re a regular walker you’ll likely manage fine, but if you move slowly, plan for a shorter loop and prioritize the view points that give you the most return per minute.

What I like about this stop is how it reframes Mt. Fuji. You’re not just looking at the mountain from a distance. You’re seeing it framed by temple architecture and a dramatic composition. That’s why the photos tend to look different from the lake shots.

Do this smart: if your first glance from mid-level isn’t great, don’t panic. Go a bit higher if you have energy left, then commit to the best angle you find. The goal is to leave with at least one keeper shot, not 20 half-ideas.

Gotemba Premium Outlets: Japan’s Largest Outlet, 3 Hours to Spend

Then comes the part many people either love or just tolerate: Gotemba Premium Outlets.

You get about 3 hours of lunch plus free time for shopping. The mall is described as Japan’s largest outlet, with 200+ brands and special discounts. That’s the value equation: the tour price includes the transportation and admission to the sightseeing stops, but the outlets are where you can really extract extra value if you came to shop.

How to make 3 hours work (so it doesn’t turn into stress):

• Go in with a rough list: shoes, basics, outerwear, cosmetics, electronics accessories.
• Pick one “must area” first, then branch out.
• If you want good photos while walking around the property, set aside a short slot early. Once you get deep into stores, time can vanish.

A couple of practical signals from the broader experience: the mall is big, so don’t assume you can browse everything. One helpful reminder that popped up in past group experiences was to bring cash, since some small purchases can be easier that way even though many places accept cards.

If you mainly want the Fuji sights and don’t care about shopping, you’re not stuck. The tour offers an onsen alternative during the hot spring block later in the day.

Kinohananoyu Hot Spring: Optional Fuji Views, Tattoo Rules, Extra Fee

Instead of shopping the entire afternoon, you can choose a hot spring experience at Kinohananoyu with views of Mt. Fuji.

The hot spring is an additional fee: 1,600 to 1,900 yen per person, and you’ll have free time (about 3 hours) for that portion. This is a genuinely good option if your legs feel like they’ve done the Arakurayama steps twice already, or if you want a quieter ending to the day.

Two practical notes:

• Tattoos are not permitted in the hot spring facilities. If you have tattoos, choose the outlet time instead.
• Since it’s an optional add-on, don’t assume your schedule will feel the same as the shopping group. You’ll want to use the full time window rather than rushing in and out.

The hot spring angle is also part of why this tour feels like a full day, not just a bus-and-photos sprint. You get a chance to reset your body after long transit and sightseeing.

Comfort, Timing, and the Realities of Road Travel

A 10-hour trip from Tokyo to the Fuji region means you’re always balancing “enough time” with “not too slow.” You’re given 2 hours by bus each way, and the middle is structured by specific time blocks for each stop.

The comfort side is mostly good: the bus is air-conditioned and described as a safety bus. Still, for long days, plan for basic needs. One past experience in the broader tour context included an issue with the on-bus toilet being unavailable. That’s not something you can count on either way, so don’t build your entire plan around it.

The biggest timing consideration is the return drive. Traffic near and around Gotemba can stretch the schedule, and that can push your drop-off back in Shinjuku later than you expected. If you book dinner reservations, do yourself a favor and schedule something flexible, or something closer to Shinjuku that doesn’t punish you if you arrive late.

Price and Value: Why $70 Can Make Sense for the Right Plan

At about $70 per person, this tour competes well when you add up what’s included: pickup and drop-off from Shinjuku, entry fees for the sightseeing spots, a guided day with a professional English/Chinese-capable guide, plus the air-conditioned bus for the long-distance route.

The parts that aren’t included are also clear:

• Meals
• Hot spring fee (only if you choose the onsen option)

The real value depends on how you want to spend your day:

• If you want multiple Fuji photo stops plus matcha-making plus a large shopping opportunity, the value is strong.
• If you only care about one or two photos and hate shopping, your best leverage is the onsen option instead.

Also, think about the opportunity cost. Taking yourself there on public transit could mean extra time and more planning. This tour removes that planning friction, especially if your Japanese is limited and you’d rather spend mental energy on the day itself.

Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Might Prefer Something Else)

This day trip is a great fit if:

• You want a guided, Fuji-centered itinerary without figuring out transportation.
• You like structured sightseeing but still want free time later.
• You enjoy a cultural activity like matcha-making, then switch gears to modern Japan at the outlets.

It may not be ideal if:

• You dislike crowds and big malls. The outlet block is built for shopping energy.
• You need a very tight return time for evening plans due to road-traffic variability.
• You require tattoo-friendly onsen access. Kinohananoyu does not permit tattoos.

Should You Book This Mt. Fuji Day Tour?

Yes, if you want a one-day plan that keeps you focused on Mt. Fuji while giving you two strong “finish options”: outlets or onsen.

Book it when:

• You’re aiming for the classic Fuji photo look from Arakurayama Sengen Park.
• You like hands-on culture, especially matcha-making at Shikido.
• You want the convenience of being transported and guided, not mapping your own route.

Skip or choose another option if:

• Your schedule is strict and you can’t risk a late return.
• You don’t want to climb steps for the top viewpoint.
• Hot springs are the main goal and you have tattoos.

If you do book, pack for a long day: comfortable shoes for steps, a light layer for bus AC, and a little buffer in your evening schedule. That’s how you turn this into a smooth day instead of a rushed one.

FAQ

How long is the Mt. Fuji, Tea Ceremony & Outlet Shopping Day Tour?

The tour runs for 10 hours.

Where do I meet the tour guide in Shinjuku?

You meet at the ground floor of Mitsubishi Sumitomo Bank, Shinjuku Nishiguchi Branch, on the left-hand side of the Shinjuku L Tower Starbucks. The guide holds a yellow flag with the tour logo ONTABI.

What is included in the tour price?

Pickup/drop-off from a convenient location in Shinjuku, entry fees for the sightseeing spots, an air-conditioned safety bus, and a professional guide.

Are meals included?

No. Meals are not included.

What stops are included during the day?

The day includes Lake Kawaguchi, Arakurayama Sengen Park, Gotemba Premium Outlets, and an optional hot spring experience.

Is there matcha-making on the tour?

Yes. You can enjoy matcha-making and a tea ceremony experience connected with Shikido during the Lake Kawaguchi portion.

How much time do I get at Gotemba Premium Outlets?

You get lunch plus free time for shopping for about 3 hours.

Can I choose hot spring instead of outlet shopping?

Yes. If you are not keen on shopping at the outlets, there is an onsen option at Kinohananoyu.

How much does the hot spring cost, and are tattoos allowed?

The hot spring requires an additional fee of about 1,600 to 1,900 yen per person. Tattoos are not permitted in the hot spring facilities.

What cancellation and booking options are available?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and there is a reserve now & pay later option.