Japan Adventures – Day 9: Exploring the Majestic Mt. Fuji Area

Pre-Booking Our Private Tour via Klook

For our ninth day in Japan, we pre-booked a private tour to Mt. Fuji through Klook. Initially, we chose the Route C (Mt. Fuji 5th Station Classic Route), but due to the closure of the 5th Station to private vehicles from July 8, 2024, until September 10, 2024, we had to switch to Route A (Fuji Area Classic Route). Although we had the choice to take a shuttle bus to the 5th Station, the estimated 3-hour wait made us opt for the other route.

Tour Confirmation and Pick-Up

The tour operator contacted us the day before to confirm the details and connect us with our driver. Our adventure began with an 8 AM pick-up from our hotel.

First Stop: Chureito Pagoda and Arakurayama Shrine

Our first destination was the Chureito Pagoda and Arakurayama Shrine, a journey that took just under two hours. This spot offers a breath taking view of Mt. Fuji (weather permitting), but be prepared for a lot of steep stairs to reach the top. For those with strollers or wheelchairs, a slightly longer concrete path is available for easier access.

Exploring Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba

Next, we visited Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba, a reconstructed Japanese village where visitors can explore traditional houses. The entrance fee is not included in the tour. The drive to this village is magnificent, taking us around Lake Kawaguchiko and Lake Saiko. We spent over an hour here, immersing ourselves in the rich history and culture.

Lunch at Lake Kawaguchiko

Our next stop was the lakeside of Lake Kawaguchiko, where we had about two hours to explore. After browsing a few local stores, we headed to Yoshijima-ya, a Syokudo and Teishoku restaurant. If you get a window seat on the second floor, you can enjoy an amazing view of Lake Kawaguchiko while dining.

Mount Kachikachi and the Super View Swing

Due to time constraints, we had to choose between the Lake Kawaguchiko Sightseeing Boat and the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway. Although our daughters wanted to rent a swan-like boat, we opted for the latter, considering the effort required for paddling.

After lunch, we took the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway up to Mount Kachikachi. The view from the top was absolutely stunning, offering panoramic vistas of Lake Kawaguchiko and Mt. Fuji. Further up the viewing deck, we found the Mount Kachikachi Super View Swing. Although it looked a bit scary, our eldest daughter managed to persuade her younger sister to join her on the swing. Tickets can be purchased at a vending machine for ¥500 per person. There was quite a long queue as there are only two swings, and groups go together. If you have an odd number in your group, one person will swing alone, which can make the wait longer. While we waited for our turn, my wife decided to go back down to the town to explore more stores.

Final Stop: Oshino Hakkai

Our final stop was Oshino Hakkai, a small village set in a scenic location with eight ponds, views of Mt. Fuji, and vendors selling food and souvenirs. Our daughters decided to dip their legs in the river connecting the ponds. We left the village just after 4 PM, wishing we had more time to explore.

Journey Back and Evening in Asakusa

The journey back to our hotel took longer than expected, almost an hour more, and we arrived at 7 PM. After dropping our stuff in our room, we headed back to Asakusa in search of dinner. We settled for Yoshinoya Asakusa, a Japanese multinational fast food chain of gyūdon restaurants. The food wasn’t great, but it had options our kids would eat, and it was quick and cheap. Knowing we had time for shopping, we bought a large suitcase from Ginza Karen before heading to Don Quijote Asakusa to buy the souvenirs we planned to bring back home.