Volcano Tours in Japan: 6 Sorted by What They Cost

1.Hakone Fuji Day Tour w/ Cruise, Cable Car, Volcano

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 724 reviews · 10 hours · from $98Our pick

Leave Tokyo for a full day in Hakone, combining a Lake Ashi pirate-boat cruise, Hakone Ropeway, Owakudani’s sulfur vents, black eggs, and a choice of Gotemba outlets or a Fuji-view hot spring. English and Chinese guides include Tina, Jeff, Vicky, and others. Expect a comfortable air-conditioned coach, changing mountain weather, and a long day.

“The trip was excellent. We got picked up promptly at 8am then took a 2 and a half hour trip to hakone. The only downside was the weather but no one could’ve predicted that, it’s typhoon season in September here. I’d go again and recommend it to anyone who likes shopping. Alot of great deals at the outlets.”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

2.Mt. Aso Volcano & Kurokawa Onsen Scenic Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 37 reviews · 10 hours · from $90

Leave Fukuoka for a 10-hour journey into Kyushu’s volcanic heart. You’ll visit Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine, see Aso and Kusasenri, then have about 100 minutes in Kurokawa Onsen. English and Chinese guides, including Daisy on some departures, lead the way. The $90 price covers transport and guide service, but meals, admissions, and bath fees cost extra.

“The scenery and activities were great and we had a fabulous day. Unfortunately, the tour could be better organised. Having to bring cash for all the activities was annoying and seemed unnecessary. It would be more practical to just include these in the price and make it easier for everyone. Both tour guide and guests spent an hour messing with cash.. Meeting point is always the bus, which is sometimes parked far from the activity and difficult to find. The tour guide needs to run the tour by choosing an easy meeting point and getting the tour to the bus from there. A map was given in Japanese which isn’t…”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

3.Mount Aso Volcano, Kumamoto Castle, Grasslands Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 33 reviews · from $72Best value

Leave Fukuoka at 8 a.m. for Kumamoto Castle, Mt. Aso’s Nakadake Crater, Kusasenri Plateau, and Aso Roadside Station. You’ll ride in an air-conditioned vehicle with a multilingual guide such as Kaku, Thomas, Soon, or Sun. The crater may close for gas or weather, and the long return drive can run past 9 p.m.

“I particularly liked the volcano (Mount Aso). The landscapes were beautiful. Our tour guide, Jyo, was very welcoming and professional.”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

4.Kagoshima Highlights Private Tour, Sakurajima Volcano and more

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews Top rated

With English-speaking guide Hitomi, you can shape a seven-hour private tour around Sakurajima, Kagoshima’s gardens, history, food, or whiskey. Expect volcanic viewpoints, a 100-meter foot bath, Sengan-en, and a local lunch. Transport, ferry costs, admission, and lunch are extra.

“Our guide was especially helpful before the tour communicating and answering all questions we had. We loved experiencing the volcano but perhaps the highlight for us was lunch where we cooked our own meat at our table! Overall excellent tour.”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

5.Private guided tour: Mt. Aso volcano, grasslands, Aso Shrine

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · from $183

Spend about five and a half hours with a private guide such as Kana, Nathalie, Natalie, Yuko, or Joyce, depending on availability. Visit Aso Shrine, join an optional Shinto prayer, eat Akaushi beef cutlet rice, stroll Monzenmachi, and see Kusasenri and Nakadake crater by air-conditioned car. Volcano access can change for safety.

“Our guide Kana Illig was very friendly and accommodating. Being an Aso resident, she shares generously about local practices and culture. The prayer session in the Aso Shrine was very enlightening as this is our first time after so many viRead more”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

6.Private E-MTB guided cycling around Mt. Aso volcano & grasslands

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · from $203

Meet Joe or Fuji at Aso Station for a private four-hour E-MTB ride through Aso’s grasslands to Nakadake Crater. You’ll test the bike, follow the old Kusa no Michi route, hear about Aso’s geology and culture, and return by bike or arranged transport. Beginners are welcome, and luggage storage is available.

“Cycling through the nature was great. The lunch in the meadow on the way was delicious, and I was glad that I had a guide to the history and Aso. I felt it was a good activity to experience the vast nature unique to Aso. The tour guide was very informative and helpful, and we took appropriate breaks at key points.”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →