Tokyo Mt Fuji 5th St & Hakone Cruise Bus Tour w/Bullet Train

Mt. Fuji’s 5th Station is the star of this day trip, but the clever finish is the return to Tokyo by Shinkansen. You see Japan’s highest mountain from a high viewpoint, ride above Hakone’s volcanic valleys, cruise Lake Ashi, then swap the coach for a fast train at Odawara.

I like the mix of big scenery and easy transport, and I like having a guide to explain the shrines, mountains, and local customs along the way. Guides such as Lisa, Yuta, Aya, Kazu, and Levin have been especially praised for keeping the long day cheerful and well organized. The catch is simple: ten hours is a lot, and stops can feel rushed when traffic or queues get in the way.

Key points to know before booking

• Mt. Fuji at 2,000 meters: Reach the 5th Station by air-conditioned coach, with a chance to visit a Shinto shrine and mountain shops.
• A full Hakone circuit: Ride a ropeway, see volcanic scenery, and cruise Lake Ashi in one afternoon.
• Buffet lunch included with the lunch option: The meal offers Japanese dishes and vegetarian food by request, but the dining window can be early and short.
• A practical ride back: The one-way Shinkansen ticket from Odawara to Tokyo saves you from retracing the long coach route.
• Weather controls the day: Fuji can vanish behind cloud, the ropeway can close for wind, and the route may be changed without a refund.
• Best for active sightseers: You cover several major sights in one day, but this is not a slow, relaxed Hakone visit.

Why this Mt. Fuji and Hakone day works

This tour solves a common Tokyo problem: Mt. Fuji and Hakone are close enough to tempt you, but awkward enough to require planning. In one booking, you get transport from central Tokyo, a guide, the main Hakone tickets, lunch if selected, and a train back into the city.

The route also gives you three different ways to see Japan’s countryside. Fuji appears as a mountain shrine setting and high-altitude viewpoint. Hakone provides ropeway views and volcanic ground. Lake Ashi adds a quieter stretch on the water before the Shinkansen brings you back to Tokyo.

I would not choose this trip if you want long walks, quiet meals, or several hours in one town. You are changing vehicles and locations throughout the day. But if you have limited time and want a broad taste of the Fuji and Hakone region, the plan is efficient.

The tour costs $154 per person. That is not a bargain in the simple sense, but the price includes the coach, guide, Wi-Fi, ropeway, cruise, buffet lunch when selected, and one-way bullet train. Buying each part separately would also mean working out the route, transfers, and ticket timing. The value is strongest for first-time visitors who want a well-managed day rather than the freedom to set their own pace.

Starting in Tokyo and settling into the coach

Pickup is offered at a central Tokyo meeting point, including Matsuya Ginza or the Love Statue meeting point in Shinjuku, depending on the option booked. Check the exact meeting place on your confirmation. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach the meeting point yourself.

The first coach ride takes about two hours. It is a useful time for your guide to explain the day, answer questions, and share basic information about Japanese culture and language. The deluxe coach has air conditioning and Wi-Fi, though you should still bring a phone charger and a few snacks. The itinerary can shift because of traffic, and Tokyo-area roads can turn a neat schedule into a long morning.

This is where the guide makes a real difference. Names vary by departure, but guides including Lisa, Aya, Yuta, Kazu, Yui, Sora, Lovely, and Levin have been singled out for friendly explanations, humor, and careful organization. A good guide is particularly helpful when the day changes due to weather or an unexpected queue.

Mt. Fuji 5th Station at 2,000 meters

The coach climbs to Mt. Fuji’s 5th Station, about 2,000 meters above sea level. This is not the summit, and you will not be hiking up the mountain. Instead, you step into a high mountain setting with views, shops, thin air, and a sacred atmosphere tied to Fuji’s role in Japanese religious tradition.

A Shinto shrine gives the stop more meaning than a simple photo break. You can take in the mountain setting, look at the shrine details, and enjoy the change from Tokyo’s city streets to cool mountain air. On clear days, this is one of the most rewarding parts of the trip, especially when Fuji’s upper slopes are visible.

Bring warm clothing even outside winter. Conditions at the 5th Station can be much colder and windier than in Tokyo. One December visit was described as freezing, while a January outing included snowfall. Comfortable shoes matter too, since you will be walking around uneven outdoor areas and moving between stops.

Weather is the great uncertainty. Cloud can cover the mountain at the very place you came to see it. If the road cannot safely continue beyond the 4th Station, the tour may visit Oshino Hakkai or another scenic location instead. In early June, a stated road regulation requires an alternative stop instead of the 5th Station on June 7.

The company may also substitute places such as Lake Yamanaka, Oshino Hakkai, Odawara Castle, Hakone Shrine, Hakone Sekisho, or another attraction if conditions or operations require it. You should book this as a regional sightseeing day, not as a guaranteed clear view of Fuji.

Buffet lunch with a view

After Fuji, the coach takes you to a local restaurant for a Japanese buffet. The setting is intended to provide a view of the mountain, and the buffet format makes sense for a mixed group with different tastes. Fresh local ingredients, Japanese dishes, and a vegetarian option are available when requested in advance.

The lunch option is worth serious consideration. If you decide to add lunch on the day, changes can bring an extra charge. Vegetarian meals exclude meat, alcohol, and seafood, but halal and vegan meals are not available.

Timing is the main weakness. Lunch may be served around 11 a.m., which feels early to some people, especially because the tour can continue until about 6 p.m. The meal can also feel rushed when the schedule is tight. I would eat well, carry a small snack, and avoid assuming you will have time to buy food during the afternoon.

The food receives generally warm feedback, with hot-pot dishes and the range of buffet choices earning praise. Still, this is a practical group meal, not a long restaurant experience. Think fuel for the rest of the day rather than a leisurely culinary event.

Hakone ropeway and the volcanic views

The next section takes you into Hakone, one of Japan’s best-known hot spring and resort areas. Depending on the day’s schedule, the route uses Hakone Mountain or Hakone-Komagatake Mountain before the ropeway ride.

The cable car gives you a high view over Hakone. On a clear day, Fuji may appear again from a new angle. The ride can also reveal volcanic vents and sulfurous ground, which gives the afternoon a different character from the forest and shrine setting at Fuji’s 5th Station.

The ropeway is weather-sensitive. Strong wind can stop the service, and holiday crowds can create long lines. When that happens, the guide may arrange a different activity, such as shopping or a tasting, depending on what is operating. Do not treat the ropeway as guaranteed simply because the ticket is included.

You also need to keep your expectations in check about time. This is a sightseeing ride, not a full Hakone visit. You may have only a short chance to look around before moving on to the next transport connection. That trade-off is the price of fitting Fuji, Hakone, and the train into one day.

Cruising Lake Ashi

The Lake Ashi cruise is the gentler part of the schedule. Lake Ashi is a caldera lake surrounded by mountains, and the boat gives you a chance to sit down after the coach and ropeway sections. On clear days, you may see Fuji from the lake, while the famous red torii gate associated with Hakone Shrine adds a strong photo opportunity.

Boat style can vary. Some departures use a pirate-themed sightseeing vessel, while others use a different cruise boat. If you have your heart set on the exact ship shown in promotional images, this tour may disappoint. The important point is the lake crossing and views, not a guaranteed boat design.

The cruise is fairly short, and there is not always commentary explaining every sight. I would use the ride to rest, take photographs, and listen to your guide’s instructions about where to meet afterward. Clouds can hide Fuji here too, but the lake remains a pleasant change of pace even without a mountain view.

Odawara to Tokyo by Shinkansen

The day ends with a coach ride to Odawara Station and a one-way bullet train ticket to Tokyo Station. The Shinkansen ride is usually around 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the service and schedule. After a long day on the road, this is a smart finish: you avoid sitting on a coach all the way back through evening traffic.

For many people, the train is more than a transfer. It is a first taste of Japan’s famous high-speed rail system, and it gives the day a satisfying final note. You do not need to arrange this ticket yourself, which removes one more piece of timing and station work.

If you already have a JR Pass, book the version that returns by bus instead. The supplied information specifically directs pass holders away from the bullet train option, so check this before paying.

Timing, group pace, and practical comfort

The total duration is about ten hours. That includes roughly two hours on the morning coach, several attraction stops, meal time, transfers, and the final train. You will cover plenty of ground, but you will not have much spare time.

The coach is air-conditioned and comfortable, and onboard Wi-Fi is a useful extra. Still, the day includes sitting, walking, standing in queues, and moving between vehicles. People with respiratory issues, pregnancy, or pre-existing medical conditions are advised not to join.

Audio headsets are available in Spanish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese, and Ukrainian. The live guide speaks English. This helps if someone in your group prefers listening in another language, though the main explanations and schedule instructions come from the English-speaking guide.

Drones are not allowed. Wear shoes that can handle outdoor paths and carry layers for the mountain. I would also keep your ticket details, meeting point, and guide contact information easy to reach, since the starting location depends on the option you choose.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Those policies are useful when Fuji weather is uncertain, but they do not mean you receive a refund if the operator changes a stop during the day because of weather, traffic, or suspended services.

Who should book this tour

Book it if you want maximum coverage in one day and prefer having the transport and tickets organized. It suits first-time visitors, families with older children, and anyone who wants to see Fuji, Hakone, a lake cruise, and a bullet train without building the route alone.

It is also a good choice if the guide matters to you. The best guides, including Aya, Kazu, Lisa, Yuta, and Sora, add useful cultural details and keep the group moving without making the day feel mechanical.

Skip it if you want a relaxed Hakone stay, a serious mountain hike, a guaranteed Fuji photograph, or plenty of time in shops and villages. Weather can remove the 5th Station or ropeway, and the schedule leaves little room for lingering.

For $154, I see solid value in the transport-heavy format, especially when lunch is included and the bullet train is something you want to try. Just pack layers, accept that Fuji may hide, and treat the whole day as a fast but rewarding sampler of central Japan.

FAQ

How long is the Mt. Fuji and Hakone tour?

The tour lasts about 10 hours and normally returns to Tokyo around 6 p.m.

Where does the tour start and finish?

Meeting points vary by the option booked and may include Matsuya Ginza or the Love Statue meeting point in Shinjuku. The listed finish is Tokyo Station.

Is lunch included?

A buffet lunch is included only when you select the lunch option. Vegetarian meals are available if requested when booking. Halal and vegan meals are not available.

What happens if the weather prevents a visit to Mt. Fuji’s 5th Station?

The tour may visit Oshino Hakkai or another scenic location instead. The route can also change because of traffic, operational problems, or road regulations.

Does the tour include the Hakone ropeway and Lake Ashi cruise?

Yes. The ropeway ticket and Lake Ashi cruise ticket are included, although strong wind, service suspensions, or schedule changes can lead to an alternative activity.

Can I take the bullet train if I have a JR Pass?

The tour information advises JR Pass holders to book the return-by-bus option instead of the bullet train option.