Mt. Fuji Five Lakes Customized Tour — Guide Toshi
October, 2025
This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Tour Itinerary
- 09:30 Round trip from Shimoyoshida Station to Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine (including the Chureito Pagoda).
- Around 10:30 Take a taxi to the Kanadorii in Fujiyoshida and get off at the Kanadorii. Walk from the torii gate toward Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine. On the way, stop by the front garden of an Oshi house.
- Around 11:10 Arrive at the shrine, worship and stroll around.
- Around 12:00 Head to Kawaguchiko Station by taxi, arriving around 12:15. Since "Hoto Fudo," which we had planned to visit, was for some reason closed (it was open last Wednesday the 15th), we hurriedly walked to a restaurant on the shore of Lake Kawaguchi. Lunch of hoto.
- 13:35 Head to Narusawa Ice Cave by bus. After arriving around 14:10, we went through Narusawa Ice Cave and the Aokigahara forest walking trail to Fugaku Wind Cave.
- 16:05 Head to Kawaguchiko Station by bus, arriving around 16:50, and disband.
What Is a Private Fuji-Kawaguchiko History and Nature Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
It rained all day, so the guests were unable to fully enjoy the scenery, but with a history tour in the morning and a nature tour in the afternoon, I believe they were satisfied. The guests were staying near Lake Kawaguchi that night, and since fine weather was forecast for the following day, they should be able to see Mount Fuji as well. Rather than waiting for buses or trains, the guests said a taxi was fine, so we used taxis between Shimoyoshida and Mount Fuji Station, and between Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine and Kawaguchiko Station. At the Sengen Shrine, the guests wrote their wishes on an ema votive tablet and offered it, and also purchased a small charm with a mini school backpack attached. They seemed very pleased with the hoto for lunch, saying it was delicious and warmed them up. The Aokigahara forest walking trail seemed particularly interesting to them, and they listened attentively to my explanations. Some of the guests were also very interested in mushrooms and took many photos of them.
Click here for more details: Mt. Fuji Five Lakes Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Free Pass | Kawaguchiko Station～Narusawa Ice Cave | 1,500JPY |
| Section 2 | Free Pass | Fugaku Wind Cave～Kawaguchiko Station | 0JPY |
| Total | 1,500JPY | ||
I have worked as a diplomat for 48 years until last year(2024), so I think I am good at explaining anything about Japan in English. Though I’m a novice as tour guide, l promise that I will make detailed and thorough preparations for guiding you and to make your trip smooth and enjoyable. I myself like to experience various means of transportation and interested in local culture, history and food. You may be a bit concerned about my age(71 years old), but I am quite fit for work. Just to prove this I wish to say that I played 5 rounds of golf this summer month of August, 2025.
Apr 16, 2026
127dougg
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Very enjoyable to have a day being toured about with no…
Apr 16, 2026
127dougg
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Very enjoyable to have a day being toured about with no need for us to do all the advance planning.
We had Mr. Toshihisa as a guide for a day in Hakone. We might have been able to do the route ourselves but it was great to have a day with no planning, it was all done ahead of time by Toshi. We got an early start to avoid spending too much time in queues, which was great. Toshi is very knowledgeable and shared many explanations, stories and anecdotes with us, which was most appreciated. The Hakone FreePass made it very easy to navigate all of the various styles of transportation – highly recommended. Overall for us, this was a great experience.
Oct 25, 2025
Julia_G
Tokyo gardens and museums.
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Toshi is an excellent guide. He crafted a…
Oct 25, 2025
Julia_G
Tokyo gardens and museums.
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Toshi is an excellent guide. He crafted a beautiful tour of places I would not have found on
my own.
Oct 14, 2025
M
Manohar_S
Superb must see
Viator review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Very scenic and beautiful trip… Mr Toshi…
Oct 14, 2025
M
Manohar_S
Superb must see
Viator review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Very scenic and beautiful trip… Mr Toshi San was a very well educated and friendly guide…
he took us to all the most beautiful and scenic places.. he also was very helpful person and
made sure we had a good vegetarian lunch
Oct 7, 2025
Robert_H
Lots of walking. We are…
Viator review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide from Yokohama
Lots of walking. We are…
Oct 7, 2025
Robert_H
Lots of walking. We are…
Viator review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide from Yokohama
Lots of walking. We are all 70+ with 1 guest using a walker, and the guide was very
accommodating and flexible to our restrictions. Guide was knowledgeable and interesting.
Excellent English. Very good at helping us navigate the trains and subway.