Yamanashi: Shimoyoshida Station via Fujikyu — Guide May
September, 2026
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.
Tour Itinerary
- 09:50 ＠Meet up Kawaguchiko Station
- 10:00 To Shimoyoshida Station via Fujikyu
- 10:30～11:15 ＠Arakurayama Sengen Park
- 11:30 From Shimoyoshida Station to Fujisan Station
- 11:38 From Fujisan Station to Oshino Hakkai by local bus
- 11:55～13:20 ＠Oshino Hakkai
- 13:26 To Kawaguchiko by local bus
- 14:00～15:00 Lunch＠Mt.Meat
- 15:00 To Shizen Seikatsukan via Red Line
- 15:30～16:00 ＠Oishi Park
- 16:00 To Kawaguchiko Station via Red Line
- 16:30 Dismissal＠Kawaguchiko Station
Title: What Is a Private Fuji Five Lakes Day Tour Like from Kawaguchiko Station? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting from Asia. I happened to have a can badge featuring the motif of their home country's flag, so I attached it to my backpack and welcomed them in front of Kawaguchiko Station. Although the booking was made at the last minute, about five days in advance, and I accepted the guiding assignment only two days before, we were able to coordinate the itinerary and meals (a request for halal food) through our exchanges two days before and the day before, so everything proceeded smoothly.
It was not raining, but unfortunately the sky was overcast all day and Mount Fuji was not visible at all. Even so, at the Chureito Pagoda and Oshino Hakkai, the guests listened attentively to my explanations about local life, the history of Mount Fuji, and its registration as a World Heritage Site. At Oshino Hakkai, I bought them the local specialty kusa-mochi and some Yukimi Daifuku from a convenience store, and they enjoyed them very much, saying they were delicious. For lunch, I guided them to a high-end yakiniku restaurant, Mt. Meat, operated by a business partner of mine. They seemed to really enjoy the halal wagyu beef bowl lunch. They were also very pleased with the folding fan and Japanese tenugui cloth I gave them as souvenirs. They kindly left a happy review comment as well, so overall I believe they were satisfied.
A notable stop on the tour was Oshino Hakkai, a set of eight clear ponds fed by snowmelt that has filtered down through the layers of Mount Fuji over many decades. The ponds are known for their strikingly clear water and traditional thatched-roof scenery, and the area is part of the Mount Fuji World Heritage Site. Visitors can see the ponds, sample local specialties, and take in views of the surrounding landscape, making it a popular stop on tours of the Fuji Five Lakes region.
Click here for more details: Mt. Fuji Five Lakes Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Kawaguchiko～Shimoyoshida | 310JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Shimoyoshida～Fujisan | 230JPY |
| Section 3 | Bus | Fujisan Station／Fujikyu Mobility～Oshino Hakkai／Fujikyu Mobility | 450JPY |
| Section 4 | Bus | Oshino Hakkai／Fujikyu Mobility～Kawaguchiko Station／Fujikyu Mobility | 620JPY |
| Section 5 | Bus | Kawaguchiko Station／Fujikyu Bus～Kawaguchiko Shizen Seikatsukan／Fujikyu Bus | 570JPY |
| Section 6 | Bus | Kawaguchiko Shizen Seikatsukan／Fujikyu Bus～Kawaguchiko Station／Fujikyu Mobility | 570JPY |
| Total | 2,750JPY | ||
Hi, I’m May, your guide in Tokyo. Welcome to Japan!
I have been grown up in Tokyo and working here for more than 45 years, so I’m sure I can share the best attraction of Tokyo with you, such as food, cultural and historic sites, sub-culture, shopping, and nightlife.
Besides the tour guide, I have been working for a travel agent for more than 30 years, I can advise you the travel plan of not only in Tokyo but all over Japan.
I had lots of guests from all over the world here in Tokyo, and most of them gave me great and wonderful review.
I’m sure I can meet all of your demand and expectations, and am ready to welcome you to Japan with the best “Omotenashi” mind, or hospitality.
Sep 19, 2026
Plumb72
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Our guide ‘May’ had emailed us several times…
Sep 19, 2026
Plumb72
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Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Our guide ‘May’ had emailed us several times to work out exactly what we wanted to see in Tokyo. He was great, very funny and helpful. He even found us a vegan restaurant where we had lunch, you could tell he was a bit apprehensive himself as a self confessed carnivore but he tried it anyway. It was a great introduction to Tokyo.
Aug 31, 2026
Charlene_E
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Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
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Charlene_E
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Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
You get to experience moving around in Tokyo’s subway. We were explained to the shrines and temples.
Aug 31, 2026
labrinir2016
Excellent- best in class.
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
We booked a private tour…
Aug 31, 2026
labrinir2016
Excellent- best in class.
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
We booked a private tour with May for our second day in Tokyo, and it was easily one of the best decisions we made on our trip. Tokyo can feel overwhelming at first because there is so much to see and the city is enormous, but May made the entire day feel effortless, fun, and incredibly memorable.
We started at Tsukiji Outer Market and Honganji, then went to Asakusa, where we explored Nakamise, Senso-ji Temple, and Asakusa Shrine and stopped for lunch. May did such a wonderful job explaining the history, traditions, and proper etiquette along the way. It made visiting these places so much more meaningful than simply walking through them on our own.
From there, we visited Meiji Jingu Shrine before ending the day in Shibuya, where we experienced the famous Scramble Crossing and Center-Gai. It was such a great mix of old and new Tokyo—from peaceful, traditional temples and shrines to some of the busiest and most energetic parts of the city.
One of the most valuable parts of the tour was having May teach us how to navigate Tokyo’s trains and subway system. It felt intimidating when we first arrived, but after spending the day with him, we felt so much more comfortable getting around on our own for the rest of the trip. That alone was invaluable.
What really sets May apart is how knowledgeable, thoughtful, and personable he is. He shared so much about Japanese culture, customs, history, and everyday life, and we loved being able to ask questions throughout the day. He also tailored the experience to us, gave us great recommendations for the rest of our trip, and knew exactly where to stop for the best photos.
May is an exceptional guide and such a genuinely lovely person to spend the day with. If you are visiting Tokyo, especially for the first time, I cannot recommend booking a tour with him enough. We saw so much, learned so much, and left feeling far more confident exploring Tokyo on our own. It was absolutely one of the highlights of our Japan trip. Five stars without hesitation!
Jul 16, 2026
fernandorM8865OM
Tripadvisor review: Mt. Fuji Five Lakes Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
Memorable day
We had a great time. Our guide Meiji…
Jul 16, 2026
fernandorM8865OM
Tripadvisor review: Mt. Fuji Five Lakes Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
Memorable day
We had a great time. Our guide Meiji “May” made our day memorable. Excellent sites and great food, May is very knowledgeable of the sites, has very good English and had very nice details during the tour. Ahh and he has all the nice spots for pictures identified. The restaurant he took us for lunch was excellent, we tried an amazing hoto udon.