Mount Fuji is the star, but this day trip adds two pleasing extras: a short ride on the Fujiyama sightseeing train and seasonal fruit picking in Yamanashi. It is a practical way to combine mountain views, flower gardens, and farm produce without piecing together several train and bus connections yourself.
I like the seasonal choice of Fuji viewpoints and the chance to pick fruit rather than simply buy it at a shop. The six-minute train ride is brief, but it gives the day a distinctive local touch. Guides on recent departures have included Sherry and Chen Hao, though your guide may differ.
The trade-off is a full day on a fixed schedule, with plenty of walking and stairs at some stops. Mount Fuji can also disappear behind clouds, and traffic or weather may shorten visits or change the order.
- At a glance: the parts that make this day different
- A Tokyo departure and a long day in Yamanashi
- Choose your Fuji view by season
- Shimoyoshida’s short, scenic train ride
- Oishi Park: flowers, a lake, and Fuji in the distance
- Fruit picking at Yamanashi Fuji Fruit Park
- What the price covers, and where value lies
- Who should book this day trip?
- Should you book the Mount Fuji fruit-picking trip?
- FAQ
- Where does the tour depart from?
- What time does the tour return to Tokyo?
- Which Mount Fuji attraction will I visit?
- Is the train ticket included?
- Is fruit picking included in the tour price?
- What fruit can I pick?
- Is lunch included?
- How much walking is involved?
- Can I bring luggage on the bus?
- What happens if I need to cancel?
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At a glance: the parts that make this day different
- Two possible Fuji icons: Visit the 5th Station from April 26 to November 30, or Arakurayama Sengen Park from December 1 to April 25.
- A six-minute train ride: Board at Shimoyoshida Station and travel to Fujisan Station on the included Fujiyama train ticket.
- Fruit picked by season: Strawberries, cherries, peaches, or grapes are among the planned harvests, with apple or orange picking also possible.
- Oishi Park’s flower-lined paths: Take a self-guided stroll with seasonal blooms and a view toward Mount Fuji.
- Coach transport from Shinjuku: Round-trip transfers, fuel, tolls, and parking are included, so you need not plan the regional connections.
- Two price choices: One package excludes the fruit-picking fee; another includes it. Check the exact option before booking.
A Tokyo departure and a long day in Yamanashi
The coach leaves at 8:00 a.m. from the Shinjuku LOVE Object in Nishi-Shinjuku. Arrive at least 10 minutes early. This is a shared group tour, with a possible group size of up to 48, so a punctual start matters: late arrivals cannot be accommodated or refunded.
The ride to the Fuji area takes roughly two hours, although traffic can change that estimate. You’ll spend the day moving between sights by vehicle, with short windows to explore each place on your own. That structure is useful if you want several varied stops in one day, but it is not a slow, unhurried visit to any one of them.
A guide who speaks English, Chinese, or Japanese is included. The group may include people who speak different languages, and the vehicle could be a van, minibus, or larger bus depending on the number of participants. Seats are assigned on a first-come basis, though you can note a seating request when booking. The final arrangement depends on the day’s circumstances.
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Choose your Fuji view by season
From April 26 through November 30, the itinerary goes to Mount Fuji’s 5th Station, about 2,305 meters above sea level. It sits partway up the mountain and offers a close-up perspective that feels quite different from a distant view across the lakes. On a clear day, you may also see the Fuji Five Lakes and a sea of clouds.
The 5th Station is the higher-altitude option, but it is not a guaranteed Fuji panorama. Weather can hide the mountain, and conditions may lead the guide to adjust the plan. If this stop is unavailable, the day’s route may change, as happened on one outing when an alternative location replaced the planned visit.
From December 1 through April 25, the tour visits Arakurayama Sengen Park instead. Its well-known view brings Mount Fuji together with a red torii gate and a traditional pagoda. It is an appealing choice if you want the classic layered composition in one photograph, especially in the cooler months.
The park involves stairs and a fair amount of walking. If climbing is difficult for you, take the mobility warning seriously. The seasonal switch is practical, but it also means the tour is not offering both Fuji viewpoints on the same day.
Shimoyoshida’s short, scenic train ride
At about 11:15 a.m., you’ll reach Shimoyoshida Station for the included ride to Fujisan Station. The journey takes around six minutes. That is a small slice of the day, not an extended rail excursion, but it breaks up the coach travel and gives you a quick look at Mount Fuji from the train when visibility allows.
The ticket is included, so you don’t need to buy this part separately. The train is often promoted as an internet-famous photo opportunity, but it is best to treat the ride as a pleasant extra rather than the main event. Its value is in adding a local rail moment to a day otherwise spent on the road.
After the train, lunch is scheduled for about 11:40 a.m. and lasts 50 minutes. Lunch and drinks are not included, so bring cash and plan to pay for your own meal. There are dining options at the stops, or you can bring lunch with you. Some restaurant seats may offer a view of Fuji when the weather cooperates, but that is not guaranteed.
Oishi Park: flowers, a lake, and Fuji in the distance
Around 12:50 p.m., the group heads to Oishi Park for about an hour of free time. Its flower-lined paths change with the seasons, giving you a reason to stroll even if the mountain is clouded over. When Fuji is visible, the combination of flowers and the mountain makes this one of the day’s strongest photo stops.
The visit is self-guided, so you can set your own pace within the allotted time. I’d use the first few minutes to check the view, then walk the flower street rather than spend the whole stop waiting for a gap in the clouds. There is no promise that the flowers will be at their peak on your date; the attraction is the seasonal setting, not a fixed bloom calendar.
An hour is enough for a walk and photographs, but not a long visit. If you like lingering in parks, you may feel the schedule moving you along just as you get comfortable. That is the price of fitting several widely spaced stops into one day.
Fruit picking at Yamanashi Fuji Fruit Park
The final main stop is Yamanashi Fuji Fruit Park, planned for about 2:40 p.m. with roughly an hour to spare. Here the day shifts from looking at scenery to doing something hands-on: you pick and taste whatever fruit is in season. The planned harvest varies through the year:
- Late December to early May: strawberries
- June: Japanese cherries
- July: peaches
- August to late November: grapes
Apple or orange picking may also be available depending on the season. The exact crop and experience can vary, and if the fruit-picking reservation at Yamanashi Fuji Fruit Park is full, the tour may use another seasonal fruit park instead.
Check your package carefully. One option excludes the fruit-picking fee, which is listed at around ¥2,000 per person as a reference cost. Another package includes the picking fee. The actual cost fluctuates by season, so compare the final package price with the likely fee before deciding. One grape-season outing was described as especially generous, but the amount and rules can differ by fruit and date.
A practical tip from a grape-picking outing: wear long sleeves. That advice is especially useful when reaching through vines or foliage. Bring cash for costs not included, and leave room in your schedule for the return drive. The coach is due back in Shinjuku around 6:00 p.m., but traffic may make the actual arrival earlier or later.
What the price covers, and where value lies
The supplied pricing information gives a general starting figure of $49.19, while the package options are shown from $81.99 without fruit fees and $105.09 with fruit picking included. These figures do not line up neatly, so check the final price and inclusions for your date before paying. The important comparison is whether the fruit fee is included, not just the headline amount.
The tour includes round-trip transport from Shinjuku, the Shimoyoshida-to-Fujisan train ticket, an English-, Chinese-, or Japanese-speaking guide, fuel, tolls, and parking. Those inclusions make the day easier to arrange, especially if you would rather not coordinate multiple regional connections. Meals, drinks, personal spending, and fruit fees in the lower-priced package are extra.
For the value, count the cost of transport and the time saved, then decide how much you care about having a guide and several stops on one day. If you are comfortable planning regional travel yourself and want more time at one place, independent travel may suit you better. If your priority is seeing a range of Fuji-area sights in a single day, the coach format can be worth paying for.
Who should book this day trip?
This tour suits you if you have limited time in Tokyo, want a convenient day in Yamanashi, and enjoy variety: mountain views, a short train ride, flowers, and a farm visit. It can also work well for families, since there is no age limit. Children aged 3 and over pay the adult rate; children aged 0 to 2 travel free only if they do not need a separate seat.
It is less suited to anyone who needs a wheelchair- or stroller-accessible outing, has impaired mobility, or wants a leisurely schedule. The itinerary involves considerable walking and stairs, and you cannot leave the group midway. Pregnant participants are not recommended for the activity. People over 70 and pregnant participants must also arrange a liability waiver in advance.
Bring no more than one standard-size piece of luggage per person, and note it when booking. Unannounced luggage may not fit in the vehicle, and boarding can be refused without a refund. The vehicle type is assigned according to group size, not selected by you.
Should you book the Mount Fuji fruit-picking trip?
Book it if you want a convenient sampler of the Fuji region and are happy to trade long stays for several distinct stops. The included train ticket and seasonal fruit picking add character beyond a standard coach tour, while the season-dependent Fuji viewpoint gives the route some flexibility.
Skip it if you need a guaranteed Mount Fuji view, want to spend most of the day at one attraction, or find stairs and a busy schedule tiring. Fuji’s weather is beyond anyone’s control, and road conditions can change the plan. Before booking, confirm which seasonal stop applies, whether fruit fees are included, and the final price for your date. If those terms suit you, this is a practical way to make a full day of the Fuji area without arranging the transport yourself.
Mount Fuji Fruit Picking & Popular Sightseeing Train Day Trip | Mount Fuji 5th Station/Arakurayama Sengen Park, Sightseeing Train, Oishi Park, Yamanashi Fuji Fruit Park Day Trip (Round Trip from Tokyo)
“reasonable price, great service from Sherry, unlimited grapes. only thing is remember to wear long sleeve shirts for the fruit picking.”
FAQ
Where does the tour depart from?
It departs at 8:00 a.m. from the Shinjuku LOVE Object at 6 Chome-5-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo. Arrive at least 10 minutes early.
What time does the tour return to Tokyo?
The scheduled return is around 6:00 p.m. at the Shinjuku LOVE Object. The actual time can change with traffic and the day’s progress.
Which Mount Fuji attraction will I visit?
From April 26 to November 30, the tour visits Mount Fuji’s 5th Station. From December 1 to April 25, it visits Arakurayama Sengen Park.
Is the train ticket included?
Yes. The ticket for the ride from Shimoyoshida Station to Fujisan Station is included. The train journey takes about six minutes.
Is fruit picking included in the tour price?
That depends on the package you select. One option excludes the fruit-picking fee, while another includes it. The listed reference cost when not included is around ¥2,000 per person, but it varies by season.
What fruit can I pick?
The seasonal schedule lists strawberries from late December to early May, Japanese cherries in June, peaches in July, and grapes from August to late November. Apple or orange picking may also be available.
Is lunch included?
No. Lunch and drinks are at your own expense. The itinerary allows about 50 minutes for lunch, and you may also bring your own meal.
How much walking is involved?
The tour involves considerable walking and stairs. It is not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible and is not recommended for people with impaired mobility.
Can I bring luggage on the bus?
Each participant may bring one standard-size piece of luggage. Note it in the special requirements field when booking, as unannounced luggage may not fit.
What happens if I need to cancel?
A full refund is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date, based on local time. Late arrivals and no-shows are not refunded. If extreme weather or another unforeseen event leads the operator to cancel the activity, you may reschedule or request a full refund; if some activities are cancelled but the tour still goes ahead, a refund is not guaranteed.