Fuji Safari Park, Oshino Hakkai, and Lake Kawaguchiko Oishi Park Flower Viewing Day Trip for Families (Round Trip from Tokyo Shinjuku)

Mount Fuji is the star of this full day out, but the route gives you more than a photo stop: animals at Fuji Safari Park, spring-fed pools in a traditional village, and flower beds beside Lake Kawaguchiko. I like that one bus ride connects three very different sides of the Fuji region without asking you to navigate rural roads yourself.

I also like the mix of hands-on animal time and quiet village scenery. You can watch for lions and giraffes, taste local snacks at Oshino Hakkai, then finish with a lakeside stroll and, if conditions cooperate, Fuji in the distance.

The trade-off is time. Each stop has a firm limit, the safari’s Jungle Bus costs extra and can sell out, and clouds may hide Fuji or flowers may be past their best. Treat this as a sampler, not a slow visit.

The day in five useful points

1 / 9

• Meet at the Shinjuku LOVE sculpture at 8am. Arrive at least 10 minutes early. The shared vehicle cannot wait for late arrivals.
• Budget extra for Fuji Safari Park. Admission is not included, and the Jungle Bus and Fureai interaction activities cost extra.
• Reserve the Jungle Bus in advance. It takes about 50 minutes, while the visitor walkway option can take 90 to 120 minutes and is physically demanding.
• Expect three distinct stops. The schedule allows about two and a half hours at the safari park, 90 minutes at Oshino Hakkai, and 40 minutes at Oishi Park.
• Plan for a long day, not a fixed return. Shinjuku arrival is scheduled for around 6:30pm, but traffic and weather can change the timing and stop lengths.

From Shinjuku to Fuji country

The tour starts at the LOVE sculpture in Shinjuku, a convenient central meeting point for a day that would otherwise take careful transport planning. Be there by 7:50am for the scheduled 8am departure. This is a shared trip, so punctuality matters: late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable.

You ride with a driver-guide who speaks the language selected for your package: Chinese, English, or Japanese. The group may include people from different countries, and the vehicle could be a commercial van, minibus, or coach, depending on the day’s numbers. Seats are allocated by the guide, with requests considered but not guaranteed.

The main value begins before the first attraction. You do not need to rent a car, work out transfers between rural stops, or pay separate tolls and parking fees. Fuel, tolls, parking, and round-trip transport from the meeting point are included. In a region where attractions are spread out, that can make the day simpler and more practical than assembling the route yourself.

Do not mistake the short duration listed in some trip summaries for the length of the experience. The schedule is a full-day outing, from the 8am start to an expected Shinjuku return around 6:30pm. The trip is subject to traffic, weather, and the driver’s legal work-hour limits, so the guide may adjust the order or shorten a stop.

Fuji Safari Park: the biggest time commitment

The safari park sits on Mount Fuji’s southern side, and its open setting lets you look for animals such as lions, tigers, bears, and giraffes. The schedule gives you about two and a half hours here, more time than at either of the later stops. For families, that makes sense: this is the day’s most active and potentially costly visit.

Park admission is separate from the tour. The listed reference price is 3,200 yen for an adult, 2,000 yen for children from age 4 through junior high school, and free for children under 3. The Fureai interaction area, where you can meet animals such as capybaras and kangaroos, also involves separate participation fees.

The signature extra is the Jungle Bus. It travels into the park’s safari area for a closer animal-feeding experience, with a listed reference price of 1,500 yen per person. Children aged 3 and older pay the adult rate and must be accompanied by an adult. Because seats may sell out on holidays, book ahead if this ride is a priority rather than hoping to find space on arrival.

There is another way to enter the feeding interaction area: a visitor walkway ticket is listed at 600 yen, cash only. But walking through takes about 90 to 120 minutes and is described as physically demanding, compared with roughly 50 minutes on the bus. With only two and a half hours at the park, the longer route could take up much of your visit. Check the day’s entry options and fees before you go.

A useful practical detail: the Jungle Bus charge does not cover the park entrance fee, and the tour price does not include either one. Add those costs to your budget, along with any Fureai activities and food. One family’s experience included feeding bears, lions, and camels on the bus, but the animals and opportunities you encounter can vary.

If the bus is full, the park still has other areas to explore. A visitor who missed the bus found enough to do elsewhere in the park, though missing the ride may be disappointing if feeding animals from the bus was your main reason for coming. Do not build your whole day around an activity you have not reserved.

Oshino Hakkai: clear water and village lanes

After the safari, the group heads to Oshino Hakkai in Yamanashi Prefecture. The village is known for eight clear springs, fed by snowmelt filtering through Mount Fuji. The pools and their water are the main draw, but the setting matters too: bridges, thatched-roof houses, and old village lanes give the stop a quieter, more rural feel than the park.

You have about 90 minutes to walk around, look at the springs, and try local snacks. That is enough for a compact visit, but not a leisurely meal and a thorough exploration of every corner. If you want to sample food, keep it simple and leave time to see the pools and village paths.

Fuji may appear across the village on a clear day, but do not count on a guaranteed view. Weather can obscure the mountain, and the springs and traditional buildings still make this stop worthwhile in their own right. I like that it changes the pace after the safari: here, the pleasure is in walking and looking rather than fitting in another big activity.

Oishi Park: flowers, lake, and a final Fuji view

The last stop is Oishi Park on the shore of Lake Kawaguchiko, where the view can bring together the lake, seasonal flowers, and Mount Fuji. The park’s Flower Street changes with the season: tulips are associated with spring, lavender with summer, and kochia and other autumn color later in the year. Flower timing depends on weather, so the display may be early, late, or past its best on your visit.

The stop is only about 40 minutes. That is enough for a walk, photos, and perhaps a quick break at the Natural Living Center café, but not for lingering over a full meal or browsing every shop. Cafés, restaurants, and souvenir shops are available, and lavender ice cream is one seasonal treat worth looking for when it is offered.

Mount Fuji visibility is a matter of luck. On clear days, the mountain can be seen across the lake, but clouds can change the view during the day. In late September, for example, the kochia bushes may only be starting to turn red. Go for the setting and the chance of a seasonal display, not a promise that every flower will be at peak bloom.

What the price includes, and what it does not

The stated starting price is $49.19, while the listed Chinese-, English-, and Japanese-guided meet-up packages start at $81.99. Prices can vary by package and booking details, so check the exact option before paying. More important, the tour fare does not include Fuji Safari Park admission, the Jungle Bus, Fureai activities, meals, drinks, or personal purchases.

The included transport is the tour’s strongest value: round-trip travel from Shinjuku, plus fuel, tolls, and parking. You also get a driver-guide in the selected language. Compare the full cost, not just the advertised starting fare. A family planning to enter the park and take the Jungle Bus should add those fees for each person before deciding whether the shared tour suits its budget.

Lunch is on your own. There are food options at the attractions, or you can bring something with you. Given the stop schedule, a quick meal or snacks may be easier than expecting a long sit-down lunch.

Who will get the most from this trip

This route suits families who want a broad Fuji-area day without arranging several separate transfers. The safari park gives children a chance to see animals and, with the right ticket, take part in feeding activities. Oshino Hakkai adds a calmer walk, while Oishi Park gives you a lakeside finish and a seasonal flower stop.

It also suits visitors who have limited time in Tokyo and want a guided day outside the city. You trade flexibility for convenience: the group sets the pace, the stop lengths are limited, and you cannot leave midway or depart early. If you want to spend half a day at the safari park or take long meals and unhurried walks, a private plan or overnight stay may fit better.

Drivers named on recent departures include Wen, Feng, William, and Kobayashi, though your guide will depend on the date and language package. Some drivers have helped with practical needs such as offering umbrellas in drizzle, pointing out photo spots, suggesting local foods, or assisting with a restaurant reservation. Treat those as welcome possibilities, not guaranteed services.

This is not a wheelchair-accessible activity and is not recommended for people with impaired mobility or pregnant women. Child seats are not available. Children aged 3 and older are charged the adult rate; children aged 0 to 3 can join free if they do not need a separate seat.

Before you set out

Check your email the evening before the tour, including the spam folder. The operator sends meeting details and driver contact information between 8pm and 9pm Japan time; the latest message applies if more than one arrives.

The tour allows one standard piece of luggage per person, but you must note it when booking. Unannounced bags may leave too little room in the vehicle, and boarding can be refused. Carry cash for costs such as the visitor walkway ticket, and check the current activity fees and Jungle Bus availability before departure.

Because the return is traffic-dependent, avoid booking a flight, performance, or other tight appointment for that evening. The scheduled arrival is around 6:30pm, not a guarantee.

Should you book this Fuji day trip?

Book it if you want a practical, full-day introduction to the Fuji region and are happy to keep moving. The combination of animal encounters, spring-fed village pools, and a lakeside park makes the route varied, and included transport removes a real planning burden.

Think twice if your must-do is the Jungle Bus but you are unwilling to reserve it, or if you need a slow pace, wheelchair access, or a guaranteed Mount Fuji view. For the best value, confirm your package price, add the safari fees to your budget, and reserve the bus before the day. If those details work for you, this is a strong family outing from Tokyo.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

It departs at 8am from the LOVE sculpture at 6 Chome-5-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo. Arrive at least 10 minutes early.

When does the tour return to Shinjuku?

The scheduled return is around 6:30pm at the Shinjuku LOVE sculpture. Traffic and weather can change the timing, so do not plan a tight appointment afterward.

Are Fuji Safari Park admission and the Jungle Bus included?

No. Park admission, Jungle Bus tickets, Fureai interaction activities, meals, drinks, and personal expenses are not included.

How much is Fuji Safari Park admission?

The reference price is 3,200 yen for adults, 2,000 yen for children aged 4 through junior high school, and free for children under 3. Fees may change.

Can I book the Jungle Bus on the day?

Jungle Bus tickets may sell out, especially during holidays, so reserve in advance if you want to ride. The listed reference price is 1,500 yen per person, with children aged 3 and older charged the adult rate.

Is there an alternative to the Jungle Bus?

A visitor walkway ticket is listed at 600 yen, cash only. Walking takes about 90 to 120 minutes and is physically demanding; the bus takes about 50 minutes.

Is lunch included?

No. Arrange your own lunch. Food options are available at the attractions, or you can bring food with you.

What languages are available for the guided tour?

The listed packages include Chinese-, English-, and Japanese-guided options. Check that the package you select matches your preferred language.

Can I bring luggage or a young child?

Each person may bring one standard piece of luggage, but note it when booking. Children aged 0 to 3 may join free if they do not occupy a separate seat. Child seats are not available, and children aged 3 and older pay the adult rate.