Day Tours from TokyoMt Fuji Cruise and Hakone Ropeway Bus Tour from Tokyo
This Mt Fuji cruise and Hakone ropeway bus tour from Tokyo is a 10-hour day run by Japan Guide Star, priced at $83.48 per person and rated 4.9 from 342 reviews. The Lake Ashi cruise, the Hakone Ropeway and an English-speaking local guide are all in the price, and the bus leaves Shinjuku at 8:00 AM sharp. The route covers Hakone Shrine, an 80-minute lunch stop at Moto-Hakone Port, the volcanic valley of Owakudani and the quiet Fuji Shibasari Peace Park viewpoint. This page sets out what the ticket actually buys, what you pay on the day, how the day runs stop by stop and which travellers should pick a different listing from the comparison of day tours from Tokyo.
About This Tour
Japan Guide Star runs this 10-hour bus day from Shinjuku to Hakone and the Mt Fuji foothills. The Hakone Ropeway and the Lake Ashi sightseeing cruise are included, along with an English-speaking local guide and round-trip bus transport with premium seats. Five stops fill the day: Hakone Shrine for 50 minutes, lunch at Moto-Hakone Port for 80 minutes, the 60-minute cruise, Owakudani for 50 minutes and Fuji Shibasari Peace Park for 30 minutes.
The day is a shared group tour with a fixed order of stops. The bus carries up to 49 travellers, each booking can take up to 30 people, and there is no hotel pickup, so you make your own way to the meeting point. Lunch is paid separately and the guide recommends restaurants at the stop. Free cancellation applies until 24 hours before departure.
$83.48 per person. One price band covers ages 0 to 120, and infants must sit on an adult's lap.
10 hours in total. Departure is at 8:00 AM sharp and the tour ends in the evening back at the same Shinjuku meeting point. No return clock time is stated.
In front of the Seven-Eleven at the NTT Nishi-Shinjuku Building in Shinjuku. The guide holds a white Local Guide Stars flag. Arrive at least 10 minutes before departure and note there is no refund for late arrivals.
Round-trip bus from Shinjuku with premium seats, up to 49 travellers per departure. Each booking can take up to 30 travelers.
Included: the Hakone Ropeway, the Lake Ashi cruise, the English-speaking guide and the bus. Extra: lunch and any drinks, paid on the day at Moto-Hakone Port where the guide recommends places.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The listing also allows cancellation for bad weather.
Check Dates and Availability
Departures run from Shinjuku with the meeting point 10 minutes before the 8:00 AM start. Check live dates, the per-person price and remaining seats on the booking page.
You'll confirm the exact date and time on the secure booking page.
Quick answer Price, length and what is included
This Mt Fuji cruise and Hakone ropeway bus tour costs $83.48 per person, runs 10 hours and includes the Lake Ashi cruise, the Hakone Ropeway and an English-speaking guide. The bus leaves Shinjuku at 8:00 AM and carries up to 49 travellers. Lunch is not included.
Key takeaways
- See the full stop-by-stop plan in what the day is really like.
- Cheaper at $76 but with the cruise paid extra on the TAIHOU coach tour.
- Prefer rail? The bullet train return tour costs $159.54 and runs 11 hours.
- Doing it yourself is realistic. Read free day trips from Tokyo by train.
What the Price Actually Covers
The inclusions list is short and honest: the ropeway, the cruise, the guide and the bus. Everything you eat or drink is extra.
What Is in the $83.48
Four things are included. First, round-trip bus transport from Shinjuku with premium seats. Second, the Lake Ashi sightseeing cruise, which has a 60-minute stop on the itinerary. Third, the Hakone Ropeway over the volcanic valley. Fourth, an English-speaking local guide for the whole day.
The two attraction tickets are the substance of the price. Bought independently since the official price revision, the full Hakone Ropeway route costs 2,000 yen one way or 3,000 yen round trip for adults, and the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise costs 1,700 yen one way or 3,000 yen round trip. The listing does not state which ropeway section or cruise direction this tour uses, so the exact ticket value is not stated.
What is not included is equally clear: lunch, all drinks, and any personal spending such as the black eggs sold at Owakudani. No hotel pickup is offered and none is promised. Gratuity is not mentioned in the listing either way.
What You May Pay on the Day
Budget for lunch at Moto-Hakone Port, where the 80-minute stop leaves time for a proper meal. The listing names fried smelt fish, Hakone soba noodles and seasonal Japanese set meals as local favourites, and the guide recommends restaurants, but no prices are given.
Mt Fuji views are not promised in the listing. Hakone has lower odds of a clear view of the mountain than the Fuji Five Lakes, because the sky must be clear both at Hakone and around the mountain. If the summit is the main reason you are booking, read the best time to see Mt Fuji guide before choosing a date.
Line by Line
This table sets out each cost line of the day, whether the tour price covers it and where the figures come from. Ticket prices for the ropeway and cruise come from Hakone Navi official pricing.
| Line | In the price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Round-trip bus from Shinjuku | Yes | Premium seats, departure 8:00 AM sharp |
| English-speaking local guide | Yes | Japanese guide language also listed |
| Hakone Ropeway | Yes | Official fare 2,000 yen one way, 3,000 yen round trip, adults |
| Lake Ashi sightseeing cruise | Yes | Official fare 1,700 yen one way, 3,000 yen round trip, adults |
| Lunch at Moto-Hakone Port | No | 80-minute stop, guide recommends restaurants |
| Drinks and snacks | No | Paid on the day |
Sources: Hakone Navi for ropeway and cruise fares.
Two pirate-style sightseeing ships dock at Togendai on Lake Ashi. Photo: Joli Rumi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
What the Day Is Really Like
The listing gives exact durations for every stop but clock times only for the 8:00 AM departure. Here is the sequence it describes.
Meet at Shinjuku
The guide waits in front of the Seven-Eleven at the NTT Nishi-Shinjuku Building under a white Local Guide Stars flag. You must be there at least 10 minutes before the 8:00 AM departure, and there is no refund for late arrivals. There is no hotel pickup, so allow time to reach the meeting point from your hotel.
Hakone Shrine, 50 Minutes
The first stop gives you 50 minutes at Hakone Shrine. The listing highlights the Peace Torii standing in Lake Ashi, the Kuzuryu Shrine known for love and relationships, and the cedar-lined approach. It also suggests you can relax at a nearby cafe in the time given.
Fifty minutes is enough for the lakeshore torii and a short walk, not for lingering.
Lunch at Moto-Hakone Port, 80 Minutes
Lunch comes next at Moto-Hakone Port along the lakeshore, and it is not included in the price. The listing names fried smelt fish, Hakone soba noodles and seasonal set meals as popular choices, with the guide pointing you to local favourites. An 80-minute stop is a real sit-down meal rather than a grab-and-go,.
Lake Ashi Cruise, 60 Minutes
The cruise is the headline inclusion. The listing describes the sightseeing ship styled like a pirate boat, crossing the lake with mountain views. The full stop lasts 60 minutes, longer than the usual 25 to 35 minute port-to-port crossing on the public service.
In heavy fog or strong wind, sailings can change or be suspended, and the listing allows the whole tour to be cancelled for bad weather.
Owakudani, 50 Minutes
The bus then reaches Owakudani, an active volcanic valley with sulfur in the air and steam rising from the ground. The listing points to the famous black eggs boiled in the geothermal heat, said by local tradition to add years to your life. Fifty minutes covers the viewpoint terraces and an egg snack.
The Hakone Ropeway over this valley is the included ride, and it stops running in winds of 30 m/s or more.
Fuji Shibasari Peace Park, 30 Minutes
The last stop is a quiet hilltop park the listing describes as known mostly to locals, with a white stupa and a clear Mt Fuji backdrop. Thirty minutes is a photo stop. Remember the mountain is not guaranteed: cloud can hide it entirely on any given day.
Back to Shinjuku in the Evening
The tour ends in the evening at the same meeting point. No clock time for the return is stated in the listing, so plan your evening in Tokyo with some slack. The total day is 10 hours, mostly on a fixed schedule with a group of up to 49.
A Classic Day Trip To Hakone from Tokyo
The ropeway over Owakudani and the Lake Ashi boat that this tour includes. Third-party video by Japan Guide. This site did not shoot it and has no relationship with the creator.
Who This Tour Rules Out
The listing states a few hard limits and the nature of the day rules out a few more. Check them before you book.
Pregnancy and Spinal Injuries
The listing is explicit that the tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers or travelers with spinal injuries. Owakudani adds sulfur in the air and rocky ground. If this affects you, a gentler option is a hakone day trip from Tokyo planned at your own pace by train.
No Hotel Pickup
Everyone meets at the NTT Nishi-Shinjuku Building at 8:00 AM sharp, wherever in Tokyo they are staying. Late arrivals get no refund. If the meeting point is far from your hotel and you want door-to-door service, look at the private Mt Fuji tour with hotel pickup instead, priced at $367 for a group of up to 6.
A Long Coach Day
Ten hours on a bus with up to 49 other people is a big commitment, with five stops of 30 to 80 minutes each on a fixed schedule. Travellers who dislike group pacing, or who want more time at fewer places, should compare the small group Mt Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi tour, which caps the group at 15.
Wheelchair Access and Fitness
Wheelchair access is not stated in the listing. Prams and strollers are allowed, and infants ride on an adult's lap. The tour is described as suitable for all physical fitness levels.
If access matters, confirm directly with the operator before booking.
Fuji Guaranteed? No
The listing never promises a Mt Fuji view. Weather can hide the summit from the cruise, the ropeway and the Peace Park alike. If seeing the mountain is the whole point of your day, study the best time to see Mt Fuji and consider the Fuji Five Lakes routes such as the Chureito Pagoda day tour, which sit closer to the mountain.
Mt Fuji rises beyond a sightseeing ship and the Hakone Shrine torii on Lake Ashi. Photo: Quercus acuta, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Could You Do It Without a Tour?
Hakone is one of the easiest day trips from Tokyo to do by train, and the official pass system is built exactly for it. Here is the honest comparison.
The Train Route
The Odakyu Romancecar takes about 80 minutes from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto, with all seats reserved. The limited express surcharge is 1,200 yen for adults on top of the regular fare, and buying on Odakyu's EMot online service saves 50 yen. From Hakone-Yumoto, the Tozan bus line H reaches Hakone Shrine in 35 minutes for 1,210 yen, and the shrine is a 5 to 10 minute walk from Moto-Hakone pier.
What a Pass Buys You
The 2-day Hakone Freepass from Shinjuku costs 7,100 yen for adults and covers the Shinjuku-Odawara round trip, the Tozan train, the cable car, the Hakone Ropeway, the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise and designated buses. That is the same ropeway and the same cruise this tour includes, plus trains and buses the tour does not use, and it works over two days rather than one. A 2-day pass plus the Romancecar totals 8,300 yen for an adult.
Where the Tour Earns Its Price
The train makes a Hakone day easy, but it comes with no guide and no fixed route. On your own you manage the connections, the queues and the language at every change. The tour earns its price for travellers who want one booking, one guide and zero planning for $83.48.
If you have two or three days rather than one, Hakone rewards the slower pace, so see the 2 day trip from Tokyo or 3 day trip from Tokyo plans, or browse more day trips from Tokyo.
Full Day Itinerary
Clock times are stated only for the departure. Everything else follows the durations the listing gives.
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7:50 AM
Arrive at the meeting point
Arrive at least 10 minutes early in front of the Seven-Eleven at the NTT Nishi-Shinjuku Building. Look for the white Local Guide Stars flag. Late arrivals receive no refund.
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8:00 AM
Departure from Shinjuku
The bus leaves at 8:00 AM sharp with up to 49 travellers aboard and an English-speaking guide.
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Morning
Hakone Shrine, 50 minutes
See the Peace Torii on the Lake Ashi shore, walk the cedar approach and visit Kuzuryu Shrine. There is time for a quick cafe stop nearby.
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Midday
Lunch at Moto-Hakone Port, 80 minutes
Lunch is not included. Choose from lakeside restaurants serving fried smelt fish, Hakone soba or seasonal set meals, with recommendations from the guide.
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Early afternoon
Lake Ashi cruise, 60 minutes
Board the sightseeing ship styled as a pirate boat for a 60-minute cruise stop with mountain views. Sailings depend on the weather.
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Afternoon
Owakudani, 50 minutes
Walk the terraces of the active volcanic valley, smell the sulfur and try the famous black eggs. The included Hakone Ropeway rides over this valley.
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Late afternoon
Fuji Shibasari Peace Park, 30 minutes
A short photo stop at the hilltop park with its white stupa and a Mt Fuji backdrop when the sky is clear.
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Evening
Return to Shinjuku
The tour ends in the evening at the same meeting point. No return clock time is stated, so keep evening plans in Tokyo flexible.
Pros and Cons
A straight reading of what works and what does not on this specific listing.
What we genuinely like
- The Lake Ashi cruise and the Hakone Ropeway are both included at $83.48, with no extra ticket named for either
- An English-speaking local guide is part of the price
- Five varied stops in one day, from shrine to volcano to lakeside cruise to a quiet Fuji viewpoint
- Free cancellation until 24 hours before departure, plus weather cancellation built into the listing
- Rated 4.9 from 342 reviews across Viator and Tripadvisor
The honest downsides
- Lunch, drinks and snacks are all extra, so the ticket price is not the whole cost of the day
- No hotel pickup and an arrival at least 10 minutes before the 8:00 AM sharp departure, with no refund for late arrivals
- Groups reach 49 travellers and each booking can take up to 30, so pacing is fixed and queues are shared
- A 10-hour day ending in the evening with no stated return time
- Mt Fuji is never guaranteed, and Hakone has lower odds of a clear view than the Fuji Five Lakes
Who it's NOT for: Not for pregnant travelers, travelers with spinal injuries, or anyone who wants hotel pickup, a small group or a guaranteed view of Mt Fuji.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does this Mt Fuji cruise and Hakone ropeway bus tour cost?
The price is $83.48 per person, with one price band covering ages 0 to 120 and infants on an adult's lap. For a cheaper alternative where the cruise is paid separately, see the TAIHOU ropeway and Lake Ashi coach tour at $76.
Is lunch included on this tour?
No. The day has an 80-minute lunch stop at Moto-Hakone Port where the guide recommends restaurants serving soba, fried smelt fish and set meals, and you pay on the day. The hakone day trip from Tokyo covers eating there independently too.
Where does the bus leave from and what time?
The bus departs at 8:00 AM sharp from in front of the Seven-Eleven at the NTT Nishi-Shinjuku Building in Shinjuku, and the guide holds a white Local Guide Stars flag. Arrive at least 10 minutes early. Shinjuku is also the start point for trains described in the tokyo to hakone by train guide.
Is Mt Fuji actually visible on this tour?
The listing does not promise a view. You get three chances at it: the cruise, the ropeway and the 30-minute stop at Fuji Shibasari Peace Park, but cloud can hide the summit. Timing matters, so read the best time to see Mt Fuji guide.
Can I cancel this tour?
Yes. Cancel at least 24 hours before the 8:00 AM departure for a full refund, and the listing also allows cancellation for bad weather. Compare cancellation terms across all Tokyo day tours before you commit.
How does this compare with the bullet train version of the same day?
The bullet train tour costs $159.54, runs 11 hours and includes the ropeway, the cruise and a shinkansen ticket back to Tokyo Station. This bus day costs $83.48 and ends in Shinjuku. Full details are on the Mt Fuji and Hakone bullet train tour page.
Is this tour suitable for children or pregnant travelers?
Children of any age can ride at the same price band, with infants on a lap and prams and strollers allowed. However, the listing does not recommend the tour for pregnant travelers or travelers with spinal injuries. For other family-friendly options, browse the comparison of day trips from Tokyo.
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