Visiting Mt. Fuji in October: What we learned the hard way
When we planned our day trip to Mt. Fuji in October, we took a chance on our tour, but were excited to view the iconic mountain!
We booked a popular Mt. Fuji tour from Tokyo, which promised five scenic stops around the Fuji Five Lakes region. Unfortunately, the day before a major holiday meant everyone was hitting the road. Traffic was so intense that we missed two (maybe even three) of the planned stops.
To make matters even funnier, we ended up separated on the bus—Ryan sat all the way in the back, while Kaylina got the co-pilot seat next to the tour guide (and even had to help translate bad news to an increasingly hangry bus of tourists).
Our advice?
If you really want to experience Mt. Fuji (and trust us—you do), plan to stay for at least a couple of days. Base yourself in a town like Kawaguchiko and give yourself time to explore without being rushed or at the mercy of traffic. You'll have a better chance of seeing Mt. Fuji on a clear day, visiting multiple lakes, and actually relaxing in the beautiful nature the area is known for.
In short:
Check Japan’s holiday calendar before you book
Avoid trying to "do it all" in one day
If possible, stay overnight to catch Fuji at sunrise - we hear it's worth it
Be ready for flexible plans—Fuji likes to hide behind the clouds!
Even though our day didn’t go exactly as planned, it’s still a memory we’ll laugh about forever. Travel isn't always perfect—but that's half the adventure. PLUS we did get to see the icon in all her glory!
