Private tours led by a native English speaker on the north side of Mt. Fuji!
North Fuji Tours are unique & fascinating tours that are led by a native English speaker in Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi Prefecture. By taking part in a tour, you will be able to enjoy stunning southward views of Mt. Fuji, from both the Chureito Pagoda & Honcho Street, and also visit two resplendent Shinto shrines.
Book now to make your Japan experience even more special!
So…what is North Fuji exactly?
North Fuji refers to the inhabited area on the north side of Mt. Fuji, in Yamanashi Prefecture. The largest city in this area, in terms of population, is Fujiyoshida City (approx. 45,000 people).
Why choose North Fuji Tours?
The tours are led by a native English speaker, making the tours easy to understand. The main guide, David Spurr, is from the UK and he has lived in Japan for 17 years. Notably, he worked at the official Fujiyoshida Tourist Information Center until January 2024. David combines his knowledge of the Mt. Fuji area with empathy, charm, and a sense of humor to provide you with a special tourist experience.
Main tour guide: David Spurr
Born in the UK in 1978, David was raised in London and studied Japanese at Durham University. He moved from the UK to Japan in 2007. A keen adventurer, David has visited all of Japan’s 47 prefectures. In 2022, he settled in Yamanashi Prefecture, on the north side of Mt. Fuji.
After working for many years as a translator, David deepened his knowledge of the Mt. Fuji area by working at the Fujiyoshida Tourist Information Center at the foot of the mountain. He is almost definitely the only native English-speaking tour guide based in Yamanashi.
Itinerary (approx. 2 hours) ¥5,000 per person.
Please pay in cash (yen) on the day of the tour.
Meet at Shimoyoshida train station (Fujikyu Railway).
Walk to the lower level of Arakurayama Sengen Park.
Visit the Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine.
Climb the steps/take the winding path to the Chureito Pagoda.
Admire the stunning view of Mt. Fuji from the observation deck.
Move on to the Omuro Sengen Shrine.
Proceed to the famous photo spot on Honcho Street.
Walk back to Shimoyoshida train station to complete the tour.
Meeting point: Shimoyoshida train station
(Fujikyu Railway)
FAQ
- How many tours per day?
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Two. The morning tour starts around 09:00, and the afternoon tour starts around 13:00.
- How long is the tour?
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The tour lasts approximately 2 hours.
- How much is the tour?
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¥5,000 per person. Children aged 17 or under can take part for ¥2,500.
- How do we book?
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Please click the “book now” icon at the top of this website & then fill out the booking form.
- Where do we meet?
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Just outside Shimoyoshida train station (Fujikyu Railway). The station building is small, making it an ideal place to meet.
- How do we get to Shimoyoshida Station?
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Take an Azusa/Kaiji express train from either Tokyo or Shinjuku to Otsuki. Change at Otsuki and then take the local line (Fujikyu Railway) to Shimoyoshida Station.
- How many people can take part?
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1 person (minimum) & 4 people (maximum). However, there is some flexibility regarding the maximum number.
- How do we pay?
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Please pay in cash (Japanese yen) on the day.
- Will the tour go ahead if it rains?
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Yes. Unless the weather conditions are extreme (typhoon, heavy snow etc.), the tour will go ahead.
- What if we can’t see Mt. Fuji during the tour?
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If Mt. Fuji is 100% invisible during the entire tour (due to clouds), North Fuji Tours will offer you a special “cloud discount,” which is 40% off the usual price.
(Please note: Any clouds around Mt. Fuji tend to shift quite frequently, so it is unlikely that the mountain will be 100% invisible for the entire 2 hours.) - What is the cancellation policy?
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There is no cancellation charge. However, if you need to cancel, please email David Spurr up to 12 hours before the arranged meeting time.
- What if we are running late?
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Please email or call David if you are running late, and together, we will work out the best solution. However, if you do not contact David, he will wait for 45 minutes maximum at Shimoyoshida Station.