Private Mt Fuji Tour From Tokyo: Scenic Bbq & Hidden Gems

Great day out with Shawn. The weather was bad and it was cloudy so we didn’t get to see Mt Fuji but Shawn took us to a sake distillery and to the waterfalls. He cooked us a delicious BBQ by the lake which was lovely. It’s quite a long way from Tokyo to the meeting place and a 2 hour car journey but it was worth it. Shawn is very knowledgeable about the area and his English is great.

Every detail of our trip was perfect, despite the weather not being very cooperative for viewing Fuji most of the day - and that is all thanks to our kind and knowledgeable guide, Shawn! He made the trip exceptional by going above and beyond to make sure we got to experience the most of what the region had to offer, from a short hike to caves in the Aokigahara Forest, the Shiraito Waterfalls, and even a sake tasting at a local brewery that uses only fresh water from Mt. Fuji. The barbecue lunch was also exceptional, and very thoughtfully prepared, he even used ingredients like Mirin made in his hometown! As Shawn expertly predicted, the clouds and rain cleared before the end of our trip and he hunted down the best location for us to view the mountain, which turned out to be next to a farm where we pulled over to get closer views with his binoculars (which helped us see the red hue was in fact the fall foliage of trees on the mountain). As we drove home and prepared to part ways, Shawn presented us with a gift of a printed copy of a picture of my wife and I in front of Mt. Fuji. We were deeply touched by this gesture! Truly, we cannot recommend booking a tour with Shawn enough. He made it a day we will never forget!

Shawn was a great guide. He knew the best spot to bring us to and Mount Fuji came out to play on our tour. The Bbq lunch was such a unique touch to the experience. Highly recommend this tour!

10/10 would recommend! Shawn was a great tour guide! Private tours are more expensive but definitely worth it. Especially since you’re not guaranteed to see Mt. Fuji, it’s great to have other sight seeing spots incorporated in the day. The BBQ lunch was excellent as well!

Sean was a wonderful guide. He did everything he could to accommodate us, showed us the best places to see Mt. Fuji. Even without Mt. Fuji it is a beautiful part of the country. The picknick barbecue he made for us was an unexpected and wonderful surprise.

The experience with Shawn was extraordinary, both because of his choice of beautiful, unique, and uncrowded locations and because of his friendliness and openness to conversation. A friend of ours even asked him to arrange a special surprise for our honeymoon, and he proved to be extremely helpful and genuinely kind to us. In addition to being incredibly personable, he is also an excellent cook—everything was absolutely delicious! It’s an experience we will definitely repeat with him in the future during the momiji season.

A wonderful experience to admire this marvel of nature from perfect spots, ideal also for taking plenty of memorable photos. Shawn’s guidance and availability were impeccable: with kindness, friendliness, and great attention, he shared lots of information and interesting facts about Mount Fuji and the surrounding area, and prepared an exceptional outdoor lunch.The tour is therefore highly recommended, and I will definitely do it again in the future to admire the same landscapes in a different season.

This is the best tour! We had an amazing day with Shawn. He knew the best sites to get a good view of Mt Fuji without the crowds. You stop at beautiful lakes and a waterfall so you have a gorgeous view even if Mt. Fuji decides to be shy and hide in the clouds. He is a great chef. The lunch he served was beautiful and delicious. Highly recommend you add the Sake to your lunch. He brought us to some nice places to pick up locally made gifts. He goes the extra mile in absolutely everything and is so kind. He is a safe and comfortable driver. We went with our children and it was a nice, restful day to take a break from the city.

This was a good experience. The guide spoke in English and I learnt a lot from him. despite being a rainy day, we managed to go to several lovely places and get some pictures. and I learnt more about Mount Fuji.

My family and I were very fortunate to be able to book with Shawn at the last minute. We all met at Nakano station on time and were swiftly on our way to catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji. I can't say enough great things about Shawn. From the moment we got in the car Shawn was very interactive and social with everyone. We spoke about Mt. Fuji, food, music and everything Japan. Thankfully we had an absolutely beautiful day and got amazing views and pictures of Mt. Fuji. Shawn shared some local spots with us that were less crowded and offered beautiful views. He was so patient and kindly took all the pictures we asked of him which was so nice. The lunch Shawn prepared was delicious and went very well with the sake tasting that he also has as an option. We toured the waterfalls near by which were stunning and another spot for cherry blossoms that was breathtaking. I highly recommend booking with Shawn as guide. He is a great person who loves his job and cares about providing the best tour possible.

A wonderful break from Tokyo! Fuji wasn’t really cooperating but we loved the stops and local attractions. Shawn was a great guide!

Shawn is an amazing tour guide as well as chef! He has perfected his itinerary to really show case all of the best parts of the area. In addition, his Japanese bbq lunch is delicious and the backdrop of Mt.Fuji and the lake really make it a perfect day. Could not recommend this tour more!

SIMPLY AMAZING. This tour experience with Shawn came highly recommended from a friend and I can see why. Shawn is very personable, and provides a unique way to see Mount Fuji. He genuinely cares about his guests’ experience and is strategic in his approach to ensure you can see Mount Fuji from different viewing points unlike many larger tours that are limited in observation areas (this can be challenging due to cloud conditions & weather). Shawn’s passion, knowledge, & approach is 1st class and I’d recommend him with confidence to anyone interested in seeing Mount Fuji & the waterfalls. The touch of local flare from the meal experience was also such a lovely bonus.

Shawn-san is a fantastic, knowledgeable, and funny tour guide who made our visit to Mt. Fuji the highlight of our trip! He took us to see many different aspects of the Mt. Fuji area, including a Mt. Fuji viewing platform, the surrounding lakes, the volcanic forest, lava caves, the White Stream Falls, and a delicious local restaurant with a great view of the Mountain (too cold for grilling during our visit!). If we’re ever back in November, we’re booking another trip with Shawn to see Mt. Fuji in full Fall colors.

I had an incredible private day tour around Mt. Fuji with Shawn and couldn’t recommend the experience more. Shawn was incredibly kind, thoughtful, and insightful throughout the entire day. Instead of just visiting the typical tourist spots, he took us to some lesser-known viewpoints around Mt. Fuji, which made the experience feel much more special and personal. We also explored the beautiful nearby lakes and spent time walking through the fascinating Aokigahara Forest. Shawn shared interesting background and local knowledge that really added depth to the visit. On top of that, we enjoyed a fantastic lunch together, which was a perfect break in the middle of a memorable day. If you’re looking for a unique and meaningful way to experience the Mt. Fuji area, I can’t recommend Shawn’s tour highly enough. It was truly one of the highlights of our trip.

Wonderful way to experience Mt Fuji, surrounding lakes, and a few more cultural gems with a local nature enthusiast. Shawn, our guide, was fantastic.

We had a wonderful day with Shawn. He knew and brought us to the best spots to see and take photos of the majestic Mt Fuji despite the rainy and cloudy weather. We had delicious lunch of Hotta at a traditional family restaurant and he even drove us to the Mt Fuji brewery, which was not officially on the itinerary. At the end of the day, he recommended an excellent katsu don place for dinner - again above and beyond. Thank you Shawn for the day!

Although we did not take the tour due to a last minute issue, Shawn was very clear in his communication and his instructions. Shawn was also accommodating and understanding of our last minute cancellation. Shawn was very receptive to questions we had before the tour, too. We appreciated Shawn’s’ communication, understanding, and politeness. We hope to experience this tour in the future with Shawn.

My second time this trip with Shawn. It’s amazing and he is such a fabulous, friendly and knowledgeable guide. He shows spots ot Fuji other tours don’t know about or don’t go. Can’t recommend enough. Definitely do it while in Japan, you won’t regret it.

Wow, what a day we had. Shawn placed thought and effort into tailoring our day to maximise the experience. A walk through the beautiful autumn leaves before cruising around Lake Kawaguchiko to his special location for a BBQ lunch whilst enjoying spectacular views of Mt Fuji. No crowds, just beautiful scenery and tasty food. We also enjoyed the Sake tasting which was a great add on. I did not expect to view Mt Fuji from so many angles. Shiraito Falls were amazing too. Thanks Shawn for a day to remember.

What an amazing day Shawn gave us! We saw Mt Fugi (from a few different view points), Shiraito Falls and had a delicious BBQ, prepared and cooked by Shawn on the beach of Lake Kawaguchiko with an awesome view of Mt Fugi. He also gave us a sake tasting during lunch and we stopped by a sake brewery after. Shawn really puts time and effort into making the day special. He also took lots of great photos of us throughout the day. Shawn is well traveled and very friendly and we highly recommend this experience.

Our experience with the tour near Mount Fuji was absolutely amazing. From the very beginning, Shawn made us feel at ease by picking us up in a comfortable vehicle in Tokyo and driving us to the stunning areas surrounding Mount Fuji. The journey was just the right length—half a day—which allowed us to experience the beauty without feeling rushed. The highlight of the trip was when he prepared and cooked a delicious meal for us. It was clear he had put a lot of thought and care into the meal, and every bite was a treat! The flavors were incredible, and it really gave us a taste of authentic Japanese home cooking. Throughout the entire trip, the guide was incredibly professional, attentive, and friendly. He made sure we were comfortable at all times and shared interesting facts and stories about the areas we visited. His knowledge of the local culture and history made the trip even more enjoyable. Overall, this was a memorable experience, and we couldn't have asked for a better guide. If you're planning to visit Mount Fuji, this tour is highly recommended!

This was an amazing experience! Shawn took us all around Mt.Fuji and the lakes, while taking some incredible photos of myself and my mom! He then cooked us an amazing, fresh, and delicious meal on the shore of Lake Motosu while we took in the breathtaking view of Mt.Fuji and sipped on some sake. We capped off the day by seeing Shiraito Falls! He is an incredible tour guide and an incredible cook! This is a must-do for anyone looking for a more private and personal tour of Mt.Fuji!!

This trip takes you through parts of the Mt Fuji area regular tours can’t give. Thanks Shawn for the great sights and food

By far the best tour we took in Japan, and perhaps the best we have taken while traveling. Shawn was amazing. He was super knowledgeable, laid back, and an amazing cook! You could tell he really cares about the guests he has and sharing his knowledge and the beauty of this area. We got to hear about his own travels and see his photography, he is just an all around cool guy! I would easily pay twice as much for the experience if asked to because of how great it was. We weren’t expecting anything special with the food, boy were we wrong. Honesty some of the best food we have had! The sake was great too.

What an amazing day!!! We highly recommend this day visit! We had such a great time with Shawn who is the perfect guide to make sure to see the Fuji Mont from the best possible places. Shawn is also an incredible chef (coming from French, it is a real compliment !). We will remember long the barbecue in front of Fuji mont with an unexpected blue sky. Do not hesitate to reserve this day with Shawn. You will not regret it. It is a 6 stars out of 5!

Shawn is an amazing guide who is very knowledgeable and he is also a great chef. The lunch was an absolute treat. Mount Fuji was beautiful. Some hidden gems on this trip. Definitely worth doing.

To second what I think every review says, the food was a highlight of this trip. My vegetarian meal was delicious and my husband felt his meat dish was in his top two meals of our trip. Shawn was kind, chill, and was enthusiastic about the tour. I don’t have anything to compare it to, but I think this is probably the best way to see Mt Fuji and the surrounding area. You get a wrap around view of the mountain and surrounding lakes, as well as a stop at a waterfall. We never felt rushed and Shawn takes great pictures. The only two things were I would likely bring a swimsuit to hop in the lake while he prepares lunch! And I did get nervous a few times when Shawn was on his phone while driving-luckily no accidents though. Even with that, I still highly recommend the tour.

Perfect for our family of three (2 adults and an 11 year old). Shawn was very considerate and attentive. Mt Fuji was covered in cloud most of the day, but Shawn managed to get us to a vantage point at just the right time to catch a glimpse of it. Without his knowledge of the area and understanding, I am sure we wouldn’t have seen it at all the day we visited. He took some beautiful family photos for us. The food he cooked for us was amazing. It was a really relaxing and enjoyable day out. Thanks Shawn!

Shawn was an excellent guide and communication was very easy! The entire tour was so much fun. We got to see some really beautiful sites and the restaurant was our favorite meal of the entire trip! Highly recommend and book early because he gets booked quickly! Thank you Shawn!

Shawn was great! He took us to a great spot by the lake with amazing views for lunch. The food was amazing that he cooked for us and the trip was super special! Highly recommend!

This was one of the most special days! Doing this tour with Shawn is a must, he is absolutely incredible. And it’s his company and only him so you’ll be sure to get him. He told us the plan for the day and drove us to Mt. Fuji. When we got to the original first stop we couldn’t see it due to clouds so we kept going and he gave us some options of different caves to see. We then went to the most beautiful spot that overlooked the water and Mt. Fugi and were able to finally see it. He set up for a BBQ and sake tasting (with sake made from the water at Mt. Fuji). I had read reviews that the BBQ was amazing but this is another level. The food Shawn cooked for us was incredible - honestly some of the best food we had on our trip and we love to try all different spots! Shawn then took us to a sake brewery since we loved the sake tasting so much to buy some. We then went to a beautiful waterfall to see Mt. Fuji from another angle. Shawn then gave us a gift from the day and recommendations for spots to try on our trip. Honestly this is a MUST, it’s unlike any tour we’ve ever done! Thank you Shawn for such a special day!

Fantastic day with Shawn. Beautiful views of Mount Fuji with late blooming cherry blossoms, waterfalls and a sake tasting with a gourmet barbecue by the lake.

We had an amazing day with Shawn - he knew exactly where to get us perfect views of Fuji and the lunch at Motosu Lake was unforgettable. He adjusted our schedule to avoid crowds and was able to accommodate a trip to see the Shibazakura. He is also a great photographer and just all around awesome guy to talk to. I can’t say enough great things about this trip. We will be back for a separate trip with Shawn for sure!’

We had such an amazing day with Shawn. He took us to fantastic vantage points, and we were blessed with a combination of clear views of Mt Fuji as well as the cherry blossom in full bloom. Shawn's BBQ lunch was one of our best meals in Japan and it was inspiring to eat it with Mt Fuji in the background.

This was the perfect trip to visit Mt Fuji. Everything: ride to the mountain, lakes, Sakura in bloom, magnificent Mt Fuji and of course bbq lunch on the shore of the lake with perfect view of the mountain was great. My son and I had perfect time to enjoy unparalleled views. Thank you Shawn for sharing this with us.

This experience was so much fun! Getting to see Mount Fuji at an easy pace and in a relaxed atmosphere was perfect. Shawn is a fantastic guide, really knows the area, and cooked us a delicious BBQ. Easily one of our favorite things we got to experience in Japan. I would absolutely recommend this over any other kind of tour, hands down!

This day tour was amazing! Shawn our tour guide was so friendly, we had great chats all the way to our destination. We saw My Fuji from many locations - and although it was a little hazy on the day, Shawn did his absolute best to show us the views. The food he cooked was delicious, and it was perfect just sitting at the lake eating and looking straight ahead to Mt Fuji. Highly recommend.

We had an amazing trip with Shawn! This was by far our best tour of our two week stay. Shawn is very knowledgeable of Mount Fuji and made sure we got to see great views of the mountain at multiple angles despite cloudy weather. He is also an amazing cook. The BBQ he prepared and grilled for us was some of the best food we had on the trip. Don’t think about it. Just book it!

Shawn was the best guide. Well planned tour that allowed us to get to some great views of Mt Fuji along with a great BBQ cooked by him. He is a great photo taker as well. A+

Shawn was friendly and knowledgeable. We had a great time with him! He cooked a wonderful Japanese bbq lakeside and we got amazing photos of My Fuji and an incredible waterfall! Thank you Shawn!

Tour guide trustworthy and good driver, loves passionately Mt. Fuji and made sure we had plenty of photos from different perspectives of the mountain. Speaks excellent English which for us was important so we could have maximal educational experience.

Shawn was very down to earth, friendly, extremely knowledgeable about Mount Fuji from many years of experience and his passion for outdoors, and spoke great English!

This was a one-of-a-kind experience of Mount Fuji. The views of the mountain are weather dependent but we loved it when the clouds cleared up in the evening. The weather was also amazing to admire the lakes and Shiraito falls. Our tour guide Shawn was very patient and considerate, tailoring the trip to suit our needs and going out of the way to stop the car for photos when the perfect opportunity arises. The BBQ lunch that Shawn made for us was also delicious and he made sure to pack more than enough for us. Overall we really loved this trip and will cherish the memories that this journey helped to create.

Excellent tour, avoiding the touristy spots and getting the best views. Shawn is a legend and fun to spend the day with, he knows more about Fuji than anyone else. Also super helpful coordinating me proposing to my partner. If you’re not sure then book, this is the best way to see it

Shawn is very knowledgeable of the area and took us to a lot of great spots with beautiful views of mt. Fuji, the lunch was delicious and the locals are so friendly. Also felt very safe with his driving and we were able to relax and just enjoy the ride. Recommend this tour, for sure! 10/10!

I can’t begin to express how much fun we had with Shawn! He took us to amazing locations, provided us with a wealth of information and facts, and went out of his way to give us an unforgettable and unique experience. The conversation was great, the views were great, the food was great, and the journey was great! It honestly felt like traveling with a friend. Highly recommend this tour to anyone wanting to see Mount Fuji and the surrounding area!

Shawn was a great travel guide. He took us to great local vantage points and interesting stops along the way. He asked us questions and made stops that would be of interest to us. Shawn spoke very good English, which is important when on a day long tour like this. It was too cold to do an outdoor BBQ, so we had an excellent lunch at a place with great food and a perfect view of Mt. Fuji. This was the highlight of our trip to Japan.

Shawn was a wonderful guide! He took us to all the most scenic views, local coffee shops and gift shops. He helped translate and told us so the history and even answered questions not about the tour. He brought us to a great local family owned restaurant with delicious, authentic cuisine. He went out of his way to take us to the best ice cream shop in Japan as an added bonus. We loved seeing mount Fuji, learning about Lake he legend of "Mossie", the monster of Motosu, and exploring the suicide forest. Best tour we have ever had! I hope to take another tour with Shawn next time we're in Japan!