Shizuoka to Mount Fuji Bus Tour 2026: Why We Skipped the Rental Car

As you prepare for your Shizuoka trip,

many of you are probably wondering how to best experience Mount Fuji, right?

I certainly was!

Should I rent a car?

Or should I opt for a

Mount Fuji bus tour departing from Shizuoka?

I'd heard a lot about how convenient renting a car can be for exploring Japan's smaller cities,

so initially, I planned to rent one.

But as I started mapping out my itinerary, I realized it was going to be tougher than I thought.

Not only am I unfamiliar with right-hand drive, but I'd also have to navigate between every single tourist spot.

I imagined my mind would be completely frazzled just trying to follow the navigation!

On top of that, with only a 2-night, 3-day itinerary, I thought,

"Let's just make this easy!"

And that's how I decided on the Shizuoka-departing bus tour.

Having experienced it myself,

I realized that opting for a truly comfortable tour for this trip

was actually a fantastic idea.

Renting a Car Isn't Always the Best Solution

It's true that renting a car can be convenient for exploring Japan's smaller cities.

However, if you try to plan a one-day itinerary to visit multiple spots around Mount Fuji,

your mind might just change!

While driving yourself offers freedom of movement,

the driver often can't fully immerse themselves in the scenery.

Plus, you'd have to constantly worry about parking and navigation.

And if you factor in Japan's highway tolls, parking fees,

and the rental car cost itself??

Especially if you're traveling in a group of 2-4 people,

the combined expenses for rental car + insurance + fuel + tolls + parking

can add up to be quite a bit more than you might expect!

That's why I chose a relaxing Mount Fuji tour.

👉[ Shizuoka Private Tour 🔗]

If you're traveling with a group of 6 or more, a private tour can be a real advantage!

Why Did I Choose This Tour?

When I chose this tour, price wasn't the only factor I considered.

First, the guide's insights during travel.

(Our guide had lived in Tokyo and Shizuoka for

over 10 years!)

Since I wasn't driving myself, I could relax and

listen to our guide's explanations inside the car.

Beyond just stories about Mount Fuji and the surrounding areas,

I also gained valuable tips for my trip.

It made the travel time genuinely engaging!

Second, the ability to rest and recharge in the car.

This was much better than I anticipated!

Exploring the Mount Fuji area all day long

can really take a toll on your energy.

But since I wasn't driving, I even managed to doze off a little

on the way back.

When we arrived back at Shizuoka Station, I had more energy

than I expected, allowing me to continue with my evening plans!

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Third, a carefully curated itinerary covering multiple breathtaking spots in one day.

It was an itinerary designed to cover the most iconic photo spots

and attractions around Mount Fuji all in one go.

🔸Starting with Nihondaira Yume Terrace

→ followed by the Dream Suspension Bridge with Mount Fuji views

→ then the Mount Fuji World Heritage Centre and Honbu Sengen-taisha Shrine

→ Shiraito Falls

→ and finally, Lake Tanuki.

If I had driven this entire route myself in a single day,

the driver might have just collapsed from exhaustion!

Departing from Shizuoka Station

We met and departed from the general passenger pickup area at the rotary right in front of Shizuoka Station.

The tour vehicle departs around 9 AM,

with assembly around 8:40 AM.

You'll receive an individual message the day before with details about the meeting location and time,

so you just need to be there on time.

They create a KakaoTalk group to share the itinerary and

also provide emergency information or important notices while you're on the move.

Our guide was already there waiting for us,

and since we were changing hotels, we needed to load our luggage.

We informed them about this in advance via KakaoTalk,

and there were no issues with transporting our luggage.

Starting the Tour with a Private Vehicle

First Stop: Nihondaira Yume Terrace

Our first stop was the Nihondaira Yume Terrace.

From the expansive observatory, we could take in panoramic views of Mount Fuji and Shizuoka,

and with perfect weather, it was an absolutely fantastic spot for photos!

We rang the 'Bell of Promise' as our guide suggested,

creating our first travel memory with Mount Fuji as the stunning backdrop.

Second Stop: Yume no Ohashi (Dream Bridge)

We also visited the famous Yume no Ohashi (Dream Bridge), a popular spot on social media.

As it's well-known as a fantastic photo spot, the queue was quite long.

However, our guide knew a separate photo spot

where we could take pictures without waiting.

This kind of insider knowledge from a local guide is

definitely another great advantage of the tour!

Third Stop: Mount Fuji World Heritage Centre & Sengen Taisha Shrine

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We were dropped off at the nearby Yume Town.

Here, after enjoying a free lunch,

we explored the Mount Fuji World Heritage Centre and the Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine.

At the Mount Fuji World Heritage Centre, in particular,

we were treated to the clearest view of Mount Fuji we had all day!

I think this might just be the perfect season to experience the charm of snow-capped Mount Fuji.

Fourth Stop: Shiraito Falls & Otodome Falls

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Next up were Otodome Falls and Shiraito Falls.

Shiraito Falls, with its cascades resembling white threads,

was as beautiful as its name suggests.

However, from this point onward, clouds started rolling in over Mount Fuji's peak,

which was a little bit of a bummer.

It really goes to show how crucial the weather is when visiting Mount Fuji!

Finally, Lake Tanuki

Our final stop was Lake Tanuki, a place I had been really looking forward to.

I was really hoping to get that iconic shot of Mount Fuji reflecting in the water, but the clouds got in the way

so I couldn't quite capture it as I'd envisioned.

Still, I enjoyed a leisurely stroll around the lake,

and was able to comfortably wind down the day.

I even spotted people camping in the distance, gazing at Mt. Fuji,

which sparked an idea – next time,

I'd love to come back for a camping adventure!

The Most Satisfying Travel & Time

As we wrapped up our day and headed back,

I couldn't help but think, if we had driven this route ourselves,

we would have been absolutely exhausted!

To start from Shizuoka and explore multiple spots around here,

the travel distance turned out to be quite significant.

If we had driven ourselves, the person behind the wheel wouldn't have been able to fully soak in the views,

and the passenger would have been busy navigating and keeping the driver company,

It would have been a lot to manage!

But on a bus tour, while we were on the move,

we could enjoy listening to our guide's insights,

and even catch a quick power nap.

And here's a true insider tip: on the way back,

our guide shared some fantastic restaurant recommendations!

They were incredibly helpful when we returned to our meeting point for dinner.

Bus Tours Aren't Always the Perfect Fit

It's true, bus tours aren't universally ideal for everyone.

Group tours definitely have some clear drawbacks.

Because, even if you discover a spot you absolutely adore,

you can't always linger there for as long as your heart desires.

“This place is amazing, but I wish I had just 20 more minutes…”

But alas, you have to stick to the set itinerary.

So,

✔ You love spending ample time exploring one specific spot

✔ You need plenty of time to capture those perfect photos

✔ You want the freedom to change your entire itinerary on a whim

If any of these sound like you, then a rental car might be a much better fit for your travel style.

Alternatively, if you're traveling as a larger group of 4 or more,

it might be worth spending a bit more to explore private tour options.

👉[ Shizuoka Private Tours 🔗]

A private tour is especially beneficial for groups of 6 or more!

Ultimately, it's not just about the price,

but whether the tour truly aligns with your personal travel style.

Who a Bus Tour is Perfect For

✔ First-time visitors to Mount Fuji from Shizuoka

✔ Travelers who find driving a rental car stressful

✔ Anyone wanting to explore multiple Mount Fuji hotspots in a single day

✔ Those who prefer to skip the hassle of figuring out Japanese public transportation routes

✔ Travelers looking to maximize their sightseeing time and minimize travel logistics

✔ Those who enjoy learning from a local guide's explanations while exploring

✔ Anyone who finds it overwhelming to hunt for the best photo opportunities on their own

Essential Checks Before Booking Your Tour

When I'm browsing bus tour options, I always look beyond just the price.

🔸 Where does it depart from?

🔸 How many hours does it run?

🔸 What course does it follow?

🔸 What's the minimum number of participants?

The fewer the minimum participants required,

the higher your chance of departing on your desired date!

Especially if your Shizuoka travel itinerary is tight,

and you want to explore multiple attractions comfortably in a single day,

it might be a great idea to compare a few bus tours.

👉[ Shizuoka Private Tour 🔗]

For groups of 6 or more, a private tour offers great advantages!

Traveling to Mount Fuji always comes with the unpredictable variable of weather,

so while we can't guarantee a perfect photo every time,

at least we could minimize the time spent traveling and navigating,

and maximize our moments gazing at majestic Mount Fuji.

That's exactly what this trip allowed us to do.