FAQ
Our tours, services and guidesOur bicycles, equipment and customization options
Fees, payments and policies
Preparing for your tour
Our tours, services and guides
Fuji Bike Tour has implemented measures that exceed government standards for cleanliness, disinfection and prevention of COVID transmission. Read more about the steps we're taking to ensure the health and safety of our guests and employees here.
Yes. We offer the Bike Up Mount Fuji Tour and the Bike Down Mount Fuji Tour.
This topic is covered in detail here.
This topic is covered in detail here.
Our guides are native English speakers. They speak and read Japanese too, but they aren't professional interpreters or translators.
No other people will join your tour. Your tour will be private. We only offer private tours.
Yes, we offer pick up and drop off by private car for an additional fee. Details are here.
Details of our optional services and upgrades are here.
Yes. Please tell us any special dietary needs in the "Dietary restrictions" section of our tour booking request form. We are experienced in meeting the needs of guests who require foods free of specific allergens or who follow vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, seafood-free and halal diets.
There is no minimum or maximum group size.
There is no age minimum for our tours, and children can join a tour their adult relative or legal guardian joins.
Families who wish to take bike tours, hiking tours or bike and hike tours with children under age 12 should select from the tours on our kid-friendly tours page. Cycling routes for our kid-friendly tours are on dedicated biking and walking paths where children can more easily be kept out of the way of cars. For our kid-friendly hiking tours and bike and hike tours, we select hiking trails with terrain appropriate to children's heights and endurance levels.
We have children's bikes. For toddlers and very small children, we can install child seats on bikes the adult members of your party ride. When you make your tour reservation, please let us know if you want this service.
If you make a request for infant/toddler car seats when you make your tour reservation, we can provide them as well. When riding in our support vehicle, children are required to sit in a seat.
We do not offer a child discount. The full tour price applies to children of all ages.
During our wine tasting and winery tours, children may accompany their parents but are not permitted to consume alcohol.
Families who wish to take bike tours, hiking tours or bike and hike tours with children under age 12 should select from the tours on our kid-friendly tours page. Cycling routes for our kid-friendly tours are on dedicated biking and walking paths where children can more easily be kept out of the way of cars. For our kid-friendly hiking tours and bike and hike tours, we select hiking trails with terrain appropriate to children's heights and endurance levels.
We have children's bikes. For toddlers and very small children, we can install child seats on bikes the adult members of your party ride. When you make your tour reservation, please let us know if you want this service.
If you make a request for infant/toddler car seats when you make your tour reservation, we can provide them as well. When riding in our support vehicle, children are required to sit in a seat.
We do not offer a child discount. The full tour price applies to children of all ages.
During our wine tasting and winery tours, children may accompany their parents but are not permitted to consume alcohol.
Our guests vary widely in their levels of fitness and experience riding bikes, as well as in their ages and their goals for their tours.
Some are avid cyclists whose goal is to see as much as possible from the seats of their bikes, without long stops for sightseeing on foot. It's not uncommon for them to want a bike tour that's physically challenging in terms of pace, distance covered and elevation gained. They may prioritize being able to ride the kinds of high-performance bicycles they're used to and so may want to borrow our road bikes or bring their own. They may show up for their tours in specialized clothing designed for comfort while biking and may even bring their own cycling shoes.
Others seldom ride bikes but are excited about getting outdoors and experiencing the beautiful scenery and cultural attractions of Japan. Some are families with children and are suited to light physical activity rather than intense bike rides. They want a high-quality, private and interactive tour that's tailored to their pace and interests. Many tell us they've been to Japan more than once and want to get off the beaten path to experience things they haven't before and couldn't on their own. They may show up in casual street clothes or activewear that's not specifically intended for cycling.
Still other guests are somewhere between the above categories and may share charactersistics with each.
We're skilled at reading the goals and preferences of our guests, and we're happy to customize your tour to suit you regardless of whether you fall into one of the above camps, somewhere between them, or in another category altogether. Our guides cycle hundreds of kilometers a week around Japan's tallest mountain and up its slopes, as well as around the country. And as long-term local residents who enjoy continually learning and exploring, we have a wealth of knowledge about the geography, culture and history of the areas where we offer tours. We're capable of riding far and fast, and we're equally able to ride at an easy pace, stopping to share fascinating insights into the places we visit during your tour.
You're welcome to use the "Special needs and questions" section of our book a tour form to tell us your interests, preferences and goals for your tour, or you can share them with our guides in person on your tour day.
Some are avid cyclists whose goal is to see as much as possible from the seats of their bikes, without long stops for sightseeing on foot. It's not uncommon for them to want a bike tour that's physically challenging in terms of pace, distance covered and elevation gained. They may prioritize being able to ride the kinds of high-performance bicycles they're used to and so may want to borrow our road bikes or bring their own. They may show up for their tours in specialized clothing designed for comfort while biking and may even bring their own cycling shoes.
Others seldom ride bikes but are excited about getting outdoors and experiencing the beautiful scenery and cultural attractions of Japan. Some are families with children and are suited to light physical activity rather than intense bike rides. They want a high-quality, private and interactive tour that's tailored to their pace and interests. Many tell us they've been to Japan more than once and want to get off the beaten path to experience things they haven't before and couldn't on their own. They may show up in casual street clothes or activewear that's not specifically intended for cycling.
Still other guests are somewhere between the above categories and may share charactersistics with each.
We're skilled at reading the goals and preferences of our guests, and we're happy to customize your tour to suit you regardless of whether you fall into one of the above camps, somewhere between them, or in another category altogether. Our guides cycle hundreds of kilometers a week around Japan's tallest mountain and up its slopes, as well as around the country. And as long-term local residents who enjoy continually learning and exploring, we have a wealth of knowledge about the geography, culture and history of the areas where we offer tours. We're capable of riding far and fast, and we're equally able to ride at an easy pace, stopping to share fascinating insights into the places we visit during your tour.
You're welcome to use the "Special needs and questions" section of our book a tour form to tell us your interests, preferences and goals for your tour, or you can share them with our guides in person on your tour day.
Many of our tours take place on relatively short, mostly-flat courses that people of low fitness can complete without difficulty. Each tour's description includes a difficulty rating. If your fitness level is low, choose a tour with a rating of "Easy" so you won't get too tired during the tour to complete it.
All of our tours include optional stops for sightseeing on foot, so you'll have plenty of time to recover between periods of cycling.
For long and hilly tours, we provide an eight-seat support car and driver to transport your party and your bikes if you get tired or want to skip uphill segments. This enables you to enjoy and complete our full-day tours, regardless of your level of fitness or the difficulty of the course. The support car also carries a supply of snacks and drinks so you can stay energized and hydrated.
All of our tours include optional stops for sightseeing on foot, so you'll have plenty of time to recover between periods of cycling.
For long and hilly tours, we provide an eight-seat support car and driver to transport your party and your bikes if you get tired or want to skip uphill segments. This enables you to enjoy and complete our full-day tours, regardless of your level of fitness or the difficulty of the course. The support car also carries a supply of snacks and drinks so you can stay energized and hydrated.
Fuji Five Lakes is a scenic region two hours west of Tokyo in Yamanashi Prefecture. It is not only a set of lakes but is also the picturesque, sparsely-populated countryside surrounding them in the northern foothills of Mount Fuji. Its spectacular shorelines, forests and mountain ranges are part of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Fuji Five Lakes is included in a traditional list of the most beautiful landscapes in Japan and offers fantastic sightseeing opportunities.
The region is known for its outstanding views of Mt Fuji and for its numerous hot spring baths, flower gardens and well-preserved ancient Japanese farmhouses. It is a popular destination for camping, snowsports and watersports and serves as a convenient base for people hiking to the summit of Mount Fuji. Visitors interested in cycling, hiking and sightseeing by car can enjoy some of the best tours in Japan at Fuji Five Lakes.
The region is known for its outstanding views of Mt Fuji and for its numerous hot spring baths, flower gardens and well-preserved ancient Japanese farmhouses. It is a popular destination for camping, snowsports and watersports and serves as a convenient base for people hiking to the summit of Mount Fuji. Visitors interested in cycling, hiking and sightseeing by car can enjoy some of the best tours in Japan at Fuji Five Lakes.
Koshu is a picturesque valley near Mt Fuji that is home to dozens of wineries. It is one of Japan's main wine-producing regions and is also a "bread basket" that produces a large share of the country's fresh fruit and vegetables.
The best-known wine-producing town in Koshu is Katsunuma. Wines produced in Katsunuma are made not only from Western grapes but also from the indigenous Koshu grape variety for which Japanese winemaking is best known.
Koshu is home to many of Japan's oldest, most celebrated vineyards, including several that are 100 to 150 years old. It is an ideal location for wine tastings and winery tours.
The best-known wine-producing town in Koshu is Katsunuma. Wines produced in Katsunuma are made not only from Western grapes but also from the indigenous Koshu grape variety for which Japanese winemaking is best known.
Koshu is home to many of Japan's oldest, most celebrated vineyards, including several that are 100 to 150 years old. It is an ideal location for wine tastings and winery tours.
Yes, we offer hiking tours, tours by car and winery/wine tasting tours during winter. However, we do not offer bike tours or bike and hike tours between December 1 and February 28.
Winter is an excellent time for tours because the sky tends to be clear, making for good views of Mount Fuji.
Winter is an excellent time for tours because the sky tends to be clear, making for good views of Mount Fuji.
Visibility is unpredictable but tends to be best early in the morning, late in the afternoon and in the evening.
Most of our tours are great for seeing cherry blossoms in spring and colorful leaves in fall. If you'd like us to recommend a tour that matches your interests and includes viewing cherry blossoms or fall colors, contact us.
Yes, if our guide is available. Please read about tour extensions for details.
Yes. Please read about our travel support services for details.
Yes. Please read about our pick up and drop off service for details.
Our bicycles, equipment and customization options
Yes, you can bring your own bike to ride during a tour. We do not discount our tour fees when a guest brings their own bike or helmet.
Use of your bike on your tour date is at your own risk. Fuji Bike Tour and our guides will not compensate you if your bike is damaged, destroyed, lost or stolen under any circumstances by any party before, during or after your tour.
Use of your bike on your tour date is at your own risk. Fuji Bike Tour and our guides will not compensate you if your bike is damaged, destroyed, lost or stolen under any circumstances by any party before, during or after your tour.
We can provide road bikes (also known as drop-handlebar and curved-handlebar bikes) and hybrid bikes (also known as cross bikes, city bikes and flat-handlebar bikes). The fee for hybrid bike rental is included in the tour fee. Road bike rentals require an additional fee of 11,000 Japanese yen per bike per day.
Most of our bikes are of the Trek and Giant brands. Our fleet of road bikes is made up of recent Trek Domane AL 2 and AL 3 models.
We are unable to provide e-bikes (battery-powered electric bikes), mountain bikes or bikes with Shimano 105, Ultegra or Dura Ace components.
Most of our bikes are of the Trek and Giant brands. Our fleet of road bikes is made up of recent Trek Domane AL 2 and AL 3 models.
We are unable to provide e-bikes (battery-powered electric bikes), mountain bikes or bikes with Shimano 105, Ultegra or Dura Ace components.
We can provide bikes suitable for riders of all heights, from children to very tall adults. Our tour booking request form offers you space to inform us of the heights of the members of your party so we can provide you with suitable bikes.
Hybrid bikes (also known as cross bikes, city bikes and flat-handlebar bikes)
Hybrid bikes are great for bike tours because they help you remain in a relatively upright posture, with your head up, so you can enjoy the scenery while you ride. They have simple gear shifters and brakes that are easy for inexperienced cyclists to use. These bikes are a good match for leisurely rides and people who don't often ride.
Your use of our hybrid bikes is included in our tour fees, and we have a full range of sizes. Unless you are used to riding a road bike, a hybrid bike is the best choice.
Road bikes (also known as curved-handlebar and drop-handlebar bikes)
Superior bikes preferred by many experienced cyclists, road bikes have light, aerodynamic forms. They offer the potential for higher speeds and greater efficiency than hybrid bikes so you can ride farther with less effort.
On the other hand, they require you to ride in a more forward-leaning posture you may find less suited to sightseeing and comfort. Their gear shifters and brakes take some getting used to as well. Because people who lack experience riding road bikes commonly have difficulty riding them, we only rent road bikes to experienced riders.
We offer road bikes to our guests for an additional fee of 11,000 Japanese yen per bike per day, and we have a full range of sizes. The upgrade is worthwhile if you're booking a full-day or multi-day tour or one of our bike tours for fit cyclists.
Hybrid bikes are great for bike tours because they help you remain in a relatively upright posture, with your head up, so you can enjoy the scenery while you ride. They have simple gear shifters and brakes that are easy for inexperienced cyclists to use. These bikes are a good match for leisurely rides and people who don't often ride.
Your use of our hybrid bikes is included in our tour fees, and we have a full range of sizes. Unless you are used to riding a road bike, a hybrid bike is the best choice.
Road bikes (also known as curved-handlebar and drop-handlebar bikes)
Superior bikes preferred by many experienced cyclists, road bikes have light, aerodynamic forms. They offer the potential for higher speeds and greater efficiency than hybrid bikes so you can ride farther with less effort.
On the other hand, they require you to ride in a more forward-leaning posture you may find less suited to sightseeing and comfort. Their gear shifters and brakes take some getting used to as well. Because people who lack experience riding road bikes commonly have difficulty riding them, we only rent road bikes to experienced riders.
We offer road bikes to our guests for an additional fee of 11,000 Japanese yen per bike per day, and we have a full range of sizes. The upgrade is worthwhile if you're booking a full-day or multi-day tour or one of our bike tours for fit cyclists.
As long as Fuji Bike Tour staff do not believe your equipment or the mounting and removal of it could damage our bikes or cause other problems, you are welcome to mount it. We do not charge a fee for you to mount your equipment on our bike, even if you need to use our tools to do so.
Please mount and remove your equipment rather than asking our guides to do it. If you will need specific tools you'd like us to bring, please make your request as early as possible, preferably at least a few days before your tour, so we have time to try to accommodate you.
We can't guarantee that our bikes will be compatible with your equipment or that we will be able to provide the tools you need to mount it, even if you request in advance that we bring the tools. We also can't guarantee that you will be able to mount your equipment successfully or within your desired time frame.
The time it takes you to mount and remove your equipment is drawn from the time allotted for your tour. For example, if your tour's maximum duration is four hours and you spend thirty minutes mounting your equipment on our bike, the time remaining for your tour and the removal of your equipment will be three hours and thirty minutes.
We may not allow you to mount equipment that must be screwed or clamped firmly onto parts of our bikes that are relatively easily damaged by excessive force, such as those made of carbon or plastic, particularly when a torque wrench can't be used to insure limits are not exceeded.
Use of your equipment on your tour date is at your own risk. Fuji Bike Tour and our guides will not compensate you if your equipment is damaged, destroyed, lost or stolen under any circumstances by any party before, during or after your tour.
Please mount and remove your equipment rather than asking our guides to do it. If you will need specific tools you'd like us to bring, please make your request as early as possible, preferably at least a few days before your tour, so we have time to try to accommodate you.
We can't guarantee that our bikes will be compatible with your equipment or that we will be able to provide the tools you need to mount it, even if you request in advance that we bring the tools. We also can't guarantee that you will be able to mount your equipment successfully or within your desired time frame.
The time it takes you to mount and remove your equipment is drawn from the time allotted for your tour. For example, if your tour's maximum duration is four hours and you spend thirty minutes mounting your equipment on our bike, the time remaining for your tour and the removal of your equipment will be three hours and thirty minutes.
We may not allow you to mount equipment that must be screwed or clamped firmly onto parts of our bikes that are relatively easily damaged by excessive force, such as those made of carbon or plastic, particularly when a torque wrench can't be used to insure limits are not exceeded.
Use of your equipment on your tour date is at your own risk. Fuji Bike Tour and our guides will not compensate you if your equipment is damaged, destroyed, lost or stolen under any circumstances by any party before, during or after your tour.
Yes. We charge a fee for this service. Details are here.
Fees, payments and policies
We offer a highly flexible cancellation policy that guarantees a full refund if you cancel at least four full days in advance and a partial refund if you cancel one to three days in advance. Complete details are here.
No. All of our tours are private.
You can pay online by credit or debit card. We accept cards from most countries.
Details of how to make a payment will be emailed to you shortly after you send us a request to book a tour. We require a deposit to confirm your booking and save your tour date for you. Full payment of your tour fee is always required before your tour begins.
Half-day and full-day tours
If you make your reservation for a half-day or full-day tour more than 24 hours before your tour will take place, we will ask that you first pay a deposit of half the tour fee to confirm your booking and then pay the balance due by 24 hours before your tour.
If you make your reservation for a half-day or full-day tour less than 24 hours before your tour will take place, we will ask that you pay the full tour fee to confirm your booking.
Multi-day tours
If you make your reservation for a multi-day tour more than 7 days before your tour will take place, we will ask that you first pay a deposit of half the tour fee to confirm your booking and then pay the balance due by 7 days before your tour.
If you make your reservation for a multi-day tour less than 7 days before your tour will take place, we will ask that you pay the full tour fee to confirm your booking.
Details of how to make a payment will be emailed to you shortly after you send us a request to book a tour. We require a deposit to confirm your booking and save your tour date for you. Full payment of your tour fee is always required before your tour begins.
Half-day and full-day tours
If you make your reservation for a half-day or full-day tour more than 24 hours before your tour will take place, we will ask that you first pay a deposit of half the tour fee to confirm your booking and then pay the balance due by 24 hours before your tour.
If you make your reservation for a half-day or full-day tour less than 24 hours before your tour will take place, we will ask that you pay the full tour fee to confirm your booking.
Multi-day tours
If you make your reservation for a multi-day tour more than 7 days before your tour will take place, we will ask that you first pay a deposit of half the tour fee to confirm your booking and then pay the balance due by 7 days before your tour.
If you make your reservation for a multi-day tour less than 7 days before your tour will take place, we will ask that you pay the full tour fee to confirm your booking.
- private eight-seat car is included for tours by car, for winery/wine tasting tours and for long and hilly bike tours
- native English-speaking guide
- bicycle and helmet
- use of light backpacks is included for our hiking tours
- lunch is included for all full-day and multi-day tours
- light snacks and bottled water
- limited tasting fees are included for our wine tasting and winery tours
- entrance fees for attractions in the tour itinerary
- road tolls
- basic insurance is included for tours that include biking and/or hiking
- basic information on how to book bus or train tickets to and from the start and end point(s) of your tour
- toilet paper
- garbage bag
- emergency supplies and equipment (first aid kit, headlamp, etc)
- mobile phone for emergency use only
- bike repair tools and supplies
Our rescheduling and cancellation policy is detailed here.
If you know you'll be late, please inform us of your expected arrival time by phone, iMessage, text message or WhatsApp at 090 7677 6497 (or +81 90 7677 6497 if calling from an international line).
Our late arrival, late start and no-show policy is detailed here.
Our late arrival, late start and no-show policy is detailed here.
Our early finish and maximum duration policy is detailed here.
Our bad weather and other hazards policy is detailed here.
Due to liability issues and legal restrictions on drone use in Japan, flying drones is not allowed during any of our tours.
Preparing for your tour
This topic is covered here.
You can book lodging in Tokyo and make a day trip from there to Kawaguchiko. The trip can be made in two hours or less, so you can easily fit in a tour and return to your lodging in Tokyo on the same day. If you wish to stay overnight in the Fuji Five Lakes area, lodging within a ten-minute drive from Kawaguchiko Station is most convenient.
A list of supplies we suggest you bring is here.
For our tours in the Mt Fuji and Fuji Five Lakes area, your guide will meet you at the main entrance of Kawaguchiko Train Station. For our tours that start in Hakone, your guide will meet you at the Motohakone Port building and bus terminal.
Your guide will be holding a blue flag with white writing that says "Fuji Bike Tour". Kawaguchiko Train Station and the Motohakone Port building and bus terminal are small, so it should be easy to find each other.
If you have trouble or will arrive late, please use your mobile phone, your hotel's phone or a pay phone to call us at 090 7677 6497. If calling on an international line, call +81 90 7677 6497.
The above details about how to meet your guide, along with a photo of the meeting point and a link to a map, will be included in the booking confirmation we email you.
Your guide will be holding a blue flag with white writing that says "Fuji Bike Tour". Kawaguchiko Train Station and the Motohakone Port building and bus terminal are small, so it should be easy to find each other.
If you have trouble or will arrive late, please use your mobile phone, your hotel's phone or a pay phone to call us at 090 7677 6497. If calling on an international line, call +81 90 7677 6497.
The above details about how to meet your guide, along with a photo of the meeting point and a link to a map, will be included in the booking confirmation we email you.
Yes, public bathrooms are available near the tour start and end locations.
Basic insurance is included in the tour fee, as long as you ride bikes we provide and do not bring your own bike. This insurance is only designed to meet minimum requirements under Japanese law for coverage of injury to other parties. You may also wish to get comprehensive travel insurance through World Nomads or another provider.
The ideal training regimen to prepare you for our Bike Up Mount Fuji Tour could include riding up the longest continuously-uphill routes in your area at least two or three times a month. Start with easier routes and work up to longer ones with an average grade of 5% or more.
Your training rides could start with a few hundred meters of climbing, with the goal of eventually including about a kilometer or more of elevation gain. If none of the routes in your area include long, continuously-uphill climbs, it's fine to instead repeatedly do short climbs.
Start training as early as possible before the date you'll ride up Mt Fuji.
The above regimen is beyond what most people have time to follow. Fortunately, it isn't necessary to train that hard to complete the ride up Mt Fuji. During the tour, we'll go at your pace and take as many breaks as you like. Plus, there's the option to ride in our private support car if you get too tired to continue.
Your training rides could start with a few hundred meters of climbing, with the goal of eventually including about a kilometer or more of elevation gain. If none of the routes in your area include long, continuously-uphill climbs, it's fine to instead repeatedly do short climbs.
Start training as early as possible before the date you'll ride up Mt Fuji.
The above regimen is beyond what most people have time to follow. Fortunately, it isn't necessary to train that hard to complete the ride up Mt Fuji. During the tour, we'll go at your pace and take as many breaks as you like. Plus, there's the option to ride in our private support car if you get too tired to continue.