Johnny's Fuji Kawaguchiko Tours — Local services in Fujikawaguchiko

Where do I even begin? I normally don’t write long reviews on things, but I have never had a tour experience so amazing I still can’t believe that it happened.

My friend and I decided to do Johnny’s 3 hour tour of the area. He asked us what we were interested in seeing and lets you customize the tour. I told him I was interested in Aokigahara forest and he said we could absolutely incorporate that into the itinerary. What a guy! Upon arriving at Kawaguchiko station, Mt. Fuji was completely shrouded in clouds. We had expected this because the forecast said it was going to be cloudy all day. Since the mountain wasn’t visible, Johnny decided to alter the itinerary a bit and take us to some places that didn’t require Fuji to be visible. These were amazing. First he drove us (in his very own car by the way, which is super clean and comfortable) to a place called Oshino Village that has springs from Fuji. As a nature lover I was blown away by this. Then he took us to see the Fujiyoshida Sengen Shrine in the beauty of the snow. This was the most beautiful shrine I saw during my entire time in Japan, and I saw a lot that were supposedly “the most beautiful” but those didn’t hold a candle to the one Johnny took us to. Johnny also recommended we check out a coffee bus that was normally in the area, and sure enough he was right there at the shrine to sell coffee from inside of his bus. He welcomed us inside his coffee van café and had nearly 10 different roasts of beans to choose from that came from around the world. This was so fun to experience!

Then Johnny took us on a scenic drive to Aokigahara forest. This forest is known as “the suicide forest” as many people have come here to end their lives. However, don’t let that deter you from visiting. This was one of the most beautiful and peaceful forests I have been to. First Johnny showed us the dragon cave. Even though the path to drive back to see it was covered in snow, Johnny is an expert at driving in the snow from living in Canada. Johnny dropped us off and let us do some exploring on our own. We went to both the ice cave and the wind cave which were well worth the small entrance fee. Then we took a 30 minute walk on a loop in the forest. The forest has a quiet beauty to it and I haven’t seen anything like it. Aokigahara is at the base of Fuji and so there are lots of craters and holes along the sides of the path. The forest absorbs sound and it’s extremely quiet and serene. When I was in the forest I noticed there were still clouds in the sky, but at this point I didn’t even care whether or not I got to see Fuji because my day had been so full.

Johnny picked us up and said he had great news: Mt. Fuji was now visible and he was going to take us to the best spot to see it. Sure enough upon rounding a bend at the lake, there was Fuji in all her glory. We could even see the reflection of Fuji on the water— something that doesn’t happen very often. Johnny took us to his secret picture spot which entirely lived up to the hype. He then dropped us off at a location of our choice.

Everything we read online said don’t go to Lake Kawaguchiko if there’s even a chance there could be clouds. We went anyway knowing we probably weren’t going to see Fuji, and I would encourage everyone to go because there is so much to do and see at Lake Kawaguchiko besides Mt. Fuji. I would go back again just to see the Aokigahara Forest, let alone the springs and shrine. Do yourself a favor and book this tour with Johnny. The price is a steal, and you can tell Johnny loves what he’s doing. He makes you feel like family right from the start. The ease and flexibility of having someone who’s an expert on the area drive us around and teach us about the area without navigating logistics and transportation is worth triple the price. Thank you Johnny for an amazing tour and memories I will...

We had the most incredible experience with Johnny as our tour guide! What truly set him apart was his exceptional storytelling ability and profound historical knowledge. He didn't just show us places; he made them come alive with captivating narratives that deepened our appreciation for every site. Johnny also has an amazing knack for showcasing hidden gems – places we undoubtedly would have missed without him. From the moment we met him, Johnny's outgoing personality made us feel completely at ease. He's incredibly friendly and engaging, which really added to the fun. We also noticed how he truly embodies the Japanese culture of exceptional service; his attentiveness and politeness were outstanding. Johnny's repertoire of local knowledge is truly impressive. He recommended an excellent restaurant frequented by locals, which added a genuinely authentic touch to our experience. His ability to consistently showcase the best the area has to offer, even when the weather turned, was remarkable. When the weather prevented clear mountain views, he seamlessly adjusted the itinerary, ensuring the day remained filled with fascinating alternative sights. His ability to pivot meant we still had an unforgettable experience. On a personal note, Johnny, being a fellow Canadian, was incredibly easy to understand. And just to top it all off, he's a fantastic photographer! He captured some of the best pictures we have of ourselves from the entire trip. This tour truly was the ultimate package: a fascinating history lesson, engaging fun facts, professional-quality photos, and a very comfortable ride. We would rebook this tour with Johnny without a second thought and highly, highly recommend it to anyone looking for an exceptional and enriching experience! Do yourself a favor and...

We loved participating in Johnny’s private day tour January 2024. We don’t have enough positive words for our experience with Johnny! He customized our tour based on our interests and created a magical day around Mt. Fuji. The day started with a view of a pagoda and Mt. Fuji, we then had a mochi snack and took a street view photo of Mt. Fuji. We visited the famous ponds village, Mt. Fuji shrine, and ate some delicious dipping ramen. Johnny took us to a secret spot for a breathtaking and unobstructed view of mt. Fuji, then hiked to a frozen waterfall, and had some incredible ice cream. We then went to the local forest where we saw the Dragon cave. The walk through the forest was so peaceful, you heard nothing but the sounds of the birds. The dragon cave is a spiritual cave where locals come to give their gratitude to Mother Nature. The tour ended with the ice cave; which was a climb down into a cave with frozen iceicles. We finished the day with Johnny dropping us off at a local onsen, where my partner and I were able to arrange a same day private onsen with a view of Mt. Fuji. Johnny was nice enough to pick us up afterwards before our bus back to Tokyo and dropped us off at our station. It has always been a dream of mine to see Mt. Fuji and Johnny made the day more magical than I had imaged. I would 100% book with his tour company again when in the...