Fuji Safari Park, Oshino Hakkai, and Lake Kawaguchiko Oishi Park Flower Viewing Day Trip for Families (Round Trip from Tokyo Shinjuku)

Mount Fuji is the star of this full-day outing, but the best moments come in three different forms: watching safari animals up close, following spring water through a traditional village and seeing the volcano across Lake Kawaguchiko. The 8 a.m. departure from Shinjuku takes the strain out of reaching these spread-out sights.

I like the mix of animal encounters and rural scenery, which gives families more variety than a day devoted to viewpoints alone. I also like having a driver-guide and round-trip transport, so you can focus on the stops instead of juggling buses and connections.

The trade-off is a tight schedule with extra costs at Fuji Safari Park. Entry, animal activities and the Jungle Bus are not included, and traffic or weather can shorten visits. If the bus is part of your plan, arrange it in advance.

At a glance

• Safari animals at close range: At Fuji Safari Park, you can see lions, tigers, bears and giraffes, with paid options for a Jungle Bus or visitor walkway.
• A taste of village life: Oshino Hakkai’s eight clear springs sit among bridges and traditional thatched-roof houses.
• Seasonal color by the lake: Oishi Park’s Flower Street changes with the season, with tulips in spring, lavender in summer and kochia turning red in autumn.
• A long day without self-driving: Meet at the Shinjuku LOVE sculpture at 8 a.m. and expect to return around 6:30 p.m.
• Plan for add-on costs: The tour price covers transport and road costs, but not Fuji Safari Park admission, the Jungle Bus, meals or some animal activities.

A long day, made easier from Shinjuku

This is a shared day trip, not a short excursion. The listed schedule runs from 8 a.m. to roughly 6:30 p.m., with three stops in Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures. The advertised starting price is $49.19, while the listed guided package options start at $81.99. Check the price for your chosen date and language before you book.

Round-trip transport is the main practical benefit. Fuji Safari Park, Oshino Hakkai and Oishi Park are in different areas, and this trip lets you see all three without arranging the route yourself. Toll, parking and fuel costs are included.

You’ll meet at the LOVE sculpture in Shinjuku, at 6 Chome-5-1 Nishishinjuku. Arrive at least 10 minutes early. This is a carpool tour, and the vehicle will not wait for late arrivals; missed departures are not refundable. The ride may be in a van, minibus or coach, depending on the number of people, and seating is assigned by the guide.

Expect a mixed-language group and a guide in the language of your selected package. Drivers and guides named on past trips include Wen, Feng, William and Kobayashi. Their assistance has ranged from pointing out photo spots and local foods to offering umbrellas in rain and helping with a restaurant reservation. Those personal touches can be useful, but the service and guide may vary by departure.

Fuji Safari Park: budget time for the animal options

The morning’s main stop is Fuji Safari Park, at the southern foot of Mount Fuji. The open-air park lets you see animals including lions, tigers, bears and giraffes. In the Fureai interactive area, you may be able to feed or pet animals such as capybaras and kangaroos, subject to the park’s activities and separate charges.

The park admission reference price is 3,200 yen for an adult and 2,000 yen for children from age 4 through junior high school. Children under 3 enter free. Those figures are not included in the tour fare, so add them to your budget for the day.

The Jungle Bus is the more memorable option if you want a close-up feeding experience. It travels into the animal area, where food can be offered to animals such as bears, lions and camels. Its reference price is 1,500 yen per person, with the same price for children aged 3 and older. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Bus places can sell out on holidays, so reserve ahead if this is a priority.

There is also a visitor walkway ticket, listed at 600 yen in cash, for entering the safari zone without the bus. Walking takes about 90 to 120 minutes and is physically demanding, compared with about 50 minutes on the bus. Since the park stop is scheduled for two and a half hours, you’ll want to decide your plan before arrival. A long walk could leave little time for the interactive area or a snack.

The park itself offers more than the bus. One visitor who missed out on it still found the park worth the stop, while another described the feeding ride as a highlight. That’s a useful way to weigh it: the bus adds a special close encounter, but it is not the only reason to visit. Just remember that its cost and availability are separate from the tour.

Oshino Hakkai: springs, bridges and a slower pace

At around 1:20 p.m., the group heads to Oshino Hakkai for about 90 minutes. The village is known for eight clear springs fed by snowmelt that has filtered through Mount Fuji. Their clarity is striking, but the setting matters too: you’ll walk among bridges, old village buildings and thatched-roof houses.

This stop gives the day a welcome change of pace after the animal park. You can stroll, look at the springs, sample local snacks and take in the rural feel of Oshino. On a clear day, Mount Fuji can appear beyond the village, though visibility depends on the weather.

An hour and a half is enough for a wander and a snack, but it isn’t a leisurely village stay. If you enjoy taking photographs or stopping to taste several local specialties, keep an eye on the time. The group needs to leave for the next stop, and the guide may adjust the schedule if traffic or conditions change.

Oishi Park: flower color with Mount Fuji beyond the lake

The final stop is Oishi Park, on the shore of Lake Kawaguchiko. The scheduled visit is about 40 minutes, enough for a walk along Flower Street, a look at the lake and the view toward Mount Fuji, and perhaps a quick stop at the Natural Living Center café or souvenir shop.

What you see depends on the season. Tulips are associated with spring, lavender with summer and kochia with autumn, when the plants begin to turn red. Flowering is not guaranteed on a particular date: weather affects the timing, and the tour offers no refund if the flowers are not at their best.

The lake and volcano can still make this a worthwhile stop even when the flower beds are between seasons. A late-September visit, for example, found kochia just beginning to turn red, and lavender ice cream was a welcome treat on a summer trip. Those are seasonal possibilities, not promises. Give yourself time to look at the view before browsing the café or shops, since 40 minutes passes quickly.

What the price covers, and what it doesn’t

The tour price buys convenience more than admission. Round-trip transfers from Shinjuku, tolls, parking and fuel are included, along with a driver-guide in the language of your selected package. You pay separately for Fuji Safari Park admission, the Jungle Bus, Fureai activities, meals, drinks and personal purchases.

For a family, the extras can add up. Before booking, total the park admission for everyone, decide whether the bus is essential and set aside money for lunch and snacks. The tour’s starting price alone does not tell you the full cost of the day.

Lunch is not provided. There are dining options at the attractions, or you can bring food. Since the schedule is busy, having a simple plan for lunch helps you make better use of your stop time.

Children aged 3 and older pay the adult rate for the tour. Children aged 0 to 3 can ride free only if they do not need a separate seat. Child seats are not available, an important point for parents to check before booking.

Practical details that can shape your day

The itinerary is a guide, not a guarantee. Traffic, weather and conditions at the attractions can change the order or length of stops. Japanese drivers are subject to a 10-hour work limit, including vehicle time connected with the depot, so the guide may adjust the schedule. Don’t book a tight evening appointment, performance or flight after the return.

The stated return is around 6:30 p.m. at the Shinjuku LOVE sculpture, but the actual time can vary. If the day runs smoothly, you could return earlier; delays can also affect the timing. Keep your evening flexible.

You’ll receive a pre-trip email between 8 and 9 p.m. Japan time on the night before departure, with guide and driver details, a meeting-point map and other notes. Check your inbox and spam folder, and use the latest email if more than one arrives.

Each person may bring one standard piece of luggage, but note it in your special requirements when booking. Unannounced bags may not fit, and the guide can refuse boarding if space is limited. The tour is not wheelchair-accessible and is not recommended for people with limited mobility or for pregnant participants. Bring cash for expenses such as the visitor walkway ticket, and carry your passport.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

This outing makes sense if you want a broad Mount Fuji-area day without renting a car or navigating several connections. Families can combine animals, village scenery and a lakeside walk in one trip, while couples or solo visitors may like the variety and the chance to see more than one side of the region.

It suits people who are comfortable with a full day in a shared vehicle and brief stops. It is less suitable if you want a slow visit, long meals, a flexible schedule or a guaranteed view of Mount Fuji. The route offers several chances for scenery, but cloud cover can hide the mountain, and the flowers vary by season.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if the convenience of round-trip Shinjuku transport and the three-stop mix are worth more to you than having full control over your day. I’d reserve the Jungle Bus early if animal feeding is a must, and I’d budget separately for park entry, lunch and small purchases.

Skip it if you need an accessible vehicle, require a child seat, or want to linger at each stop. For a family ready for an early start and a busy day, it offers a practical way to pair safari animals with the springs of Oshino and Lake Kawaguchiko’s seasonal flowers.

FAQ

Where does the tour leave from?

Meet at the Shinjuku LOVE sculpture, at 6 Chome-5-1 Nishishinjuku, Tokyo. Arrive at least 10 minutes before the 8 a.m. departure.

What time does the tour return to Shinjuku?

The planned return is around 6:30 p.m. at the Shinjuku LOVE sculpture. Traffic, weather and other conditions can change the timing.

Is Fuji Safari Park admission included?

No. The reference price is 3,200 yen for adults, 2,000 yen for children aged 4 through junior high school, and free for children under 3.

Is the Jungle Bus included?

No. Its reference price is 1,500 yen per person, and children aged 3 and older pay the same rate as adults. Children must be with an adult. Tickets may sell out on holidays, so reserve ahead if you want to ride.

Is lunch included?

No. You’ll need to arrange your own meal. Dining options are available at the attractions, and you may bring your own food.

Can young children join the tour?

There is no age limit. Children aged 0 to 3 ride free if they do not need a separate seat; children aged 3 and older pay the adult rate. Child seats are not available.

What happens if the flowers are not in bloom?

Flowering depends on natural conditions, including weather. The flowers you see will depend on the date, and there is no refund or compensation if they are not at their best.