Mt. Fuji's Secret Ice Cave: Aokigahara Underworld Tour

Cool experience. It's in old volcanic lava tubes. We had a nice walk through the magnetic forest to get there. The forest is spectacular Our guide was very knowledgeable and pointed out lots of interesting things. We had great views of Mount Fuji at the start of the trip

The ice cave tour was great, It was better than I was expecting. Our tour guide, Takasi, was very knowledgeable about Mt. Fuji and the history behind it. You can tell he really enjoys what he does. Our group had a small child, and Takasi was patient with her and very friendly. I would recommend him as the tour guide if you book this trip. His friendly demeanor made it a worth while activity.

The tour guide (I wish I remembered his name) was great. Patient and very knowledgeable. He took his time and was patient when I stopped to take pictures of forest mushrooms. He even allowed us to take a moment to enjoy the scenery at the area we changed at to enjoy a moment in silence of Mt. Fuji. Thank you so much for your kindness and not canceling since it was just the two of us!

Our guide, Tada, led us into the Aokigahara Forest, also known as the Sea of Trees. The soil here is volcanic, dark and rich, the air thick with moisture and mystery. Every surface — every trunk, branch, and stone — was covered in soft green moss, giving the forest an otherworldly feel. It felt ancient, suspended in time. Tada explained that Ao means “blue-green,” a fitting name for this place that shimmers between shades of life. The forest sits on a network of 1,000 lava caves, remnants of Mount Fuji’s eruptions. “Stay on the trail,” he warned gently. The roots here twist above the ground like living veins, beautiful but treacherous. Tada has been mushroom hunting for over 20 years, his knowledge of the forest endless. He showed us the Wind Cave obelisk monument, marking the entrance to an underground ice cavern once used as nature’s refrigerator. Inside, the temperature never rises above freezing. The Japanese once stored food and silk cocoons here. When they brought the silkworms back into the warmth, the insects thought the seasons had changed — and produced silk five or six times a year instead of once. The perfect blend of nature, science, and ingenuity. The cave itself was hauntingly beautiful. Down at the deepest point, we turned off our headlamps at Tada’s request. Instantly, everything vanished — no light, no sound, just total darkness. It was the darkest I’ve ever known, an infinite quiet that pressed gently against your skin. We stood like that for three minutes, breathing together, letting the silence sink in. It was strangely peaceful, grounding — a reset for the soul. When the lights flickered back on, I felt lighter. And deeply grateful for AAA batteries. Outside again, the mountain air felt fresh and clean. The forest whispered, the moss shimmered in dappled sunlight, and time seemed to slow. After days of neon, noise, and motion, this was balance — calm and clarity.

The cave tour was phenomenal! Our guide was humorous, kind, and incredibly knowledgeable. We learned about the volcanic region, cedar forest, and historical uses of the cave. Highly recommend!

This was the highlight of our trip! We went as an anniversary adventure and ended up being the only ones on the tour. Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable about the wildlife in the area and the cave was incredible! Worth every single penny. Highly recommend hiking shoes and light clothes for under the coveralls and I would not recommend for those that are physically limited in any way.

Toshi was excellent and a great guide. Very accommodating and his knowledge was great. Tour was very informative. Transport was nice

Went in thinking it would be an eerie experience and left feeling wholesome knowing there is more to Aokigahara Forest than what it perceived to be.

Our guide Tada was very responsive when I had questions leading and on the day of the event. And he was such a great guide who answered all our questions and knew so much about the area. The forest was so peaceful, loved everything about it. And the entrance of the cave was beautiful, took so many pictures. Thanks for the great day.

If coming from Tokyo for the early hike, make sure you have a way there on time. The express bus from Shibuya was the perfect option for transportation. Tadasuke was an excellent guide and ensured that he was giving all the information in Japanese and English for the group. He is very knowledgeable about the forest that the ice caves are in and helped to explain how the environment came to be. The past uses of the ice caves and the general knowledge about nature were very pleasant. Once in the caves, it’s a sight to see. Pictures and video will not do it justice as they just can’t capture the experience. I wouldn’t worry about being claustrophobic either, the caves are very spacious and very cold once in them. Highly recommend giving this a try