I'd read the previous reviews but others in my party were determined to take this trip... Mt Fuji was covered in cloud... The half hour boat trip on the lake was relaxing but no views because of low cloud( just as well because the commentary on- board couldn't be heard) ... The cable car was laughable because we couldn't see through the windows... We got to the top, stood inthe rain queuing to return within 10 minutes... To be fair to the guide we were given the choice of taking the cable car or visiting an onsite aquarium!

Much is said about the visit to Station 5... this is nothing more than the opportunity to buy souvenirs from the numerous shops.

Lunch was really good... But was being driven to a non-descript hotel 40 minutes away really necessary?

It's a lot of money to pay for a souvenir shopping trip!

Of the many tours I took this was the most unsatisfying - but that is my fault for not doing the research first. When i spoke with an Osaka resident the day before the tour he asked 'Why?'.

The guide was great and did his best but quite simply Osaka just isn't a city that has enough to organise a tour around! There are no 'stunning views' from what is now just a 'quite high' office building... The 'castle' is a museum built 50 years ago and the river cruise shows you nothing.