Lake Yamanakako (山中湖) is the largest of the Fuji Five Lakes and the second most developed lake behind Lake Kawaguchiko with small towns at its western and eastern ends and a few hotels, minshuku, camping grounds and restaurants in between.
There are good views of Mount Fuji from around the lake, especially from along its less developed northern shore. A popular spot to get views of both the mountain and the lake is Panorama Dai, an observation point next to a small parking lot halfway up the mountains southeast of the lake. Panorama Dai is not served by buses and can be reached in about 30 minutes on foot from the “Mikuniyama Hiking Course Iriguchi” bus stop.
Oshino Hakkai (忍野八海) is a touristy set of eight ponds in Oshino, a small village in the Fuji Five Lake region, located between Lake Kawaguchiko and Lake Yamanakako on the site of a former sixth lake that dried out several hundred years ago. The eight ponds are fed by snow melt from the slopes of nearby Mount Fuji that filters down the mountain through porous layers of lava for over 80 years, resulting in very clear spring water that is revered by the locals.
Lake Kawaguchiko (河口湖) is the most easily accessible of the Fuji Five Lakes with train and direct bus connections to Tokyo. A hot spring resort town with various tourist attractions and views of Mount Fuji is located around the lake’s eastern end, while the northern and western shores are mostly undeveloped.
The best views of Mount Fuji can be enjoyed from the lake’s northern shores and are particularly breathtaking during the cherry blossom season around mid April and the autumn colors around the first half of November. One of the nicest spots for cherry blossoms is the seaside promenade near the Kawaguchiko Music Forest, while photographers will enjoy the “Momiji Tunnel” for autumn colors, a maple tree covered road section along the lake’s northern shore.
– timestamps –
00:00 – Driving toward Mt. Fuji
01:17 – Lake Yamanaka
05:35 – Oshino Hakkai
13:35 – Lake Kawagucchi
21:16 – Captured Memories
1 Comment
🌺 Your Mount Fuji vlog captured the essence of the place perfectly. I loved how you were able to showcase its uniqueness. Like and support from MP.