What to know
Iyashi no Sato (いやしの里) occupies the site of a former farming village on the western shore of Lake Saiko. The original village was destroyed by a landslide triggered by a typhoon in 1966. Forty years later, the traditional thatched-roof houses were rebuilt and the village reopened as an open-air museum and craft village where visitors can learn about local culture, try their hand at traditional crafts, and purchase handmade goods.
Today, the village comprises over twenty houses converted into shops, restaurants, museums, and galleries. Each shop specializes in a traditional craft such as pottery, incense, or weaving. Several offer hands-on workshops—like making incense sachets or owl figurines—for 900–1,400 yen, with no advance reservation required.
Some houses house museums. The Watanabe House, for example, displays exhibits on the daily life of the region's former farmers. There is also an Erosion and Sediment Control Museum that explains the causes of the landslide that destroyed the village and the techniques used to prevent such disasters.
Other buildings include an art gallery showcasing local works, a produce shop, and a portrait studio where visitors can dress in kimono or samurai armor for a small fee and take photos. Restaurants and rest areas are scattered throughout the village.
The Omni Bus Green Line (Saiko Line) connects Kawaguchiko Station with Iyashi no Sato in about 40 minutes.
How to get to and around the Fuji Five Lakes
Visitor information
Practical details to check before planning this stop.
- Hours
- 9:00 to 17:00 (March through November)
- Closed
- No closing days
- Admission
- 500 yen (~$3.2)
- English name
- Original name
- Iyashi no Sato
Verify details before visiting. Currency conversion is indicative and may vary over time.