Oshino Hakkai

What to know

Oshino Hakkai (忍野八海) is a popular set of eight ponds in Oshino, a small village in the Fuji Five Lake region, situated between Lake Kawaguchiko and Lake Yamanakako on the site of a former sixth lake that dried up centuries ago. The ponds are fed by snowmelt from nearby Mount Fuji, which filters through porous lava layers for over 80 years, resulting in exceptionally clear spring water highly valued by locals.

Next to one pond, visitors can drink the cool water straight from the source. The ponds are quite deep and feature interesting freshwater plants and large fish. Although the ponds have been developed into tourist attractions and can get crowded, they maintain a pleasant atmosphere as long as you don't expect untouched nature.

You'll find many restaurants, souvenir shops, and food vendors around the ponds selling vegetables, sweets, pickles, crafts, and other local products. Some operate small outdoor grills to attract shoppers with the enticing smells of roasted sweet potatoes and toasted rice crackers.

A small open-air museum, the Hannoki Bayashi Shiryokan, surrounds Oshino Hakkai's largest pond and charges a small admission fee. It includes a traditional thatched-roof farmhouse that you can enter, displaying various farming tools, household items, and samurai weapons.

During cherry blossom season, which usually occurs in mid to late April (typically a few days later than around Lake Kawaguchiko), don't miss a walk along the nearby cherry tree-lined river with views of the blossoms combined with Mount Fuji.

Roughly every other bus between Kawaguchiko Station and Gotemba (about one per hour) makes a small detour via Oshino Hakkai (see timetable). Additionally, the Fujikko tourist buses also stop at Oshino Hakkai. Get off at the "Oshino Hakkai" bus stop.