The mountain that represents Japan is Mt. Fuji. The five lakes that spread out at the foot of Mt. Fuji are the Fuji Five Lakes. By the way, each of the five lakes has different characteristics and has become one of Japan’s leading tourist spots. This time, we will provide a detailed explanation of the characteristics of the five lakes located at the foot of Mt. Fuji, the Fuji Five Lakes in Yamanashi Prefecture.
①What is Lake Yamanaka?
Lake Yamanaka is a lake among the Fuji Five Lakes located in Yamanakako Village, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture. Lake Yamanaka has a unique shape that looks like a whale depending on how you look at it. Lake Yamanaka is located on the easternmost side of the Fuji Five Lakes. With an area of 6.80 km2, it is the largest lake among the Fuji Five Lakes.
Also, compared to the other four lakes, it is the highest at 980.5 m above sea level, so you can stay cool even in the summer. Because Lake Yamanaka is close to Mt. Fuji and has a high altitude, it has become a tourist spot as a highland resort area. During the summer, many tourists visit this lake as a summer resort and a place to enjoy lake sports and fishing, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations.
Along the lake, there is a cycling road with a height difference of approximately 13.5km per lap.
Lake Yamanaka is a popular tourist destination due to its morning and evening scenery and numerous viewing spots of Mt. Fuji, and is visited by approximately 4 million tourists each year. In the morning and evening, you can see many people visiting the lakeshore to take photos, and in the spring and summer, many tourists renting bicycles and boats.
▲There is a parking lot right in front of the lake, and you can see the lake and Mt. Fuji.
➁What kind of place is Lake Kawaguchi?
Lake Kawaguchi is a lake among the Fuji Five Lakes located in Fujikawaguchiko Town, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture. Lake Kawaguchi is unique in that it is the only lake among the Fuji Five Lakes that has an island. Lake Kawaguchi is located second from the east after Lake Yamanaka among the Fuji Five Lakes. With an area of 5.70 km2, it is the second largest of the Fuji Five Lakes after Lake Yamanaka.
Lake Kawaguchi is a lake where black bass is officially recognized as a recreational fishing target. There are many boat rental shops and fishing gear shops in the surrounding area, and even convenience stores carry fishing gear. It is also known nationwide as a bass fishing spot. Lake Kawaguchi is becoming a tourist destination along with Lake Yamanaka, and there are various sightseeing spots.
▲There is a branch in the shape of Mt. Fuji along the lake. Please look for it.
➂What kind of place is Saiko?
Saiko is a lake among the Fuji Five Lakes located in Fujikawaguchiko Town, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture. The surface of the lake is a beautiful cobalt color, giving it a mysterious appearance. It has an area of 2.10㎢, making it the fourth largest of the Fuji Five Lakes from the top.
A unique feature of Lake Saiko is the discovery of the Kunimasu fish, which was said to be extinct.
It is said that the reason why Kunimasu can live in Lake Saiko is because the underground water from Mt. Fuji flows there, and the deep water temperature is always constant, which is suitable for the environment where Kunimasu can live. By the way, it is said that there are currently about 10,000 Kunimasu living here. Lake Saiko’s water quality is highly transparent, and because it is surrounded by a sea of trees, it is a quiet lake that is not easily affected by wind. Therefore, you can see a beautiful reflection of Fuji.
▲There are benches and tables set up by the lake, making it a perfect place to take a break.
▲The famous Aokigahara Sea of Forests stretches out to the south of Lake Saiko.
④What kind of place is Lake Shoji?
Lake Shoji is a lake among the Fuji Five Lakes located in Fujikawaguchiko Town, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture.
The origin of the name Shoji Lake is said to have come from the fact that pilgrims to Mt. Fuji bathed in this lake to purify themselves.
The ritual of soaking in clean water is called “Mokuyoku.”
Mokuyoku means washing the body of dirt and impurities with water.
By the way, “Shojin Keisai” refers to refraining from drinking, eating meat, and cravings, and purifying your mind and body before attending a Shinto ritual or visiting a shrine.
Lake Shoji is a slightly different type of lake from the other Fuji Five Lakes, and it plays an important role as an object of worship for Mt. Fuji.
With an area of 0.50km2, it is the smallest of the Fuji Five Lakes, and its altitude is 900m, the same as Lake Saiko and Lake Motosu. It is a famous fishing spot as it is rich in plankton and there were many anglers on their boards.
▲Lake Shoji is such a sacred place for canoeing that a national canoeing competition is held every year.
⑤What kind of place is Lake Motosu?
▲Lake Motosu is the lake that served as the model for the “Reflection Fuji” depicted on the back of the 1,000 yen bill and the old 5,000 yen bill.
Lake Motosu is a lake among the Fuji Five Lakes located from Fujikawaguchiko-cho, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture to Minobu-cho, Minamikoma-gun. Lake Motosu is located on the westernmost side of the Fuji Five Lakes. With an area of 4.70 km2, it is the third largest of the Fuji Five Lakes, and is 900 m above sea level, the same as Lake Shoji and Lake Saiko.
The image used in the design of the 1,000 yen bill is a work called “Lakeside Spring” taken by photographer Koyo Okada.
▲Pleasure boat “Moguran” Although it has the shape of a submarine, it does not dive because it is a boat. A fish finder is installed and there is a window on the bottom of the boat so you can see what’s going on inside the lake.
⑥Access information to Fuji Five Lakes
Here we will introduce detailed access information to Lake Yamanaka, one of the Fuji Five Lakes. The address of Yamanakako is “Yamanakako Village, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture.”
❶Route from the city center to Lake Yamanaka by car.
| Tokyo IC ⇒ Tomei Expressway ⇒ Gotemba IC ⇒ General road ⇒ Subashiri IC ⇒ Higashi Fuji Goko Road ⇒ Yamanakako IC ⇒ Yamanakako |
Summary
This time, we have provided a thorough explanation of the characteristics of the five lakes located at the foot of Mt. Fuji, the Fuji Five Lakes in Yamanashi Prefecture. The Fuji Five Lakes are tourist spots where you can enjoy resorts and activities, each with their own unique characteristics. The blessings of nature are concentrated in a mysterious atmosphere. When you visit Yamanashi Prefecture, we highly recommend visiting the Fuji Five Lakes.
▲Official website
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