Fuji Five Lakes

Mount Fuji has long been regarded as a symbol of the Japanese nation. At the northern foot of Mount Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture, there are five lakes formed by eruptions of the mountain, namely Lake Yamanaka, Lake Kawaguchi, Lake Saiko, Lake Shojiko and Lake Motosu, collectively known as the Fuji Five Lakes.

Overview of the Five Lakes

The Fuji Five Lakes are located in Yamanashi Prefecture at the foot of Mount Fuji, they are all barrier lakes formed by the eruptions of Mount Fuji, with an average elevation of 900 meters above sea level. Surrounded by mountains and dense forests, the lakes reflect the majestic posture of Mount Fuji, and the lakeshore is dotted with many natural and cultural attractions. The Fuji Five Lakes were inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2013 as part of the sacred Mount Fuji Culture, and have become a popular tourist attraction in Japan.

The Fuji Five Lakes are Lake Yamanaka, Lake Kawaguchi, Lake Saiko, Lake Shojiko and Lake Motosu, in reverse clockwise order. Lake Yamanaka is relatively isolated in the northeast of Mt. Fuji, while the other four lakes are close together.

Lake Kawaguchi

Lake Kawaguchi (河口湖) is easily accessible by highway buses and is connected to Tokyo by train, thus many people regard Kawaguchi as a starting point for their visit to the Fuji Five Lakes. Lake Kawaguchi is highly developed, with several art galleries, museums, shrines and temples, as well as commercial facilities such as hot spring hotels and restaurants by the lakeside. The “Reversed Fuji” (逆さ富士) landscape of Kawaguchi is well-known in Japan.

Fuji Five Lakes - Lake Kawaguchiko

Starting Point of the Five Lakes Tour

Lake Kawaguchi (河口湖) is located at the northern foot of Mount Fuji, with an area of approximately 5.6 square kilometers, second only to the largest Lake Yamanaka (山中湖). Lake Kawaguchi is easily accessible, with many art galleries and museums, as well as hotels and private residences by its side. The northern shore of the lake is a perfect place to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Mount Fuji.

Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center And Oishi Park

Stunning Fuji and Sea of Flowers

The Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center is located on the north shore of Lake Kawaguchiko, by the Oishi Park, where flowers are planted in all seasons, and is a perfect place to look out over Mount Fuji. Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center offers food, coffee, and a variety of blueberry specialties where visitors can make their own jams.

Lake Yamanaka

With an area of 6.78 square kilometers, Lake Yamanaka (山中湖) is the largest of the Fuji Five Lakes, and at 980 meters above sea level. Mount Fuji can be seen from any location on the shores of Lake Yamanaka, and the Nagaike Shinsui Park (長池親水公園), Asahi-gaoka Lakeside Park (旭日丘湖畔緑地公園), Hirano-no-hama Beach (平野の浜) and Lake Yamanaka Plaza Kirara are popular viewing places by the lake.

Fuji Five Lakes - Lake Yamanakako

The Largest of the Five Lakes

Lake Yamanakako in the northeastern part of Mount Fuji is the largest of the Fuji Five Lakes, and you can enjoy a view of Mount Fuji from anywhere by the lake. The shore of Lake Yamanakako has a cycling lane, as well as scenic spots such as Nagaike Waterfront Park and Asahigaoka Lakeside Greenspace Park.

Lake Saiko

Lake Saiko (西湖) is located to the west of Lake Kawaguchi, surrounded by mountains on three sides and densely forested, and the famous Aokigahara Sea of Trees (青木ヶ原樹海) is located here. With its clear water, Lake Saiko is also known as Maiden’s Lake. There are many campsites and caravan sites around the lake, as well as the most popular Fugaku Wind Cave (富岳風穴), the Narusawa Ice Cave (嗚澤冰穴) and the Lake Saiko Bat Cave, all of them are natural lava caves.

Fuji Five Lakes - Lake Saiko

Lake of Maidens with Clear Blue Water

Lake Saiko is located west of Kawaguchi Lake and covers an area of about 2 square kilometers. The lake is also known as the Maiden Lake because of its clear, azure water. Embraced by mountains on three sides, the Lake Saiko features surrounding dense forests, and sights nearby such as the Fugaku Wind Cave, the Bat Cave, and Aokigahara Jukai Forest.

Lake Shoji

Lake Shoji (精進湖) has a surface of only 0.5 square kilometers, making it the smallest of the five Fuji lakes. Looking east from the shore of Lake Shoji, Mount Fuji is standing right behind Mount Omuro, it is known as “Fuji Hugging Her Child” (子抱き富士). On the northern shore of Lake Shoji is the Shoji-suwa Shrine (精進诹访神社), it is the faith center of local people, where standing a 40-meter-tall cedar called Big Cedar of Shoji (精進の大杉).

Fuji Five Lakes - Lake Shojiko

The Child-Cuddling Fuji

Lake Shojiko is the smallest of the Fuji Five Lakes, with a surface area of only 0.5 square kilometers, and is also a barrier lake formed by the eruption of Mount Fuji. The view from Lake Shojiko towards Mount Fuji shows the silhouette of Mount Oomuro, which is known as the view of Kodaki Fuji.

Shoji Suwa Shrine

Giant Cedar Tree of Shoji

Shoji Suwa Shrine is located in the village north of Lake Shojiko and is a center of faith for local residents. The shrine has only one main shrine, which was rebuilt in 1843. There is a giant cedar tree inside Seikin Suwa Shrine, which is about 40 meters tall and is called "Shoji no Osugi".

Lake Motosu

Lake Motosu (本栖湖), not far from Lake Shoji, is the deepest of the five lakes, with a depth of 138 meters. It is said that there is a waterway at the bottom of Lake Motosu, Lake Shoji and Lake Saiko, so the surface levels of the three lakes are the same all year round.

Attractions in Fuji Five Lakes

• Fuji Five Lakes - Lake Kawaguchiko
• Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center And Oishi Park
• Fuji Omuro Sengen Jinja Shrine
• Fuji Five Lakes - Lake Yamanakako
• Oshino Hakkai Springs
• Fuji Five Lakes - Lake Saiko
• Fuji Five Lakes - Lake Shojiko
• Shoji Suwa Shrine
• Kawaguchi Asama Shrine
• Yamanakako Communication Plaza KIRARA