Discover Oshino Hakkai: Mt. Fuji's Pristine Spring Ponds and Traditional Village
Mt. Fuji is Japan's symbolic mountain. Straddling the naturally abundant Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures, it is surrounded by beautiful lakes including the Fuji Five Lakes and other popular mountains for climbing.
Mt. Fuji has an elevation of approximately 3,776m and is covered in snow during most seasons throughout the year. This snow and rainfall become groundwater, creating rich lakes and ponds around Mt. Fuji.
Today, I'll introduce "Oshino Hakkai," famous for its beautiful spring water ponds at the foot of Mt. Fuji. It's a scenic spot offering panoramic views of Mt. Fuji and is a popular tourist destination where many people come to see the beautiful ponds.
I've compiled information about Oshino Hakkai's appeal, history, recommended spots in the area, local cuisine, and information about the clean and delicious spring water. If you're planning to tour around Mt. Fuji, please use this as a reference.
Oshino Hakkai: A Village Area Near Mt. Fuji Famous for Beautiful Spring Water Ponds
Oshino Hakkai is a village area located at the northeastern foot of Mt. Fuji. The region is known for its abundant spring water from Mt. Fuji. It features eight beautiful spring water ponds and is designated as a World Cultural Heritage site as part of Mt. Fuji's constituent properties.
Mt. Fuji is not only a beautiful mountain but has historically been worshipped as sacred. People climbing Mt. Fuji traditionally visited Oshino Hakkai, believed to have spiritual power, to purify their body and mind before climbing. This custom of praying for safety and success during their journey continues today.
Additionally, Oshino Hakkai features traditional Japanese houses around the ponds, including historic homes. It's a spot where you can enjoy beautiful nature-surrounded ponds, historical architecture, and the magnificent view of nearby Mt. Fuji.
Origin of Oshino Hakkai's Name
Oshino Hakkai, written in Japanese kanji, means "8 seas." This name derives from the eight spring water ponds mentioned earlier.
The eight ponds were very sacred and important places visited by Mt. Fuji worshippers for pilgrimage. Each pond at Oshino Hakkai is believed to be home to a dragon god. Furthermore, each pond has various mystical legends.
While Oshino Hakkai consists of relatively small "ponds," they are called "8 seas" out of respect for their significant importance to Mt. Fuji worship, comparing them to mighty seas.
Why is Oshino Hakkai Popular? Explaining its Appeal to Foreign Visitors
Collaboration of Historical Architecture and Majestic Mt. Fuji
The Oshino Hakkai village features traditional Japanese-style old houses. The straw-thatched roof houses and water wheels, no longer used in modern times, create a nostalgic, traditional atmosphere.
Viewing these old houses with Mt. Fuji in the background is like time-traveling to old rural Japan.
Each old house now serves as a souvenir shop or accommodation facility. One of them has become the Hananoki Forest Museum, a folk museum. It's the oldest house in Oshino, built in the late 18th century.
You can explore the interior of this late 18th-century house and see the everyday tools used then. Take a peek into rural Japanese life from about 250 years ago.
Note: The article emphasizes the connection between Mt. Fuji and Oshino Hakkai throughout, highlighting how these two significant landmarks are intertwined both geographically and culturally. All location and museum information has been preserved for tourist reference.
Mystical Scenery Reflected in Highly Transparent Spring Waters
The ponds of Oshino Hakkai are characterized by their exceptionally pure, crystal-clear water. When snow melts on nearby Mt. Fuji, it seeps into the soil and is slowly "filtered" through underground lava. It's believed that this water, filtered over approximately twenty years, emerges as spring water at Oshino Hakkai.
The water, purified over time with impurities removed, is remarkably transparent. The pond water is crystal clear with a blue tint, and when viewed from above, the grass and fish at the deep bottom appear to be floating in mid-air. The surface acts like a mirror, beautifully reflecting the surrounding scenery, captivating visitors.
As mentioned later in the article, Oshino's spring water is also excellent for drinking. You can fill water bottles at designated water collection points to drink on the spot or take home.
Seasonal Landscapes Showing Different Expressions Throughout the Year
One of Oshino Hakkai's major attractions is its beautiful seasonal scenery.
Spring is considered the most beautiful season at Oshino Hakkai. Cherry blossoms bloom magnificently against the backdrop of Mt. Fuji, alongside traditional Japanese houses and ponds. The cherry blossoms peak later than in Tokyo, from mid to late April. At Waku-ike pond, you can see beautiful cherry blossoms reflected in the pond.
Summer's fresh greenery with Mt. Fuji, and winter's bare trees with snow-white Mt. Fuji each have their own distinct charm. My recommendation is autumn, when the traditional Japanese houses and ponds viewed amidst the fall foliage create a gentle, warm atmosphere.
The reflections in the beautiful pond waters change with the seasons, from spring cherry blossoms to autumn foliage. Please explore the charm of each season and capture them in photographs.
5 Must-Visit Recommended Spots When Visiting Oshino Hakkai
Oshino Shinobi no Sato
Source:Official website
Oshino Shinobi no Sato is a ninja-themed amusement village. After entry, guests can rent ninja costumes for about 500 yen. Enjoy a fun ninja experience in the spacious grounds and beautiful Japanese garden.
The main attraction is the "Karakuri House." The house contains many ninja tricks and devices. Find hidden doors and passages while escaping the house using its mechanisms to avoid enemy attacks.
There's also an athletic course for ninja training and a shuriken dojo where you can practice throwing ninja stars. The theater features staged ninja shows. This spot is recommended for families with children or friends looking to have fun together.
Address: 2845 Shinobu, Oshino Village, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture
Hours: Weekdays 10:00-16:00, Holidays 9:00-17:00
Closed: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Phone: 0555841122
Official Website: http://www.oshinoninja.com/
Waku-ike Pond
Waku-ike is Oshino Hakkai's representative pond with the highest spring water volume.
The highlight is the beautiful blue transparent water. The pond is 4m deep, but despite its depth, the bottom is clearly visible due to the extremely clear water.
From above, you can see koi carp swimming leisurely in the pond. The incredibly transparent water and the koi swimming in the sunlight create a breathtakingly beautiful sight.
Waku-ike has a legend about Konohanasakuya-hime, the goddess of Mt. Fuji. It's said that when Mt. Fuji erupted long ago, the goddess made this pond spring forth from the lava for people seeking water.
In spring, you can capture photos of cherry blossoms around the pond reflecting on the water's surface.
Located along the lively souvenir street, it's easily accessible. When visiting Oshino Hakkai, first visit Waku-ike to see the amazingly transparent water.
Address: 354 Shinobu, Oshino Village, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture
Hours: 24 hours
Closed: Never
Phone: 0555847794
Official Website: http://www.oshino.jp/
Mirror Pond (Kagami-ike)
Source:Google Maps
Mirror Pond is a pool located near the spring-fed pond. Though small with a depth of only 30cm, its water clarity and beauty are extraordinary.
The highlight of Mirror Pond is that on clear days, you can see the beautiful reflection of Mt. Fuji on its crystal-clear surface. It's famous as a spot where you can see Mt. Fuji perfectly reflected as if in a mirror.
There's also a legend that the water in this pond has the power to distinguish between good and evil. When villagers had disputes, they would bathe in this pond's water to resolve their conflicts.
To see the reflected Mt. Fuji, certain conditions must be met: there should be no rain for several days to avoid murky water, the sky should be clear with few clouds, and there should be no wind. If you visit Oshino Hakkai on such a day, don't miss this spectacular view.
Iris Pond (Shobu-ike)
Source:Google Maps
Iris Pond is located right next to the previously mentioned Mirror Pond.
Large iris flowers grow in Shobu-ike. In summer, they grow over 1 meter tall and produce beautiful blooms. Legend has it that wrapping these pond irises around your body can cure illness.
When I visited, the water was crystal clear and beautiful, and I found it therapeutic watching orange koi carp swimming leisurely. There's a park nearby where people were relaxing while enjoying views of the pond and koi.
On clear days, you can also see Mt. Fuji's reflection in this pond. As it's less crowded than other ponds, it's recommended as a relaxation spot.
When visiting Oshino Hakkai, enjoy local food and exquisite dishes made with spring water!
Oshino Soba
The most famous local delicacy is the delicious Oshino soba.
The appeal of Oshino soba lies in its healthy and natural taste. Yamanashi Prefecture, where Oshino is located, is known for its buckwheat flour production. As mentioned earlier, Oshino is blessed with high-quality spring water from Mt. Fuji.
Oshino soba is made using this buckwheat flour and pure water. My recommended restaurant for Oshino soba is "Ikemoto Chaya," located near "Wakuike" (Spring Pond). Their additive-free, smooth-textured soba is exceptional.
I ordered the "Mountain Vegetable Soba." It's a hot soup noodle dish generously topped with mountain vegetables and mushrooms. The vegetables were sweet, and the soup had a pure, sweet taste. Though a simple menu item, it was incredibly delicious.
Ikemoto Chaya is one of the most popular restaurants in Oshino Hakkai. Please try their high-quality soba.
- Address: 354 Oshino, Oshino-mura, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture
- Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Closed: Irregular
- Phone: 0555841009
- Official Website: https://oshino-navi.com/archives/gallery/649
Hoto
Hoto is a specialty dish of Yamanashi Prefecture, where Oshino Hakkai is located. It's a dish of flat wheat noodles simmered with vegetables and mushrooms in miso soup.
At "Shokujidokoro Irori" in Oshino Hakkai, you can enjoy delicious hoto made with quality water.
Irori's hoto is served in a large iron pot with generous portions. It's packed with vegetables, and the umami of the vegetables and sweetness of miso are well-infused into the soup.
The hoto noodles have a chewy texture with excellent mouthfeel. The pot is served on a burner, so you can enjoy it piping hot, which enhances the flavor even more.
Please try this Yamanashi specialty dish that's said to be addictive after just one taste.
- Address: 200-1 Oshino, Oshino-mura, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture
- Hours: 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM, 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM
- Closed: Tuesdays and other irregular holidays
- Phone: 0555843741
- Official Website: https://oshino-irori.com/
Grilled Rainbow Trout with Salt
Rainbow trout is a common river fish found in Japan's pristine rivers and ponds. When grilled with salt, it's delicious and commonly enjoyed in areas with beautiful rivers, especially during outdoor activities like fishing and camping.
The rainbow trout from Oshino Hakkai, a collection of eight spring-fed ponds near Mt. Fuji, is raised in crystal-clear spring water, resulting in fish without any fishy smell. This makes it famous even among people who typically dislike the smell of river fish or fish in general.
"Maruten Sakana-ya," located near one of the eight ponds called Okama Pond, is a restaurant known for serving delicious rainbow trout without any fishy odor.
The firm-fleshed rainbow trout at Maruten Sakana-ya is surprisingly free of any fishy smell. The perfect amount of salt in the grilled fish makes the accompanying rice taste exceptionally sweet and delicious.
From inside the restaurant, you can view Okama Pond. The tatami room features a glass floor where you can walk above the pond. If you'd like to try fresh, delicious fish unique to the Oshino area near Mt. Fuji, please visit Maruten Sakana-ya.
- Address: 114 Oshino, Oshino Village, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture
- Hours: 11:00 - 14:30
- Closed: Wednesdays
- Phone: 0555842109
- Official Website: http://maruten.asia/meals.html
The Must-Have Souvenir from Oshino Hakkai! Take Home Mt. Fuji's Spring Water
At Oshino Hakkai, you can collect clean, delicious spring water for free. The water is tested for quality and is completely safe to drink.
There are three main water collection points:
The first is "Kamahata no Mizu" in front of the spring pond, which has eight taps. Bring your own container or purchase a plastic bottle (150 yen) or water tank (600 yen) from nearby shops.
You can also collect water at "Ikemoto Store" near the middle pond. Being indoors, it's convenient on rainy days. As it's a large store, containers are readily available for purchase.
There's also a small water collection point at Restaurant Ikemoto Chaya, mentioned earlier in the article, located beside the spring pond.
When visiting Oshino Hakkai, don't forget to take home some of Oshino's water, which is selected as one of Japan's top 100 quality water sources.
Access to Oshino Hakkai
- Address: Oshino, Oshino Village, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture
- Access:
From Shinjuku Station, take JR Chuo Line to Otsuki Station (about 90 minutes)
From Otsuki Station, take Fujikyu Railway Otsuki Line to Mt. Fuji Station (about 50 minutes)
From Mt. Fuji Station, either:
Take the local bus [bound for Uchino] and get off at "Oshino Hakkai Entrance" bus stop
Take the local bus [via Fanuc bound for Hirano] or "Fujikko-go" and get off at "Oshino Hakkai (Ohashi)" bus stop
Or
Take the Highway Express Bus [bound for Fuji Five Lakes area] from Shinjuku Station and get off at "Oshino Hakkai" bus stop (about 140 minutes)
- Hours: 24 hours
- Closed: Never
- Phone: 0555844222
- Official Website: http://www.oshino.jp/