Oshino Village between breathtaking views and relaxation
Oshino Hakkai is a collection of eight ponds in the village of Oshino, fed by the melting snow of Mount Fuji.
Located between the beautiful Lake Kawaguchiko and Lake Yamanako, Oshino Hakkai is a destination where people can spend a few hours admiring the views and enjoying a peaceful environment.
Oshino Hakkai in Yamanashi Prefecture is a collection of eight ponds in Oshino Village, a small village in the Fuji Five Lakes region. The eight ponds are fed by snowmelt from Mount Fuji that has seeped down the mountain through porous layers of lava for over 80 years, creating a very clear spring water that is revered by the locals.
Next to a pond, visitors can drink fresh water directly from the source. The ponds are quite deep and have interesting freshwater plants and large fish. Although the ponds have been turned into tourist attractions and can get quite crowded with visitors, they have a pleasant atmosphere as long as you don't expect pristine nature.
Restaurants, souvenir shops and food vendors around the ponds are a must, selling vegetables, sweets, pickles, handicrafts and other local products. Some operate small outdoor grills to lure shoppers with the alluring smells of roasted sweet potatoes and toasted rice crackers like osenbei.
A small open-air museum, the Hannoki Bayashi Shiryokan, surrounds the largest pond in Oshino Hakkai and contains a traditional thatched-roof farmhouse that can be seen inside and displays various farming tools, household items, samurai armor and weapons.
This small natural beauty located in the traditional village of Oshino is the ideal place for photographers looking for exceptional views of Mount Fuji and for travelers who can appreciate traditional villages.
Of course, Oshino Hakkai is open all year round and at almost any time, a visit here would be a real treat. During the autumn season between September and November, the maples turn a beautiful shade of orange and red and the winds blow the leaves into a dance. In the middle of winter, between December and February, the layers of snow create a fantastic and picturesque scene.
