Five Lakes
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Kawaguchiko
Lake Kawaguchiko is the most easily accessible of the Fuji Five Lakes with train and direct bus connections to Tokyo. A hot spring resort town with various tourist attractions and views of Mount Fuji is located around the lake's eastern end, while the northern and western shores are mostly undeveloped. The best views of Mount Fuji can be enjoyed from the lake's northern shores and are particularly breathtaking during the cherry blossom season around mid April and the autumn colors around the first half of November. One of the nicest spots for cherry blossoms is the seaside promenade near the Kawaguchiko Music Forest, while photographers will enjoy the "Koyo Tunnel" for autumn colors, a maple tree covered road section along the lake's northern shore. |
Saiko
Lake Saiko is smaller and much less developed than neighboring Lake Kawaguchiko. The views of Mount Fuji from Lake Saiko's shores are blocked by other mountains, except at the lake's western end from where there are beautiful, full views of the volcano. Lake Saiko is surrounded by wooded mountains and a few camp sites, and is a popular destination for those interested in camping, boating, fishing and other outdoor activities. A network of hiking trails covers the mountains and hills surrounding the lake, as well as Aokigahara Jukai, an expansive forest south of the lake, infamous as a suicide spot and for people getting lost. Several caves, formed during past eruptions of Mount Fuji, can be found around Aokigahara. |
Yamanakako
Lake Yamanakako is the largest of the Fuji Five Lakes and the second most developed lake behind Lake Kawaguchiko with small towns at its western and eastern ends and a few hotels, minshuku, camping grounds and restaurants in between. There are good views of Mount Fuji from around the lake, especially from along its less developed northern shore. Lake Yamanakako is popular among Japanese outdoor sports enthusiasts who enjoy boating, fishing, water skiing, wind surfing and other water sports on the lake, as well as camping, tennis and other activities along its shores. Many sport camps are found around the lake, which become crowded with student athletes during summer holidays. |
Shojiko
Sandwiched between Lake Motosuko and Lake Saiko, Lake Shojiko is the smallest of the Fuji Five Lakes. Together with its two neighbors it was formed when lava flows from Mount Fuji divided a large prehistoric lake into three smaller ones. The lakes seem to remain connected by underground waterways as they always maintain the same water level of 900 meters above sea level. Lake Shojiko borders the Aokigahara Jukai forest and remains largely undeveloped except for a few hotels around its northern shore that enjoy excellent views of Mount Fuji. Outdoor activities such as hiking, camping and fishing are popular around the lake, as well as water sports such as water skiing, jet skiing, wind sailing and boating. |
Motosuko
Lake Motosuko is the westernmost of the Fuji Five Lakes and best known for its appearance on the reverse side of the 1000 yen bill and the former 5000 yen bill. The lake is difficult to access by public transportation and largely undeveloped except for a few campsites around its shores. Outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, fishing, boating and other water sports can be enjoyed around the lake. Lake Motosuko was formed when an eruption by Mount Fuji separated a larger prehistoric lake into three smaller lakes in the 9th century. The resulting three lakes, Motosuko, Saiko and Shojiko, seem to remain connected by underground waterways, as they continue to constantly maintain the same water level of 900 meters above sea level. |