Oshino Hakkai is an attraction in the Mount Fuji region made up of eight spring water ponds full of natural snow melted water that has dripped down from Mount Fuji. Since its natural occurrence more than 80 years ago, it’s now been filtered to be completely pristine clear and is considered sacred by many. These eight ponds fill the grounds of Oshino Hakkai, and you can visit them all via the many pretty bridges and pathways which lead around the sight.
This small site situated in the traditional Oshino village within the Fuji Five Lakes Region is the place to be for photographers looking for premium views of Mount Fuji as well as travellers who can appreciate traditional villages. Situated between the beastie Lake Kawaguchiko and Lake Yamanako, it’s a popular stopover destination where people can spend a few hours taking in the views and enjoying a peaceful ambience, despite the numbers that this place draws. It’s actually free to enter, and is open 24-hours too!
If you’re spending a day within the Fuji Five Lakes region, we highly recommend slotting in a few hours at this quaint village for some unique photographic opportunities.
If you’re traveling with your own itinerary, the closest station to Oshino Hakkai is Fujisan Station. From Kawaguchiko, take the Fujikyuko Line to Fujisan Station, and hop on either the Fujikko tourist bus or Mount Fuji World Heritage Loop bus, both of which stop over at Oshino Hakkai bus stop once or twice per hour.
If you’d like to join a tour group and remove the hassle of having to organise getting to and from yourself, this tour is the perfect choice. You’ll start off by traveling from Tokyo via a tour bus (there are multiple pick up points so you can pick and choose whichever one is the most convenient for you), and you will be taken to some of the best points around Mount Fuji, including the famous Fifth Station, Lake Kawaguchi, Gotemba Premium Outlets, and, of course, Oshino Hakkai before heading back to Tokyo – and you won’t even have to lift a finger.
Interested? Book the tour here now.
If you’d like to stay around the Fuji Five Lakes area, then we recommend Hostel Fujisan YOU. This quaint little hostel packs quite a punch, with a convenient location just minutes away from Fujisan Station, free Wi-Fi, a spacious shared lounge and well-equipped shared kitchen, and the option for bike hire and luggage storage.
On a good day, you’ll be able to experience an epic view of Mount Fuji right outside the hostel! This is a great stay, especially on a budget, as you can get to many other local attractions quite easily, including Fujiyama Onsen, Ararayama Shrine, and Fuji-Q Highland Amusement Park.
Guest Tips: There’s luggage drop-off between 8:00am and 8:00pm, so if you’re arriving earlier or need to get something stat, just drop off your luggage and off you go! The home-made bread and breakfast is a treat, so try not to skip it.
Book It Now: Hostel Fujisan YOU
If you’re looking for a funky and premium stay in the Fujisan region, the Highland Resort Hotel & Spa, located right alongside the Fuji-Q Highland Amusement Park, is a great option.
This luxurious ryokan hotel offers stunning sweeping views of Mount Fuji from its quest rooms, huge public onsen baths as well as spa facilities, and a great selection of on-site restaurants. There’s also free luggage storage and free parking facilities available to guests as well.
The best thing about this hotel? There are some epic themed guest rooms that you can choose from, some of which are magical throwbacks to your childhood! If you’re interested, we recommend checking out their range of guest rooms now and book something in for your dates asap!
Guest Tips: If you’re a guest here, you can get a free or discounted full day pass for Fuji-Q Highlands, just ask the reception desk. The food offered at the breakfast buffet is not your usual fare and definitely worth your time to check out.
Book It Now: Highland Resort Hotel & Spa
Of course, Oshino Hakkai is open throughout the year and pretty much at any given time, a visit here would be an absolute treat. However, if you’re looking for that extra oomph, during the autumn season between September and November, the maple trees turn a stunning orange and red hue, and the winds blow the leaves around the site to create a gorgeous landscape. In the thick of winter between December to February, layers of snow create somewhat of a Winter Wonderland here, making it absolutely picturesque.
One of the ponds, Waku Pond, is renowned for having such clean mineral-rich spring water that you can actually drink straight from the pond itself. Bring along an empty bottle to fill; otherwise, there are empty bottles there for you to purchase to fill and take some home if you want.
In 1985, the Ministry of the Environment in Japan actually ranked the water here as one of Japan’s best spring water, so if you’re looking for some validation, here it is!
If you’re a tad peckish, we highly recommend that you explore the little food area in the middle of the site. Here, you will find an adorable coffee and ice cream stall which sells unique treats such as tofu served with miso infused pickles as well as ‘kusamochi’, a mugwort flavoured green rice cake filled with red bean paste. Now, if you’re a Japan aficionado, you’ll know how seriously the Japanese people take their sweets, so you know you absolutely have to try this before you go!
This small open-air museum located right in the middle of Oshino Hakkai features a gorgeous selection of traditional thatched roof structures that are reminiscent of Old Japan. Unlike many of these small historic thatched-roof display houses, you can enter these ones to view the interior as well as witness such items as traditional farming tools, household items, samurai armour, and even weapons! The largest pond in Oshino Hakkai is actually located in this museum.
May we add that, against the background of the enormous and stunning Mount Fuji, this is one of the most perfect photo opportunities you can get!
Because of how crystal clear the waters at Oshino Hakkai are, they’re actually a great place to witness some beautiful koi fish. If you walk around any of the ponds, whether it be Wakuike pond or Sokonashikke pond, look past the intensely clear reflections of the luscious foliage surrounding the water and you’ll spot some magnificent brightly coloured koi fish.
Whilst Oshino Hakkai won’t necessarily take up too much of your time, it’s somewhere where you’ll be able to experience great appreciation for the traditions of Japan that set them so far apart from other cultures. Take some time to relax here, appreciate the natural landscape of Fuji Five Lakes, and take some Instagram-worthy photos!
And if you want more amazing spots near Mount Fuji, check this out: Mount Fuji Viewpoints.