Yamanashi, Japan: Oshino Hakkai
Travel Date: May 2025
We took a bus from Mt. Fuji station, dropped by Oshinohakkai.
We took the nature pathway going to the market area.
Oshino Hakkai (忍野八海) is a touristy set of eight ponds in Oshino, a small village in the Fuji Five Lake region, located between Lake Kawaguchiko and Lake Yamanakako on the site of a former sixth lake that dried out several hundred years ago. [Reference]
Upon arrival in Oshino Hakkai, Fuji also started to hide. Having Fuji in the background has a big impact on visiting Yamanashi. We actually skipped a museum and paid observation deck since there's no Fuji on that day.
Nakaike Pond, not counted in the 8 official ponds, is the most crowded. To get here, you need to enter the Main Souvenir Store that opens at 7am. They also have a drinking area where the water came from Mt Fuji, we have just chosen to skip that experience.
Inside the store, there are snack bars, finger food, postcards and more souvenir items.
We have not visited all the 8 ponds. We have only visited those that are near the main street.
It's good to know about the legend of the ponds before visiting the place. Read more here.
Okama-ike (Pot Pond) No. #2: The smallest of the eight ponds.
Nigori-ike (Unclear Pond): - No. #6: According to legend, the pond's waters were once so clean they could be drunk, but after the landowner refused to give water to a temple helper who appeared as a beggar, the pond turned muddy.
Choshi-ike (Sake Server Pond) No. #4.
We bought some warabi mochi and chestnut ice cream along the way.
There's also a store with stamping in exchange for a small donation.
Overall, we did enjoy the nature walk and the street food in our visit to Oshino Hakkai, even if Fuji is hiding.
How to get there
Oshino Hakkai (the Eight Seas of Oshino)
Shibokusa, Oshino, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0511, Japan
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