Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji, or Fujisan, is an active volcano rising to 3776 metres above sea level and is little more than 100 km from Tokyo. It is instantly recognisable and is emblematic of Japan.
The Five Lakes of Yamanaka, Kawaguchi, Sai, Motosu, and Shoji all give an opportunity for taking iconic images of Mount Fuji with a water foreground. Nearby, Oshino and The Sacred Eight Ponds made a wonderful place to unwind with direct views of Mount Fuji from my room. It was my first stay in a traditionally styled Japanese guesthouse or Minshuku. The room had tatami mat floors and in the evening a couple of futon mattresses are rolled out ready for bed. It made a comfortable and peaceful base which I returned to in 2019 for the cherry blossom season (Sakura). Breakfast and a beautifully presented traditional supper were included with the accommodation and made for a delightful experience of Japanese hospitality.
The largest of the Five Lakes, Yamanaka, is separate from the other four and is closest to Oshino. It is just over an hour’s walk away. The Fujikko-go mini bus runs between Lake Kawaguchi and Lake Yamanaka stopping at Oshino. The views from both lakes towards Mount Fuji are mesmerising especially during the cherry blossom season.
For a perfect blend of Mount Fuji, cherry blossom and a pagoda, the Arakurayama Sengen Park is well worth a visit. It’s an easy hike through the park to the Chureito Pagoda. The view of Mount Fuji draws large crowds during Sakura, but the majesty of it all makes the human presence pale into insignificance.
