Fuji Motosuko Resort, Fujikawaguchiko

Fuji Motosuko Resort is located on the northern shore of Lake Motosu, one of the Fuji Five Lakes in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. Lake Motosu holds particular significance as the body of water featured on the reverse side of the 1,000 yen banknote and the older 5,000 yen note, making it one of Japan's most iconic views. The lake sits at an elevation of approximately 900 meters and is known for having the clearest water among the Five Lakes, with visibility reaching depths of 12 meters or more.

The resort provides direct access to one of the most photographed viewpoints of Mount Fuji, offering the classic reverse perspective that appears on Japanese currency. Lake Motosu was formed by volcanic activity from Mount Fuji and is connected underground to nearby Lake Shoji and Lake Saiko, creating a unique hydrological system. The area became internationally recognized when it was designated part of the Fujisan World Heritage Site in 2013, acknowledging its cultural and aesthetic value in relation to Japan's sacred mountain.

Visitors to Fuji Motosuko Resort can engage in various seasonal activities including camping, fishing for rainbow trout and black bass, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding. The resort serves as a base for those attempting to climb Mount Fuji via the less-crowded northern routes during the official climbing season. Winter visitors come for the Fuji Shibazakura Festival held nearby, featuring over 800,000 pink moss phlox blooms against the backdrop of Mount Fuji. The lakeshore provides walking trails and picnic areas, with autumn bringing spectacular foliage reflections on the lake's mirror-like surface.

The resort is accessible by car via the Chuo Expressway, approximately 2 hours from Tokyo. Take the Kawaguchiko IC exit and continue for about 20 minutes along Route 139. Public transportation options include taking the JR Chuo Line to Otsuki Station, then transferring to the Fujikyu Railway to Kawaguchiko Station, followed by a 30-minute bus ride to the Motosu area. Limited bus services operate year-round, with increased frequency during peak seasons. Admission to the lakeshore areas is free, though specific facilities within the resort may charge separate fees for equipment rentals, camping sites, and other amenities.