After wandering around several places to enjoy the beauty of Mount Fuji, we finally found this spot. The atmosphere is quite calm, quiet, and the views are expansive, it's truly a pleasant place. ❤️
Got lucky to visit in a good & less cloudy day. The lake is so pure that I could see fishes swimming around. Quite windy but take time to do some walk around the lake and see different angles of Mt Fuji
A beautiful and relaxing place to enjoy Lake Yamanaka. The ducks are very cute and friendly, making the atmosphere even more peaceful. Great spot for a short walk and photos with a lovely view of Mount Fuji. If you want to feed the ducks, you can buy a can of food for 200 yen.
Lake Yamanakako
Lake Yamanakako Hana no Miyako Park
The one of the five major lakes surrounding Mt. Fuji
Looking for an extraordinary outdoor experience, we strongly recommend you to
visit the lake. If you are looking for an extraordinary outdoor experience, we strongly
recommend you to visit Lake Yamanaka which is a bit further away from the urban
environment surrounding Lake Kawaguchiko. The lake is also part of the five major
lakes surrounding the World Cultural Heritage Site Mount Fuji.
In addition of being the largest of these famed lakes, Lake Yamanaka is also considered
holy and a pilgrimage site for the Fuji-ko faith followers. Families also love the place
and many Japanese hold second houses in the region. So if you are visiting with
kids, get a ride on the Swan Boat which tours the lake before going to feed the geese by
the lakeside or leisurely ride a bike around the lanes surrounding the place.
Due to its high altitude and its shallow water depth, the lake freezes completely in
the winter and many go there for ice-fishing. While this is quite a unique experience,
it is wise to visit on a bright sunny day as the views are spectacular. Early November
is also highly recommended as nature wears stunning red and orange colors.
Probably more beautiful when there are less people and you are not in a tour rushing from spot to spot. If you mean to come here for a photo of mount Fuji, there are better spots like Hikawa Clock Shop or Oshino Hakkai.
This place has mostly been shaped by quiet, practical living and later by tourism.
For a long time, it was simply a highland lake where local communities fished, farmed nearby land, and lived closely with the seasons. Life there was slower and tied directly to the lake’s rhythm.
During the 20th century, especially around World War II, the area saw some military use because of its inland location, but it wasn’t a major battleground—more a place that briefly served national needs before returning to everyday life.
After the war, everything shifted toward recreation. People began coming for the cooler air, the views of Mount Fuji, and outdoor activities. What used to be a working rural lake gradually became a place people go to rest, camp, and reset.
So in a way, its story is pretty simple: a place that started as a livelihood for locals and slowly became somewhere people visit when they want calm, nature, and space to breathe.
