What other travelers are saying about Oshino Hakkai (the Eight Seas of Oshino)
We visited Oshino Hakkai mid afternoon on a clear day, and the views were amazing with Mt. Fuji right behind the village. It was pretty crowded, but we still enjoyed walking around and checking out the super clear ponds. The fresh Fuji apples and dango from the shops were really good too. Overall, a nice stop even with the crowds.
A wonderful Japanese village with a magnificent view of Mount Fuji! The small village itself has a lot to offer with its great soba restaurants and the beautifully clear streams and ponds. You can see huge trout swimming around, and you can even order them as a snack at the next restaurant.
I’m deducting a small star only because of the many tourists, but the village lives off them, so it’s all good.
Highly recommended!
Oshino Hakkai is a beautiful and serene village area known for its crystal-clear spring ponds fed by Mt. Fuji’s snowmelt. The entire place feels calm and refreshing, with traditional thatched-roof houses and charming bridges adding to the scenic appeal. The ponds are incredibly clear, offering amazing reflections and views of the aquatic plants beneath.
There are also small shops and snack stalls around, making it a pleasant place to walk, explore, and enjoy local flavors. A peaceful and picturesque stop that perfectly complements any Mt. Fuji or Lake Yamanaka trip.
This place was beautiful and amazing to visit and experience. Even though it was a cloudy day, the spring waters were clear and beautiful. This place stays crowded, but you can escape that. Many places to try snacks and foods. The souvenir shops had a lot of good items. You can purchase fruits and many local foods. Their are walkable areas to enjoy some quietness. If you can book a group tour, it's better.
A very special indeed museum village which is an UNESCO World Heritage site.
The village has 8 ponds which are considered sacred to the pilgrims who go to visit Fujisan.
On a perfect day you can see the best views of Mount Fuji from the village.
There is no entrance fee to visit the ponds and the village.
Also a great Market is at the entrance to the village on the right side.
Against a fee of 300 Yen we visited also the Hannokibayashi Folklore Museum.
I personally recommend 2 hours for the visit.
If you are coming by car a lot of parking spaces are near the entrance ( 200 - 300 meters by foot ).
On the road from the parking spots to the main village entrance are a lot of tasty foos stalls. We ate some tasty fried baby octopuses, some Wagyu Skewers and some super tasty donuts.
Jump over if you are in the region. It worth it.
Visiting the ponds at Oshino Hakkai is free of charge. However, entry to the Hannoki Bayashi Shiryokan open-air museum, which includes access to Sokonashi-ike Pond, requires a small admission fee.
The Hannoki Bayashi Shiryokan is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Before planning your visit, it's advisable to check for any seasonal variations or special closures.
Yes, the area surrounding the ponds features numerous restaurants and food vendors offering local specialties, such as grilled sweet potatoes and toasted rice crackers. These establishments provide a variety of options for visitors to enjoy.
Yes, there are several private parking lots available near Oshino Hakkai. Parking fees are typically around 300 yen per visit for regular cars. These lots are conveniently located within walking distance of the ponds.
The cherry blossom season at Oshino Hakkai typically occurs in mid to late April, slightly later than around Lake Kawaguchiko. During this period, visitors can enjoy walking along the nearby cherry tree-lined river with views of the blossoms in combination with Mount Fuji.
