What other travelers are saying about Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nemba (Traditional Japanese Village), Fujikawaguchiko
Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nemba is a beautiful and charming traditional Japanese village. The thatched-roof houses set against the backdrop of mountains and the lake look straight out of a postcard. The atmosphere is peaceful, clean, and well maintained. It’s perfect for a relaxing stroll, taking photos, and experiencing authentic Japanese culture. A place that truly makes you slow down and enjoy the moment.
Admission is ¥500 for adults (high school students and above) and ¥250 for children (elementary and junior high school students). Group discounts are available for parties of 20 or more people.
Take a train to Kawaguchiko Station, then board the Omni Bus Green Line (Saiko Line) to reach the village. Various bus passes are available for the Fuji Five Lakes region to help with transportation costs.
You can explore 20 traditional thatched-roof houses that serve as craft workshops, museums, galleries, restaurants, and shops. Traditional craft-making activities are available, and you can rent traditional Japanese costumes for ¥2,000 per person with advance reservation for photos.
No, it's a reconstruction. The original farming village was destroyed by a landslide during a typhoon on September 25, 1966, killing 63 people and destroying 37 houses. The current village was recreated in 2006 to preserve traditional Japanese rural heritage.
Yes, the village is located beneath Mt. Fuji on the northwestern shore of Lake Saiko, offering spectacular views of Japan's most iconic mountain. The scenery is particularly stunning during cherry blossom season when the village is surrounded by pink blooms.
Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba is a beautifully reconstructed traditional village at the foot of Mt. Fuji that truly feels like stepping back in time. It’s a peaceful escape from the city and a wonderful place to experience Japan’s rural heritage.
The village features charming thatched-roof houses, each with its own unique character. Many of them function as workshops or small galleries showcasing traditional crafts such as woodworking, pottery, silk weaving, and natural dyeing. Some houses also sell local food and handmade souvenirs, making the visit both educational and enjoyable.
Kimono rental is available on-site, which adds to the experience. Walking through the village in traditional Japanese attire makes the atmosphere feel even more immersive and is perfect for photos.
The setting is calm and relaxing, with moss-covered roofs, wooden pathways, a koi pond near the entrance, and beautiful natural surroundings. Even on cloudy days when Mt. Fuji is only faintly visible or not visible at all, the village remains incredibly scenic. The area is easy to explore and can be comfortably covered in about two hours.
With an affordable entrance fee of ¥500 and a serene, cultural atmosphere, Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba is a hidden gem near Mt. Fuji. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a slow, meaningful, and culturally rich travel experience.
This is such a charming village. We arrived here on an overcast day and bought tickets before entering the place. I love the koi pond in front, near the ticket booth. The buildings are so interesting and it was great to be able to see a bit of how the houses were back then. Each house has it's own distinctive character. Visitors can walk around the grounds and can even enter some of the houses to check out each structure internally up close! The compound is not that large so it is quite easy to cover the entire grounds in one loop. Since it was an overcast day, we also missed the obligatory Mt Fuji sighting during our visit but we hope to catch a glimpse elsewhere at another time.
This is a reconstructed traditional Japanese village within sight Mount Fuji. The thatched houses, of which there are around 25 serve different modern purposes ranging from a Sustainability Museum to cafes and gift shops. It is also possible that you'll bump into a fully outfitted Samurai and his family. The more of the village is clearly the grain mill and the mill run descends through the village to the water wheel. All in all a very interesting visit.
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Very beautiful traditional village with old style Japanese houses. The environment is peaceful and the Mount Fuji view is very nice when the weather is clear. Good place for photos.
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C. Foo Jun
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