What other travelers are saying about Yamanakako Oshino Fujiyoshida Line
Oshino Hakkai is a very nice place with traditional Japanese vibes. Walking around here feels like you go back to old times, very calm and nostalgic.
You can also see Mount Fuji from here on a clear day, which makes the view even more special. For me, the best moment to visit Oshino Hakkai is around sunset, when the light becomes softer and the atmosphere feels more peaceful.
There are many unique local foods you can try and souvenir stores around the area, so it’s nice to explore slowly. You will also find many ponds, which are very beautiful and interesting to see.
Overall, Oshino Hakkai is a good place to walk, eat, take photos, and enjoy a traditional side of Japan. Very relaxing and memorable spot.
The Yamanakako Oshino Fujiyoshida bus line connects Lake Yamanaka, Oshino Hakkai, and Fujiyoshida city in the Mount Fuji region. Buses typically run every 30-60 minutes during peak season, with reduced frequency in winter. The complete route takes approximately 45 minutes and operates from early morning until evening, connecting major tourist attractions around Mount Fuji's northern area.
Bus fares on the Yamanakako Oshino Fujiyoshida line vary by distance, typically ranging from 200-800 yen per segment. A day pass covering the entire route costs around 1,500 yen and offers unlimited rides. Children receive 50% discounts, and IC cards like Suica are accepted. Multi-day passes and tourist combo tickets including Mount Fuji area attractions are also available.
Key bus stops include Yamanakako Asahigaoka (Lake Yamanaka), Oshino Hakkai (famous eight ponds), Fujiyoshida Station, and Kawaguchiko Station. Other important stops are Yamanakako Village Office, Oshino Village, Mount Fuji Station, and various hotels and tourist facilities. Each stop is clearly marked in Japanese and English, making navigation easy for international travelers.
Yes, the Yamanakako Oshino Fujiyoshida bus route offers spectacular Mount Fuji views on clear days, especially between Lake Yamanaka and Oshino Hakkai. The best viewing seats are on the right side when traveling from Yamanakako toward Fujiyoshida. Weather conditions greatly affect visibility, with early morning and late afternoon typically providing the clearest Mount Fuji views during this scenic bus journey.
Yamanakako Oshino Fujiyoshida bus tickets can be purchased directly from the driver with exact change, at bus terminals, or using IC cards like Suica and Pasmo. Day passes are available at major stations, tourist information centers, and some hotels. Online booking is available through official websites, and travel agencies offer combination tickets including bus fare and attraction entries for the Mount Fuji region.
Such a beautiful and lovely place to visit, and should be part of your itinerary when visiting Mount Fuji. The ponds a crutal clear, and they have vendors selling fresh fruits, salt-grilled mackerel, peach tea, as well as snacks and coffee. There is also a functioning water mill, although the gears connecting to the mill devices are not connected. Overall, worth the trip to come here.
This village is centered round a series of pools whose waters have healing and spiritual properties according to followers of Japan's Shinto religion. The village lies under Mount Fuji although as we were there snow clouds were gathering on the mountain top and flurries were blowing through the village. In addition to the pools as the main attraction there is a large souvenir and foodstuff market as well as individual food vendors often based in traditional thatched buildings. The villages cultural importance is however the pools as an adjunct to Mount Fuji's status as World Cultural Importance. We visited on the weekend of a major local holiday so it was very, very busy
As part of our day trip to experience Fujisan, we arrived at Oshino Hakkai 忍野八海. The location is a famous group of eight clear spring ponds located in Oshino Village, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. These ponds are fed by snowmelt from Mount Fuji that has filtered through porous volcanic layers over decades, resulting in crystal-clear water revered for its purity and beauty. The site is a designated natural monument and part of the Mount Fuji World Heritage area. The eight ponds are remnants of a much larger ancient lake called Utsu Lake, which was divided and partially dried up by volcanic activity hundreds of years ago. Today, Oshino Hakkai is a popular tourist spot known for its picturesque landscape combining traditional thatched roof buildings, water wheels, and reflections of Mount Fuji in the tranquil ponds. It has religious and cultural significance, historically serving as a pilgrimage site for mountain worshippers who purified themselves in the waters before climbing Mount Fuji. We drank the fresh spring water directly from the ponds. Oshino Hakkai’s spring water is recognized as among Japan’s top quality waters and is used locally for drinking, irrigation, and even hydropower. The area also features scenic walking paths and bridges around the ponds, making it a serene destination to appreciate nature and traditional Japanese rural scenery with the iconic view of Mount Fuji nearby. We had lunch (Grilled fish, squid, rice, fried chicken, fish cakes, 草餅) at a local restaurant as per our guide’s recommendation.
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!
