Lake Yamanaka

Lake Yamanaka is one of the Fuji Five Lakes, located in Yamanashi Prefecture near the center of Honshu. It is part of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, and together with Motosu, Shoji, Saiko, Yamanaka, and Kawaguchi, the lakes are collectively known as the Fuji Five Lakes—designated as a national scenic site—and they are also part of the component assets of the World Cultural Heritage site. Around Lake Yamanaka there are many attractions. The sightseeing bus “Fujikko-go” runs 11 times daily from Kawaguchiko Station, passing through Fujiyoshida and Oshino Hakkai and looping around the Lake Yamanaka area. With bus stops at places like Hana-no-Miyako Park and the sightseeing boat pier, it’s easy to tour even without a car. Day trips from the Tokyo area are possible, but staying overnight is also appealing. The Lake Yamanaka Tourism Association includes around 200 lodging facilities, so you can choose from a wide variety of hotels and ryokan to match your needs and budget. Access to Lake Yamanaka: by train from the Tokyo area, take JR Chuo Line to “Otsuki Station,” transfer to the Fujikyu Railway (~50 minutes) to “Fujisan Station,” then take a local bus (Uchino-bound) or the “Fujikko-go” for about 25 minutes. Alternatively, take a Fujikyu local bus from JR “Gotemba Station” (about 40 minutes). By highway bus, from Shinjuku South Exit via Fuji-Q Highland, about 134 minutes. There are also buses from Yokohama Station West Exit operated by Sotetsu Bus and Fujikyu Bus (about 130 minutes). By car, from Tomei Expressway “Gotemba IC,” it’s about 30 minutes via Route 138; or from Chuo Expressway “Kawaguchiko IC,” it’s about 10 minutes via the Higashi-Fuji-Goko Road.