Oshino Hakkai Village

Oshino Hakkai is a group of spring-fed ponds designated as a Natural Monument, with water sourced from Mt. Fuji’s underground meltwater (subterranean flow). It is also one of the component assets of the World Cultural Heritage site “Mt. Fuji.” The name refers to eight spring ponds: Shobu-ike, Kagami-ike, Nigorii-ike, Deguchi-ike, Okama-ike, Soko-nashi-ike, Choshi-ike, and Waku-ike. Historically, going back to the Edo period, this area was visited by pilgrims to cleanse themselves (misogi) before entering Mt. Fuji, making it a sacred pilgrimage site of Mt. Fuji worship. The ponds are traditionally associated with an order of purification from the first sacred site to the eighth. Visit to enjoy the grand view of Mt. Fuji along with the solemn, mysterious atmosphere of this power spot. Access to Oshino Hakkai: by train from the Tokyo area, take the JR Chuo Line to “Otsuki Station” and transfer to the Fujikyu Railway; ride about 50 minutes to “Fujisan Station,” then take a local bus (Uchino-bound) or the “Fujikko-go” for about 25 minutes and get off at “Oshino Hakkai.” By highway bus, take the direct Chuo Expressway bus from Shinjuku to Oshino Village (about 140 minutes). By car, from Tomei Expressway “Gotemba IC,” it’s about 45 minutes via Route 138; or from Chuo Expressway “Kawaguchiko IC,” it’s about 20 minutes via Route 138. From Kansai/Chubu, you can take the Shinkansen to “Mishima Station,” transfer to a highway bus (~50 minutes) to “Gotemba Station,” then take a route bus toward Kawaguchiko (~50 minutes) to the “Oshino Hakkai” bus stop.