Situated in Yamanashi Prefecture, Oshino Hakkai is a popular tourist destination near the base of Mount Fuji.
It’s a small area that features traditional village houses, shops and watermills set against a spectacular backdrop of Japan’s most famous mountain.
The Origin of Oshino Hakkai
Photo by: iStock/ Mizuyuki If you’re lucky, you’ll see Mount Fuji in the near distance.
The name Oshino Hakkai means eight seas of Oshino, referring to the eight ponds located in the Fuji Five Lake region. Many years ago, an eruption created a sixth lake at the northeastern foot of Mount Fuji, which gradually dried up. Still, these eight ponds remain and are filled with crystal-clear water filtered through several porous layers of lava stone.
All these ponds have their characteristics, and some examples can be seen from their names such as deguchi ike which means exit pond and it is at the end of the village, or kagami ike which means mirror pond. The most interesting thing is that it also shows the reflection of Mount Fuji upside down.
A Place of Worship
Photo by: iStock/ khwanchais Clear spring water from Mount Fuji itself.
The spring water of these ponds has been used by local people for drinking, agriculture, and other domestic purposes since ancient times. Oshino Hakkai is also associated with the worship of Mount Fuji.
In the old days, Fuji-ko (a Japanese religious group that climbed Mount Fuji occasionally as a part of their activity) practitioners would come here to purify themselves in the ponds before climbing Mount Fuji. But later, that ritual gradually declined.
Local Flavor
Photo by: iStock/ kimberrywood Rice cake, anyone?
A day is enough to explore the village on foot. Expect to come across restaurants serving local delicacies like oshino soba (buckwheat noodles), kusa mochi (herb mochi), osenbei (Japanese rice cracker) and souvenir shops that are well stocked with one-of-a-kind mementos.
In the heart of the village, drop by Hannoki Bayashi Shiryokan, where you can enjoy exhibits of old farming tools and samurai weapons. Like the museum, all the houses here are built with traditional thatched roofs that still retain a rustic atmosphere.
