Lake Yamanakako

Attraction World Heritage

Prefecture

Yamanashi

Type

Attraction · World Heritage: Fujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspiration

N/A

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Restaurant Cafe

About This Destination

The largest of the Fuji Five Lakes and, at about 980 metres, the highest, on the east side of Mount Fuji. From mid-October to late February the sun sets on the summit as seen from points around the shore. It is a component of the Fujisan World Heritage property, a place where Edo-period pilgrims purified themselves in the water. There is no railway: buses from Shinjuku take about 2 hours 20 minutes.

Lake Yamanaka is the biggest of the Fuji Five Lakes and, at about 980 metres, the highest. It lies on the east side of Mount Fuji, closer to the mountain's flank than Kawaguchiko, and the mountain fills the view to the west from most of the north and east shores. That position is why photographers come in winter. From mid-October to late February, from one spot or another around the shore, the sun sets exactly on the summit and for a moment the peak flares: Diamond Fuji. The spot moves through the season, from the Mikuni Pass side through Asahigaoka and Hirano to Nagaike, and the village publishes where to stand on which dates.

The lake is one of the 25 component parts of the Fujisan World Heritage property, inscribed in 2013. Not only for the view: Edo-period Fuji pilgrims used it as one of the places to purify themselves in the water, and it is one of the lakes that artists painted the mountain from.

In the daytime it is a resort in the plain sense: holiday lodges, campsites, boat rental and a cycling path around a shore of about 14 km, which takes around an hour and a half by bike. A swan-shaped cruise boat makes a 20-minute circuit from the Asahigaoka pier (not from December to February, except over New Year), and KABA, an amphibious bus, drives straight off the road into the water. Swans paddle along the shore near Asahigaoka.

The downsides are distance and weather. There is no railway, so you depend on buses or a car, and roads around the lake can back up on summer weekends. Fuji is clearest in the cold months, and a winter sunset wait by the water is colder than it looks, so bring more layers than you think you need.

Highway buses from Shinjuku reach Yamanakako Asahigaoka in about 2 hours 20 minutes. By train, go to Fujisan Station and take a local bus, about 30 minutes.

Location

Prefecture: Yamanashi

Address: Yamanakako, Yamanashi, Japan

Nearest Station: Yamanakako Asahigaoka bus stop

Best time to visit: Mid-October to late February for Diamond Fuji at sunset; clear winter mornings for the sharpest views of the mountain; summer for cooler air than Tokyo, though weekends are busy

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Visitor Information

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Official Website

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where can I see Diamond Fuji at Lake Yamanaka?

From about mid-October to late February, at sunset. The viewing spot moves along the shore through the season, from the Mikuni Pass side through Asahigaoka and Hirano to Nagaike. Check the village's dates for each spot, arrive early, and be ready for the summit to be in cloud on the day.

Why is Lake Yamanaka part of the Mount Fuji World Heritage site?

It was one of the places where Fuji pilgrims performed water purification, and like the other Fuji Five Lakes it is a scenic spot tied to many works of art. It is one of 25 component parts of 'Fujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspiration', inscribed in 2013.

Does the swan cruise boat run in winter?

Mostly not. The operator suspends sailings from December to February but runs over the New Year holidays. The rest of the year the boat leaves the Asahigaoka pier for a circuit of about 20 minutes.

Can I cycle around the lake?

Yes. A cycling path follows the shore, about 14 km round, and a loop by rental bike takes around an hour and a half at an easy pace. It is mostly flat, but go in the morning if you want Fuji in view; cloud often builds in the afternoon.