Lake Yamanaka — Attraction in Yamanakako

Lake Yamanaka is the largest of the Fuji Five Lakes in surface area and the highest in elevation.

It is also the shallowest of the Fuji Five Lakes, formed by lava flows from an ancient eruption of Mount Fuji, and is the only of the Fuji Five Lakes to have a natural outflow.

It is also the one shaped like a whale, although you wont be able to see it unless you are a very high vantage point. So I took comfort in looking at online pictures.

We stopped by here to take in the view of Mount Fuji, unfortunately for us Fuji san was very shy today. So we didn’t get a good clear view of the mountain.

However we still took a stroll by the coast and there are a variety of things to do there. Interestingly we saw many variety of outdoor/indoor accommodations such as outdoor camping, glamping, trailer accommodation etc, however there was one that really stood out – because it had an open bathtub concept. Literally open. As in the bath tub is out in the open. At the door step of the trailer. So if you wanted to soak in the bath tub, you had to put up the blinds and cover the top as well. not sure how that works, but yes, the bath tub can be seen from the side walk. Didn’t take a photo as I wasn’t sure how appropriate it would be.

There are also those swan bikes if any couple is the mood for 1-1 time cycling in the lake.

Also side note – there are LOADS of pesky little flies in this area. Very much similar to Mayflies. So watch where you are going. They are so...

Lake Yamanaka, nestled at the foot of Mount Fuji, is a serene gem that feels like nature’s own mirror. On a clear day, the mountain’s snow-capped peak reflects perfectly in the lake’s calm, turquoise waters—a sight so striking it feels almost surreal, as if the sky and earth have merged into one.

Strolling along the lakeside path, the air smells of pine and fresh water, with gentle breezes carrying the soft ripples of the water. Renting a paddleboat allowed me to drift closer to the heart of the scene, where Fuji’s grandeur loomed above, its slopes blending into the blue sky. Even on a slightly overcast afternoon, the lake held a quiet charm: mist curling over the water, ducks gliding by, and the distant hum of families laughing on the shore adding a warm, lively touch.

What makes Lake Yamanaka special is its balance of tranquility and accessibility. It’s a place where you can sit and lose yourself in the view, or get active with biking, fishing, or simply enjoying a picnic with that iconic backdrop. By evening, as the sun dipped lower, the mountain’s reflection turned golden, and I realized this wasn’t just a lake—it was a front-row seat to one of nature’s most...

This is not the exact location that we went to take photos of Mt Fuji. We took it at Yamanakako Asahigaoka stop (reachable via the F-line, A-line and C-line busses). We went for the F-line, and 2 days pass will cost 1500yen. If you plan to travel a lot using the route (can check online), do go for the 2 days pass. You will easily spend more that 1500 yen if you take public transportation here. However take note that the busses may be late (longest we have waited was 20 minutes additional from the planned time), I guess because there are a lot of tourists hence a lot of cars were rented for self-driving ... The driver couldn't speed up even if he/she wanted to ... 😂

We waited from 2pm until 6pm++ for the clouds to be gone. It's definitely worth the wait!

Taken on 30 March 2023, 6:09pm using Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra...