Oshino Hakkai: Mount Fuji's Sacred Spring Waters

Oshino Hakkai, meaning "eight seas of Oshino," is a picturesque village in the Fuji Five Lakes region, famed for its eight spring-fed ponds. These ponds are supplied by the snowmelt from Mount Fuji, filtered through layers of volcanic rock for over two decades, resulting in incredibly clear and pure water. The ponds and surrounding traditional thatched-roof houses create a scene that embodies the tranquility of rural Japan. Oshino Hakkai has been a sacred site connected to Fuji worship for centuries. Pilgrims once purified themselves in these waters before climbing Mount Fuji. The ponds were initially known as “Oshino Moto-Hachiko” and dedicated to Buddhism’s eight dragon kings. Today, Oshino Hakkai is part of the Mount Fuji UNESCO World Heritage site and a National Natural Monument. Each of the eight ponds possesses a unique character and story. Visitors can sample the spring water at designated areas and explore the Hannoki Bayashi Shiryokan, an open-air museum with a traditional farmhouse showcasing artifacts from the Edo period. The ponds include Deguchi-ike, Okama-ike, Sokonashi-ike, Choshi-ike, Waku-ike, Nigori-ike, Kagami-ike, and Shobu-ike. One notable pond, Sokonashi-ike, is associated with a legend about a washboard disappearing into its depths, only to reappear in another pond. The best times to visit Oshino Hakkai are during the cherry blossom season in spring and in winter. In winter, the "Diamond Fuji" phenomenon, where the rising or setting sun aligns with the peak of Mount Fuji, can be observed.