Lake Yamanaka: The Largest of the Fuji Five Lakes and Its Views

Updated October 25, 2026 | By Tokyo Paul

Of the five lakes at the base of Mount Fuji, one is described as the closest to the mountain and spreads out the widest. Lake Yamanaka, in Yamanakako village in Yamanashi Prefecture, is the largest of the Fuji Five Lakes, and it is also the easternmost. It is a place for slow lakeside walks, cycling, flower fields, boat rides and, above all, patient looking: Fuji rises across the water, and the mood changes with every season and every hour.

This guide explains what makes the lake distinctive, how it formed, what to do around the shore through the year, and how to visit with care for the landscape and the wildlife.

A Lake Made by Fuji Itself

Lake Yamanaka covers 6.46 square kilometers, and its surface sits at roughly 980 to 982 meters above sea level, which makes it the third highest lake in Japan. The two figures come from different measurements on the same page: an infobox elevation of 982 m and a mean surface altitude of 980.5 m in the article text.

The lake is also remarkably shallow. Its maximum depth is 13.5 meters, the shallowest of the five lakes, and it owes its existence to Mount Fuji: it was formed by lava flows from an ancient eruption. Across the whole district, ancient lava flows from Fuji dammed rivers and created the lakes. For comparison, Lake Motosu, another of the five, reaches 140 meters deep and is the ninth deepest lake in Japan.

One more quirk sets Yamanaka apart: it is the only one of the Fuji Five Lakes with a natural outflow, drained by the Sagami River.

Where It Fits Among the Five Lakes

The five lakes are Kawaguchi (the most famous, and the only one with an island), Motosu, Sai (whose western shore borders the Aokigahara forest), Shoji (the smallest) and Yamanaka. Together they lie at around 1,000 meters above sea level, and the national park that covers the region is Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. The Fuji Five Lakes area as a whole draws roughly 9,000,000 sightseers a year, according to Wikipedia.

Lake Yamanaka also shares in the World Heritage listing. UNESCO inscribed "Fujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspiration" in 2013 as a serial site of 25 component parts, and Lake Yamanakako is among the lake elements included. The UNESCO page notes that the lake faces pressure from tourism and development, which is a good reason to treat the shoreline gently.

The Village on the Shore

Yamanakako village occupies the far southeastern corner of Yamanashi Prefecture and surrounds the lake. Its area is 52.81 square kilometers, and much of it is protected forest reaching to the base of Fuji, so the mountain is visible from many spots. The village has no railway service, so visitors arrive by road or bus, and its economy rests mainly on tourism and agriculture.

Traces of earlier life are close by. Jomon period remains have been found near the lake, and during the Sengoku period the area was a contested border between the Takeda, Imagawa and Odawara Hojo clans. The place took its present name, Yamanakako Village, on January 1, 1965. For a quiet cultural stop, the village is also home to the Mishima Yukio Literary Museum.

Seeing Fuji: Viewpoints and Light

Many visitors come for the mountain itself. Nagaike Shinsui Park, on the north shore, is described as a viewpoint where Fuji can be enjoyed from summit to foothills, with a car-free lakeside walking path. The page names it as a popular photo spot for "Diamond Fuji" and for "Upside-Down Fuji," when the mountain is reflected on the lake. It does not give best months, so check conditions before planning around either.

Clouds are part of the experience. Depending on weather, cap clouds called kasagumo can form over the summit, and reviewers on one directory describe mist or clouds that give the lake a mysterious look on days when the peak hides. Plan for flexibility: if the summit is covered in the morning, it can be worth returning later or on another day.

One practical note from the same park listing: there are no restrooms on site, so visitors are told to use a nearby public restroom, and there are no coin lockers or free Wi-Fi.

Swans, Flowers and the Turning Seasons

Seasonal color is a large part of the lake's appeal. A regional directory lists tulips in spring, sunflowers in summer, cosmos and colored leaves in autumn, and snow-capped mountains and swans on the lake in winter. Early-morning visitors may also spot swans and deer. Mute swans can be seen at Nagaike Shinsui Park throughout the year.

For flowers, Yamanakako Hananomiyako Park covers about 300,000 square meters beside the lake. A free flower garden with Fuji views features tulips and cosmos, and sunflowers bloom there in mid-August. Part of the park is a separate paid area with a water park section and a floral greenhouse. Park entrance itself is free, but fees, hours and closures for the paid area change by season, so confirm them on the park's official website before going.

Fuji-viewing aside, summer is a popular season on the plateau. The directory notes the lake sits on a plateau at about 1,000 meters and describes a climate similar to Hokkaido's, making it a popular summer resort. Winters are properly cold: the climate table for the village shows an annual average temperature of 9.4 C and a record low of -22.2 C in February, set against a record high of 33.3 C in August.

Things to Do Around the Water

Activities are broad. Wikipedia lists boating, fishing, water-skiing, windsurfing, sightseeing and swimming, with paragliding at Mount Myojinyama when a west wind gives a smooth lift. Small cabins and camping sites are available. A cycling path runs almost all the way around the lake, and easy trekking and hiking courses exist. The sightseeing boat "Swan Lake" and the amphibious KABA bus, which covers both land and water, add a gentler way to see the scenery.

Fishing has an interesting history here. Carp, dace and smelt were introduced in the Meiji period. Introduced black bass and bluegill have increasingly displaced native species, which is a reason to follow local fishing rules and never release fish into the lake. A variety of marimo, the moss balls, was discovered in the lake in 1956.

Getting There

By car, Wikipedia gives about an hour from Tokyo via the Tomei and Chuo Expressways in early morning traffic, and longer later in the day. National Routes 138 and 413 run along the shore. By public transport, buses serve Fujisan Station on the Fujikyuko Line, JR Gotemba Station and JR Mishima Station, and highway buses run from Shinjuku Station. A regional directory gives about 2 hours by express bus from JR Shinjuku Station.

Spots around the lake are spread out, and the regional directory notes that some spots are far apart and best reached by car. If driving, check road and weather conditions first, especially in the colder months. Timetables, fares and routes change, so confirm them with the bus operators or the Yamanakako Tourist Association.

Visiting Well

A few habits keep the shore pleasant for everyone:

Keep a respectful distance from swans and deer, and do not feed wildlife.
Take rubbish with you, since facilities at some viewpoints are limited (Nagaike Shinsui Park, for example, has no restrooms on site).
Stay on the lakeside path and out of private land, farms and flower beds.
Follow safety instructions on the water, wear a life jacket for boating, and watch for sudden weather changes.
If you plan to climb Fuji itself, remember that Wikipedia says climbing from October to May is discouraged and the most popular period is July to August; check official climbing information first.

Fast Facts for Planning

Which is the largest of the Fuji Five Lakes? Lake Yamanaka, at 6.46 square kilometers.

How deep is it? Its maximum depth is 13.5 meters, the shallowest of the five.

Does it have a train station? The village has no railway service; Fujisan Station on the Fujikyuko Line and other stations connect by bus.

How high is Mount Fuji? The page gives 3,776.24 meters, making it the highest mountain in Japan.

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Tokyo Paul shares Japan walks on YouTube, which is a good way to get a feel for a place before you go. Watch Tokyo Paul on YouTube