Fujikanko Travel offers English-guide day tours that allow you to experience Japanese culture on a deeper level. This time, we will introduce a 5-hour tour that includes Oshino Hakkai and a Zen meditation experience at Toenji Temple.
Written by
We will be sharing fascinating information about the northern foothills of Mt. Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture, including Mt. Fuji itself — a symbol of Japan recognized and admired around the world — as well as the World Heritage sites associated with it. The Fuji Five Lakes region, located on the northern side of Mt. Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture, is an area rich in natural beauty. It includes Lake Motosuko, Lake Shojiko, Lake Saiko, Lake Kawaguchiko, and Lake Yamanakako. The UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site "Fujisan, Sacred Place and Source of Artistic Inspiration" consists of various cultural assets, including historic shrines such as Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen-jinja Shrine, Kawaguchi Asama-jinja Shrine, and Fuji Omuro Sengen-jinja Shrine, as well as the natural monument Oshino Hakkai and other component sites extending into Shizuoka Prefecture. The foothills of Mt. Fuji, a popular tourist destination, offer attractions throughout all four seasons. In spring, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji, cherry blossoms, and the five-story Chureito Pagoda at Arakurayama Sengen Park. During summer, Oishi Park serves as the main venue for the Kawaguchiko Herb Festival. In autumn, the Lake Kawaguchiko Momiji Corridor offers beautiful scenery featuring Mt. Fuji and vibrant autumn leaves. During winter, Fujiten Snow Resort provides skiing and snowboarding with spectacular views of Mt. Fuji. In recent years, activities such as trekking, cycling, and camping in the magnificent natural surroundings of Mt. Fuji have also become increasingly popular. Based around the Lake Kawaguchiko area in the northern foothills of Mt. Fuji, our company operates several attractions and facilities, including Fuji Subaru Land, a theme park surrounded by the natural beauty of Mt. Fuji; Fujizakura Heights Beer, an award-winning craft beer brewed using natural spring water from Mt. Fuji; Fuji Chobo no Yu Yurari Onsen, a natural hot spring sourced from 1,000 meters underground at the foot of Mt. Fuji; and Fujiten Snow Resort, where visitors can enjoy winter activities such as skiing and snowboarding with magnificent views of the mountain. From the Lake Kawaguchiko area at the northern foothills of Mt. Fuji, we will continue sharing the ever-changing beauty of Mt. Fuji throughout the seasons.
-
Table of Contents
- A uniquely Japanese experience at Oshino Hakkai
- Tour basics
- 1. Oshino Hakkai: Enjoy the original Japanese scenery
- 2. Shinnasho River: One of the best spots to see Mt. Fuji!
- 3. Touenji Temple is surrounded by beautiful nature
- 4. Oshino Sengen Shrine: A power spot at the foot of Mt. Fuji!
- 5. "Hanu no Kirin" Museum where you can learn about the history and culture of Oshino Village
- What is Fujikanko Travel ? Bicycle rental and luggage storage services available!
A uniquely Japanese experience at Oshino Hakkai
The tour we are introducing this time includes a stroll around Oshino Hakkai and a Zen meditation experience. First, you will walk around Oshino Hakkai, one of the Component Parts of World Heritage, accompanied by an English guide. Then, at Touenji Temple, which is a five-minute walk from Oshino Hakkai, you will listen to a sermon by the head priest and then experience Zen meditation. You can enjoy a truly Japanese experience, getting away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and facing your own heart in silence.
After the Zen meditation, you will visit the Watanabe family home, the oldest private residence in Oshino Village, built in the late 18th century, to see important weapons and books from that time. At the Hannoki Restaurant on the same premises, you will enjoy the tour's original set of Yamanashi local cuisine "hoto" and "salt-grilled rainbow trout" bred with snowmelt from Mt. Fuji. After lunch, you will have about an hour of free time to explore.
Heal your everyday mental fatigue by touring the deep, clear, mystical ponds of Oshino Hakkai and experiencing the Japanese Buddhist teaching of Zen meditation. All guides will be in English, so even if you don't understand Japanese at all, you can participate with confidence.
Tour basics
*The tour takes approximately 5 hours.
*Tours can be booked for two or more people.
Schedule example
9:00am: Meet at Kawaguchiko Sta. and move to Oshino Village
9:30am: Oshino Village and Oshino Hakkai Springs
9:45am: Walk around Shinnajo River
10:00am: Zen meditation experience at Touenji Temple
11:00am: Oshino Sengen Shrine
11:15: Museum "Hazel Forest" / Bottomless Pond
11:45am: Lunch
12:30pm: Free time to explore
13:30: Departure from Oshino
14:00: End of tour at Kawaguchiko Sta.
Get some delicious Kusamochi as a souvenir!
Those who participate in the tour will receive a souvenir of Oshino's specialty, "Kusamochi."
1. Oshino Hakkai: Enjoy the original Japanese scenery
Oshino Hakkai is a group of eight beautiful spring-fed ponds that are fed by the melting snow of Mt. Fuji, and are characterized by their crystal clear blue water. You can enjoy the original Japanese scenery while learning about the historical background of worship of Mt. Fuji.
Oshino Hakkai
2. Shinnasho River: One of the best spots to see Mt. Fuji!
This is a first-class river that is also one of the sources of the Katsura River, and offers a spectacular view of Mt. Fuji. In spring, about 600 Somei-Yoshino cherry trees bloom along the river.
3. Touenji Temple is surrounded by beautiful nature
Founded in the Heian period as a training center for ascetic practices on Mount Fuji, Touenji Temple is located in a quiet area surrounded by beautiful nature. The traditional architecture of the main hall and the Kannon statue bring a sense of peace to all who visit. This temple, which is deeply connected to the local culture, is loved by many worshippers.
4. Oshino Sengen Shrine: A power spot at the foot of Mt. Fuji!
Located in a beautiful forest, it has long been worshipped as the guardian deity of Mount Fuji. The grounds feature a stately main hall and large cedar trees, creating a quiet, sacred atmosphere.
5. "Hanu no Kirin" Museum where you can learn about the history and culture of Oshino Village
This museum was opened to the public as the Watanabe family home, the oldest thatched roof house in Oshino Village, built in the late 18th century. It displays information about the history, culture, and natural environment of Oshino Village, and also features exhibits on local traditional crafts and lifestyles from long ago.
What is Fujikanko Travel ? Bicycle rental and luggage storage services available!
Fujikanko Travel offers the very popular Good Luck Cycling Tour and the Historical Exploration Tour that traces the history of Mt. Fuji. In addition, the store offers Bicycle rental and luggage storage services. Please feel free to stop by!
![[Tokyo, Shinjuku] Buy Matcha Here! 2 Long-established Japanese Tea Shops Where You Can Get the Authentic Taste!](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/720x2000/2025/09/24-245090.webp)
![[Latest] A Complete Guide to Buying Kintetsu Limited Express Tickets: Comfortable Travel on Kansai’s Popular Sightseeing Trains](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/720x2000/2024/11/21-211063.webp)
![[Tokyo, Shinjuku] For nighttime dining, Shinjuku Nishiguchi HALC is the place to go.](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/720x2000/2026/06/01-264926.webp)
