Recommended sightseeing spots to visit along with the Component Parts of World Heritage of Mt. Fuji

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It is well known that Mt. Fuji is a World Heritage Site, but do you know about the Component Parts of World Heritage of the World Heritage Site? In this article, we will introduce recommended sightseeing spots to visit along with the Component Parts of World Heritage of Mt. Fuji.

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What are the Component Parts of World Heritage of Mt. Fuji?

When Mount Fuji was registered as a World Heritage Site, its official name was "Mount Fuji - Object of Sacred Worship and Source of Artistic Inspiration." Mount Fuji was recognized as a World Cultural Heritage Site for its cultural value, including its having been the object of mountain worship since ancient times, such as the Fuji-ko, a folk faith from the Edo period, and for having influenced many works of art both in Japan and abroad, including Katsushika Hokusai's "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji."

However, when it comes to determining value from the perspective of faith or art, it is not just the mountain itself that can be considered cultural assets with similar value; the shrines at the foot of the mountain that were used as places of remote worship and as stopover points for Fuji-ko devotees, and the lakes and ponds that have been the subject of artistic works along with Mount Fuji, too, have been registered as Component Parts of World Heritage of the cultural assets that can prove their value.

Mount Fuji Component Parts of World Heritage in Yamanashi Prefecture

The World Heritage site of Mt. Fuji has 25 Component Parts of World Heritage in Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures. Some lakes and hiking trails are registered as part of the Mt.Fuji  Area, and more than 30 sites have been recognized as Component Parts of World Heritage. The Component Parts of World Heritage on the Yamanashi side are as follows:

・Fujisan Mountain Area・Mountaintop worship sites・Yoshida Ascending Route・Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen-jinja Shrine・Kawaguchi Asama-jinja Shrine・Fuji Omuro Sengen-jinja Shrine・Lake Yamanakako・Lake Kawaguchiko・Lake Saiko・Lake Shojiko・Lake Motosuko・Oshino Hakkai (Deguchi Pond, Obon Pond, Sokonuke Pond, Choshi Pond, Waku Pond, Nigori Pond, Kagami Pond, Shobu Pond)・Oshi residences (former Togawa family residence, Osano family residence)・Funatsu lava tree molds・Yoshida lava tree molds

Fuji Five Lakes

Lake Kawaguchiko, Lake Yamanakako, Lake Saiko, Lake Shojiko, and Lake Motosuko are all Component Parts of World Heritage of Mount Fuji. Collectively, these five lakes are known as the "Fuji Five Lakes." This name was established after the 1920s, when the area became famous as a tourist destination, but before that, it was called the "Fuji Eight Lakes," which included Lake Asumi, Lake Shibire, and Lake Senzui, and is also a pilgrimage site for the "Uchihakkai Tour" from a religious perspective.

Lake Shoji offers a captivating view of Mt. Fuji, known as "Mother and Child Fuji," and Lake Motosu, depicted on the 1,000-yen bill, also provides stunning photo opportunities. In winter, Lake Yamanaka is famous as a spot to capture the "Diamond Fuji," where the setting sun aligns perfectly with the mountain's summit. This enchanting sight is a breathtaking view that one must see at least once in a lifetime. 

Oshino Hakkai

Oshino Hakkai is the collective name for eight spring-fed ponds that are the result of underground water from Mt. Fuji, and each pond is a Component Parts of World Heritage of Mt. Fuji. Oshino Hakkai has long been a pilgrimage site for worshippers of Mt. Fuji, and it is said that ascetics would purify themselves with the water from these ponds before climbing the mountain. As it was once a place of purification rituals, it has become a famous tourist destination known as a power spot, and there are plenty of restaurants and souvenir shops in the surrounding area. It takes about an hour to tour all eight ponds, so it's definitely worth a visit.

Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen-jinja Shrine

Before the method of worship known as "climbing Mount Fuji" was born, where people would climb the mountain while worshipping, worshipping Mount Fuji from afar was practiced. Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen-jinja Shrine , which is the starting point of the Yoshida Ascending Route , one of the Component Parts of World Heritage , is a shrine that originated as a place of worship dedicated to Asama no Okami, and the main hall and other buildings are designated as important cultural properties by the government. With a solemn atmosphere, you can feel the feelings of the ascetics of the time when you worship at the shrine. Why not visit for the first visit of the year?

Fuji Omuro Sengen-jinja Shrine

Fuji Omuro Sengen-jinja Shrine was once the oldest shrine on Mount Fuji, and is said to have been built around the 9th century at the second Yoshida Ascending Route. The main hall was relocated and now stands on the southern shore of Lake Kawaguchiko, but the shrine has long been a base for ascetics and pilgrims. The shrine has a mystical atmosphere, and in spring, cherry blossoms bloom along the approach to the shrine, creating a beautiful sight. In autumn, you can enjoy the autumn leaves, and the shrine shows different faces with each season. It is located along the shore of Lake Kawaguchiko, so be sure to stop by when you're taking a drive around the lake.

Former Togawa Family Residence (Oshi Residence)

Oshi are people who served as Fuji-ko devotees' lodgings, provided meals, and made a living by spreading the faith in Mt. Fuji and offering prayers. Oshi houses, which have been preserved in their original state, such as the "Goshinzen no Ma" room that enshrines the Sengen Shrine of Mt. Fuji, are registered as Component Parts of World Heritage as buildings of high cultural value. Of the Oshi houses registered as Component Parts of World Heritage, the Former Togawa Family House is currently open to the public. You can see the interior of the house, which gives a glimpse into the lifestyle of the time, and valuable old documents, making it a valuable spot where you can learn about the relationship between Fuji-ko and Oshi.

Recommended tourist spot 1 Yamanakako Hana no Miyako Flower Park

"Yamanakako Hana no Miyako Park" is a park with a large flower field where flowers bloom with each season from April to October. You can enjoy the spectacular view of flowers and Mt. Fuji, such as tulips and nemophila in spring, sunflowers and zinnias in summer, and cosmos in autumn.

■Route: Lake Yamanakako== Hana no Miyako Flower Park == Oshino Hakkai

Recommended tourist spot 2: Fuji Subaru Land

Fuji Subaru Land is a fun theme park located at the foot of Mount Fuji, surrounded by nature.

The park has an attraction area with numerous attractions and a dog area where you can interact with your beloved dogs and doggy dogs, so the whole family can have a great time all day long.

■Route: Fuji Subaru Land == Funatsu Tainai Tree Formation == Lake Kawaguchiko

Recommended tourist spot 3: Arayayama Shrine

This extremely popular shrine is said to grant good fortune in terms of money, and many people from all over Japan come to worship here. It is also famous as one of Japan's leading power spots. Inside the shrine, there are many torii gates lined up, creating a fantastical and mysterious atmosphere.

■ Route: Yoshida Tainai Tree Formation == Arayayama Shrine == Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen-jinja Shrine== Oshi Residence

Recommended tourist spot 4: Oishi Park

This park is located on the north shore of Lake Kawaguchiko, and in early summer you can enjoy the spectacular views of lavender fields, Mt. Fuji, and Lake Kawaguchiko. You can also enjoy over 90 kinds of flowers throughout the seasons. In particular, the spectacular views created by the lavender, which is at its best from late June to mid-July, and the kochia, which is at its best from mid- to late October, are a must-see!

■Route: Lake Kawaguchiko(Oishi Park) == Kawaguchi Asama-jinja Shrine== Fuji Omuro Asama Shrine

Recommended tourist spot 5: Fuji Chobo no Yu Yurari Onsen

This is a day-trip hot spring facility that offers 16 types of baths, including two types of open-air baths where you can soak while looking directly at Mt. Fuji, as well as carbonated springs and cave baths. A free shuttle bus is available from Kawaguchiko Sta.

■ Lake Motosuko= Lake Saiko= Fuji Chobo no Yu Yurari Onsen

Written by

The northern foot of Mt. Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture is a stunning area of Japan that has plenty to offer visitors. At the foot of Mt. Fuji, including ”Arakurayama Sengen Park”, which offers a view of Mt. Fuji and the iconic five-story pagoda, "Chureito." The Kawaguchiko Momiji Corridor is also a must-visit during the autumn season when visitors can see the colorful leaves. Our company, based in Lake Kawaguchiko, operates various facilities that utilize the natural resources of Mt. Fuji. These include the theme park "Fuji Subaru Land," which offers a range of exciting rides and attractions, and the Fujiten Snow Resort, where visitors can enjoy skiing and snowboarding. Visitors can also sample the world-famous "Fujizakura Heights Beer," made using natural water “Fujizakura Meisui” , or relax in the natural hot spring, "Fuji Chobo no yu Yurari," . We will clearly communicate the charm of Mt. Fuji, which changes with the seasons, from the base of Mt. Fuji in Kawaguchiko.

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