Lake Yamanakako
By Andrew Liyan · Last updated: October 9, 2026 · Facts verified: October 9, 2026
Lake Yamanakako (山中湖) is the largest of the Fuji Five Lakes by area, at 980.5 meters above sea level on the mountain's northeast side. The shore is public and free, with free lakeside parking; the sightseeing boats, flower park and other businesses around it set their own fees and hours. Its best-known sight is Diamond Fuji, when the sun sets onto the summit, seen from different points on the shore from mid-October to late February.
Photo: Alpsdake, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; resized
- Area
- Yamanakako
- Best Time
- Mid-October to late February for Diamond Fuji at sunset; clear winter mornings for the mountain
- Best For
- Mount Fuji views, Diamond Fuji, Drivers, Quiet base
What Lake Yamanakako is for
Yamanakako is a different trip from Kawaguchiko. It sits on its own bus route east of Fujisan Station rather than on the Kawaguchiko side, it faces Mount Fuji from the northeast, and it is quieter and more spread out, with lodges, lakeside parks and sports on the water rather than a single town center. Choose it as a base if you have a car, want space, or are timing a Diamond Fuji sunset.
The lake is a dammed lake formed by Mount Fuji's volcanic activity, 980.5 meters up, with a maximum depth of 13.3 meters. Fuji-ko pilgrims once included it in a purification circuit of the lakes at the mountain's foot, which is part of why it is a component of the Mount Fuji World Heritage site. It is also home to Fuji marimo, a rare algae protected as a natural monument.
Photo by 663highland, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; resized
There are no opening hours for the lake itself. The shore paths, viewpoints and lakeside lots are free to use; sightseeing boats, the Hana no Miyako Koen flower park, smelt-fishing dome boats and other businesses each run to their own schedules. If you are choosing between the lakes, the Lake Kawaguchiko guide covers the main base.
What to do at Lake Yamanakako
Watch Diamond Fuji at sunset
From mid-October to late February the sun sets onto the summit as seen from somewhere on the shore. The prefectural tourism body lists approximate dates by spot, from Panorama-dai in mid-October and late February to Hana no Miyako Koen from late November to mid-January.
Climb to Panorama-dai
This viewpoint above the lake looks across the water to Mount Fuji. By bus, ride from Fujisan Station to the Mikuniyama hiking trail entrance and walk about 30 minutes; by car it is about 20 minutes from the Yamanakako Interchange.
Walk the shore
The lakeside parks and beaches, such as Hirano, Nagaike and Oike, face Mount Fuji from different angles, and the free lots along the shore make it easy to stop at several.
Visit Hana no Miyako Koen in flower season
Hana no Miyako Koen plants seasonal flower fields with Mount Fuji behind and is one of the official Diamond Fuji spots from late November to mid-January. It is run separately, with its own hours and fees.
Get out on the water
Yamanakako is the Fuji Five Lake for water sports and fishing, including smelt fishing from enclosed dome boats. Each business sets its own season and price.
How to Get to Lake Yamanakako
Lake Yamanakako is on the northeast side of Mount Fuji in Yamanakako village, east of Fujiyoshida.
From Fujisan Station
About 20 minutes by bus. Fujisan Station is on the Fujikyuko Line, one stop beyond Fuji-Q Highland from Kawaguchiko.
By car
Use the Yamanakako Interchange on the Higashi-Fuji Five Lakes Road; the lakeside parks are about 5 to 10 minutes away, and the lakeside lots are free.
From Tokyo
Highway buses stop at the lake (for example at Hirano), and the highway bus guide covers booking. A car makes the most sense here because the viewpoints are spread around the shore; see the driving guide.
- •Buses run from Fujisan Station, not Kawaguchiko Station; Yamanakako is on a separate route from the Kawaguchiko side.
- •With a car, the free lakeside lots let you move between Diamond Fuji spots.
- •Panorama-dai is a 30-minute walk from the nearest bus stop.
Best Time to Visit Lake Yamanakako
Mid-October to late February for Diamond Fuji at sunset; clear winter mornings for the mountain.
- •Mid-October to late February is Diamond Fuji season; check the date for each viewpoint before you choose where to stand.
- •Diamond Fuji happens between about 15:30 and 16:30 and needs a clear sky to the west.
- •Mount Fuji is clearest in winter and early in the morning; summer haze often hides it by midday.
- •The lake is 980.5 meters up, so it is cooler than Tokyo year-round and cold on winter evenings.
The sun sets onto the summit between about 15:30 and 16:30. Each point on the shore gets it on different dates, and only on clear evenings.
The clearest air and the most snow on Mount Fuji. Lakeside mornings are cold at this altitude.
Water sports, camping and cooler air than the cities, but Mount Fuji is often hidden by haze and cloud.
Entry Fee & Hours
- •The lakeshore, viewpoints and lakeside parking are free.
- •Sightseeing and fishing boats, the Hana no Miyako Koen flower park and other businesses each set their own prices and seasons; check each operator.
- •There are no lake-wide opening hours. Plan around daylight and around the hours of the business you want to use.
Nearby Attractions
On the same side of the mountain
Oshino Hakkai
Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine
Fuji-Q Highland
Yamanakako as a base
Yamanakako rewards an overnight stay: sunset on one side of the day, a clear morning on the other.
Afternoon and Diamond Fuji (mid-October to late February)
Early afternoon
Bus from Fujisan Station, or drive, to the lake; walk a stretch of the shore
Mid-afternoon
Move to the Diamond Fuji spot for that date
About 15:30 to 16:30
Sunset onto the summit, if the sky to the west is clear
Yamanakako and Oshino
Morning
Lakeshore and Panorama-dai while Mount Fuji is clear
Afternoon
Oshino Hakkai on the way back toward Fujisan Station
Frequently Asked Questions
References
View references
Yamanashi Prefecture
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