How to Get to Oshino Hakkai: Direct Express Bus from Shinjuku and Local Bus from Kawaguchiko

2026-07-10

Oshino Hakkai is a group of eight mysterious spring-fed ponds at the foot of Mount Fuji.

Crystal-clear blue water, traditional thatched-roof buildings, and local street food make this one of the most popular places in Japan for travelers seeking classic Japanese scenery. Designated as a National Natural Monument and included as a component of the Mount Fuji UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, Oshino Hakkai is also a popular destination to combine with a visit to Lake Kawaguchiko.

Getting there is surprisingly simple. Direct express buses operate from Shinjuku to the Oshino Hakkai bus stop, with no transfers required. From Kawaguchiko, the journey takes approximately 30 minutes by local bus.

What Is Oshino Hakkai?

Oshino Hakkai is the collective name for eight ponds located in Oshino Village, Yamanashi Prefecture. The ponds are fed by snowmelt from Mount Fuji that filters underground for several decades before emerging as spring water.
The exceptionally clear water is breathtakingly beautiful, allowing visitors to see all the way to the bottom of the ponds.

Each of the eight ponds is numbered as a sacred site and has its own name: Deguchi-ike, Okama-ike, Sokonashi-ike, Choshi-ike, Waku-ike, Nigori-ike, Kagami-ike, and Shobu-ike.
Among them, Waku-ike has the greatest volume of spring water, and visitors can watch the water bubbling up from the ground at close range.

The surrounding area is lined with traditional thatched-roof houses, souvenir shops, and restaurants. Visitors can also enjoy local foods such as mugwort dumplings, tofu, and handmade soba noodles.

How to Get to Oshino Hakkai

1. Take a Direct Express Bus from Shinjuku: The Simplest Option

Direct express buses operate from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal to the Oshino Hakkai bus stop, with no transfers required.

  • Travel time: Approximately 2 hours 10 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Fare: Approximately ¥2,500 one way
  • Service: Chuo Highway Bus services bound for the Fuji Five Lakes area, including some buses bound for Yamanakako Asahigaoka

After departing from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal, the bus may stop at locations such as Kawaguchiko Station and Fuji-Q Highland before arriving at the Oshino Hakkai bus stop.
The central sightseeing area of Oshino Hakkai is only a short walk from the bus stop.

Book your highway bus to Oshino Hakkai through highwaybus.com.

2. Take a Local Bus from Kawaguchiko Station

This route is convenient for travelers who want to combine Oshino Hakkai with sightseeing around Lake Kawaguchiko.

  • Boarding point: Kawaguchiko Station Bus Terminal
  • Route: Fujikyu Mobility Route A1 bound for Gotemba Station via Oshino Hakkai
  • Travel time: Approximately 30 minutes, depending on the service and traffic conditions
  • Frequency: Approximately one bus per hour

Buses can become extremely crowded during peak sightseeing seasons. Travelers carrying large suitcases are advised to leave their luggage in a coin locker at Kawaguchiko Station before boarding.
Please check the official Fujikyu Bus website for the latest timetable.

3. Take the Fujikko-go Sightseeing Bus

Another option is to take the Fujikko-go, also known as the Fujiyoshida, Oshino, and Yamanakako Sightseeing Bus, from Kawaguchiko Station.

  • 1-Day Pass: Adults ¥1,800 / Children ¥900
  • The Fujikko-go is a separate service from the Lake Kawaguchiko sightseeing buses, including the Red Line, Green Line, and Blue Line. A separate pass is therefore required.

The Fujikko-go day pass is particularly convenient for travelers who also plan to visit Lake Yamanakako or Mt. Fuji Station.

Highlights of Oshino Hakkai

Waku-ike Pond

Waku-ike has the greatest volume of spring water among the eight ponds.
Visitors can watch the water rising vigorously from the ground at close range. The water is so clear that it is possible to see the sand moving at the bottom of the pond.
Waku-ike is often regarded as the main symbol of Oshino Hakkai.

Kagami-ike Pond

Under the right conditions, visitors can see Mount Fuji reflected on the surface of Kagami-ike, creating an “upside-down Fuji” view.
The reflection is most likely to appear early in the morning when there is little or no wind, making this a popular photography spot.

Deguchi-ike Pond

Deguchi-ike is the largest of the eight ponds.
However, because it is located farther from the main bus stops and parking areas, many visitors do not make the trip to see it.
It is recommended for travelers who want to enjoy a quieter atmosphere away from the busiest sightseeing areas.

Sokonashi-ike Pond

Sokonashi-ike is located inside the Hannoki Bayashi Shiryokan, or Hannoki Forest Museum.
A separate admission fee of ¥300 for adults is required.
The pond is known for its mysterious blue water and is worth visiting for travelers with enough time.

Important Tips for Visiting Oshino Hakkai

Store Your Luggage First
Local buses may become crowded during peak tourist seasons, so we recommend leaving large suitcases in a coin locker at Kawaguchiko Station before heading out.
Complete Guide to Luggage Storage and Baggage Check Services Around Kawaguchiko Station

Allow Around Two Hours to Visit All Eight Ponds
It takes approximately two hours to visit all eight ponds at a relaxed pace.
Travelers with limited time should focus on Waku-ike, Kagami-ike, and Deguchi-ike. These three ponds can be visited in approximately one hour.

Check the Return Bus Schedule in Advance
Local buses generally operate about once per hour.
As soon as you arrive at Oshino Hakkai, check the departure time of your return bus. Missing one bus may mean waiting another hour.

Carry Some Cash
Some small restaurants and souvenir shops in the area may not accept credit cards, so it is a good idea to carry some Japanese yen in cash.

Suggested Itinerary Combining Oshino Hakkai and Lake Kawaguchiko

Visiting Oshino Hakkai together with Lake Kawaguchiko is generally more efficient than visiting Oshino Hakkai on its own.

Sample One-Day Itinerary

Depart from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. and arrive at the Oshino Hakkai bus stop between approximately 10:00 and 11:00 a.m.
Spend around two hours walking around the ponds and trying local food before taking a local bus to Kawaguchiko Station. The bus journey takes approximately 30 minutes.
In the afternoon, enjoy sightseeing around Lake Kawaguchiko, including Oishi Park, a sightseeing cruise, and the Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway. Return to Shinjuku by express bus in the evening.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is there an admission fee for Oshino Hakkai?
Walking around the ponds is free of charge.
However, some privately operated facilities require a separate admission fee, including the Hannoki Forest Museum, where Sokonashi-ike is located.

Q. Can I travel from Oshino Hakkai to the Mount Fuji 5th Station?
There is no direct public transportation service from Oshino Hakkai to the Mount Fuji 5th Station.
You must first return to Kawaguchiko Station or Mt. Fuji Station and transfer to a bus bound for the 5th Station.

Q. How can I avoid the crowds at Oshino Hakkai?
Visiting early in the morning, between approximately 8:00 and 10:00 a.m., or visiting on a weekday is recommended.
Tour groups tend to arrive in greater numbers after 12:00 noon, making the area more crowded.
The best option is to take one of the earliest buses from Shinjuku and arrive before the main crowds.

Q. Can I travel from Oshino Hakkai to Lake Yamanakako?
Yes. You can travel toward Lake Yamanakako by taking a local bus bound for Gotemba Station from Oshino Hakkai or by using the Fujikko-go sightseeing bus.
The journey to Lake Yamanakako takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes.

Book your highway bus from Shinjuku to Oshino Hakkai through highwaybus.com.

Book your highway bus between Kawaguchiko and Shinjuku through highwaybus.com.