Fuji Five Lakes - Fujigoko

Japanese: 富士五湖 - ふじごこ

A collective name for the five lakes at the northern foot of Mt. Fuji: Yamanaka, Kawaguchi, Sai, Shoji, and Motosu. The valley between Mt. Fuji and the Misaka mountain range to the north was dammed by lava flows from Mt. Fuji and its side volcanoes. It was divided into Lake Utsu and Lake Senoumi by the Saruhashi lava flow, and part of Lake Utsu flowed out to form the Oshino Basin, which in turn formed Lake Yamanaka and Lake Kawaguchi. Lake Senoumi was first divided into Lake Motosu, and then divided into Lake Saiko and Lake Shoji by the Aokigahara lava flow in 864 (Jogan 6). Currently, only Lake Yamanaka has a natural outlet, while Lake Kawaguchi, Lake Saiko, and Lake Motosu have drainage channels that serve other purposes. For this reason, the water level rises significantly when heavy rainfall occurs.

The largest of the five lakes is Lake Yamanaka (6.8 square kilometers), while the smallest is Lake Shojiko (0.5 square kilometers). Lake Motosu is 121.6 meters deep, while Lake Yamanakako and Lake Kawaguchiko are less than 15 meters deep. The color and temperature of the water vary considerably depending on the lake depth, the amount of spring water, and the altitude of the lake surface. Each lake belongs to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, and you can enjoy the unique scenery of the lake and the view of Mt. Fuji. Also, since they are located at an altitude of about 900 meters, they are a place of recreation in every season, and in recent years the number of resort facilities has been increasing. In 2013, the Fuji Five Lakes, along with the Mt. Fuji region, surrounding shrines, Oshino Hakkai, and other constituent assets, were registered on the World Cultural Heritage List as "Mt. Fuji - a place of worship and a source of artistic inspiration".

[Minoru Yoshimura]

Lake Yamanaka
This is the easternmost lake of the Fuji Five Lakes. There are many villas and pensions in the surrounding area, and it is well known as a summer resort. Sports facilities are also available, and many people visit in the summer to enjoy water sports and for sports training camps. It belongs to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Part of the World Cultural Heritage "Mount Fuji - a place of worship and a source of artistic inspiration" (registered in 2013) Yamanakako Village, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture ©Shogakukan ">

Lake Yamanaka

Lake Kawaguchi
This lake is famous for the "upside-down Fuji" where Mt. Fuji is reflected on its surface. It has the lowest lake elevation (831m) among the Fuji Five Lakes. Many tourists visit the lake because of the many events held there throughout the year and its convenient access from the Tokyo metropolitan area. It is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. It is part of the World Heritage Site "Mt. Fuji - a place of worship and a source of artistic inspiration" (registered in 2013). Fujikawaguchiko Town, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture ©Shogakukan ">

Lake Kawaguchi

West Lake
Located to the west of Lake Kawaguchi, this lake is one of the Fuji Five Lakes. It is a popular fishing spot for crucian carp, kokanee salmon, smelt, and black bass. The surrounding area includes Aokigahara Jukai and Saiko Wild Bird Forest Park, allowing you to fully enjoy the nature at the foot of Mt. Fuji. It is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. It is part of the World Cultural Heritage site "Mt. Fuji - a place of worship and a source of artistic inspiration" (registered in 2013). Fujikawaguchiko Town, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture ©Shogakukan ">

West Lake

Lake Shoji
The smallest of the Fuji Five Lakes. The area was introduced to the world as a summer resort by the British early on, and has come to be known as the "Switzerland of the East." At dusk, you can see the bright red "Red Fuji." It is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Part of the World Heritage Site "Mount Fuji - a place of worship and a source of artistic inspiration" (registered in 2013). Fujikawaguchiko Town, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture ©Shogakukan ">

Lake Shoji

Lake Motosu
This lake is located at the westernmost end of the Fuji Five Lakes. With a large area of untouched nature remaining, many people come here to camp. The view of Mt. Fuji from the north shore is beautiful, and it was chosen as the design for the 1,000 yen note. It is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Part of the World Cultural Heritage "Mt. Fuji - a place of worship and a source of artistic inspiration" (registered in 2013). Fujikawaguchiko Town, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture and Minobu Town, Minamikoma District ©Shogakukan ">

Lake Motosu

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

Japanese:

富士山北麓(ほくろく)の山中、河口、西(さい)、精進(しょうじ)、本栖(もとす)の五湖の総称。富士山およびその側火山の溶岩流により、富士山と北側の御坂(みさか)山地の間の谷がせき止められてできた。猿橋溶岩流(さるはしようがんりゅう)により宇津湖と剗海(せのうみ)に分割され、宇津湖の一部は水が流出し忍野(おしの)盆地となり、さらに山中湖と河口湖ができた。一方の剗海はまず本栖湖が分かれ、864年（貞観6）の青木ヶ原溶岩流により西湖と精進湖に分かたれた。現在、自然の流水口をもつのは山中湖のみで、河口湖、西湖、本栖湖は他の目的を兼ねた排水路をもつ。このため大雨による降水に対しては水位の上昇が大きい。

　五湖のうち面積が最大のものは山中湖（6.8平方キロメートル）で、最小は精進湖（0.5平方キロメートル）。最大深度は本栖湖が121.6メートルであるのに対し、山中湖、河口湖は15メートル以内である。水色、水温などは湖水の深さ、湧水(ゆうすい)量、湖面の高度などによりかなりの差が認められる。富士箱根伊豆国立公園に属し、それぞれ独自の湖の風景、富士山の姿などが楽しめ、また標高900メートル前後に位置するため各季節のレクリエーションの対象となり、近年保養観光地的な施設も増加している。2013年（平成25）に富士五湖は、富士山域や周辺の神社、忍野八海(おしのはっかい)等の構成資産とともに「富士山―信仰の対象と芸術の源泉」として世界文化遺産リストに登録された。

［吉村　稔］

[参照項目] | 河口湖 | 西湖 | 精進湖 | 富士箱根伊豆国立公園 | 本栖湖 | 山中湖

山中湖
富士五湖のなかでもっとも東に位置する湖。周辺には別荘やペンションなども多く、避暑地としてよく知られる。スポーツ施設も整備され、夏季にはウォータースポーツを楽しむ人たちやスポーツ合宿で訪れる人が多い。富士箱根伊豆国立公園に属す。世界文化遺産「富士山―信仰の対象と芸術の源泉」の一部（2013年登録）　山梨県南都留郡山中湖村©Shogakukan">

山中湖

河口湖
湖面に富士山の姿を映す「逆さ富士」で有名な湖。富士五湖のなかでもっとも湖面標高が低い（831m）。一年を通してさまざまなイベントが開催され、また首都圏からの交通の便がよいことから、数多くの観光客が訪れる。富士箱根伊豆国立公園に属す。世界文化遺産「富士山―信仰の対象と芸術の源泉」の一部（2013年登録）　山梨県南都留郡富士河口湖町©Shogakukan">

河口湖

西湖
河口湖の西隣に位置する湖で、富士五湖の一つ。ヘラブナ、ヒメマス、ワカサギ、ブラックバスの釣り場として人気がある。周辺には青木ヶ原樹海や西湖野鳥の森公園などがあり、富士山麓の自然を満喫できる。富士箱根伊豆国立公園に属す。世界文化遺産「富士山―信仰の対象と芸術の源泉」の一部（2013年登録）　山梨県南都留郡富士河口湖町©Shogakukan">

西湖

精進湖
富士五湖のなかでもっとも小さい湖。一帯はイギリス人によって早くから避暑地として海外に紹介され、「東洋のスイス」として親しまれてきた。夕暮れ時には真っ赤に染まる「赤富士」も見られる。富士箱根伊豆国立公園に属す。世界文化遺産「富士山―信仰の対象と芸術の源泉」の一部（2013年登録）　山梨県南都留郡富士河口湖町©Shogakukan">

精進湖

本栖湖
富士五湖の最西端に位置する湖。手つかずの自然が広範囲に残されており、キャンプに訪れる人も多い。北岸からの富士山の眺望は美しく、1000円札のデザインに採用された。富士箱根伊豆国立公園に属す。世界文化遺産「富士山―信仰の対象と芸術の源泉」の一部（2013年登録）　山梨県南都留郡富士河口湖町・南巨摩郡身延町©Shogakukan">

本栖湖

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