OSHINO HAKKAI literally means "Eight seas at OSHINO" which are
between NAKAYAMA
and KAWAGUCHI lakes. This area were a big lake called lake Utsu, but Enryaku
eruptions
in 1707 and 1708 divided it into two, Oshino and Yamanaka lakes. Afterwards, Oshino lake
dried up into many fountains where ground waters from Mt. Fuji sprung up.
We have eight fountains now at Oshino where crystal ground waters at 12
degrees gush out
all the year around. It comes from snow fallen on the slope of Mt. Fuji and is thought
to take 20 years to spring out there.
Accordingly the ground water is very transparent and fresh, and the eight
fountains are
designated as national treasure.
NIGORI-IKE fountain which means cloudy fountain
CHOSHI-IKE fountain, which looks
like a small sake cup
The main fountain, NAKAIKE
The signboard of the entrance to OSHINO HAKKAI.
Many freshwater fishes such as Yamame are
swimming in the NAKAIKE.
SOKONUKE-IKE fountain which means
one without bottom.
Mt. FUJI is seen behind old farm houses
next to OSHINO HAKKAI.
Ground waters gush out constantly
at .WAKU-IKE fountain
NAKAIKE form another angle
