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“Lake Tanuki”…where?
Lake Tanuki is located in Fujinomiya City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Although it’s called a “lake,” it was originally a small swamp, which was later artificially expanded and turned into a lake.
It’s in the Asagiri Highland and has a length of around 4 kilometers. There are many accommodation available in the area, and it’s a very popular destination for families.
A view of Mt. Fuji you can only get here, in Mt. Fuji’s own backyard
At the base of Mt. Fuji, you can enjoy a unique perspective of the mountain that’s not available anywhere else.
One notable feature is the Osawa Failure erosional valley, which provides a head-on view of Mt. Fuji. Unfortunately, when I visited the area, the weather was cloudy, so I missed out on seeing the mountain.
This location is famous not just for its natural beauty, but also for the opportunity to view both the majestic form of Mt. Fuji and the serene lake together. Throughout the year, photographers flock to this spot to capture this picturesque view.
There were lots of tents, as well as people strolling the promenade with a camera in one hand.
Introducing leisure activities at Lake Tanuki that both children and adults can enjoy!
Aside from the stunning Mt. Fuji view, there are plenty of other things to do at Lake Tanuki!
One of the best activities is cycling around the lake. You can enjoy the scenic beauty of the lake and its natural surroundings while riding on the cycling course around its length. You can bring your own bicycle or rent one from the administrative building if you don’t have one. It’s a great way to explore the area all year round.
Of course, you can also simply go on foot! The lake has a circumference of around 4 kilometers, so you can walk around it in about an hour.
*If you go cycling, please watch out for pedestrians and practice common courtesy!
You can enjoy some serious camping too!
It was bustling with lots of campers when I visited. Some people were there with friends, while others had arrived with their families. It must have been dinnertime when I took these photographs, because, look at those delicious aromas wafted out from every tent!
Lake Tanuki has two main campgrounds – the “south side tent site” where you can set up your own tent and spend the night, and the “north side tent site” where you can come for day trips and barbecues. You can have a fancy picnic with tables and chairs, or you can set up your tent for some serious camping.
On nights with clear weather, you can see Mt. Fuji against a backdrop of a star-filled sky.
The aforementioned administrative building also sells firewood and charcoal. I believe they also have other camping equipment, but it’s best to ask them directly for details.
Other activities
I visited Lake Tanuki in February so it was the off-season, but during the camping season from June to November you can also rent a boat!
Learning through Playing at the Lake Tanuki School of Nature
The Lake Tanuk School of Nature is an educational facility that both children and adults can enjoy. It’s centered around the theme of contact between people and nature. You can reach it by foot from Lake Tanuki. There are signposts along the way as well, so it’s easy to find!
Now on to the Lake Tanuki Nature School building!
As you enter the building, you’ll notice the stunning wall of glass in front of you. From there, you can catch a glimpse of yet another view of Mt. Fuji that differs from the one visible from the Lake Tanuki side.
The building was packed with families and their children!
The facility is filled with areas for both adults and children to enjoy.
On the right as you enter, you will see the Exploration Area: Nature in a Sea of Trees.
It’s inspired by Mt. Fuji’s Aokigahara Sea of Trees, and hiding inside are some creatures that call the Sea of Trees their home.
I also went inside for a look. It’s quite challenging, even for adults. I would recommend parents and children to give it a try together!
There are many other areas based on the nature of Mt. Fuji and Lake Tanuki.
Out of everything there, the children especially enjoyed…
The Exploration Area: Cave Nature.
Inside it’s built like a cave, and it’s truly pitch black. You can get a helmet and a pen light at the reception, and your mission is to find the bats that are hiding in the cave.
Just like a real cave, there are parts where the ceiling is very low.
Once you’ve counted the number of bats in the cave, you report your findings to the reception.
If you get the answer right, you can get a sticker as a prize.
Fun for children and adults alike, also on rainy days
The kids’ corner is also equipped with toys for infants.
There are building blocks, a slide, a ball pit and more.
The Lake Tanuki School of Nature has a rich activity program.
The facility offers opportunities to genuinely experience nature, whether indoors, or outdoors around Lake Tanuki. Some of the activities require pre-registration.
There are also cottages where you can spend the night. They are of course equipped with kitchens and bathrooms, and guests can visit the hot spring baths and buffet restaurant in the adjacent Kyukamura (rest village) Fuji.
If you ever visit Lake Tanuki, do make sure to drop by the Lake Tanuki School of Nature.
Conclusion
So, what did you think?
There were lots of leisure and lodging options.
Although I’ve written about my experience visiting Lake Tanuki in the winter, with all this nature around, there will be different things to enjoy in every season, so you’d want to come and visit again and again.
For those who are thinking of traveling to Shizuoka Prefecture, how about paying a visit to Lake Tanuki, which is fun for the whole family, children and grownups alike?
Incidentally, the Diamond Fuji phenomenon should be visible at Lake Tanuki for the week before and after April 20 and August 20 every year. During this time, it gets really crowded with photographers from very early in the morning (i.e., the middle of the night), so if you plan on taking pictures, make sure you do your preliminary research first.
