Minamitsuru district

Minamitsuru is an administrative district in southeastern Yamanashi Prefecture comprising two towns and four villages spread across the region. It encompasses two lakes and sits within sight of Mount Fuji, shaping much of the local landscape and character.

The district was formed in 1878 as part of Japan's Meiji period administrative reorganization, starting with 21 villages that later consolidated. These changes reflect how the nation restructured its local governance during rapid modernization.

The district maintains deep ties to Mount Fuji through local celebrations and regional food traditions that shape daily life. The rural landscape reflects how people have lived in harmony with this mountain environment for generations.

The two lakes provide year-round opportunities for boating, swimming, and fishing, with access points scattered throughout the district. Walking trails and nature paths run through the rural areas, making it easy to explore on foot or by bicycle.

Oshino village features natural spring-fed ponds fed directly by Mount Fuji's groundwater, creating exceptionally clear water that mirrors the mountain above. These ponds are so transparent that they have long been regarded as a rare natural phenomenon in the region.