Lake Yamanaka, Recreational lake near Mount Fuji, Japan
Lake Yamanaka is a body of water at the foot of Mount Fuji that covers roughly 6.5 square kilometers at an elevation of about 980 meters (around 3,220 feet). The clear water is fed by mountain streams and surrounded by forests, gentle hills, and occasional reed belts that run along the shallow shoreline.
The lake formed several thousand years ago when lava flows from Mount Fuji created a natural dam that held back water from mountain streams. For centuries the area has served as a base for pilgrims wishing to climb the sacred peak.
The name means "lake in the mountains", after the village of Yamanakako that surrounds it. The lake is also called Gogyo-ko, "recumbent cow lake", for its shape. Smelt fishing through holes in the ice is a winter activity, and the Misaki sand spit holds a large Zumi tree designated a village natural monument.
The shoreline is accessible at several points and walking paths circle parts of the water. During the warmer months boats can be rented, while winter is quieter and occasionally brings ice across the surface.
In 1956 scientists discovered a particular variety of spherical algae colonies in the water, known as marimo. These green balls roll together at the bottom and grow very slowly over the course of years.
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