Day 2 of our van adventure led us to the Yamanakako area, where we eagerly awaited the chance to see Mount Fuji up close!!

After a restful night, we stopped by a local konbini to stock up on food and had our breakfast in the van before hitting the road. The drive to Yamanaka Lake took around an hour, during which we marveled at the incredible weather and enjoyed the first of many days of perfect sunshine on our trip.

As we approached the area, we caught a glimpse of the majestic Mount Fuji, peeking out shyly from the sky, its summit almost reaching the heavens. We couldn't help but feel amazed and thrilled at the sight of this magnificent mountain. We took a brief break by the side of the road, savoring the breathtaking view and reflecting on why we had come on this journey in the first place.

📍 Sanaka Park at Oshino

The most important aspect of traveling with a toddler is to ensure that they have fun and stay engaged throughout the trip. With this in mind, we decided to take our little one to Sanaka Park at Oshino, which is famous for its playground and aquarium.

The park is located at “3098-1 Shibokusa, Oshino, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0511” and can be easily accessed by car. The park is free to enter, and visitors can enjoy the vast natural environment that surrounds the park and the outdoor playground that is suitable for children of all ages.

However, the aquarium section of the park requires an entrance fee of ¥500 per adult, and children can enter for free. This is where you can find a wide variety of fish and other aquatic animals that are native to the region. The aquarium houses multiple small and large aquariums, with each tank showcasing a different species of fish or marine life.

We spent a delightful two hours at the park, with our toddler playing in the playground and observing the various animals at the aquarium.

The park has a big free parking area, and like all parking facilities in Japan, there are always staff members to guide you and help design a space for your vehicle, which is incredibly convenient, especially when you are traveling in a humongous van !!

In conclusion, if you are traveling with a toddler in Yamanakako area, Sanaka Park at Oshino is a must-visit destination. The combination of outdoor play areas and the aquarium makes it an ideal location to keep your little one entertained and engaged.

📍 Oshino Hakkai

We then drove approximately 5 minutes to Oshino Hakkai, a popular tourist destination known for its eight pristine spring water ponds ("hakkai" means "eight seas" in Japanese) that are fed by snowmelt from Mount Fuji. These crystal-clear ponds are surrounded by beautiful greenery and are home to a variety of freshwater fish and aquatic plants.

The history of Oshino Hakkai dates back to the Edo period when it was developed as a resting place for pilgrims traveling to and from Mount Fuji.

Today, it is a popular destination for tourists who come to enjoy the natural beauty of the ponds (including a 8 meters deep pond!) and the surrounding countryside.

Many people also visit Oshino Hakkai to taste the local cuisine, which includes freshwater fish dishes such as "yamame" and "wakasagi."

Aside from the ponds, there are also various shops and stalls selling souvenirs, snacks, and other local products, but the main shop felt like a typical tourist trap to us.

due to its popularity, the area can get really crowded, especially during peak seasons like Golden Week and the autumn foliage season.

We only stayed less than an hour as it did not match the tranquil journey we were after. However, we were still able to appreciate the beauty of the place and the joy on people's faces on this sunny day.

the entry is free, but there is a small fee for parking (around ¥300).

📍 Yamanakako Onsen Benifuji

we treated ourselves to our second onsen of the trip. This time, we headed to Yamanakako Onsen Benifuji, a hot spring located in the Yamanakako area. The onsen features natural hot spring water sourced from Mount Fuji, having many benefits for the skin and overall health.

Not only does Yamanakako Onsen Benifuji offer a relaxing soak in hot springs, but it also boasts an incredible view of Mount Fuji. As you unwind in the warm water, you will be treated to a truly breathtaking view.

view from the hot baths of Yamanakako Onsen Benifuji

The price for a day visit to the onsen is ¥1,500 per adult, and it includes access to the indoor and outdoor hot spring baths, as well as the sauna. The onsen is open from 10:00am to 9:00pm, and the last admission is at 8:30pm. take note the onsen is closed tuesdays.

📍 dining at cafe gusto and park for the night

After relaxing our muscles in the soothing hot water and a long and eventful day of exploring the beauty of Yamanashi, we were in search of a place to rest our heads for the night. Determined not to repeat our mistake from the previous day, we decided to head straight to the lake and try our luck there.

To our delight, we discovered that there were plenty of free spots along the lake where we could park our van and wake up to the serene view of the water. It felt like we had hit the jackpot.

As we were getting settled, our stomachs began to rumble and we started looking for a place to eat. We stumbled upon a little diner called Cafe Gusto “ガスト山中湖店”, which seemed like the perfect spot for a family-friendly meal.

We weren't looking for anything fancy, just simple and affordable food that would satisfy our hunger. And that's exactly what we got. We ordered some simple pizza and a huge matcha parfait for dessert !! The cafe even had a kids menu, which made our toddler very happy.

What is more, the prices were incredibly reasonable. We were able to enjoy a satisfying full meal for 3 for less than ¥3,000, which was a great deal considering the quality of the food and the beautiful location of the diner.

As we sat there enjoying our meal and taking in the stunning view of the lake, we felt grateful for the simple pleasures in life. It had been a long and great day, and this perfect ending made it all worth it. We went to bed feeling content and ready to take on whatever adventures awaited us the next day.