Hello, this is Interpreter Takezawa!
Today, we’ll continue our exploration of Mount Fuji, focusing on the rivers, lakes, and waterfalls in the Mount Fuji area.
First things first: Mount Fuji has no rivers.
This might sound strange, but it’s due to the mountain’s geology. Mount Fuji is primarily composed of basaltic lava and scoria, which are porous and allow water to easily seep into the ground. As a result, there isn’t enough surface water to form rivers.
However, you could say that rivers originating from springs at the foot of Mount Fuji are, in a way, Mount Fuji’s rivers. The water that seeps underground eventually emerges as springs at the base of the mountain. These springs then become the source of various rivers.
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For example, the Shibakawa River originates from the Inokashira spring group on Mount Fuji’s western slopes.
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Similarly, the Uruigawa River, which flows through the Osawa gully, also starts on the western side of Mount Fuji.
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The Kandagawa River begins at Wakutama Pond within the Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha shrine.
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The Kakita River originates from a spring far from Mount Fuji.
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The Katsura River starts at Lake Yamanaka.
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The Kise River and Ayuzawa River both have their sources in Gotemba City, Shizuoka Prefecture.
It’s important to note that not all of these rivers solely originate from Mount Fuji. The Uruigawa and Shibakawa Rivers also have sources in the Tenko Mountains, and Lake Yamanaka’s water comes from rainfall and snowmelt from surrounding mountains as well.
Lakes
We’ve already covered the Fuji Five Lakes in detail, so I won’t repeat that information here.
Aside from the Fuji Five Lakes, Lake Tanuki in Shizuoka Prefecture is another well-known lake in the area.
Lake Tanuki is a man-made lake created for agricultural irrigation. It’s located in the Asagiri Highlands and has a circumference of about 4 kilometers.
Originally, it was a marsh called “Tanuki-numa” (Tanuki Marsh), which was expanded to become Lake Tanuki. Before that, it was also known as “Choja-ga-ike” (Pond of the Wealthy). The name “Tanuki-numa” likely came from the fact that many tanuki (raccoon dogs) lived there.
Another story suggests that the name became established after Tanuki Jiro, a retainer of Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine, lived a retired life in this area. Today, Lake Tanuki is a popular spot for nature walks and camping. It’s also famous for the “Diamond Fuji” phenomenon, where the sunrise aligns with the peak of Mount Fuji, creating a diamond-like sparkle on the mountaintop’s at the begining of April and August.
The area around Lake Tanuki has accumulated ancient Fuji mudflows (which are impermeable) due to the Tanuki Lake debris avalanche. As a result, the “Odanuki Marsh,” said to be the only marsh on Mount Fuji’s western slopes, can be found north of Lake Tanuki.
Other lakes near Mount Fuji include Lake Myoken and Lake Shiorend, formerly pilgrimage destinations as part of the Fuji Hakkai (Eight Lakes of Fuji).
Waterfalls
Shiraito Falls
Shiraito Falls, meaning “White Thread Falls,” is the largest waterfall at the foot of Mount Fuji and is part of the Mount Fuji World Heritage Site.
The waterfall has a height of about 20 meters and a width of 200 meters. The water flow is about 1.5 tons per second, or 13 tons per day.
Unlike typical waterfalls that flow from rivers, this unique waterfall is fed by Mount Fuji’s groundwater, which emerges from gaps in the lava layers. The water flows down in delicate strands, resembling white threads, hence the name “Shiraito Falls.” The water temperature remains cold even in the summer, at around 10 degrees Celsius, a characteristic of spring water.
Historically and culturally, Shiraito Falls was a pilgrimage site for followers of the Fuji-ko faith. It’s also said that Minamoto no Yoritomo, a famous shogun, stopped by the falls during a hunting expedition and composed a poem. The falls have also been a popular subject in paintings since ancient times.
Speaking of hunting expeditions (makigari), Yoritomo’s hunts involved surrounding the game with soldiers to make it easier for him to hunt. It wasn’t just an excuse for a camping trip!
Near Shiraito Falls, on the path from the parking lot, is another waterfall called Otonashi Falls. It has a drop of 25 meters, even higher than Shiraito Falls. Otonashi Falls is known as the site where the Soga brothers plotted their revenge. Legend says that the sound of the waterfall was so loud that they shouted at it, and miraculously, the sound stopped. That’s how it got the name “Otonashi Falls” (Sound-Stopping Falls). It must have been a very noisy waterfall!
Other waterfalls related to Mount Fuji include the Goryu Falls and Ayutsubo Falls on the Kise River. These waterfalls showcase the “Mishima Lava,” which flowed from Mount Fuji about 10,000 years ago. Erosion is gradually changing these falls, but they have gained attention since the Izu Peninsula was designated as a Global Geopark.
In conclusion, we’ve learned about the rivers, lakes, and waterfalls surrounding Mount Fuji. With an annual precipitation of 2 billion tons, most of that water seeps underground and is stored, leaving very little on the surface. We’ve also seen how Mount Fuji’s lava has significantly shaped the landscape of this region.
