Fuji Hakone Izu National Park
Fuji-Hakone-Izu is a national park in Japan, founded back in 1936 on an area of 1227 km2. Every year these places are visited by up to 5 million tourists from all over the world. The park includes 5 Fuji lakes, hot springs, the Izu Peninsula and, of course, the pride of all Japan - Mount Fuji.
Hot springs
Among the hills, surrounded by pine and fir trees, lie the 5 famous lakes of Fuji. In the southeast of Fuji lies the volcanic region of Hakone, famous for its hot spring resorts. This location is home to the double volcano Owakudani, which is still active. South of Hakone is the picturesque Izu Peninsula, home to the Amagisan Mountains and Yugashima Hot Springs. Its close location to Tokyo, scenic spots on Mount Fuji, beautiful resorts with a large number of hot springs, the Hakone forest and beaches on the Izu Peninsula made this park a wonderful holiday destination for the whole family. The main attractions can be visited by monorail, and you can also take the cable car up Mount Fuji.
Lake Ashi is one of the main attractions of this place; you can see the reflection of Mount Fuji in it. The diameter of the lake is more than 20 km, its beauty attracts tourists from all over the world, as well as fishermen. Tourists rarely refuse a boat trip on the lake.
Owakudani Volcano
In addition to boat trips, you can visit the Owakudani volcano, from which you can admire the beautiful landscapes of Japan. The volcano's crater was formed more than 3,000 years ago when Mount Kami was most active. Today this process continues, but not so much. Previously, the mountain was called "Ovaku". In 1876, Emperor Meiji came here, and since such a titled person could not visit some kind of “hell,” the mountain was renamed Owakudani, translated as “great hell.” In the valley of the mountain there are a large number of hot springs in which tourists boil chicken eggs. After boiling eggs in this water, the shells of the eggs become black, but the inside of the eggs remains white. Such eggs are called Kuro-tamago and due to the sulfur content in the springs, the eggs are slightly impregnated with it. Local residents say that one such egg eaten will add at least 7 years to life. These eggs are sold in paper bags and are best eaten immediately, since the beneficial elements do not last long.
Five Lakes of Fuji
The Five Lakes of Fuji are one of the amazing places in Japan. The Japanese quite often come to the lakes to take a break from everyday worries and admire the beauty of Mount Fuji; the Japanese themselves respectfully call it Fuji. Motosu is the lake that is depicted on the 5,000 yen banknote, and it is also the deepest. Fishermen can often be found in Lake Shojin. Lake Sai offers the most beautiful scenery on Fuji, and it is also the cleanest. On the shores of Lake Kawaguchi, all conditions for recreation were created for vacationers: restaurants were built, and an area was allocated for picnics. Well, those who love water activities go to Lake Yamanaka.
Izu is a peninsula in the south of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Some of the most popular resorts based on hot springs are located here. In the Middle Ages, prisoners were exiled here. At the beginning of the 17th century, the Englishman William Adams settled here - the first to reach the shores of Japan. He also became the prototype for James Claywell's novel "Shogun".
