🌿 Saiko Iyashi no Sato Nenba: The Healing Village by Mount Fuji

If you’re visiting the Fuji Five Lakes area and want a mix of scenery and culture, Saiko Iyashi no Sato Nenba is worth adding to your itinerary. This open-air museum and craft village sits by Lake Saiko, with a stunning view of Mount Fuji in the background. The village is a reconstruction of a thatched-roof settlement that was destroyed by a landslide in the 1960s. Today, it has been revived as a place where visitors can explore traditional Japanese houses, each turned into craft studios, museums, galleries, or souvenir shops. You’ll find everything from washi paper art and pottery to glasswork, woodcrafts, and seasonal exhibitions. Some houses also offer kimono rental, perfect for capturing a traditional photo with Fuji in the background. The layout is easy to walk around, with narrow lanes connecting the houses and lookout points where you can see Fuji rising over the rooftops. It’s a calm, slow-paced experience—true to its name, “Iyashi no Sato,” which means healing village. ⸻ 🚌 How to Get There from Kawaguchiko Station Reaching Saiko Iyashi no Sato Nenba by public transport is simple: - From Kawaguchiko Station, take the Omni Bus (Green Line / Saiko Sightseeing Bus). - The journey takes around 40 minute with a scenic view along the lake. - Fare is about ¥1,100 one way, or you can get a 1-day bus pass for unlimited rides, which is more cost-effective if you plan to visit other spots around Lake Saiko. - Get off directly at the “Saiko Iyashi no Sato Nenba” bus stop—the entrance is right next to it. There’re food stalls at the entrance. Try the grilled fish (last picture), it was THE BEST grilled fish i’ve eaten in my life. ⸻ 🕙 Opening Hours & Tips - Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (shorter hours in winter) - Admission: around ¥500 for adults, ¥250 for children - Best combined with other nearby attractions such as Lake Saiko, Aokigahara Forest, or Fuji Shizen Culture Park. - Arrive in the morning or early afternoon for the clearest chance to see Mount Fuji without clouds. #myitinerary #mytraveldiary #travel #thingstodo #naturalwonders #japantrip