Lake Ashi

This is the biggest volcanic lake nearest to Mt Fuji. Beautiful but not congested, served by an extensive and efficient public transport system. Odakyu and Seibu are the two biggest landowners in this area. They are also competitors in retail outlets, and operate their own transportation networks. The Freepass we bought were valid on Odakyu lines only, including the Pirate sightseeing ships, switchback train, cablecar and ropeway.

The deepest part of Lake Ashi is around 100m deep, rich in trout, salmons, and a local small fish (pond smelt) similar to Shisamo but less fishy in taste. Restaurants around the lake serve normal Japanese fares, but there is one German, one Indonesian and one Indian restaurant near Togendai, the pirate ship jetty. We tried the local 'smelt' deep fried in a local restaurant for lunch. 6 fish, each about 100mm long, salad and miso soup costs Y1,400. The fish are available from May to Sept each year.

Many came to fish the lake, some go for salmons and trouts by trolling, and many came to jig with tiny hooks (size 12) for those small fish in season. We chat with two fishermen on their way home after a morning in a small rental boat at the lake. No biat needed, just jig the string of 6 size 12 hooks up and down. Their harvest: 3 small fish (see photo).

All the local restaurants keep a fishing rod rack with rods and reels. Just borrow one, attached your own terminal gear and they will (if you succeed) cook your catch for you.

The kids wanted to paddle a boat after lunch, and guess what they wanted to do after that? Soak in the onsen hotsoring pools back in Uncle Jun's condo.