Ebina is home to the famous Ebina Service Area on the Tomei Expressway. While technically a highway rest area, it functions as a highly popular "roadside station" destination

The Ebina Service Area features extensive facilities, including:

Gourmet Food: It is famous for regional snacks, especially the highly sought-after Ebina Melonpan (sweet bread) and local dishes like the shrimp tempura Ebina Curry Roll.

Amenities: It offers 24/7 restrooms, free Wi-Fi, ATMs, and duty-free shops.

Why Ebina SA is Famous

The Famous Melonpan: The single most iconic item at Ebina SA (downbound line/Nagoya direction) is the melonpan from the Porooya (ぽるとがる) bakery. It holds a Guinness World Record for the number of melonpan sold in a 48-hour period. It’s light, massively sized, and incredibly fragrant with real melon juice flavoring.

Gourmet Food Hub: The food courts and shopping areas are packed with famous regional specialties. You’ll find fresh seafood from the nearby Sagami Bay, local Kanagawa brand pork dishes, specialty ramen like the popular Ebi-shio (shrimp salt) ramen, Hakone Bakery treats, and high-end dessert pop-ups (including the popular IDEBOK jersey milk soft-serve ice cream).

Souvenir Heaven: It is the ultimate spot to pick up regional souvenirs if you are traveling to or from Tokyo. You can buy Tokyo’s trendy sweets, Yokohama’s classic Kiyoken Shiumai (shumai barrows), and Shizuoka tea crafts all under one roof.

Explore a picturesque traditional village with crystal-clear spring ponds from Mt. Fuji's snowmelt. Take a walk, shop for souvenirs, and enjoy local snacks.

Oshino hakkai is a scenic, historic tourist village located in the Fuji Five Lakes region of Yamanashi Prefecture, nestled between Lake Kawaguchiko and Lake Yamanakako. The site sits on an ancient lakebed that dried out centuries ago and is now world-famous for its exceptionally clear water, traditional aesthetic, and stunning photographic backdrops of Mount Fuji. Designated as a part of the Mount Fuji UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, it serves as a prominent cultural and natural attraction.

The Eight Sacred Ponds

The core attraction of the village is its eight natural spring-fed ponds—hence the name Hakkai ("Eight Seas").

The Snowmelt Filtration: The ponds are continuously replenished by snowmelt from the slopes of Mount Fuji. The water filters down through porous layers of volcanic lava rock over a span of several decades, completely purifying the water and leaving it remarkably transparent and rich in minerals.

The Ponds: Each pond has its own unique character, folklore, and associated Buddhist dragon deity. Major ponds include Waku-ike, known for having the highest water volume and vibrant blue depths; Kagami-ike ("Mirror Pond"), which perfectly reflects Mount Fuji under calm conditions; and Deguchi-ike, the largest and most serene pond situated a short walk away from the bustling main tourist center.

Capture postcard-perfect views of Mt. Fuji by the lakeside. Ideal spot for photos and enjoying seasonal scenery.

Yamanakako Myojinyama Panorama-dai is a premier elevated scenic overlook located southeast of Lake Yamanaka along Prefectural Road 730. Positioned up on the mountain slopes, it offers a dramatic panoramic vantage point that pairs the expansive waters of Lake Yamanaka directly with the massive, unobstructed backdrop of Mount Fuji. On clear days, the sweeping views extend even further out toward the Southern Alps, making it an incredibly popular spot for landscape photographers, drivers, and cyclists alike.

The Dramatic Vista: Because of its elevated positioning, it provides an outstanding sense of scale, showing the entire crescent shape of Lake Yamanaka nestled at the base of Mount Fuji.

Seasonal Beauty: Reviewers highlight its changing landscape throughout the year, featuring fields of silver grass (susuki) swaying in the autumn breeze and stunning snow-capped peaks during the winter months.

Facilities & Access: The viewpoint features a small public parking area, though it fills up quickly during early morning hours and weekends. There are public restrooms available, but no major commercial shops, preserving its natural, rustic appeal

Water’s Edge Observatory is a peaceful shoreline lookout spot positioned on the eastern edge of Lake Yamanaka, specifically favored by visitors. It provides a direct perspective across the water looking west toward the mountain

Try regional specialties such as "Houtou" (hearty miso noodle stew) or your preferred Japanese cuisine.

It comes served in a huge iron pot, bubbling hot, the visual alone is amazing. The broth is Miso-based, so it's incredibly savory and rich, a taste that feels warm and comforting, almost like home. It’s absolutely perfect for chilly weather.

But the real highlight here is the huge chunks of Sweet Pumpkin inside! This pumpkin is the game-changer. It's cooked until it's super soft, and the natural sweetness melts into the salty miso broth, creating an explosion of savory-sweet flavors.. The noodles are thick and chewy, and it's packed with veggies, so you'll be incredibly full after finishing a bowl.

Swan Boat Ride at Lake Yamanaka

Enjoy a 20–30 minute ride in a swan-shaped pedal boat. Fun for families and couples. (Optional / weather dependent / ~¥1,000 on-site)

The Lake Kawaguchiko Sightseeing Boat

The Lake Kawaguchiko Sightseeing Boat, officially known as the "Appare" (天晴), offers one of the absolute best unobstructed views of Mount Fuji directly from the water.

The ship features a striking Sengoku-period naval design, styled after the warships of the Takeda clan, complete with a bold red-and-gold color scheme and traditional crest banners.

The Cruise Experience

The entire cruise takes about 20 minutes, making it an incredibly easy activity to fit into a day trip around the Fuji Five Lakes area

The Route: The boat departs from the Funatsu-hama lakeside pier, glides under the large Kawaguchiko Ohashi Bridge, circles around the historic Unoshima Island (the only natural island among the Fuji Five Lakes), and returns.

Onboard Facilities:

1st Floor Cabin: Fully indoor and wheelchair accessible, featuring unique tatami-style seating arrangements for a traditional Japanese lounge feel.

2nd Floor Deck: An open-air upper deck offering a panoramic 360-degree view. On clear days, this is the prime spot for taking photos of Mount Fuji framing the lake. A retractable canopy section ensures cover if the weather turns.

Operating Hours Generally 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM

The Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway is a popular aerial lift that ascends from the eastern shore of Lake Kawaguchi to an observation deck on Mt. Tenjo. From the summit, which sits at an elevation of 1,075 meters, you can enjoy sweeping views of Mt. Fuji and the Fuji Five Lakes.

Key Highlights & Activities

The View: The observation deck offers one of the most iconic panoramas in Japan, featuring Mt. Fuji's symmetrical cone and the sprawling town of Fujikawaguchiko below.

Folklore Theme: The mountain is the setting for the Japanese folktale Kachi-Kachi Yama (Mt. Click-Clack). You will see statues and motifs of the story's main characters, a clever rabbit and a mischievous tanuki (raccoon dog), throughout the site.

Tenjo Bell: A popular spot for couples; ringing the bell while facing Mt. Fuji is said to bring good fortune to relationships.

Kawarake Throwing: You can purchase small clay discs and try to throw them through a rope ring. Successfully landing one is believed to make your wish come true.

Tanuki Tea House: A summit shop serving local snacks, including Mitarashi Dango (skewered rice dumplings) branded with a Mt. Fuji design.

Hiking Options: While the ascent takes only three minutes, many visitors choose to hike down the forested trail (approx. 30 minutes). For more experienced hikers, another trail leads further up to the summit of Mt. Mitsutoge.

Todashuhan (often spelled Todashuhan) is a well-known local liquor store located at the foot of Mount Fuji in Fujiyoshida. It is highly regarded for offering a large selection of alcoholic beverages at very reasonable prices, making it a convenient stop to pick up drinks.

Product Variety: Reviewers note a diverse selection of drinks suitable for casual gatherings, including an exclusive house-brand sake (Osake) that comes highly recommended.

Store Amenities: The location features a wheelchair-accessible entrance and parking lot, and it accepts credit card payments.

Operating Hours: Open daily from 9:30 AM to 8:00 PM.