Lake Motosu

Lake Motosu
Motosu-ko
本栖湖

Location Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi, Minobu, Yamanashi
Coordinates 35°27′50″N 138°35′08″E / 35.46389°N 138.58556°E / 35.46389; 138.58556Coordinates: 35°27′50″N 138°35′08″E / 35.46389°N 138.58556°E / 35.46389; 138.58556
Primary outflows none
Basin countries Japan
Surface area 4.7 km²
Average depth 67.3 m
Max. depth 121.6 m
Water volume 0.316 km3
Shore length1 11.82 km
Surface elevation 900 m
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.
reverse side of former 5000-yen banknote

Lake Motosu (本栖湖 Motosu-ko) is the westernmost of the Fuji Five Lakes and located in southern Yamanashi Prefecture near Mount Fuji, Japan.

It is the third-largest of the Fuji Five Lakes in terms of surface area, and is the deepest, with a maximum water depth of 121.6 metres (399 feet), making it the ninth-deepest lake in Japan.[1] Its surface elevation of 900 metres (3,000 feet) is the same as for Lake Shoji and Lake Sai, confirming that these three lakes were originally a single lake, which was divided by an enormous lava flow from Mount Fuji.[2] The remnants of the lava flow are now under the Aokigahara Jukai Forest, and there is evidence to indicate that these three lakes remain connected by underground waterways.[1] The temperature of the water never drops below 4 °C (39 °F), making it the only one of the Fuji Five Lakes that does not freeze in winter.

The lake is within the borders of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.[3]

As with the other Fuji Five Lakes, the area is a popular resort, with many lakeside hotels, windsurfing facilities, camp sites, and excursion boats. Rainbow trout and brown trout were introduced to the lake in the Meiji period, and sports fishing is also popular. However, in recent years, reduced water transparency due to pollution from these activities has been a growing issue.

The lake and its view of Mount Fuji were featured on Series D of the Japanese 5000-yen note and Series E of the Japanese 1000-yen note.

See also

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 "Yamanashi Sightseeing Net". yamanashi-kankou.jp. Retrieved 2007-05-25.
  2. ↑ Rafferty, Tectonics, Volcanoes, and Earthquakes. page 135
  3. ↑ Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park(Ministry of the Environment (Japan))
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