Saiko Lake

Lake Saiko (西湖, Saiko) is the one of the Fuji Five Lakes and located in southern Yamanashi Prefecture near Mount Fuji, Japan.

It is the fourth of the Fuji Five Lakes in terms of surface area, and second deepest, with a maximum water depth of 71.1 metres (233 ft). Its surface elevation of 900 metres (3,000 ft) is the same as for Lake Motosu and Lake Shōji, confirming that these three lakes were originally a single lake, which was divided by an enormous lava flow from Mount Fuji during an eruption from 864-868 AD. 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.

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

Saiko has no natural drainage, but an artificial channel now connects it to Lake Kawaguchi. As with the other Fuji Five Lakes, the area is a popular resort, with many lakeside hotels, windsurfing facilities, camp sites, and excursion boats. Japanese crucian carp, wakasagi and Kunimasu were introduced to the lake in the Meiji period, and sports fishing is also popular.