Lake Motosu

Lake Motosu is an intermediate freshwater dive site at one of the five lakes surrounding Mount Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture, offering a truly unique Japanese diving experience. This volcanic crater lake reaches depths of 30 meters with remarkably clear water, and its claim to fame is the view of Mount Fuji from the lake — the same angle depicted on Japan's 1,000-yen banknote. Underwater, the volcanic lakebed features lava rock formations, submerged trees, and sandy slopes creating an eerie yet beautiful landscape. The freshwater ecosystem supports Japanese giant salamanders in connected streams, freshwater crayfish, and various endemic fish species. Altitude diving considerations apply here, as the lake sits at over 900 meters elevation. Lake Motosu offers a contemplative diving experience unlike any other — floating in the shadow of Japan's sacred mountain in crystal-clear volcanic waters is genuinely magical.