Mt. Fuji, a symbol of Japan, is lovely to behold when covered in snow. But when summer comes, most of that snow melts. And it is not just snow that falls on Mt. Fuji; it rains a great deal as well. But there are no rivers flowing at the foot of Mt. Fuji. So where exactly does the water from the snowmelt and rain go?

Since long ago, Mt. Fuji has erupted repeatedly, creating its current shape. The geological features of the mountain and the nearby land vary according to the period of eruptions. Simply put, there is a layer formed by hardened volcanic mud flows through which water cannot easily flow, and on top of that is a layer formed from cooled magma, through which water can flow easily (like a sponge with lots of holes).

Because the surface of Mt. Fuji absorbs water well, the rain and snowmelt do not form rivers and instead permeate underground. The water gathers in the sponge-like layer on top of the water-resistant layer and eventually it gushes out at the foot of the mountain. The five lakes of Mt. Fuji, which include Lake Kawaguchi and Lake Yamanaka in Yamanashi Prefecture, and the Shiraito Falls in Shizuoka Prefecture, are examples of the places where the water Mt. Fuji was storing up finally surfaces above ground.

The city of Mishima in Shizuoka Prefecture was one of the stations along the old Tokaido route that linked Edo with Kyoto and Osaka, and it prospered as an inn town where travelers would find lodging for the night. It is located more than 30 km away from Mt. Fuji, but even here one can find the snowmelt from Mt. Fuji gushing up.

About 8,500 years ago, Mt. Fuji erupted and the lava is said to have flowed as far as what is now downtown Mishima. At the farthest edge of the lava flow you can find many springs. Among them is the Kakita River, situated in the neighboring town of Shimizu (about 10 minutes by bus from Mishima Station), which is famous for its abundant supply of spring-fed water.

The source of the river is found in the Kakita River Park, which is located along the Tokaido Highway/National Route 1, where it suddenly emerges as a 30-50 meter wide river. Although there is no river on the north side of Route 1, it suddenly appears on the south side of the road.

Each day, between 800,000 and 1.2 million tons of water flow from the spring, and the water temperature remains at a constant approximate temperature of 15°C all year. The water is used by many of the nearby residents in Shimizu, Mishima, and elsewhere for drinking and for use in industry and agriculture. At the shinkansen (bullet train) rail yard in Mishima, the industrial use water from the Kakita River is used to wash train cars.

There are two observation decks in the park for viewing the source of the river. Peering down from the first deck, you can see the clear water gushing forth and whipping up the sand on the riverbed. Unlike the usual image of the headwaters of a river, it is not a small flow at all. Rather than a stream, the water that continuously gushes forth instead forms a river right away.
Under the second observation deck is a large, round wellspring, and the water that comes up is a sparkling blue-green color.

It may not look like much - simply a spot where water springs up and forms a river. But when you consider that the water has come the more than 30 km from Mt. Fuji, traveling for what some say is anywhere from 80 days to a century before it eventually bursts out in this spring, finally appearing above ground again and providing its bountiful blessings to so many people and other living things, you forget about time for a while and find yourself entranced by the flow...

Incidentally, the Kakita River is only about 1.2 km long, as it quickly merges with the Kano River. But despite its short length, this clear stream is greatly loved by local residents. Why not try visiting it sometime?

Getting to the Kakita River from Tokyo

Take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Mishima Station. Take the Tokai bus heading toward Numazu Station via "Sun to Moon", or take the Kakita-gawa Loop bus, and get off at the Kakitagawa Yusui Kouen-mae stop (about 15 minutes).
The river is an approximately 1-minute walk from there.

Hotel & Ryokan close to Mishima, Shizuoka. You may enjoy an Onsen there!