Embarking on the journey of love amidst the captivating landscapes of Japan is a dream shared by many couples, and Lake Yamanaka, with the iconic Mount Fuji gracing the horizon, provides the perfect backdrop for enchanting engagement and surprise proposal photoshoots. Lets talk you through the most romantic locations to shoot around Lake Yamanaka.
Yamanakako Hana no Miyako Park
Nestled along the banks of Lake Yamanakako, Hana no Miyako Park offers a blooming haven for engagement photos. The meticulously landscaped gardens, adorned with seasonal flowers, provide a vibrant and colourful setting, so if you are looking for lots of flowers in your photos, this spot is for you! It’s useful to note that this park opens at 9AM and closes at 4.30PM. So we recommend this spot for couples who are unable to do a sunrise shoot. There is an entrance fee of ¥300 in the winter and ¥500 for the rest of the year. If you are driving, there is a carpark that’s ¥300, and buses available every 30 minutes or so. We recommend shooting here between in April - September only, to really see the blooms. You can check out which flowers to expect depending on the time of the year, on the official Hana no Miyako website here
Lake Yamanaka Shoreline
The serene shores of Lake Yamanaka set the stage for a timeless engagement photoshoot. The gentle lapping of the water against the shore mirrors the calm and steady love shared between couples, while Mount Fuji stands tall in the background. Whether bathed in the soft glow of sunrise or the warm hues of sunset, the shoreline becomes a canvas for capturing stunning photos. We also know a secret spot where you’ll have swans come join you, making this super romantic! After shooting here a few times, we’ve noticed it’s not an area that many tourists flock to, in comparison to say somewhere like Oishi Park, so i’d say you have the choice of shooting here at either sunrise or sunset. If you wanted to shoot at Hana no Miyako Park also, we would recommend shooting there first, and then coming to take more photos about an hour before sunset, at the shoreline itself.