Oshino Hakkai Springs Sacred Site No. 8: Shobu Pond

This pond is one of the ponds which make of Oshino Hakkai Springs, which has been designated a Natural Monument, selected for inclusion in the Japanese Top 100 Famous Water list, and which is also included in the Fujisan World Heritage listing. The source of the pond is underground spring water from Mt. Fuji. The eighth of Oshino Hakkai Springs' sacred ponds, the pond is located close to Hakkai Shobuike Park and irises grow around it. According to legend, there once was a man in the area with chest troubles, and though his wife prepared special foods and medicines for him, he would not get better; praying for help, the wife received a divine revelation and wrapped his body in irises from this pond, after which he was healed in less than a month.