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"Where does the city's water come from?"

Have you ever stopped to think about that?

During Japan’s Golden Week of 2025, I set out on my Super Cub from Sagamihara in Kanagawa Prefecture, aiming to reach Lake Yamanaka by passing through Dōshi Village in Yamanashi.
The lush, winding Route 413—known as Dōshi-michi—was more than just a scenic ride.
It turns out this deep forested area in Dōshi is the actual water source for the city of Yokohama.

Dōshi Road: Hidden Nature Behind the Urban Curtain

Dōshi Village lies at the southeastern edge of Yamanashi Prefecture, right along the border with Kanagawa.
It's a quiet mountain village, far removed from the bustle of urban life.
You wouldn’t guess it just walking through Yokohama, but this place quietly sustains the city’s water supply.
The Dōshi River runs through the village center and has been providing fresh water to Yokohama since the Meiji era.

So pure it's said to “stay fresh even beyond the equator,” Dōshi’s water is more than legend.
Roughly 30% of the village is protected as a water conservation forest by Yokohama City, preserving this natural lifeline.

As I rode past on my bike, a small stone marker and sign came into view—
a quiet reminder of the invisible bond between this forest and the distant city.

Mt. Fuji and Lake Yamanaka: The Source of Sky and Water

After cruising along Dōshi-michi, I arrived at the expansive Lake Yamanaka—
one of the five lakes surrounding Mt. Fuji, nestled quietly on its northeastern base.

I parked my bike by the lakeside and looked up—
there it was, Mt. Fuji in all its clarity beneath a flawless sky.
The cool breeze and crisp air held me still in awe.

More than just a sightseeing spot, Mt. Fuji felt like a spiritual thread
connecting Dōshi, Lake Yamanaka, and the distant city of Yokohama.

Fujino Hot Springs and the Road Back Home

To be honest, my back had been aching that morning, and I wasn’t really in the mood to ride.

But after stepping out for an early morning bowl of ramen, I casually hopped on my Super Cub.
Next thing I knew, I had crossed Dōshi and made it all the way to Lake Yamanaka.

I stopped by Fujino’s Yamanami Onsen, but the crowd made me turn back.
Even so, the cool forest air and the glimpse of Mt. Fuji brought a quiet comfort to my soul.

When I got home and cracked open a beer, I thought to myself—

The Invisible Path of Water That Connects Us

Just like how Kyoto's water flows quietly from Lake Biwa and the Uji River in Shiga,
I realized that Yokohama's water too travels silently from the forest of Dōshi.

The water flowing beneath Yokohama’s towers—
it began deep in the Dōshi forest, followed the mountain paths near Lake Yamanaka, and made its gentle journey to the city as a “drop of the forest.”

Things I learned only by traveling—
connections you won’t find on any map,
a hidden relationship between urban life and mountain nature.

Your “just because” kind of day might lead to something unexpectedly meaningful.
Take a slow ride, and let Dōshi’s forest remind you of the quiet connections that shape our lives.

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