Experience the Breathtaking Beauty of the Mountains! 32 Tourist Spots in Yamanashi

If you want to experience Yamanashi's beautiful landscapes, autumn is the best season to visit.
From October to November, you can enjoy stunning views of valleys adorned with autumn leaves and the breathtaking scenery of Mt. Fuji and the lakes surrounded by vibrant fall foliage.

From Tokyo Station, you can reach Yamanashi in an hour and a half by taking the express train on the JR Chuo Main Line.
Since there is no airport in Yamanashi, if you are traveling from Nagoya or Osaka, you will need to take the Shinkansen to Tokyo and then transfer to the JR Chuo Main Line.

Located in the northern part of Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture, Shosenkyo Gorge is known as "the most beautiful gorge in Japan."
Visitors can admire granite cliffs and unique rock formations carved over many years, along with the gorge's clear and abundant water flow.

Narusawa Hyoketsu Ice Cave is located at the eastern entrance of the Aokigahara Jyukai(sea of trees), which extends at the base of Mt. Fuji. It is one of the popular tourist spots among the Fuji Five Lakes and attracts visitors year-round. The cave was formed after an eruption of Mt. Fuji, creating a 153-meter-long lava cave.

Fuji-Q Highland features a range of world-class thrill rides and character-themed parks.
It offers many thrilling attractions, including "FUJIYAMA," known as the King of Coasters, which reaches a top speed of 130 km/h.

Surrounded by lush greenery, Fugaku Fuketsu Wind Cave is one of the largest natural lava caves in the Aokigahara Jukai(sea of trees).
The cave stretches horizontally for 201 meters and has a height of 8.7 meters, taking about 15 minutes to walk through.
Inside the cave, it stays cool even in summer, with an average temperature of 3 degrees Celsius.

Oshino Hakkai refers to 8 natural spring ponds sourced from Mt. Fuji: Deguchi-ike, Okama-ike, Sokonashi-ike, Choshi-ike, Waku-ike, Nigori-ike, Kagami-ike, and Shobu-ike.
These ponds were once part of a lake that dried up, forming these 8 spring-fed ponds.

Located in a tranquil mountainous area, Yamanashi Fuefukigawa Fruit Park is a theme park where visitors can enjoy the rich natural surroundings, Yamanashi's agricultural produce, dining, and shopping.
Situated on a slope, it offers panoramic views of Mt. Fuji and the Kofu Basin. At night, you can enjoy a beautiful nightscape that is considered one of "The New Three Japanese Cities with the Most Spectacular Night Views."

Koshu Yume Kouji has emerged as a new landmark in Yamanashi.
It recreates the town around Kofu Castle from the Meiji to early Showa era, filled with the atmosphere of Little Edo.
This attraction features relocated old folk houses, buildings constructed in traditional architectural styles, and a retro townscape with stone pavements and waterways.

Takeda Shrine is dedicated to the famous Sengoku period warlord Takeda Shingen.
It is believed to bring blessings for business prosperity, good fortune, success in contests, and protection from evil.
The shrine is particularly renowned for its blessings related to competitive strength and luck in contests, making it a popular power spot.

Nishizawa Valley, located in Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park, is one of Japan's most beautiful gorge scenic spots.
Many tourists visit in early summer for the rhododendrons and fresh greenery, and in autumn for the fall foliage. Nishizawa Valley is recognized as a Forest Therapy® Base, proven to have relaxing effects, and attracts many visitors seeking "forest bathing."

Hananomiyako Park is located near Lake Yamanaka and offers stunning views of Mt. Fuji.
The park has both free and paid areas; the free area features a vast flower field spanning 300,000 square meters, planted with a variety of flowers that bloom in different seasons.

Perched at an elevation of 1,900 meters, Kiyosato Terrace is a scenic spot offering breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji and the Nobeyama Plateau.
After enjoying a panoramic lift ride that feels like a walk in the sky, you can relax on the terrace, surrounded by clear air, blue skies, and lush natural scenery, providing a perfect escape from the daily hustle and bustle.

Lake Yamanaka covers an area of about 6.57 square kilometers and is located at an elevation of approximately 980.5 meters, making it the third highest lake in Japan. It is the closest of the "Fuji Five Lakes" to Mt. Fuji, offering stunning seasonal views where the majestic Mt. Fuji and the lake create breathtaking landscapes.

Lake Kawaguchi is known as one of the Fuji Five Lakes and is a popular spot for its spectacular views of Mt. Fuji.
Along the lakeshore, the scenery changes beautifully with the seasons: cherry blossoms in spring, purple lavender in early summer, and colorful foliage in autumn.
Additionally, it is unique among the Fuji Five Lakes for having both an island and a bridge.

This theme park is run by Kikyouya, which manufactures and sells Kikyou Shingen Mochi, a famous confection from Yamanashi.
Visitors can observe the production process of the mochi. Each piece is hand-wrapped, and the careful yet speedy packaging process is a must-see.

Heidi’s Village is based on the 1974 anime "Heidi, Girl of the Alps," which is set in the Swiss Alps and depicts the growth of the young girl Heidi.
The scenes from the series, such as the hay bed, natural landscapes, and melted cheese from meal scenes, have left many people longing for the world of Heidi.

In 2013, Mt. Fuji was registered as a World Heritage Cultural Site as "a sacred place and source of artistic inspiration." The designation includes 25 component sites, such as surrounding shrines, climbing trails, lava tree molds, and lakes.

Saruhashi Bridge spans 30.9 meters in length and 3.3 meters in width, but it stands 31 meters high over a deep gorge, supported not by piers but by four layers of projecting wooden struts from both banks.
It is one of Japan's three most unusual bridges, alongside Kintai Bridge in Iwakuni and the bridge in Kiso.

Arakurayama Sengen Park is famous for its magnificent views of Mt. Fuji and the beautiful Chureito Pagoda.
The park is home to about 650 cherry trees, and in spring, you can enjoy a quintessentially Japanese view of Mt. Fuji, the pagoda, and cherry blossoms.
This scenic spot frequently appears in various guidebooks introducing Japan and has become very popular.

This is a museum-type facility where visitors can observe a real Maglev traveling at speeds of 500 km/h. On days when test runs are conducted, you can see the Maglev train in action from each floor of the facility. The outdoor terrace on the second floor is a popular photo spot, because you can actually feel the gust of wind when the train goes by at 500 km/h instead of watching from behind the glass.

Founded in 1913, this veteran shop offers handmade soba noodles and Kofu delicacies.
It is also renowned as the birthplace of Kofu Chicken Motsu-ni, a local specialty that has gained attention.
Kofu Chicken Motsu-ni differs from typical motsu-ni as it is not heavily simmered.
Instead, it features chicken livers, hearts, gizzards, and testicles, which are coated in a sweet and savory sauce made from sugar and soy sauce.

Houto is a traditional dish of Yamanashi Prefecture. It is made by kneading wheat flour into thick flat noodles and simmering them in a miso-based broth along with pumpkin, mushrooms, and other ingredients. The noodles are cooked immediately after being made, which gives the soup a characteristic thickness.
The Houto Laboratory, a seafood Houto specialty restaurant, sees potential in Houto, maintaining its essence while continuously exploring new menu possibilities.

Established in 2012 in Asahi, Kofu City, Budoya kofu is a specialty shop focused on processed grape products.
Here, they started making specialties such as raisin sandwiches using semi-dry, additive-free raisins, as well as 100% wine grapes, and additive-free, unsweetened grape juice.

Located in Koshu City, which is renowned nationwide for both the quality and quantity of its wine, Katsunuma Budo no Oka is a resort complex in the famous grape-producing region of Yamanashi.
Visitors can enjoy shopping, dining, and accommodation, all centered around wine.

Laza Walk Kai Futaba is the first large shopping center in Yamanashi Prefecture, designed with the store concept of a "Good Feeling Place" that enriches daily life.
It is a complex commercial facility that includes the comprehensive supermarket Apita, a diverse range of specialty stores, and an amusement building.

This vast outlet facility boasts a site area of 35,000 tsubo (approximately 115,850 square meters) at an elevation of 1,000 meters.
Set in the beautiful natural surroundings of Yatsugatake, it offers a shopping experience in a mall designed to harmonize with the environment.

Isawa Hot Spring is said to have originated in January 1961 when hot water sprung from a vineyard in Isawa and flowed into a nearby river, creating the "Aozora Onsen."
The water quality is an alkaline simple spring, which is believed to be effective for neuralgia, bruises, chronic digestive diseases, and sensitivity to cold.

Hottarakashi Onsen is a natural hot spring known for its spectacular views from a mountaintop at an altitude of 700 meters.
Opened in 1999, "Kocchi-no-yu(this bath)" offers a simple and serene ambiance, making it a favorite among locals. The facility includes indoor and outdoor baths, allowing visitors to enjoy breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji and the Kofu Basin while soaking in the hot springs.

A classic hotel located on the shores of Lake Kawaguchiko, with a history of over 90 years.
It is a prestigious hotel that has even hosted members of the royal family in the past.
The hotel offers 38 rooms, including Japanese-style and Western-style rooms, and cottages with kitchens, making it ideal for those who wish to enjoy some private time.

Located on the northern shore of Lake Kawaguchiko, one of the Fuji Five Lakes, at the foot of Mt. Fuji, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Shuhoukaku Kogetsu is a hot spring inn where all guest rooms and the open-air baths offer a panoramic view of Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchiko.

Located in the Yumura Onsen district in Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture, this hot spring town has a history of over 1,200 years and is known as the “shingen no motoyu.”
Established in 1929, the Tokiwa Hotel combines traditional Japanese hospitality with the convenience of modern hotel amenities.

Kikyou Shingen Mochi, which has been sold since 1968, is one of Yamanashi Prefecture's most famous sweets.
These soft, bite-sized mochi are eaten with plenty of Kinako (soybean flour) and Kuromitsu (brown sugar syrup) served separately.
The idea for this treat came from modernizing and miniaturizing Abekawa-mochi, traditionally eaten during the Obon period(the Festival of the Dead or Buddhist All Souls' Day).

Fujiyama Cookies are carefully baked one by one at the main store located at the foot of Mt. Fuji. Shaped like the auspicious Mt. Fuji, they are popular as gifts for weddings, celebrations, and other special occasions.