Yamanashi Prefecture: Waterfalls, Mount Fuji Climb and Pilgrimage Trails
Accommodation in Yamanashi Prefecture
A maintained walking trail winds through Nishizawa Gorge, past waterfalls and pools. Yamanashi Prefecture combines experiences like this in nature with a several-hour climb up Mount Fuji, pilgrimage trails and regional cuisine. If you are planning a hotel stay, it helps to decide whether hiking, culture or food will be the focus of your trip.
A Gorge Walk and a Mount Fuji Climb
Nishizawa Gorge is in Yamanashi City. Its walking trail leads past waterfalls and pools, including the Nanatsugama-Gozanotaki Falls. From Yamanashi Station, you can reach the entrance to the gorge by community bus in 60 minutes. Bus services and trail conditions may vary; check them before your visit.
The Yoshida Trail, the main route to the summit of Mount Fuji, begins in Yamanashi Prefecture. The climb starts at the Fuji-Subaru Line 5th Station, at an elevation of 2,300 meters; the route is 6.8 kilometers long and takes about five to seven hours. The actual time depends on conditions and your pace. As conditions and regulations may change seasonally, check them before your climb. This helps you plan the Fuji route as a several-hour activity during your trip.
A Temple District and Pilgrimage Trails
Minobu is an old temple district in rural Yamanashi. The pilgrimage trail climbs a steep staircase of 287 steps to Kuonji Temple and passes old cemeteries, temples and shrines. For a different kind of hike, a two-day route runs from Mount Minobu to Mount Shichimen; it offers views of Mount Fuji and the Southern Japanese Alps. Mountain conditions can vary, so bear this in mind when planning this longer hike.
Regional Cuisine and Seasonal Experiences
HÅtÅ is a regional dish from Yamanashi that you can try there. To prepare it, flat wheat noodles are simmered in a miso-based broth with ingredients such as pumpkin, root vegetables, mushrooms, seasonal vegetables or meat. The Koshu grape variety is also part of the region’s character: it originated in Yamanashi and is known for wine.
Depending on the season and region, you can pick grapes, peaches, cherries, strawberries and blueberries in Yamanashi. Harvest times and availability at individual farms vary. So if you want to pick a particular fruit, check in advance whether it is in season.
Hands-on experiences making traditional Koshu-Oni-Gawara roof tiles and handmade washi paper offer another way to explore local crafts. You can also explore the cuisine hands-on: at Tsukutabe-kan in Kajikazawa Town, courses on hÅtÅ, Mimi, konnyaku, miso, pickled vegetables, umeboshi and korogaki are held depending on the season. The seasonal courses cover several different topics; check the schedule if you want to include a particular offering in your trip.
Plan Your Journey
You can reach the Yamanashi area by regular JR trains, highway buses and car, as well as via the JR Tokaido Shinkansen. For KÅfu in central Yamanashi, the rail connection from Shinjuku Station to KÅfu Station is one specific option. The best connection for you depends on your destination within the prefecture; check routes and timetables for your travel date.
Explore more destinations: Yamanashi, KÅshÅ«, Minobu, Otsuki, Tsuru, Fujikawa, Hayakawa, Nanbu, Minamitsuru District, Hokuto, Minami-Alps, Minamitsuru District, KÅfu, Fujiyoshida, Fuefuki, Funatsu, Yamanaka, Fujikawaguchiko, Kai, Yamanakako, Nirasaki.
For the main travel overview: Japan.
