Fujikawa: Cultural History, Mimi and Ooyanagawa Gorge

Fujikawa offers a range of options for planning your trip. In Kajikazawa, local history and a traditional dish take center stage; in the Jukkoku district, Ooyanagawa Gorge is a trekking area with a landscape that changes with the seasons. You can choose whether culture and regional cuisine or hiking and nature watching will play a bigger part in shaping your stay.

Local History in Kajikazawa

The Shio no Hana History and Culture Museum in Kajikazawa opened on February 23, 2023. Its mission is to support learning about local history and preserve historical artifacts for the future. At the Fujikawa River Transport History Hall, exhibits and panels trace the history of Fujikawa River transport from its beginnings to its end. The Fujikawa Modern Figures Hall introduces 30 people connected with the city of Fujikawa. Together, the halls offer two distinct historical perspectives: the development of river transport and the people associated with Fujikawa. The former Kajikazawa-kashiato river landing and U-no-se are designated as historic sites by the city. For current opening hours and closing days, please check the museum’s website before your visit.

Mimi: A Dish to Make and Try

Regional cuisine also offers a distinctive way to experience Kajikazawa. At Tsukutabekan, you can make and try Mimi, a dish passed down in Jukkoku. You shape wheat dough into shovel-shaped pieces and cook them with local vegetables and homemade miso paste. While the museum halls convey history through exhibits and panels, you get to know Mimi through its ingredients and preparation. If you’d like to include a culinary experience alongside local history on your trip, this is a tangible connection to the Jukkoku tradition.

Trekking and Seasonal Scenery in Jukkoku

Ooyanagawa Gorge in the Jukkoku district of Fujikawa Town is a popular trekking area. In early summer, the gorge is cloaked in fresh green; in autumn, its leaves change color. The two seasons offer distinct scenic highlights. The mountain-ringed gorge is home to many wild animals, including deer, copper pheasants and pheasants; however, sightings cannot be guaranteed. These examples include both mammals, such as deer, and birds, such as copper pheasants and pheasants.

For directions: From the Jukkoku-Iriguchi intersection on National Route 52, the Jukkoku–Onishima Prefectural Road runs for about 6 kilometers, or 15 minutes, to the signposted entrance to the gorge. From there, a steep descent leads to the entrance to the footpath. Allow for this descent as part of your approach to the footpath. This lets you consider the seasonal scenery, wildlife and route as distinct aspects of this trekking destination.

Discover more destinations: Fuefuki, Hokuto, Minamitsuru District, Hayakawa, Minobu, Kōshū, Nirasaki, Yamanaka

For the broader travel overview: Yamanashi Prefecture.