Located in the region ofChubuYamanashi Prefecture, Mount Fuji Land, is a prefecture to visit. The city of Kofu and its region enjoy exceptional sunshine, making it the cradle and centre of Japanese wine production. Today, there are several wineries open to the public, many of which offer wine tours and tastings. Kofu and the surrounding area are also known for their fruits, as grapes are a particularly famous local product.
Koshu-shi Katsunuma Budoonuka
Located on the heights of Koshu city, a famous wine region, the Budounooka farm offers a splendid panorama of the vast vineyards, inscribed with Japanese heritage. In addition to tasting more than 200 types of wines, the farm has restaurants, a one-day spa and accommodation. Every effort is made to relax visitors to enjoy the largest wine region in Japan.
Daizenji Temple, the grape temple
Surrounded by vineyards, the Daizen-ji temple in Koshu, Yamanashi Prefecture, preserves a unique image of Yakushi Nyorai (master healer and king of the light of lapis-lazuli) holding grapes in his hand. The Yakushi Hall, where this image of Yakushi Nyorai is preserved, is a national treasure built more than 730 years ago. Visitors flock when the lobby opens to the public every five years. Wine and grape juice are sometimes available.
Shosenkyo Gorges
Located north of Kofu, Shosenkyo is Japan’s most spectacular gorge and its breathtaking natural landscapes make it a perfect hiking destination for those who want to connect with nature without too much distance from Tokyo.
From Kofu station, take a bus that leaves every one or two hours for the Shosenkyo gorge. The trip takes 30 minutes and costs 590 yen.
From there you can hike about 4 km along the Arakawa River to the Sengataki waterfall. The waterfall is 30 meters high and forms a living water veil. On the way, depending on the time of year, you can also have a view of the dam which holds the lake Nosen.
Kanazakura Temple
The Kanazakura-jinja shrine, a shrine on Mount Kinpu, is located at the top of the Shosenkyo Gorge.
The temple houses the tree “Kanazakura”, whose flowers become golden and is venerated as “Yellow Sakura”. The flowers of the tree begin to change to take its light and golden colors from late April to early May. It is said that anyone who visits the temple to see Kanazakura trees and acquire the sacred crystal of the temple will forever be blessed with a life of wealth. The temple also houses a Japanese cedar from 800 to 1000 years old.
Lake Shoji
Considered the smallest of the 5 lakes on Mount Fuji, it is part of Fuji Hakone Izu National Park and is a World Cultural Heritage Site. This lake was the residence of the English Harry Stewart Whitwars (naturalized Yoshiharu Hoshino) who was looking for a place to see Mount Fuji.
Now a seaside resort, this lake offers many hiking trails that allow you to enjoy both the calm and the landscapes.
A camping area is available but you will need to find out about possible sites that vary. 5Official site of the lake).
From Kofu, take the Chuo Line for Otsuki and change to Otsuki towards Kawaguchiko.
City of Yamanashi
This town near Kofu is famous for its onsen, herb garden and fruit park. (More info about Yamanashi here).
To Kofu
It takes about 1h30 by train from Shinjuku railway station in Tokyo (line JR Chuo), about 2 hours by car via the Chuo motorway or about 2h10 by bus Chuo from the west exit of Shinjuku railway station. It takes about 50 minutes by car or about 1 hour by train from the Kofu region to the Yatsugatake Mountains region.
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