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Yamanashi Prefecture (山梨県 Yamanashi-ken) is in the central Chubu region of the main Japanese island Honshu. Just hours from Tokyo by bus, train, or car, Yamanashi is good for a day trip from the big city and allows travelers to experience the "inaka" (rural) Japan. The prefecture offers a wealth of cultural experiences and outdoor excursions to those searching for the offbeat side of Japan. Most foreign visitors overlook Yamanashi, but this small prefecture might be the ideal destination for a traveler tired of Tokyo's crowds.
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富士山
Japan's highest and most famous peak. The northern half of Mount Fuji is located in Yamanashi and the mountain can be seen from most of the prefecture. Also within Yamanashi is the Fuji Five Lakes Region, which is located at the foot of Mount Fuji and is a very popular scenic spot amongst Japanese tourists. The five lakes are: Kawaguchi, Yamanaka, Sai, Shoji and Motosu.
昇仙峡
This is considered to be the most beautiful gorge in Japan. It is part of the Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park.
久遠寺
This scenic temple is the head temple of the Nichiren Shū sect of Buddhism.
武田神社
On the site of Takeda Shingen's former home, this temple dedicated to Yamanashi's prefectural hero.
甲府城
Split in half by Kofu Station itself Kofu Castle does not rank as one of the greatest castles in Japan however it is nonetheless a beautiful place, particularly in cherry blossom season.
武田勝頼まつり
A festival honoring feudal lord Takeda Shingen's son, Takeda Katsuyori. The parade through downtown Nirasaki features locals dressed as Takeda Katsuyori and his court.
吉田の火祭り
Fuji Yoshida City (located at the foot of Mt. Fuji) holds this annual 2 day festival to honor the goddess of Mt Fuji on August 26th. Beginning at 2pm at Fuji Sengen Shrine, two omikoshi (portable Shinto shrines) are carried through torch lined streets. Festival goers can also enjoy Japanese taiko drums and Fuji Yoshida's famous udon noodles during the festival. Fuji Yoshida is accessible by the Fuji Kyu train line.
勝沼
This village is a major centre of Yamanashi's wine making, its train station is called Katsunuma-budōkyō (勝沼ぶどう郷), i.e. Katsunuma Wine Town. As well as walking amongst the vineyards one can visit the wine cave, where for ¥1000 several hundred different types of wine can be tasted. Additionally in October there is an annual wine festival where after buying a cup for ¥500 lots of wine can be drunk.
Zuigakuin in Otsuki is a large international meditation center.
Lake Yamanaka, one of Fuji Five Lakes, has a tennis court complex at the lakeside. During vacation, many students stay in a camp for training.
信玄公祭り, Shingen-Ko Festival
This annual festival honors feudal lord and Kofu founder Takeda Shingen. Over one thousand locals dress as Takeda's army and march through the streets of Kofu.
Climb Mount Fuji from Kawaguchiko.
北岳
Climb the second tallest mountain in Japan, in Minami Alps city. Though not so big as Mount Fuji it is considered a less touristy and more challenging climb.
A famous roller coaster theme park. Several of its roller coasters hold or have previously held various world records.
By train
You can access Yamanashi by three lines, the Chuo Line (中央線) from Matsumoto to the west and Tokyo to the east, the Minobu Line (身延線) from Shizuoka to the south, and the Koumi Line (小海線) from Ueda and…
By bus
Highway bus services link Kofu to other cities, Shinjuku, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya. Four different companies make these runs: Yamanashikotsu, Keio, Fujikyukou, and Kintetsu.
Many points in Yamanashi can be reached by the JR Chuo or JR Minobu train lines, with Kofu Station as a transportation hub for the prefecture.
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Makinohara / Shimada · International · FSZ
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the prefectural capital
small city near Tokyo, with good hiking possibilities
small city near Nagano
Kiyosato Plateau (清里高原, Kiyosato Kōgen) is a highland in the northernmost part of Yamanashi Prefecture, famous as a summer resort for its cool climate. Many beautiful mountains and tourist attractions are there.
a city on the foothills of Mt. Fuji
Minobu (身延町 Minobu-chō) is a major town in Yamanashi prefecture.
centre of Yamanashi's wine making,
Tsuru (都留市 Tsuru-shi) is a city of 30,000 people (2019) in Yamanashi Prefecture.
Yamanashi (山梨市) is a city in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan.
The Fuji Five Lakes (富士五湖 Fuji-goko) are a group of five small lakes in Yamanashi prefecture, on the North side of Mount Fuji in Japan. From East to West, they are Lake Yamanaka (山中湖), Lake Kawaguchi (河口湖), Lake Sai (西湖), Lake Shoji (精進湖) and Lake Motosu (本栖湖).
Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park (秩父多摩甲斐国立公園 Chichibu-Tama-Kai Kokuritsukōen) is a national park in Japan at the intersection of Saitama, Yamanashi, Nagano and Tokyo prefectures.
Articles and travel topics about Yamanashi (prefecture) and Japan.
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