Spots List

Azumino Soba (Minobu)

Azumino Soba (Minobu)

A renowned handmade soba restaurant in the mountains of Minobu. Using high-quality flour and pure local water, the noodles are fragrant with a perfect texture. Dining in a traditional-style setting while looking at the rich nature of Yamanashi is a supreme bliss for foodies seeking the peak of soba craft.

Yamanashi
Food
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Motosuko Ikoi-no-Mori Campground

Motosuko Ikoi-no-Mori Campground

Located by Lake Motosu, the model for Mt. Fuji on the 1,000 yen note. Surrounded by primeval forest, it offers "Motosu Blue" views where you can canoe or SUP while looking up at the mountain. With minimal city lights, it’s a prime spot for stargazing and a complete digital detox in Japan's great outdoors.

Yamanashi
Accommodation
Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Minobu Yuba-no-Sato

Minobu Yuba-no-Sato

A hands-on tourism center dedicated to "Minobu Yuba." Watch artisans skillfully lift thin soy skins in the factory and try it yourself. The restaurant offers luxurious yuba sets and sweets, allowing you to experience the rich depth of this traditional ingredient. A must-visit gourmet spot to enjoy the gift of Minobu's pure water.

Yamanashi
Sightseeing
Activities
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Ajisai-an

A peaceful dining and rest area in Fujikawa Town surrounded by beautiful hydrangeas. It offers gentle, nostalgic local dishes made from fresh regional vegetables. With views of rolling mountains and heartfelt service from locals, it’s a magical place to decompress and experience Japan’s slower pace of life across the floral seasons.

Yamanashi
Sightseeing
Activities
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Maruichi Shokudo

Maruichi Shokudo

A beloved local eatery in Minobu famous for dishes made with fresh "Minobu Yuba" (tofu skin). Their "Yuba-don" and set meals are legendary for their melting texture and rich soy sweetness. It offers warm, home-style Japanese hospitality in a simple, rustic setting, making it a perfect hearty stop for travelers and pilgrims.

Yamanashi
Food
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Yamaju Seishi (Paper Mill)

Yamaju Seishi (Paper Mill)

A historic workshop dedicated to preserving the 400-year-old tradition of "Nishijima Washi." Here, artisans still hand-pour each sheet of paper using age-old methods. Observing the meticulous process (check in advance) allows visitors to appreciate the soft yet strong texture of authentic Japanese paper, embodying the spirit of "Monozukuri" (craftsmanship) and water.

Yamanashi
Sightseeing
Activities
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Nishijima Washi-no-Sato Kamisuki Park

Nishijima Washi-no-Sato Kamisuki Park

A cultural hub for "Nishijima Washi," a traditional paper with 400 years of history. Visitors can try authentic papermaking with artisans to create original paper or postcards. The facility includes an art gallery, a shop with warm washi products, and a restaurant featuring local ingredients. A creative spot to touch Japan's exquisite tradition of paper craft.

Yamanashi
Sightseeing
Activities
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Mokujiki-no-Sato Bishokan

Mokujiki-no-Sato Bishokan

A museum dedicated to Mokujiki Gyoja, an Edo-period monk who traveled Japan carving uniquely expressive Buddha statues known as "Mokujiki-butsu." These statues are famous for their warm, full smiles, radiating love and kindness. Visiting his birthplace offers a heart-warming encounter with Japanese folk faith and the "Art of Smiling" that heals the soul.

Yamanashi
Sightseeing
Activities
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Yunoku Gold Mine Museum

Yunoku Gold Mine Museum

A hands-on museum exploring the history of the "Yunoku Gold Mine," which funded Shingen Takeda. Learn about ancient mining and refining via elaborate dioramas. The most popular activity is "Gold Panning," where you can search for gold flakes in water and take your findings home in a small bottle as a glittering memory of Japan's golden history.

Yamanashi
Sightseeing
Activities
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Mt. Minobu

At 1,153m, Mt. Minobu is an entire sacred realm hosting Kuon-ji Temple. The summit "Okunoin" offers views of Mt. Fuji and the Southern Alps, and its 400-year-old weeping cherry trees are legendary. Accessible via ropeway or ancient trails, the mountain resonates with powerful nature, solemn architecture, and the eternal echo of Buddhist chants, making it a premier spiritual power spot.

Yamanashi
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Kanyotei Kawaki

Kanyotei Kawaki

Founded in the early Edo period, this ultra-historic Japanese sweet shop is located on the approach to Kuon-ji. Its specialty, "Minobu Manju," is said to have been given to Saint Nichiren himself. The elegant thin-skinned bun filled with smooth bean paste provides gentle relief after prayer. Its heavy historic architecture represents the pride of craftsmanship linked to centuries of devotion.

Yamanashi
Food
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Kuonji Monzen-machi

Kuonji Monzen-machi

The bustling approach to Minobu Kuon-ji Temple, welcoming pilgrims for centuries. Lined with cobblestone streets, old inns (Shukubo), and shops selling famous "Minobu Manju," it smells of incense. Visitors can experience temple lodging, Buddhist cuisine, and sutra copying, offering a spiritual preparation before entering the main temple.

Yamanashi
Sightseeing
Food
Activities
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Yunoku

A hidden hamlet deep in the steep mountains of Minobu. Once prosperous as the "Yunoku Gold Mine" supporting the Takeda clan's treasury, it still retains ancient stone walls and traditional rural landscapes. Near Shimobe Onsen, it offers a mysterious atmosphere of an old "Hidden Village," ideal for history buffs seeking silence by the river.

Yamanashi
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Oribachi-Koseki Forest Road

Oribachi-Koseki Forest Road

A hidden scenic forest road in Minobu's mountains. From its high altitude, you can see Mt. Fuji soaring over the layers of mountain ridges. Especially in autumn, the vibrant red and yellow foliage creates a breathtaking contrast with the white peak of Fuji. Since tour buses don't pass here, it’s a secret panoramic route for active travelers with rental cars or bicycles.

Yamanashi
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Minobu Town

Located along the Fuji River, Minobu is a "Sacred Prayer Town" centered around Kuon-ji Temple. The town is filled with a historical atmosphere, featuring traditional lodgings and shops selling "Nishijima Washi" paper and healthy "Minobu Yuba." Surrounded by deep canyons and a history of ascetic training, it offers profound peace for those seeking Japan's spiritual depth away from city noise.

Yamanashi
Area Info
Sightseeing
Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Shichimen Daimyojin

Shichimen Daimyojin

Enshrined atop the 1,982m Mt. Shichimen, this is a vital guardian deity of the Nichiren sect. The 4-hour pilgrimage to the Keishin-in temple at the summit is a spiritual journey where white-clad pilgrims’ chants echo through the air. The sunrise over Mt. Fuji from the summit is world-famous as a "Diamond Fuji" point, offering an ultimate sense of divine achievement for serious travelers.

Yamanashi
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Michi-no-Eki Shimobe

Michi-no-Eki Shimobe

A gateway to Shimobe Onsen featuring local specialties and a "Yurucamp" vibe. Surrounded by mountains, it offers fresh produce, BBQ areas, camping sites, and a museum. A great spot to taste the simplicity of rural life through handmade soybean products and rustic local dishes.

Yamanashi
Sightseeing
Activities
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Shimobe Onsen Village

Shimobe Onsen Village

A historic healing spa area where Shingen Takeda treated his battle wounds. Famous for its lukewarm (30°C) springs, visitors enjoy a unique soak alternating with hot water for therapeutic effects. A quiet, nostalgic riverside area perfect for a peaceful "Toji" retreat for body and soul.

Yamanashi
Accommodation
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Minobu Shizen-no-Sato

Minobu Shizen-no-Sato

An outdoor experience facility high in the mountains of Minobu. It offers rural programs like farming, woodcraft, and BBQ in a forest setting. Stay in cottages to experience sea of clouds and brilliant starry nights. A perfect escape for families seeking a slow life in the Japanese highlands.

Yamanashi
Accommodation
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Fujikawa Craft Park

Fujikawa Craft Park

A vast park along the Fuji River blending art and nature. It features a "Kirie" (paper-cut) art museum, canoeing ponds, a giant maze, and a beautiful rose garden. A place to experience local craftsmanship or simply enjoy a relaxing family day out by the river’s gentle flow.

Yamanashi
Sightseeing
Activities
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Lake Motosu

The deepest and clearest of the Fuji Five Lakes, famously featured on the 1,000 yen note. Away from major development, it remains mysterious and quiet. A mecca for outdoor enthusiasts for canoeing, diving, and trekking with a view of the most noble-looking side of Mt. Fuji.

Yamanashi
Sightseeing
Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan

Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan

Founded in 705 AD and recognized by Guinness as the world's oldest hotel. Nestled deep in the Southern Alps, this historic inn once hosted Shingen Takeda and Tokugawa Ieyasu. With its abundant free-flowing hot springs and majestic architectural beauty, it offers the ultimate soul-healing experience.

Yamanashi
Accommodation
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Hayakawa Town

The least populated town in Japan, yet a treasure trove of nature and history. Nestled in the Southern Alps, it features the world’s oldest hotel "Keiunkan." With deep valleys, ancient villages, and sacred traditions, it’s a sanctuary for those seeking silence, hot springs, and authentic rural life.

Yamanashi
Area Info
Sightseeing
Accommodation
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Shinmei Fireworks

Shinmei Fireworks

One of Yamanashi's largest fireworks festivals, held every Aug 7th. It revives the Edo-period tradition with massive 60cm shells that fill the sky with artistry. Combined with synchronized music, it’s a soul-stirring event showcasing the pride and passion of local master pyrotechnicians.

Yamanashi
Festivals & Events
Summer