It won’t surprise you that my Yamanashi travel guide will focus heavily on Mt. Fuji. It’s the prefecture’s main claim to fame by far—and is, in most cases, the only place in Yamanashi-ken that any foreign traveler visits.
And yet because of my own experience getting to know this particular corner of Japan, I’ve experienced destinations here that, while not exactly off the beaten path, offer a way of seeing Fujisan‘s foothills that are certainly…uncommon. At least if you aren’t a member of the Japanese imperial lineage.
Sound intriguing? It is—and not in a fake, “trying to intrigue you” way. Continue reading to get a truly unique read on a place that’s so much more than its highest peak.
Where to Base Yourself in Yamanashi Prefecture
As you might imagine, many Yamanashi hotels are located in the Fuji Five Lakes region (and especially in the town of Kawaguchiko), though this isn’t the entire story. For example, because it’s a large city, Kofu actually has many more affordable accommodations than anywhere in Fujigoko, even if many also lack the scenic views of their lakeside counterparts. (One I’ll highlight soon, however, is almost unmatched elsewhere in the prefecture).
On the other hand, if you plan to rent a car in order to ease your exploration (and I definitely do recommend this), this increases the argument to stay in the Fuji Five Lakes. Namely, because most properties here offer free parking. If you happen to stay in Kofu, by contrast, you often need to pay for parking, even if it’s “included” at your hotel. Both these options, of course, presume that you won’t simply take day trips from Tokyo to Yamanashi-ken.
My Favorite Things to Do in Yamanashi Prefecture
Chase cherry blossoms or admire autumn colors at Chureito Pagoda
I’ve often said on this website that Chureito Pagoda is the ultimate postcard picture of Japan, and perhaps one of the best pictures you can take in Japan period. Ironically, however, the first time I visited here, it was so cloudy that the mountain was literally invisible—I had no idea it was there. Needless to say, I don’t recommend making the trek here (it’s about 15 minutes from Shimoyoshida Station) if weather conditions are bad.
See Fujisan reflected in one of the Fuji Five Lakes—or climb it
It might sound like a cop-out that the next stop on my Yamanashi itinerary is also in the Fuji Five Lakes region, but hear me out. First of all, simply seeing the mountain reflected in one of the lakes (I like Kawaguchi and Yamanaka the best) is a sight to behold. Secondly, however, there are additional benefits to being here, whether you come in Feburary for rare winter fireworks, or in summer, ride a bus from Kawaguchiko Station to the start of the Yoshida Trail, where you can begin an actual climb of Fujisan.
BONUS: If you’re in Japan around Golden Week in late April or early May, consider making the journey to the underrated Shibazakura (pink phlox) festival near Lake Motosu.
Enjoy an imperial stay in Kofu
Remember my press trip I mentioned in my post about Japan’s Kanto region? Well, it actually began in the city of Kofu (which, of course, is in Chubu—a minor technicality). Specifically, it started at Tokiwa Hotel, a property which has fallen from popular grace, but is known to host the Japanese Imperial family from time to time. Other benefits of visiting Kofu include the fact that it’s one of the earliest cities in Japan to see cherry blossoms.
Discover Koshu’s budding winery scene
Another of the most surprising examples of what to do in Yamanashi is not far from Kofu, in Koshu (whose name, to the untrained ear, might sound similar). This town is home to Japan’s nascent (and, for better and for worse, very small) winemaking industry. I’ll be frank that both on-site tastings and bottles can be expensive by global standards (even as the yen remains weak); however, you may end up finding a visit worthwhile, simply for the novelty.
Scream your head off at Fuji-Q Highland
Heading back to Fujigoko, I couldn’t in good conscience write this article without mentioning Fuji-Q Highland. Obviously, the main appeal of this place is in thrill rides like the world-renowned Fujiyama rollercoaster, which offers astonishing views of the mountain from high elevations and at even higher speeds. However, because you pay for individual rides (rather than entry to the park itself), you needn’t be an adrenaline junkie to stop here and have a look around.
How Long Do You Need in Yamanashi Prefecture?
Yamanashi is most famous for being the home of Mt. Fuji, which you can easily visit on a day trip from Tokyo. Well, assuming that you plan to admire it from Fuji Five Lakes and not to climb it—if you do, then realistically, you need to spend a night in one of the “huts” atop the mountain. With this being said, there is obviously an argument to stay overnight in Yamanashi, even if you don’t want to climb Mt. Fuji.
If your interests are primarily in the vicinity of Lakes Kawaguchi and Yamanaka, then the right answer to how many days in Yamanashi you need is probably somewhere between 1-2 nights. This will allow you some “buffer” in case there are some cloudy hours during your stay when the mountain isn’t visible, and allow you to enjoy esoteric lake views, plus specific attractions like the Oshino Hakkai townscape and Fuji-Q Highland. By contrast, since staying in the Kofu area is less view-dependent, you can be a bit more flexible on how long you stay.
Other FAQ About Visiting Japan’s Yamanashi Prefecture
Why is Yamanashi famous?
Yamanashi is famous for being the home to Mt. Fuji, the “Yama” (or mountain) that gives the prefecture its name. It also happens to be where the Sanrio corporation (“San” also means mountain) that birthed Hello Kitty was founded, though Sanrio character imagery is not ubiquitous here.
Is Yamanashi worth visiting?
Yamanashi prefecture is absolutely worth visiting, even if you only end up taking a day trip to Mt. Fuji from Tokyo. With this being said, if you’re a return traveler to Japan or simply want to go off the beaten path, spending several days in Yamanashi-ken can be an exciting way to go off the beaten path and see “the real Japan.”
How do I get from Tokyo to Yamanashi?
The most common way most travelers travel from Tokyo to Yamanashi is via Limited Express train from Shinjuku Station. Options include the Fuji Excursion (Kaiyu) from Shinjuku to Shimoyoshida and Kawaguchiko Stations, and the Asuza and Kaiji trains to Otsuki and Kofu Stations.
The Bottom Line
I hope you’ve found my Yamanashi travel guide insightful, and that it’s inspired you to explore this prefecture (which is known among foreign travelers almost entirely because it’s home to Mt. Fuji) outside of Fujisan. Some of you will simply stop in Kofu to have a look around, while others will take my advice on visiting one of Japan’s underrated wineries in nearby Koshu. Others will come in the summer and actually climb Mt. Fuji, while still others will enjoy unforgettable perspectives on the mountain, be those from one (or all) of the Fuji Five Lakes, or from a rollercoaster at Fuji-Q Highland. Need personalized help putting your Japan adventure together? Commission a custom Japan itinerary today!
