Kōshū

Day Trips

You arrive at Kōshū’s JR station and board a scenic bus through cedar forests toward Shosenkyo Gorge, feeling the mountain breeze on your face. The sun filters through the maple leaves as you wander along the riverbank, marveling at the sheer granite cliffs and crystal-clear waters. Your camera clicks nonstop, capturing emerald pools and moss-covered boulders.

After a riverside soba lunch, you tackle the well-marked trail toward the iconic Sengataki and Kudan Falls, pausing to listen to the roar of cascading water. Midway, you discover a hidden rock shelf where you can sit and dip your toes into the icy stream. The soft chirping of cicadas and rustling leaves lull you into a state of calm.

Check into a traditional ryokan perched above the gorge and change into a fluffy yukata, the walls paper-thin to let in distant waterfall echoes. Unwind in the rotenburo under a sky full of stars, inhaling the scent of cedar wood and hot spring minerals. A multi-course kaiseki dinner arrives with seasonal delicacies, each dish artfully plated and bursting with local mountain mushrooms.

You lace up your boots and set off on a rugged trail that climbs along limestone cliffs, stopping to admire narrow canyons carved over millennia. Mist rising from hidden pools creates an ethereal atmosphere as beams of sunlight dance on water-slicked stones. Birds dart overhead, their calls echoing against the rock walls.

At the summit, you unpack a bento of grilled trout and rice balls, surveying the panoramic peaks of the Southern Japanese Alps. A gentle breeze carries the aroma of pine resin as you trace your route back down through ancient cedar groves. Each waterfall you pass feels like a new secret revealed.

You arrive at a secluded onsen lodge with outdoor tubs heated by volcanic springs, steam drifting into the cooling air. Under a tapestry of stars, you soak away every ache, listening to the night wind rustle through bamboo groves. Dinner features hearty nabe stew and locally grown vegetables, warming you from the inside out.

A rental car or bike takes you through rolling hills dotted with neat rows of Koshu grapevines, their leaves turning gold in autumn light. You stop at a boutique winery for a guided cellar tour, learning about Eikichi Shimizu’s centuries-old winemaking secrets. Sunlight filters through oak barrels, warming the air with the scent of fermenting fruit.

At a rustic tasting room, you swirl glasses of crisp Koshu white, savoring notes of white peach, grapefruit, and soft minerality. Local cheeses and honey complement each sip, turning every pairing into a small revelation. Over the hills, Mount Fuji rears behind clouds like an ancient sentinel.

You linger at a winery restaurant overlooking vine-covered valleys, sharing laughter over a platter of roast duck and seasonal root vegetables. As dusk settles, lanterns glow along the terrace, inviting you to toast the day’s discoveries. You return to your countryside inn under a sky painted with violet and rose.

You wander through a sprawling orchard in Katsunuma, hand-picking glossy peaches and grapes at the height of ripeness. Juices burst on your tongue with every bite as the morning sun warms the hillside. Orchard workers share stories of family traditions and old pruning techniques.

At a nearby sake brewery, you don protective linen coats and peer into polished steel tanks where sake is fermenting. A master brewer guides you through rice polishing samples, inviting you to taste fresh moromi and discuss rice variety impacts. The sweet aroma of steamed rice fills the compact tasting room.

Dinner is a sake pairing feast at the brewery’s taproom, where each junmai and ginjo highlights a different rice cultivar. Wooden beams overhead and sake barrel decorations set an intimate mood as you sip and savor local dishes. Soft jazz drifts from a corner speaker, blending modern vibes with centuries-old craft.

You take the train to nearby Kofu, stepping off into a city where tiled roofs meet modern storefronts. A short climb through cedar-lined pathways leads you to Takeda Shrine, famed for its sweeping views over Kofu Basin. Bells tinkle softly as you offer a prayer atop the mountaintop terrace.

Wandering back into town, you explore Kofu Castle ruins and stroll through Maizuru Park’s blossoms or autumn foliage. Street vendors tempt you with dango dipped in sweet miso and piping hot yaki-imo from charcoal grills. The city’s riverfront promenade calls you for a gentle riverside walk.

You join locals at an izakaya tucked beneath lantern-lit eaves, ordering charcoal-grilled chicken skewers and mountain vegetable tempura. Sake flows as conversation ebbs and flows around you, punctuated by friendly toasts. A final stroll along the illuminated river brings the day full circle.

An early shuttle whisks you to a trailhead in Minami Alps National Park, where granite peaks loom above alpine meadows. You set off on a guided trek, spotting rare Alpine flowers that cling to rocky ledges. The crisp air carries the scent of wild herbs and cold stone.

Mid-hike, you stop at a mountain hut for a rustic lunch of miso soup and rice, watching marmots scurry among the boulders. Your guide points out distant ridgelines where snowmelt feeds hidden glacial tarns. Birds of prey wheel overhead, scanning for movement below.

Back in the valley, you check into a wooden lodge whose windows frame fiery sunset skies over jagged peaks. A communal dinner brings hikers together over bowls of stewed local beef and millet. Afterward, you sip sake by lantern light and share stories until sleep comes easily.

You rent a bicycle and pedal along the Fuefuki River, breezing past grapevine trellises and sunflower fields. The morning sun glints off the water as fishing herons stand sentinel in the shallows. Friendly farm stands invite you to sample freshly pressed juice and homemade jam.

At a pottery studio near the riverbank, you try your hand at the wheel, shaping clay into tea bowls under an artisan’s patient guidance. The rhythmic spin of the wheel and soft whir of glaze brushes create a meditative atmosphere. You leave with a handcrafted keepsake stamped with the maker’s seal.

An elegant riverside café sets the table for a fusion dinner under paper lanterns, blending French techniques with local produce and sake reductions. Cicada songs rise and fall in the twilight as you raise a glass to another day well lived. Later, your bicycle ride home under starry skies feels like floating on quiet pavement.

You board a shuttle to Mukashikei, a hidden forest realm where moss-clad stones form a natural labyrinth. A forest guide leads you deep into the gorge, sharing tales of yokai said to dwell beneath ancient trees. Sunbeams pierce the canopy, illuminating emerald ferns.

Donning helmets and headlamps, you explore a subterranean ice cave whose walls glisten with centuries-old ice formations. The air chills instantly as you step inside, your breath visible in the dim blue glow. A local geologist explains how volcanic activity forged this frozen wonder.

Back at a nearby inn, you warm up with a hearty hot pot of wild boar and mountain vegetables, each spoonful rich and savory. Tatami rooms with paper screens welcome you for a quiet evening of reading and reflection. Outside, the forest hush lulls you to sleep.

You drive to the Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art, greeted by sculptures scattered across a landscaped garden. Inside, contemporary and classical works from local and international artists spark your imagination. Skylights cast soft illumination on delicate brushstrokes and bold installations.

Wander through the museum’s courtyard gardens of cherry blossoms and koi ponds, pausing at a tea house for matcha and wagashi. Artists sketch at easels beneath maple trees, their palettes reflecting autumn’s fiery hues. A gentle fountain provides a soothing soundtrack.

Return to Kōshū for a riverside barbecue dinner featuring river trout grilled over glowing coals. Friends and families gather under festival lights, swapping laughter and stories. You toast to art, nature, and the perfect harmony of a day well spent.

An early shuttle climbs toward a Fuji vantage point, leaving you perched on a ridge as dawn breaks. Clouds part to reveal the mountain’s perfect cone, its snowcap glowing in the golden light of sunrise. You breathe deeply, feeling gratitude for the journey that brought you here.

Back in town, you savor a final meal of hoto noodles, their thick wheat ribbons bathed in miso broth studded with pumpkin and mushrooms. Last-minute shopping at a local market yields artisanal jams, dried fruit, and hand-woven textiles. Friendly vendors wrap your treasures with practiced care.

You board the train toward your next destination, the rhythmic clack of wheels underlining your contentment. Memories of hot springs, vineyards, mountain treks, and artisanal crafts swirl in your mind like the steam from an onsen. As Kōshū’s lights fade behind you, you plan your return to this land of hidden wonders.