During your visit to the verdant Kofu area, hike through the beautiful Shosenkyo Gorge, watch a parade of samurai warriors during the Lord Shingen Festival, pick peaches and sample fine wines or find the key to happiness at the Kai Zenkoji Temple. The capital and largest city in the Yamanashi Prefecture, Kofu is a natural basin, surrounded by mountains on all sides, including the grandest of all, Mount Fuji. The fertile valley also has numerous hot springs.
Start your visit at Shosenkyo Gorge in Chichibu Tama KaiNational Park. Walk the well-maintained trail to view the Arakawa River, SengaWaterfall and 590-foot-tall (180-meter) rocky prominence Kakuenpo overshadowing the cascading water.
Move on to the Kai Zenkoji Temple, established by the great commander Takeda Shingen. Within its temple walls and adjacent museum, view precious Buddhist treasures and statues. In the main altar area, look up at the giant two-headed dragon carving. If you stand in a certain spot and clap as loudly as you can, it is said you can hear the dragon weep. Don’t leave without walking through the underground passageway to the padlocked door. Legends say that salvation and wishes come to all who touch the lock.
Sample the Kofu basin’s ample harvest, from peaches and cherries to the wines of the Koshu and Fuefuki vineyards. The Yamanashi area’s sake and whiskey, relying on local spring water, are worth a sip as well. Try the local specialty, hotonoodles. These thick, flat noodles, similar to udon, are stewed with vegetables in miso soup.
Travel to the Kofu basin via train, bus or car from Shinjuku. From Tokyo, take the JR Chuo express train. A train ride takes about 90 minutes, while car or bus take about 2 hours. Upon arrival, you’ll be smitten by this charming region’s natural beauty, agricultural abundance and ancient history.
