NATURE AND MOUNTAINS

Nishizawa Gorge

Located in Chichibu Tama Kai National Park, it is hailed as one of the most beautiful gorges in Japan. Along the gorge there are beautiful waterfalls of various sizes, and in early summer rhododendrons line the water’s edge, and in autumn colorful leaves provide a brilliant backdrop. It is known that walking in the forest relaxes your mind and body.
Nishizawa gorge is officially certified as a forest therapy base, and is nationally ranked as follows: Heisei Best100 Water, Best 100 Gorges in Japan, Best 100 Forest Water, Best 100 New Tourist Attraction, and Best 100 Forest Therapy sites

Getting There

Buses from JR Yamanashishi Station to Nishizawa Gorge Entrance take 60 minutes.
Schedule(PDF 242KB)
Free parking available for 60 mid-sized cars

Tokuwa Gorge

This is another beautiful gorge that Yamanashi City is proud of, which also serves as an entrance to Mt. Kentoku. The walking path along the gorge affords close-up views of many waterfalls, including ‘Musou no taki’ (Musou Waterfall).

Getting There

Buses from JR Yamanashishi Station to the entrance to Mt. Kentoku take 30 minutes.
Schedule(PDF 242KB)
Free parking available for 20 mid-sized cars and 5 busses.

Shimizu Gorge and Ichinokama Falls

Shimizu Gorge has a fairly easy walking path and offers interesting views of both large and small waterfalls.
Ichinokama, which is famous for its waterfall of more than 21 meters, offers spectacular views from a foot suspension bridge.

Getting There

Buses from JR Yamanashishi Station to Kawaura take 45 minutes.
Schedule(PDF 242KB)
Free parking is available for 5 mid-sized cars at Kawaura entrance-Kuchidome bansho and for 5 mid-sized cars at Oise no Miya(20 min walk)

Kobushigatake

Part of the Okuchichibu Mountain Range, its peaks straddle the borders of Koushu (Yamanashi Prefecture ), Bushu (Saitama Prefecture), and Shinshu (Nagano Prefecture). It is also the watershed of three major waterways: the Fuefuki, Chikuma, and Ara(kawa) Rivers.

Recognized as one of Japan's 100 Best Mountains

Altitude

2475m - Advanced Hikers

Getting There

Buses from JR Yamanashishi Station to Nishizawa Keikoku Entrance take 60 minutes.
Schedule(PDF 242KB)
Free parking is available for 60 mid-sized cars at Nishizawa Keikoku parking.

Kinpusan

It is recognized as the dominant mountain of the Okuchichibu Mountain Range for its dignified appearance and historic religious significance. You can enjoy magnificent views from the top.

Recognized as one of Japan's 100 Best Mountains

Altitude

2599m - Intermediate Hikers

Getting There

Free parking is available for 15 mid-sized cars at Odarumi parking.

 

Kokushigatake

It takes one hour to get to the top of Kokushigatake via Yumeno Teien Garden from Odarumi Pass, the highest pass in Japan. From there, you can also climb Kitaokusenjodake, and at 2601meters is the highest peak in Chichibu Tama Kai National Park.

Recognized as one of Japan's 100 Best Mountains

Altitude

2592m - Beginning Hikers

Getting There

Free parking is available for 15 mid-sized cars at Odarumi parking.

Konarayama

A former training area for Musokokushi (Buddhist priests) and famous for unique and amazing rock formations, you can enjoy various kinds of mountain plants and butterflies in early summer and beautiful colored maple leaves in the fall.

Recognized as one of Japan's 100 Best Mountains

Altitude

1713m - Beginning Hikers

Getting There

Free parking is available for 15 mid-sized cars and 5 buses at Yakiyama Pass Parking.