GALLERY

HOKUTO AND ITS VICINITY

 NATURE

You can enjoy nature in Yamanashi Prefecture.  If you are lucky enough, you may encounter wild animals even while driving.

If you are interested in bird-watching, hiking and snowshoeing in winter, and want to know about the habitat of the Japanese dormouse, the Yatsugatake Nature Center is the place you have to visit (https://www.keep.or.jp/hureai-center.html#program).

If you like butterflies and want to know about the great purple emperor (Sasakia charonda), the national butterfly of Japan, the Omurasaki Center is a must (https://www.yamanashi-kankou.jp/kankou/spot/p1_5032.html). There, you can also know more about insects including the Japanese rhinoceros beetle.

The Yabuuchi Masayuki Animal-Art Museum is the only animal-art museum in Japan (https://yabuuchi-art.jp/about.html).  If you like animal drawings, this is the place to go.

This part of the Masutomi region belongs to the Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park (https://www.env.go.jp/en/nature/nps/park/chichibu/index.html).

The Yellow Bridge (100m high; 490m length) crosses the Kawamatagawa Gorge.  The south western part of Hokuto belongs to part of the Minami-Alps National Park (https://www.env.go.jp/en/nature/nps/park/minamialps/index.html)

The Red Bridge (48.9m high; 90m length) crosses the Kawamatagawa Gorge.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

HIKING

There are a lot of good places for hiking in Yamanashi and Nagano regions.  HIKING TO WATERFALLS:  Shojiga Waterfalls  It is located in the Ishiutorogawa Gorge in the Mukawa area.  It takes about 40 minutes from the entrance of the trail to Shojiga Waterfalls. There are several suspension bridges and steep stairs. While it is chilly in the early spring, it is warm and refreshing in the summer (https://www.hokuto-kanko.jp/guide/shojigataki_waterfall_ishiutoro_valley).

Fudo Falls  It is located in the Ojiragawa Gorge in the Hakushu area.  It takes about 2.5 hours from the parking lot.  (Visit the Blog: 2021-06-04 & 2021-06-24)  (https://www.yamanashi-kankou.jp/foreign/english/topics/ojiragawav.html)

SKIING

There are several ski terrains in Yamanashi and Nagano regions.  You can enjoy not only skiing, but also golfing in the Fujimi Highlands Resort.  The hiking trail to the Terrace of Sculptures is available from the entrance to the golf course.  The climbing trail is also available from the side of the Hotel Happoen Shika-no-Yu.  There are a few ski terrains nearby:  The Sunmeadows Kiyosato Ski Terrain; The Fujimi Panorama Resort Ski Terrain.

Other Trails and CAMPING Sites

There are a great number of walking/trekking trails at the base of the Yatsugatake Mountains, and a few are available in the northern part of the Minami-Alps Mountains.  Some examples are as follows: Kiyosato Trails; Yatsugatake Bo-Michi Trails (Hokuto – Fujimi – Hara); Trails shown by the Yatsugatake Kankouken, the Hara Municipal Office, and the Yatsugatake Nordic Walking Club; Nyukasayama Trekking & Mountain Biking Trails.  Yuta’s Bike Park owns BMX- race courses and recreational MTB courses and provides several trail services.

Some recreational parks own camping sites such as the Akeno Fureai-no-Sato, the Kiyosato Okanokoen, and Verga Verdant Garden, Hakushu, Hokuto.

SUNNY SIDE

Hokuto has the longest daylight hours in Japan.  Solar panels are observed in all over the town.

Bean sprouts are grown in these huge greenhouses.  Similar greenhouses are observed in other regions in Hokuto-city.

In summer, sheep graze on the grounds of the Makiba Ranch.  The Yatsugatake Ranch raises cattle.

In a small cattle ranch in Nagasaki-town, the cattle including  this year’s newborns were grazing in the sun.

HOT SPRINGS

The hot springs of the Masutomi region are known for their trace-amounts of radon content.  There are several Japanese-style inns located in the Masutomi region.  Each inn has its own unique hot springs and provides personalized services.

The Ojira-no-Yu hot spring is located at the base of Mount Kai-Komagatame and is part of the Verga Camping Ground.

Other public hot spring-bath houses in Hokuto are as follows: Panorama-no-Yu hot spring, Takane-no-Yu hot spring, Mukawa-no-Yu hot spring, and Fossa Magma-no-Yu hot spring.

In the Fujimi area, the Hotel Happoen Shika-no-Yu hot spring and Tsuta-no-Yu hot spring are close to Hokuto.

SAKE, WHISKEY AND WINE

Shichiken Sake Brewery; Tanizakura Sake Brewery; Yamaki Sake Brewery.

Suntory Hakushu Distillery.  There is also a mineral water-bottling factory in the premises.  For one of the Sutory wineries, refer to the Suntory Tomi-no-Oka Winery.

Charmant Winery is a charming and cozy winery.  Tasting is available.  Grace Winery.

MUSEUM

The African Art Museum is unique, displaying objects from Africa and other regions of the world.

The Kiyosato Museum of Photographic Arts is well known for its collections of young photographers’ works from all over the world.

The Hirayama Ikuo Silk Road Museum houses the paintings of Hirayama Ikuo and his collections of the Silk Road artifacts.

The Kiyoharu Art Colony consists of the Kiyoharu-Shirakaba (white birch) Museum, the La Ruche, the Museum of Light, the Rouault Chapel and the surrounding facilities.

This museum houses the pop art collections of the legendary street artist from New York City.  The Hotel Keyforest Hokuto is located in the same ground.

Because of the relatively dry and mild climate and the proximity to the greater metropolitan areas, there are a great number of the ateliers for ceramic and other craft artists at the southern base of the Yatsugatake Mountains.

OLD FARM HOUSES

In the Machiya region of Oizumi-town, Hokuto, there are old farm houses with beautiful-tile roofs remained and some have been refurbished.

JIZO

In Japan, the jizo statues are regarded as guardians to deceased children, including unborn babies, pregnant women and travelers, and are seen along roads and streets.

ZEN TEMPLE _ 1

The Kaiganji Temple, belonging to the Rinzai Sect of Zen Buddhism, is located in a bucolic hillside of Sutama in Hokuto.  (Also refer to BLOG Toyama Tour).

ZEN TEMPLE _ 2

The Ryuganji Temple, belonging to the Soto Sect of Zen Buddhism, is located in a quiet countryside of Nagasaka in Hokuto.  The temple is known as a flower temple.  It has a natural burial ground, and does services performed in perpetuity by the temple.  (Also refer to BLOG Toyama Tour)

OLD SCHOOLS

In the Tsugane region in Sutama town, Hokuto, there are refurbished old schools called Tsugane Gakkou.  Most of the refurbished school buildings from the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa periods are open to public.  There are a bakery, restaurants, and a small market, so you can enjoy local dishes and produce.  The school building from the Meiji period is similar to that of Kaichi School (Refer to Former Kaichi School, Matsumoto, Nagano).

OTHER PARTS OF YAMANASHI

MOUNT FUJI AREA

The Arakura Sengen Park is well known for its perfect location to observe Mount Fuji and full bloomed-cherry blossoms at the same time in April.

At the Hinomoya in Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba, you can enjoy wearing kimonos and fitted warrior armor.  You can take photographs and even walk around nearby.  All the houses in the site have traditional-style thatched roofs.  There was a large group of people (about 30) from the Philippines before me and they were having great fun taking photographs.  Another group of people (about 10) from Ukraine came after me.  Needless to say, they were enjoying themselves (especially the men pretending as if they were samurai warriors).

For climbing Mount Fuji, please refer to BLOG.

AOKIGAHARA WOODLAND

There are well-managed nature trails in the Aokigahara Woodland, connecting between the Bat Cave, the Lava Caves, the Ice Cave, and the Bird Sanctuary (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aokigahara).  Part of the Tokai Nature Trail is attached to the Aokigahara Woodland; the wooded area is well-known for its beautiful autumn colors.  Koyodai Rest House and Sankodai are perfect spots to observe Mount Fuji and the surrounding locations.  The Tokai Nature Trail connects between Minoo, Osaka and Hachioji, Tokyo (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C5%8Dkai_Nature_Trail) (Refer to BLOG).

GORGES

There are two well-known gorges in Yamanashi, Shosenkyo Gorge and Nishizawa Gorge.  The Shosenkyo Gorge is located in the northern part of Kofu-shi, and the Nishizawa Gorge is located in the northern part of Yamanashi-shi.  Both places are easy to get there and have nice trails for hiking.  (https://www.shosenkyo-kankoukyokai.com/en/)  (https://www.yamanashi-kankou.jp/foreign/english/spot/p1_4789.html)

KOSHU

Koshu, one of the white wine varieties, is the most famous Japanese wine in the world.  It is originated in the Katsunuma area in Koshu-shi, Yamanashi.  This area and the surrounding region are suited for grape production.  There are a lot of medium-size vineyards.  Apart from grapes, there are two major temples in Koshu: Daizenji and Erinji.  The Daizenji Temple is located in Katsunuma town.  It is a Buddhist temple belonging to Chisan-ha of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daizen-ji).  The Erinji Temple is located in Enzan town.  It is also a Buddhist temple belonging to Myoshinji-ha of the Rinzai Zen sect of Japanese Buddhism.  It is the family temple of the Takeda clan (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erin-ji).

MINOBU

The Kuonji Temple is the headquarters of Nichiren Sect of Buddhism. It was rainy in Minobe town, but it was heavily snowy on the top of the Minobu Mountain where the Okunoin-Shionji is located.  The snow intensified the religious atmosphere.

HAYAKAWA

Hayakawa-cho is the smallest cho, township in Japan.  It has a population of 971 (09/01/2021) and 96% of its area is covered with forests.  It is a good place for nature activities.  It has several hot springs and home to the world’s oldest hotel Keiunkan (https://keiunkan.co.jp/en).  The ink-stone house, Kenshoan is located in the Amehata area.  Amehata ink-stones are well-known among the calligraphers worldwide.  The source rock for Amehata ink-stones is mined in the Mount Inamata area.  One American calligrapher visited Kenshoan and that was televised on 10/15/2018 (https://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/nipponikitaihito/backnumber/?trgt=181015).

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayakawa,_Yamanashi; https://www.town.hayakawa.yamanashi.jp/; https://utsukushii-mura.jp/map/hayakawa/?hl=en)

ROKUGO, ICHIKAWAMISATO

Rokugo, Ichikawamisato is the town of name seals in Japan.  It used be an independent town but it is now part of Ichikawamisato-cho, town.  The use of name seals, a custom originally imported from China more than a thousand years ago, was formalized by Japan’s government in the Meiji period.  Nowadays, however, the government has been considering abolishing the use of name seals, and the use of electronic seals or other methods has been considered.  Yet, name seals will be around for a while.  The name seal industry should be remained.

DOSHI

Doshi-mura (village) is located in the southeastern corner of Yamanashi prefecture (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C5%8Dshi).  The village has a lot of nice camping sites, and is good for fishing and other outdoor activities (https://doshisuigen-mori.com/).  It is famous for its watercress and the top producer of it in Japan.  Doshi provides the drinking water source for Yokohama city.

TABAYAMA AND KOSUGE

Tabayama-mura (village) and Kosuge-mura are located in the northeastern corner of Yamanashi prefecture (https://www.vill.tabayama.yamanashi.jp/).  The villages also have a lot of nice camping sites, and are good for fishing and other outdoor activities.  Doshi, Tabayama, and Kosuge are popular motorcycle ride destinations.  Kosuge has started a regional development project to renovate old houses to hotels).  Tabayama and Kosuge provide the water source for the Oku-Tama region.

NANBU

Nanbu-cho (town) is located in the southernmost part of Yamanashi prefecture.  Because of its geological location, it has mild climate and known for its agricultural produce.  (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanbu,_Yamanashi).

NAGANO

JIGOKUDANI (HELL’S VALLEY) WILD MONKEY PARK

Known as the Wild Snow Monkey Park, you can observe the behavior of the wild Japanese macaque within your arm’s distance.  They play and even bathe in the hot spring before your eyes.  Because the Park rangers train their visitors extremely well, the macaques in the Jigokudani valley behave naturally as usual (https://en.jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp/).

ZENKOJI TEMPLE

The Zenkoji Temple is a Buddhist temple located in Nagano and independent from Sect.  The current Nagano City was originally developed around the temple starting as a temple town.  These days, over six million people visit the Zenkoji Temple every year.  (https://www.zenkoji.jp/ENGLISH/about/)

MATSUMOTO CASTLE

Matsumoto Castle is one of the five castles designated as National Treasures of Japan and the oldest five-tiered, six-story castle tower remaining in Japan.  It is built on plains not on a mountain, and is one of the most complete and beautiful castles.  The dark wainscoting and other balanced structures provide the magnificence and grace.  (https://www.matsumoto-castle.jp/lang/)

FORMER KAICHI SCHOOL

The Kaichi School in Matsumoto was one of the first schools in Japan, starting in 1873.  The architecture of the school buildings was a combination of Japanese and Western styles.  The Former Kaichi School was designated as a National Treasure of Japan in 2019.  (https://visitmatsumoto.com/en/spot/kaichischool/)

OBUSE

A world famous ukiyoe artist, Katsushika Hokusai, visited Obuse and left several incredible artworks.  The Hokusai Museum, Hokusai-kan,  is located in Obuse town, Nagano Prefecture.  In this small quiet town, you might get inspired like Hokusai did 179 years ago.  It is said that he was 83 years old when he first visited Obuse in 1842 (https://hokusai-kan.com/en/).  In the Gansho-in Temple, he drew a large painting on the ceiling, the Phoenix.  He was 89 years old when he finished this painting (https://www.gansho-in.or.jp/).

AZUMINO

Azumino is located in the northwestern end of the Matsumoto Basin in Nagano Prefecture.  It is on a complex alluvial fan formed by the Azusa River, Karasu River and several other rivers, and an abundant water is supplied at the edge of the alluvial fan.  Azumino is home to Daio Wasabi Farm, the largest wasabi (Japanese horseradish) farm in the world.  It is said that the Azumi people, who were originally from northern Kyushu, migrated to this region in ancient times.  They were skilled in fishing and navigation, but why they migrated to the mountainous region is a mystery.  (https://www.azumino-e-tabi.net/en/)

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