Yamanashi: Features, Popular Tourist Attractions, Gourmet

Yamanashi Prefecture is a prefecture located in central Japan, approximately 2 hours by Shinkansen from Tokyo. It is a tourist destination filled with various attractions such as Mt. Fuji, rich natural scenery, hot springs, and gourmet food.

Yamanashi Prefecture’s representative tourist spot is Mt. Fuji, which is registered as a World Heritage Site. The view of Mt. Fuji from the shores of lakes such as Lake Kawaguchi, Lake Yamanaka, and Fuji Five Lakes is known as one of Japan’s most spectacular views. Mountains such as the Southern Alps and Yatsugatake are also popular spots where you can enjoy the magnificent nature.

Yamanashi Prefecture is also rich in hot springs. Each region is dotted with unique hot springs, such as Lake Kawaguchi, Lake Yamanaka, and Kofu. Kawaguchiko Onsen is a hot spring resort located at the foot of Mt. Fuji, where you can enjoy hot springs while looking out at the magnificent nature. Yamanakako Onsen is a hot spring resort surrounded by rich nature, where you can enjoy a resort feeling. Kofu Onsen is a historic hot spring area where you can enjoy the atmosphere of a long-established inn and hot spring town.

Yamanashi Prefecture is also rich in gourmet food. You can enjoy local gourmet foods such as hoto, wine made at Katsunuma Winery, and Koshu soba, a specialty of Kofu. Yamanashi Prefecture is also one of Japan’s leading agricultural prefectures, with an abundance of fresh ingredients such as vegetables, fruits, and mushrooms.