Location: Hokuto
Top Things to do in Hokuto
Top 10 Things to do in Hokuto, Japan
Fist of the North Star is a Japanese manga series written by Buronson and illustrated by Tetsuo Hara. Serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1983 to 1988, the 245 chapters were initially collected in 27 tankōbon volumes by Shueisha.
Restaurants in Hokuto
1. Suntory Distillery・Suntory Hakushu Distillery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 288 reviews
Reviewed By LS805 - Grover Beach, California
My dad is a big Scotch fan so when my parents came for a visit we drove them to the Suntory Hakushu Distillery for a tour and whiskey tasting. The distillery is nestled in the southern Japanese Alps, surrounded by trees and running water. The tour was in Japanese but they provided English audio guides which worked fine. The whiskey tasting that was included in the tour cost (¥1,000/person) was interesting and I found it to be better than the one at their Yamazaki location near Kyoto. They gave us samples of the white oak cask malt and the lightly peated malt whiskeys they blend to create their Hakushu Single Malt Scotch, which they gave a sample of as well. I didn't see a tasting room that allowed you to try their other scotches. If you want that, your best bet is their Yamazaki Distillery. They had a whiskey museum but it was not in English, a lookout at the top of the museum with 360 views, and a restaurant which had nice English menus. You do have to call them to make Reservations for the tour. The website said we would need Reservations for the restaurant but we were able to just walk in after the tour. They spoke English on the phone and many staff members on site spoke at least some English. The distillery wasn't hard to find using GPS and the drive to it was quite scenic as were the grounds of the distillery.
2. Shosen Valley
Overall Ratings
4 based on 388 reviews
Reviewed By Mercedes S - Saskatoon
Don't miss this! Truly one of the most beautiful scenic walks I have ever taken. Make sure you bring a 1 yen coin to tuck into the cracks for good luck. You'll know where when you find it.
The locals all start at the bottom and walk up the mountain, which gives you better views as you walk, and climaxes with the falls at the top. I myself, being a prairie girl, have no regrets about starting at the top and walking downhill. That said, the hike down is anticlimactic and gets less and less scenic as you go downhill and then ends with the town. If you're up for it, uphill is the way to go. If you're lazy like me, be sure to stop often and turn around, because the views really are best seen looking uphill. One thing to note: the map timing is only accurate if you don't stop. If you're a normal tourist who has to take pictures of every pretty thing you see (or in my case, spends forever trying to get the "perfect" computer & phone wallpapers...which I did!), expect to take at least 3 hours to go downhill, probably 4 going up.
The water was so beautiful and clear, I thought it would be fun to go swimming in one of the slower pools, but I didn't bring a suit. I settled for sticking my feet and that water was COLD so swimming wouldn't have been fun anyway.
3. Suntory Tominooka Winery
Overall Ratings
4 based on 64 reviews
Reviewed By BahiaDelray - St. Catharines, Canada
My husband and I visited this beautiful winery while in Japan for my son's wedding. Knowing that we had visited many Napa and Sonoma wineries in California this year, my son thought it would be a nice to experience a Japanese winery. Little did I know that "Japanese wines are taking the world by storm" as advertised in the Suntory brochure we obtained at the winery.
A visit to the winery is worth it even if you are not an avid wine enthusiast. The grapevine lined hills "looking up toward Mt Fuji and down toward the Kofu Basin" are so pretty with "Tomi no oka" literally meaning "hill of beautiful climbing". There is also a nice gift shop on site with wine associated giftware for sale.
For wine enthusiasts like my husband and I, grape cultivation started in Tomi no oka in 1909 and the wines produced here have won a number of awards at international wine competitions. Although there is a large variety of red wines available for sampling and purchase, one of which was Muscat Bailey A (Japan's "hallmark red wine variety) which we quite enjoyed; we particularly liked some of their white varietals, including their delicious Reisling Forte (a hybrid of Reisling). There are many other interesting known-to-us grape varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay) and some we've not heard of before (Koshu, Black Queen).
I would highly recommend a visit to this winery for it's beautiful scenery and the opportunity to explore and sample a large variety of quality wines.
4. Nakagomi Fruit Orchard
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 76 reviews
Nakagomi Orchard is fruit picking farm located in Minami Alps City, Yamanashi pref. You can enjoy various fruit pickings for every June - December period. Please feel free to visit us with your family, friends and colleagues!
Reviewed By Rochelle H
I volunteered at the orchard for about 1 month in November. It was a GREAT experience! Every day we had interesting conversations, delicious food, beautiful views, and something new to do. I've lived in Japan before and met lots of people, but among them all, Kazu was able to share the most knowledge about Japanese culture, fruit farming, and many years' worth of overseas experiences. I would recommend it to anyone seriously interested in Japanese culture who also appreciates quiet days in the countryside.
5. Wanitsuka
Overall Ratings
4 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By ArlettaC - Fairfield, California
I had no idea that cherry trees could grow so huge or live so long. The Wanitsuka tree is known throughout Japan, and deservedly so. Of course it is at its most beautiful when in bloom; with the snow-covered Mountains in the background, it is stunning. But the setting is so lovely that the tree is beautiful in the summer, in full leaf, in the fall when the leaves change color, and in the winter, when it stands out starkly against those same Mountains, blanketed in snow. But do try to see it in the spring--the local city lights the tree at night, and it is exceedingly beautiful.
6. Akeno Area
Overall Ratings
4 based on 122 reviews
Reviewed By ymmmm
Sunflower field is located in Akeno.
There are many sunflowers.
Unfortunately, thyhoon hit Yamanashi this summer.
Some of them died but a lot of people visited there.
Those sunflowers are very beautiful.
If you want to relax, you should go there.
Let's enjoy watching the beautiful sunflowers!!
7. Makiba Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 157 reviews
Reviewed By hannahgreenstone - Japan
牧場公園はゆっくり楽しめました。 暑くても、涼しい。山を見える、緑が美しい、動物さんおりっ子で可愛い。ソフトアイスも美味しい。是非行ってみてください。 What it suprised me it was the fact I visited it for free, and could get near the animals, and it was pacific. Clean sky, fresh air, green view, Mountains, amazing. I recommend you to visit if you have time.
8. Doryuno Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 103 reviews
Reviewed By FirstVillage - Tokyo, Japan
Within an easy 5-minute walk from the parking lot, Doryu no Taki is a small waterfall located in a beautiful scenery, with transparent waters and lush vegetation. It's a nice place to rest and recharge the energy in a hot day. I visited the place in November, so it was a bit chilly. Entrance is free.
9. Moegi no Mura
Overall Ratings
4 based on 185 reviews
Reviewed By Ada C - Hong Kong, China
Hall of Halls is where they have a nice collection of musical organs, and they have free demonstration on select pieces every half hour. You can get hands on and play with one of the pieces too. Very nice activity for music lovers and children.
10. Shosen Gorge Ropeway
Overall Ratings
4 based on 116 reviews
Reviewed By blujeansHawaii - Hawaii
Getting to the Shosenkyo ropeway is relatively easy as there are buses running from Kofu. The bus terminals are located just outside of the Kofu train station. There is also a small office to help you with which buses to catch. These local buses have limited seats and it is packed like sardines during peak koyo (autumn fall color) season. We got off at the end of the route which is Shosenkyo Takiue. Then just a short walk to the ropeway where we again were packed like sardines. The top provided unobstructed views of Mt. Fuji. Simply grand and gorgeous. There are eateries at the top. After being in awe of the spectacular sights and pristine air, we descended back down and walked through the many arrays of shops. You will eventually come across a waterfall and then walk through the Shosenkyo Gorge which is again another grand sight. Walking downhill made the hour trek quite comfortable. The trees were all ablaze in reds, oranges, yellows and it was quite a breathtaking sight.
