Location: Yamanashi Prefecture
Top Things to do in Yamanashi Prefecture
Top 10 Things to do in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan
Yamanashi Prefecture in Japan, from Asia region, is best know for Art Museums. Discover best things to do in Yamanashi Prefecture with beautiful photos and great reviews from traveller around the world here!
Restaurants in Yamanashi Prefecture
1. Itchiku Kubota Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 245 reviews
Reviewed By Cara L
We loved the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum. It was slightly difficult to find, given the location (which was slightly further than the bus stop). It was worth the trip to Lake Kawaguchiko. The art was so beautiful and the architecture was perfect! We were also lucky to see the most stunning view of Mt Fuji. We will happily come back and visit again.
2. Fuji Sengen Jinja Shrine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 179 reviews
Reviewed By XavierShoot - Singapore, Singapore
Definitely worth the hardship trip if purpose is to capture the majestic sight of Mount Fuji, In spring, Arakurayama Sengen Park has a beautiful View of red and green colors.
When walking around this park, you will have a sense of peaceful and relaxing.
Climb half to the hill, the five-story pagada is right in front. It's not huge but inspiring; not grand but holy. It completely shocks you with comprehensive and profound Japanese culture.
3. Nishizawa Valley
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 110 reviews
Reviewed By Whats4dessert - Tokyo, Japan
The water is an unbelievable blue and the hike is challenging but possible for a wide range of ages and abilities. There are many Waterfalls and carved granite pools. Wear practical shoes (sneakers at the very least), and a snack and water are recommended. Don't forget a camera!
4. Mt. Minobu Kuonji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 156 reviews
Reviewed By Parabola - Los Angeles, California
Whether you belong to the Nichiren sect or not, this temple is a spectacular series of buildings that serve as the heart of Nichiren Shonin's particular sect of Buddhism. It is an active temple, with daily services. We had the wonderful opportunity to participate in the New Year's Day services as well as the smaller prayer services offered on the weekend. The grounds are exquisitely kept and it is a wonderful place to have a chance to quietly reflect and pray.
5. 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.
6. Lake Yamanaka
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 384 reviews
Reviewed By dogearred - Midlands
Would have been great if there had been less cloud, very pretty area not sure there is much to do here.
7. Mt. Fuji 5th Station
Overall Ratings
4 based on 647 reviews
Reviewed By Chuck W - Jacksonville, Florida
I was amazed at the beauty of this volcano. If youre not fit please pace yourself and buy oxygen. The climb doesnt seem tough because its a well established trail but it is very tough even for a fitness buff. Wear long pants and bring rain gear. Tough shoes are a must. Expect a headache at the top and take your time coming down because it's easy to fall. Walk side to side at an angle and it should be easy. If you do anything in Japan do this and enjoy the Japanese culture. Japan is awesome!
8. 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.
9. Yamanashi Prefectural Maglev Exhibition Center
Overall Ratings
4 based on 141 reviews
Reviewed By Tearose333 - Yokohama, Japan
We ventured here on route from Kofu, Yamanashi to Yokohama during Golden Week. We had low expectations but we were really impressed. Coming from London originally with many huge world class museum and galleries within a stone throw of each other I;m normally pretty underwhelmed by museums in Japan. But this museum has been done very well. It's very interactive and both insightful for children & adults alike. There's a small cinema experience on the top floor. A walkthrough of a carriage of the Maglev train. A mini-ride for kids to experience a slow version of the maglev train. A playroom for kids. If you have kids or even if you don't I doubt you'll regret stopping here to explore this little gem. It is a small museum but it left a lasting impression on us.
10. Mitamanoyu
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 85 reviews
Reviewed By SumSummer - Portland, Oregon
So I have only been to three onsen in Yamanashi. Hottarakashi, Pukupuku and MItamanoyu, but Mitamanoyu was my favorite. They had the most space of all of them, plus an ice bath and sauna. The ice bath is great because without it, I get too hot and can't stay for more than 30-40 minutes. Alternating hot and ice baths is great for your circulation, too. The view here is just as good as Hottarakashi and the facilities are nice and clean. One staff person was a little rude when she saw that I (a blonde American) came with only one male Japanese friend, but they did let me in despite having a tattoo, and the rest of the staff was perfectly nice. There were lots of young kids here, too, so it wasn't quiet, but I personally am not bothered by that.
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