Yamanashi is adjacent to Tokyo and can be accessed from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo in about 1 hour and 30 minutes by express train. Approximately 78% of the area is covered by forests, and the area is blessed with abundant natural tourist resources such as Mt. Fuji and the Southern Alps.
In this article, we will introduce 7 must-visit nightlife spots where you can enjoy the nightlife in Yamanashi.
Highlights and characteristics of Yamanashi at night
Yamanashi is home to Japan’s most famous tourist attraction, Mt. Fuji. As a result, like Shizuoka, there are many tourist spots where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Mt. Fuji. Mt. Fuji is located on the border between Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures, so you can see the charming and beautiful Mt. Fuji from both prefectures.
In addition, because it is surrounded by mountains such as Mt. Fuji and the Southern Alps, there are many entertainment spots that are rare in urban areas, such as hot springs and fruit picking. Of course, there are also local dishes unique to Yamanashi. In this way, Yamanashi’s nightlife spots are characterized by many places where you can enjoy scenery such as Mt. Fuji as well as tourist attractions that take advantage of the rich nature.
Nightlife spots in Yamanashi
Recommended #1: Arakurayama Sengen Park
Arakurayama Sengen Park is a park famous for its spectacular views of Mt. Fuji. In spring, you can see Mt. Fuji over the cherry blossoms in full bloom and the five-story pagoda with its impressive vermilion pillars. This makes it a very popular spot for foreign tourists as a place where you can see Mt. Fuji and a typically Japanese landscape like Kyoto together.
Also, the collaboration with Mt. Fuji is not limited to cherry blossoms in spring. You can enjoy various beautiful scenery according to the four seasons of Japan, such as red leaves and Mt. Fuji in autumn, or snowy scenery and Mt. Fuji in winter. At night, the five-story pagoda is lit up, allowing you to enjoy an even more fantastical view.
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| Official website | https://fujiyoshida.net/ |
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The spectacular combination of Mt. Fuji, cherry blossoms, and the five-story pagoda can be seen from the observation deck near the pagoda. It’s the best photo spot in Arakurayama Sengen Park.
Recommended #2: Oishi Park
Oishi Park is a park on the shore of Lake Kawaguchi. Various flowers bloom in the park every season, so you can see Mt. Fuji, the lake, and flower fields all at once. It is also known as a lavender park, and you can enjoy lavender from late June to mid-July. During this period, the view of the lake and Mt. Fuji beyond the lavender is very popular with tourists.
Lake Kawaguchi is becoming a tourist destination, so many hotels have been built on the lakeside. As a result, at night the lights of the buildings are reflected on the lake’s surface, creating a fantastic atmosphere. This romantic scenery makes it a recommended tourist spot for couples.
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| Reference URL | https://www.fkchannel.jp/ |
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Recommended #3: Hottarakashi Onsen
(Source: http://www.hottarakashi-onsen.com/)
Hottarakashi Onsen is a day-trip hot spring bathing facility. You can enjoy the spectacular view while soaking in the open-air bath. You can also see Mt. Fuji on a clear day. Hottarakashi Onsen has two baths, “Acchi no Yu” and “Kocchi no Yu,” each with a magnificent view.
The opening hours are from one hour before sunrise until 10pm. Therefore, at night you can enjoy the night view while soaking in the hot springs. It is a recommended tourist spot to relieve the fatigue of sightseeing during the day.
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| Official website | http://www.hottarakashi-onsen.com/ |
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Hottarakashi Onsen is also famous as real-life location for the Japanese anime “Laid-Back Camp.” Therefore, it is a recommended tourist spot for anime fans. In episode 5 of the anime, the main characters stop by Hottarakashi Onsen (called “Hottokeya Onsen” in the anime) when they go camping. The bath the main characters take is “Acchi no Yu” (called “Achichi no Yu” in the anime).
Recommended #4: Yamanashi Fuefukigawa Fruit Park
Yamanashi Fuefukigawa Fruit Park is a park developed with the theme of “A park of flowers, fruits, and wine.” Within the park, there are cafes and restaurants where you can eat fruits from Yamanashi Prefecture. In addition, athletic facilities and play equipment are installed, making it a popular spot for families with children.
At night, the park is lit up, creating a fantastic atmosphere. The night view of Yamanashi city from the park has been selected as one of the “New Three Great Night Views of Japan.” It is a recommended tourist spot for families as well as couples.
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| Official website | https://fuefukigawafp.co.jp/ |
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Recommended #5: Hotokura Funari
“Hotokura Funari” is a restaurant where you can eat “Hoto”, a local dish of Yamanashi. It has won the “Hoto” gourmet competition three times in a row, and is popular with both locals and tourists.
“Hoto” is a noodle dish made with flat noodles, pumpkin, potatoes, mushrooms, seasonal vegetables, meat, etc., and seasoned with miso paste. It is known as a representative local dish of Yamanashi. So, it is a delicious dish that you should definitely try when visiting Yamanashi.
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| Official website | https://www.funari.jp/ |
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Recommended #6: Koshu Yumekoji
(Source: https://koshuyumekouji.com/)
“Koshu Yumekoji” is a shopping area that recreates the streetscape of the Meiji to early Showa periods (1868-1945). It is lined with stores that incorporate old architectural styles, giving it a retro atmosphere. You can stroll around the shops selling traditional crafts, experience art at the art museum, and enjoy meals at restaurants that use local ingredients.
At night, the “Toki no Kane” (Time Bell Tower), the symbol of Koshu Yumekoji, is lit up. The “Toki no Kane” was a bell tower that told local people the time from around 1661 to around 1872. It was recreated at Koshu Yumekoji in 2013 and has since become a landmark of the area.
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| Official website | https://koshuyumekouji.com/ |
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Recommended #7: Kofu Food Village
(Source: http://www.kofu-food.com/)
Kofu Food Village is a gourmet spot located in the area around Kofu Station, Yamanashi’s largest bustling area. There are about 20 restaurants lined up, where you can try a variety of cuisines. Of course, you can also enjoy Yamanashi’s specialty dishes such as “Hoto” noodles, “Torimotsu” chicken giblets, and “game meat dishes.” You can also try Yamanashi’s world-famous “Koshu Wine.”
Kofu Food Village also has a distinctive retro atmosphere. The interiors, decorated with lanterns, are reminiscent of good old Japanese drinking establishments. In addition, on the second floor of the building, there is an area called “Kofu Snack Yokocho.” This area is lined with snack bars and bars, where you can enjoy Japanese snack bar culture. We recommend visiting with friends, as it will be even more enjoyable.
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| Official website | http://www.kofu-food.com/gourmet/ |
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