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- Recommended Isawa sightseeing itinerary
In one of the best hot spring towns in Japan, enjoy the naturally sweet fruit from Yamanashi
Located near the center of the Kofu Basin of Yamanashi Prefecture, the Isawa area is a tourist destination well-known in Yamanashi as well as throughout Japan for its hot springs. In addition to hot springs, Isawa is blessed with local natural special products such as peaches and grapes, and visitors can enjoy U-picking the fruit themselves.
Itinerary Maps
Trip Details
Day 1 – Time needed: approximately 6 hours, including approximately 4 hours, 30 minutes for sightseeing and meals
Isawa-onsen
Station
Taxi – approximately 15 minutes
Miharashien
Taxi – approximately 20 minutes
Miharashien
Miharashien produces strawberries in spring, peaches in summer and grapes and apples in fall, a variety of fruit that visitors can enjoy U-picking. In addition to picking fruit, in early spring, peach-blossom viewing from an observatory overlooking the Kofu Basin overflowing with peach blossoms in early spring is a fun experience. Chinese and English interpreters are available.
Hours of operation
- 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last entry at 4:00 p.m.)
Closed
- From December 26 to January 7
Charge for all-you-can-eat peaches, 40 minutes
- Adults – 1,200 yen (different charges apply for other types of fruit)
Address
- 240 Tsuchizuka, Ichinomiya-cho, Fuefuki, Yamanashi Prefecture
Related websites
Time needed: approximately 90 minutes
Ripe peaches in the orchard
Visitors enjoy U-picking grapes
The earliest
peach-blossom
viewing in Japan
Taxi – approximately 20 minutes
The earliest peach-blossom viewing in Japan
House Momo-en ("peach garden") in Fuefuki is open for peach-blossom viewing from mid-February to mid-March, the earliest peach-blossom viewing in Japan. The temperature inside the plastic-covered greenhouses is held at 25 degrees Celsius, so even in mid-winter, the warmth inside makes it feel like spring. Why not bring a bento and enjoy the blossom-viewing before anywhere else in Japan?
Viewing period
- Mid-February to mid-March
Hours of operation
- 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Charge
- 500 yen, all-day viewing (includes juice)
- Children through elementary school are admitted free
Address
- 265 Higashi Takahashi, Isawa-cho, Fuefuki, Yamanashi Prefecture
Related websites
Time needed: approximately 150 minutes
The earliest peach-blossom viewing in Japan
Isawa Hot Spring
Isawa View Hotel
Isawa View Hotel
At this hotel, enjoy the outdoor hot spring next to a beautiful Japanese garden that reflects the seasons, and cuisine created by a chef who selects seasonal Yamanashi ingredients with a critical eye. After dinner, lodgers can enjoy a show in the first floor lobby put on by a performance troupe with exquisite style in the Chinese tradition. The show is performed six days a week (the day off is not fixed).
Address
- 1607 Kawanaka-jima, Isawa-cho, Fuefuki, Yamanashi Prefecture
Related websites
Isawa View Hotel
A sampling of the cuisine
Fuefuki City Peach Blossom Festival
From the beginning to the middle of April, Fuefuki breaks out in spring as approximately 300,000 peach trees come into blossom. Starting April 1, every region of the city holds events as part of the Fuefuki City Peach Blossom Festival, including nighttime illumination of the trees and hot air balloons provide daytime tours for a bird's-eye view of the blossoming trees. One of the highlights of the festival is a re-enactment of the duel between Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin as portrayed in the "Scroll of the Warring States Period Battle at Kawanaka-jima" at the riverside of the Fuefuki River.
Festival period
- April 1 to mid-April
Getting there
- Approximately 15 minutes (depending on the festival event location) on foot from Isawa-onsen Station
Related websites
"Scroll of the Warring States Period Batle at Kawanaka-jima," a reenactment
Fuefuki River Isawa Ukai
Cormorant fishing is a traditional method of using a cormorant to catch sweetfish (ayu) or other fish varieties. Cormorant fishing at the Fuefuki River has a history extending back more than 800 years, and involves a unique technique where the kachiu, or cormorant fisherman, wades into the river where he controls his bird. Cormorant fishing takes place from mid-July to mid-August each year. Visitors can observe from the riverbanks or attend a hands-on session (for a fee) with a cormorant fisherman, limited to two people per day (first come, first serve).
Fishing period
- Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 p.m. to 8:50 p.m., mid-July to mid-August
- Cormorant fishing experience – starting at 8:00 p.m.
- Cormorant fishing may be canceled due to inclement weather or excessive river water volume.
Cormorant fishing experience charge
- 2,000 yen per person, payable same day (includes a specially designed cormorant t-shirt)
Location
- At the side of the Fuefuki River, next to Fuefuki City Hall
Getting there
- Approximately 20 minutes on foot from Isawa-onsen Station
Related websites
Fuefuki River Isawa Ukai
U-pick Fruit Calendar
| Strawberries | Late December to mid-May |
|---|---|
| Cherries | Late May to mid-June |
| Blueberries | Early July to mid-August |
| Plums | Late June to mid-July |
| Peaches | Early July to mid-September |
| Grapes | Late July to late November |
| Western pears | Mid-September to late October |
U-pick Fruit
Day 2 – Time needed: approximately 6 hours, including approximately 4 hours, 30 minutes for sightseeing and meals
Isawa Hot Spring
Isawa View Hotel
Strolling Around
Isawa Hot Spring
and Fuefuki River
Approximately 20 minutes on foot from the Fuefuki River
Strolling Around Isawa Hot Spring and Fuefuki River
Since hot water first welled out of the ground in 1961, Isawa has flourished, becoming the largest hot spring village in Yamanashi Prefecture and covering the banks of the Fuefuki River. Surrounded by beautiful orchards, Isawa has many well-known locations and sightseeing facilities. To enjoy the natural beauty of the area, a stroll along the Fuefuki River, which flows through the center of Fuefuki city, is recommended. Fuefuki's scenery is particularly beautiful in spring when the cherry blossom and peach trees proudly come into bloom, a sight that is uniquely Japanese.
Time needed: approximately 30 minutes
A row of cherry blossom trees in full bloom in front of Fuefuki City Hall
Kikyouya Main
Factory/Sweets
Museum
Taxi – approximately 5 minutes
Kikyouya Main Factory/Sweets Museum
Kikyouya Shingen Mochi (rice cakes) are a standard gift from Yamanashi Prefecture. Visitors can take a tour of the Kikyouya plant (reservations not required), a rare chance to learn about this traditional shop. Also located on the Kikyouya company grounds is a confection art museum, where artisan confections have been collected that incorporate fine ingredients to reproduce Japanese flowers of the four seasons. The museum offers an opportunity to see the fine work of Japanese artisans up close.
Hours of operation
- Confection museum – 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Factory tour times
- 9:00, 10:00 and 11:00 a.m., 12:40, 1:40, 3:00 and 4:00 p.m.
Open 365 days a year
Admission
- Free of charge
Address
- 1928 Tsuboi, Ichinomiya-cho, Fuefuki, Yamanashi Prefecture
Related websites
Time needed: approximately 60 minutes
Various assortments of Kikyou Shingen Mochi
A Kikyou Shingen Mochi
Isawa-onsen
Station
Train – approximately 20 minutes (JR Chuo Line)
Katsunuma-
budokyo
Station
Taxi – approximately 20 minutes
L'Orient Wine –
Shirayuri Winery
Taxi – approximately 10 minutes
L'Orient Wine Shirayuri Winery
Since its founding in 1938, Shirayuri has been a family-owned winery. Katsunuma of Yamanashi Prefecture has the ideal weather and soil conditions for viticulture, and Shirayuri Winery handles every step of wine production from cultivation to brewing. All year-round, take a factory tour where the guide takes you on a detailed look at the stages of production, from the vineyards to the fermentation tanks, or enjoy wine tasting. In addition, take part in one of the hands-on experiences they have available, such as making your own wine label, bottling freshly produced wine or stomping on grapes (reservations required).
Hours of operation
- 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Hours of operation are sometimes shortened on weekends.
- If you wish to arrive after hours, please let them know.
Open 365 days a year (may be closed for special occasions such as the year end and New Year)
Charge
- Factory tour, wine tasting – free (some exceptions apply)
- Bottling, label-making – 1,650 yen
- Grape stomping – 500 yen
Address
- 878-2 Todoroki, Katsunuma-cho, Koshu, Yamanashi Prefecture
Related websites
Time needed: approximately 60 minutes
L'Orient Wine Shirayuri Winery
The wine cellar
Shosenkyo Gorge
One of Yamanashi's most famous sightseeing locations, Shosenkyo Gorge is designated as a special place of scenic beauty in Chichibu Tama Kai National Park. Formed of unusual rock formations of granite eroded by the mountain stream, the beautiful valley is considered to be one of Japan's most spectacular sceneries. An aerial tram that climbs from Isawa to Shosenkyo Gorge is available for those wanting to get out and explore. Ride the tram and enjoy a stroll 1,058 meters above the sea.
Getting there
- Approximately 1 hour, 20 minutes from Shinjuku Station on the limited express Asuza. Take the Shosenkyo Gorge-bound bus from the number 3 loading zone at the Kofu Station south bus terminal.
Related websites
Looking up at Kakuen summit (Kakuenbo)
The view from Mt. Rakanji
Koshu-shi
Katsunuma
Budo-no-Oka
Approximately 15 minutes on foot
Koshu-shi Katsunuma Budo-no-Oka
Budo-no-Oka is a complex constructed on a low hill overlooking a vast vineyard. The underground wine cellar holds approximately 180 brands of wine available for tasting and purchase. In the restaurant as well, diners can select a wine they like to enjoy with their meal. Including the Budo-no-Oka Museum, the grounds include a variety of facilities that can be enjoyed at leisure.
Hours of operation
- Varies depending on the facility
Closed
- Not set
Address
- 5093 Hishiyama, Katsunuma-cho, Koshu, Yamanashi Prefecture
Related websites
Time needed: approximately 120 minutes
The wine cellar
Katsunuma-
budokyo
Station
As of April 2013
Trunk line
Taxi
On foot
For train travel from Tokyo to Isawa, use a JR Kanto Area Pass.
- Good for unlimited travel for three days with reserved seats on Shinkansen, limited express and other regular trains for 8,000 yen.
- Since this pass is also valid for travel from Narita and Haneda Airports, this is a great way to travel.
Timetables and seat reservations
