Experience unique adventures only in Yamanashi! 8 must-visit leisure and sightseeing spots

When traveling, many people want more than just sightseeing—they want to experience something special. Here, we introduce spots in Yamanashi where you can enjoy a variety of unique activities. These are exclusive experiences that you can only have here, so be sure to check them out when planning your trip to Yamanashi!

1. Experience the spectacular views with your body on the Mount Minobu Ropeway

Minobu Mountain Ropeway, located in Minobu Town, Minamikoma District, Yamanashi Prefecture, is a spot where you can experience breathtaking mountain landscapes. It boasts the highest elevation difference in the Kanto region at 763 meters. You can also enjoy a stunning view of Mount Fuji, a World Heritage site, making it a precious opportunity.

Minobu Mountain has been a sacred place for faith and history for 750 years. Riding the ropeway allows you to fully embrace the magnificence of Mount Fuji in Yamanashi. You will be deeply moved by the mystique of nature. There are also hiking trails available from the summit, making it an ideal spot for hiking enthusiasts.

In spring, cherry blossoms bloom beautifully; in summer, lush greenery spreads across the landscape; in autumn, vibrant autumn foliage paints the scenery; and in winter, you can witness the stunning "Diamond Fuji." If you visit Yamanashi, taking a ride on the Minobu Mountain Ropeway is highly recommended.

2. Moegi Village: a resort area in Yamanashi

Kiyosato in Yamanashi is a renowned resort area. Moegi Village, a fairy tale-like place set amidst lush nature, is a popular destination for tourists. It features a charming café with a merry-go-round and a music box museum housing collections from around the world. Moegi Village offers several unique experiences.

At the Natural Wood Workshop ONO, visitors can enjoy a hands-on woodworking experience without needing a reservation. Using locally sourced wood from Yatsugatake, you can create handcrafted souvenirs. Meanwhile, at Moegi Kiln, professional ceramic artists guide visitors in making pottery. These memorable experiences are highly recommended for travelers.

Since you can create a one-of-a-kind original piece, it is a perfect spot to craft a special souvenir or keepsake of your trip.

3. Tozawa Vineyard: Taste grapes grown in Yamanashi Prefecture for 30 years

Yamanashi Prefecture is known for its abundant fruit production, including grapes and peaches. Every autumn, grape-picking is a popular activity, and there are many places in Yamanashi where you can enjoy it.

One highly recommended grape-picking spot is Tozawa Sightseeing Grape Farm in Kofu City, Yamanashi. The grape-picking season runs from mid-July to mid-November each year. Tozawa Sightseeing Grape Farm cultivates a surprising variety of grapes, including Delaware, Steuben, and Muscat.

4. Cote de Vert: a place where you can experience a variety of things in Kiyosato, Yamanashi

Located near the border of Yamanashi and Nagano prefectures, Kiyosato is a famous resort area. Close to JR Kiyosato Station is Côte de Vert, an experience-based facility. Along the 200-meter-long farm road lined with tulip trees, you will find restaurants, farms, shops, and art museums.

At the farm, visitors can enjoy pony rides and feed rabbits and goats. Additionally, at the farm gardens, you can harvest potatoes and corn, while at the Woodcraft Workshop, you can create unique wooden toys using timber from the Yatsugatake region.

Another rare attraction in Yamanashi is a "cat ball" crafting experience. Côte de Vert is a must-visit destination where people of all ages, from children to adults, can have a fun-filled day. The facility also includes a restaurant offering local delicacies and accommodations for overnight stays, making it an ideal place to enjoy a full-day experience.

5. Asunaro-en: Enjoy the bounty of Yamanashi's fruits

The Kofu Basin in Yamanashi is home to vast fruit farms, making it a dream destination for fruit lovers. One of the best spots to enjoy fruit picking is Asunaro Orchard, where visitors can indulge in Yamanashi’s specialty fruits as much as they like. The orchard offers around 14 different fruit varieties at any given time, allowing visitors to experience a variety of flavors.

Visitors can harvest strawberries, grapes, peaches, and cherries. For grape lovers, the orchard offers an exclusive grape-picking experience featuring the premium Shine Muscat variety. Additionally, visitors can also enjoy Yamanashi’s famous local dish, Hōtō (a traditional noodle soup). The orchard is also known for its delicious soft-serve ice cream, making it a great spot for food enthusiasts who want to savor Yamanashi’s specialties.

6. Uzu Glass Studio

Yamanashi is known for its rich natural resources, including abundant water, which supports many craft workshops. One of the best places to experience glassmaking is Glass Workshop Uzu, located in Hokuto City, Takane Town, Yamanashi Prefecture. This workshop is run by a glass artist who provides one-on-one instruction, ensuring that even first-time visitors can create their own glass art with confidence.

The workshop offers various glass-making experiences, including blown glass, where participants can choose their colors and shapes, and sandblasting, a technique for engraving designs onto glassware such as plates. These experiences are popular among people of all ages, from young visitors to seniors. Once completed, the crafted pieces are mailed to participants, making the experience even more memorable. Glass Workshop Uzu is a perfect spot for those who want to create beautiful glass art with their own hands.

7. This is sure to be a memorable page! "Spatio Experience Workshop"

Located at the foot of the Yatsugatake Mountains in Yamanashi, Spatio Experience Workshop is a facility where visitors can enjoy a variety of hands-on activities. The workshop offers an extensive menu with 14 different experiences, including pressed flower art, leather crafting, pottery, glass bead making, and even creating beautiful silver accessories.

Visitors can freely create their own stained glass, natural stone accessories, and glass beads, making it a truly unique travel experience. In addition to arts and crafts, the workshop offers a Hōtō cooking experience, which is especially popular in winter as a seasonal specialty.

Other hands-on experiences include bread-making and soba noodle-making, among many others. The facility is well-equipped with various amenities, including an onsen (hot spring), allowing visitors to relax and enjoy local specialties while soaking in the hot spring. With so many activities available, it is nearly impossible to experience everything in just one day.

8. Feel like a cowboy and go horseback riding in Yamanashi at Yatsugatake Western Ranch

The town of Kobuchizawa in Hokuto City, Yamanashi, has long been known as a region for breeding fine horses. During the Sengoku period, the area was famous for training warhorses used by Takeda’s cavalry forces. Today, numerous ranches and horseback riding facilities remain in Kobuchizawa, allowing tourists to enjoy horseback riding experiences.

One of the most recommended places is Yatsugatake Western Ranch, where visitors can experience a cowboy-style horseback riding adventure. The most popular activity is a guided forest trail ride on horseback, allowing guests to enjoy the surrounding nature just like a cowboy from the American West. Visitors can also borrow cowboy outfits for free, making the experience even more immersive and enjoyable.

◎ Summary of leisure sightseeing spots in Yamanashi

Yamanashi Prefecture is not just about sightseeing—it offers a variety of hands-on experiences. From fruit-picking orchards in the Kofu Basin to breathtaking ropeways, craft-making workshops, and local gourmet experiences, Yamanashi is full of unique attractions. If you visit Yamanashi, don’t miss out on these unforgettable experiences!

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Experience unique adventures only in Yamanashi! 8 must-visit leisure and sightseeing spots