Yamanashi in Spring
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Original plan was to hike the Wakayama Kumono Kodo, but the region turned red right before our trip. So the four of us amended our trip to Yamanashi, an island of green in a sea of red. (At the writing of this post, I am officially fully vaccinated.)
FYI: The US Military has a COVID-19 travel restriction map, green zones are safe to travel to and through, red zones are not. The colors on the map change based on the infection rates of each region. Wakayama was green before, but because of the outbreak in Osaka, it turned red. Because of the constant changes, we find it easier to book our trip itinerary at the absolute last minute. The newest update from US military is that fully vaccinated people without any symptoms after two weeks can travel through and to these red zones.
Transportation
Due to time and convenience, rental car was our main mode of transportation. After we arrived at Tokyo Narita Airport, we followed the car rental company’s instructions to pick up our car. The process was pretty seamless. For our five day trip, the cost was less than $40 per person. Car rental company: Nissan (from rentalcars.com)
First Day
Driving in Tokyo takes some skills (thanks to my friend K for driving), we got lost not too long after we got on the road, thankfully my friend with her navigation skills led us safely out of Tokyo. We arrived in Kofu at night time. Because we had an early start the next day, we grabbed dinner at the Marugen chain ramen restaurant next to our lodging.
Second Day
The night before, we got woken up by our AirBnb host to move our car in the middle of the night. At 4 am the next morning, we dragged our tired bodies through the cold and wet weather and embarked on our journey that day. The weather forecast failed us! We weren’t prepared for 45 degree Fahrenheit, but that didn’t stop us from visiting onsen, hiking, sightseeing, and everything else that was on our itinerary.
Hottarakashi Onsen
Address: 1669-18 Yatsubo, Yamanashi, 405-0036
Price: ¥800 entrance fee, ¥200 for a small towel that you can keep, ¥600 for breakfast, ¥130 for milk.
We got up early so we could watch sunrise while bathing in onsen! The onsen here is known for its view of the sun rising from Mount Fuji. Although the weather wasn’t very accommodating, we still got to enjoy soaking our bodies in onsen while being surrounded by mountains. We can’t get this in Okinawa. After onsen, they offer traditional Japanese breakfast, including Natto, a personal favorite of mine!
Shosenkyo
The original plan was to hike Nishizawa Valley, but after doing some research, we found out that the hiking trail is temporarily closed. So we came to Shosenkyo. Located north of Kofu, the trail is well-maintained and easy, great for families. There’s shuttle service for the convenience of tourists who would like to visit all the landmarks in the surrounding area. The view of Shosenkyo Gorge was stunning despite the fact that it rained that day. Shosenkyo is considered one of the most gorgeous gorges in Japan.
Kai Zenkoji
One of Kofu’s oldest temples, closely associated with Takeda Shrine. I couldn’t find much information on this temple, but if you know any history or information about this temple, please let me know!
Fluunt KOFU
My favorite meal of the trip! All vegan and it was so delicious. Highly recommend Buddah bowl, generous portion and delectable. Pro tip: order extra tofu nuggets.
Kofu Castle
Free admission! On a sunny day, you may be able to see Mount Fuji from this castle, but luck has it that we didn’t get to see Mount Fuji that day. Come here to learn about samurai Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s impact on Kofu Castle.
Takeda Shrine
Every year on April 12th, there is a huge celebration here to commemorate Takeda Shingen. Unlike Osaka and Kyoto, the shrine here is very quiet. There is a forest behind the shrine.
Third Day
Perfect sunny weather on our third day! We can see Mount Fuji perfectly clearly. The temperature dropped quite a bit at nighttime, when we got to our AirBnb, we turned on the heater all at once and caused the electricity to short circuit. But we still loved our AirBnb!
Shira-Ito (White Threads) Falls
Parking Fee: 500 yen
This place is a must-visit! Walk to the waterfall along the shops, and you will see the moving curtains of white, true to its namesake. The source of the fall is from melted ice from Mount Fuji. The nice weather really lifted our spirits, and being surrounded by beautiful nature helped! So glad to be able to see Mount Fuji, especially without any crowds.
Fuji Shibazakura Festival
https://www.shibazakura.jp
Price: Adult 800 yen and child 250 yen
The festival lasts only a month a half in the Spring every year. We were lucky that when we came to Yamanashi, it’s the first week of the Shibazakura festival. Every picture you take will have Mount Fuji in the background. I really hope we can climb Mount Fuji this year!
Iyashi Village
https://saikoiyashinosatonenba.jp/
Price: 300 yen
On good-weathered days, Mount Fuji can be seen everywhere you go! In addition to appreciating the traditional Japanese architecture, here you can find quality souvenirs.
Houtou Fudou
A delicacy of Kawakuchiko, like a flattened udon noodle. We ate this last time when UN and I visited, and we had to wait in line, but this time we were seated right away. The toppings are all vegetables and mushrooms, very vegetarian friendly.
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Fourth Day
The weather is perfect! Mount Fuji continues to grace us with her iconic postcard view!
Arakurayama Sengen Park
Yes, this is the Pogoda + Mount Fuji view that you see on Instagram! You need to trek up a steep hill to see the Pogoda, but it’s definitely worth the hike. It’s so peaceful and zen with the sakura petals falling in the background. Perfect place to watch cherry blossoms! When we were there, there was even a film crew for a TV show scouting this area.
Kitaguchi-hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine
Classified as a world heritage site in 2013. This was not in our original itinerary, but when we drove past this shrine with its surrounding towering trees, we had to park and visit. This is also one of the entrances to hike Mount Fuji: Yoshida Trail.
Oshino Hakkai
Similar to the Iyashi Village that we visited on the fourth day, but due to the pandemic, it’s not as lively. This place also reminds me of Kyoto’s Philosopher Walk, full of warm sunshine and sakuras.
Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway
UN and I came here in 2019 and we rode the ropeway, but we didn’t get to see Mount Fuji in its entirety. We decided then to come back the next year to hike Mount Fuji, but Mount Fuji was closed for 2020 because of you-know-what! This time riding the ropeway with friends, the weather was perfect, Mount Fuji was in full view. Here’s to hoping that we can conquer Mt. Fuji this year!
Fuji Yurari Hot Spring
Entrance fee: ~1300 yen (price varies by time, and there are several purchasing combos.)
I’ve decided, after climbing Mount Fuji I will come straight here to soak in the onsen. There are nine different kinds of onsen, the outdoor ones come with the grandeur of Mount Fuji. These have already been added to my onsen list. Affordable and clean, spacious and not noisy, also they implement stringent COVID-19 precaution measures.
Fifth Day
Time does fly by when you are having fun. On our last day we packed our bags and drove to Narita Airport to fly back to Okinawa. My last couple trips we’ve flown budget airlines, and the airline workers diligently weigh our luggages. We didn’t go over the weight limit, but it serves as a reminder to pack as light as possible in the future, in order to avoid paying extra. I forgot to mention, Yamanashi is also nicknamed Fruit Kingdom, it produces many of my favorite fruits, but April is not harvest season. Hopefully this summer after we climbed Mount Fuji I will get to feast on peaches and grapes. Hope you guys like reading about my trip to Yamanashi. Have you guys been here before? If so, what are some things you recommend to do here?
Chinese Translation
原先計畫是到和歌山熊野古道來個賣命爬山行，但最後一秒卻變成疫情禁區。我們四人在最後一秒決定來山梨縣，真是在地圖裡找一點綠。（寫這篇文章時，我已經打完疫苗了。）
美軍有出一份日本疫情地圖，圖上綠色能去的地方，紅色則是不能去的。這地圖會隨著疫情人數變動換顏色，像是和歌山前陣子是綠色，但因大阪疫情爆發而變紅。因此我們通常會等到最後一秒才買機票計畫行程，擔心地圖臨時變動。最新的美軍最規定，只要打完疫苗兩週後無症狀就能到這些紅色區塊。
交通
租車公司：Nissan （在rentalcars.com租車）。因時間和方便性，租車為這次主要交通工具。我們到東京成田機場後，照著租車公司給的指示領車，過程非常快速簡單。五天行程四人平分後不到40美金。
第一天
在東京開車實在很考驗功力（感謝朋友K開車），我們上路後不久後馬上迷路，好險朋友非常會導航，讓我們順利開出東京。抵達甲府時已經是晚上了，由於隔日行程需早起，第一晚我們在住宿旁的丸源(Marugen)連鎖拉麵店解決。
第二天
雖然前一晚被住宿主人凌晨叫醒移車，沒睡飽的狀態下，且又濕又冷的天氣，但我們四點就起床展開一天的行程。出發前，天氣預報不是這樣寫的啊！華氏約45度，四人完全沒有準備周全。我們不畏風雨泡溫泉、爬山、賞景，一樣都不少。
ほったらかし温泉
地址：〒405-0036 山梨県山梨市矢坪1669-18
價錢：門票800日幣、小條浴巾200日幣、早餐600日幣、牛奶130日幣
起了個大早就是要來看日出泡溫泉！這裡的溫泉景色非常有名，能看到太陽從富士山頂出來。即使天氣不給力，我們還是好享受一早身體泡在溫泉裡還被山圍繞的感覺，大概是我們在沖繩無法感受到的。泡完溫泉梳洗後，這裡有提供簡單的日式早餐，有我愛的納豆耶！
昇仙峡
原計畫是到西澤溪谷爬山，但經過研究後發現那裏已經封路，我們改來昇仙峡。位在甲府北邊的昇仙峡，步道非常簡單且規劃完善，適合全家大小一起來的地方。園區也有提供巴士接送，方便遊客參觀全部景點。雖然當天下雨，但景色還是非常美，網上的評語有著日本最美的峽谷之一的稱號。
甲府城跡
免費入場！據說這裡天氣好時能看到富士山，但這天實在跟富士山有夠無緣。大家應該對豊臣秀吉不陌生吧，這裡也能看到他對甲府城跡的歷史。
武田神社
每年4月12日會有大型慶典慶典，紀念武田信玄。不像大阪京都，這裡的神社比較安靜，神社後方有一片樹林。
甲斐善光寺
甲府最久的寺廟之一，和武田神社的武田信玄有關係。網上沒有特別多資料，但如果你有任何歷史方面的資訊，請告訴我！
フルウント甲府
整趟旅行裡我最喜歡的餐廳！全素食食材，我點的是Buddah Bowl，好吃且大份，而且一定要加點豆腐塊！
第三天
哇，天氣也太棒了吧！比起前兩天，今天藍天白雲，可以清楚看到富士山。晚上還是偏涼，到了住宿時因為太冷，我們把暖氣全打開時卻一直跳電，讓我們四人摸黑研究電路，但我們還是很推薦這家。
白糸の滝
停車費：500日幣
必來！沿著商店往瀑布方向走，瀑布和名字一樣白花花一片。這裡的瀑布會有這麼豐富水源全是從富士山冰雪融化後流下來的。可能是天氣放晴，我們心情特別好，覺得這裡好美。還找到一個能看到富士山的點，且沒人和我們搶位置。
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
富士芝桜まつり
大人800日幣 小孩250日幣
每年春天為期一個半月，我們很幸運，來山梨縣時剛好是花展開始的第一個禮拜。每張照片一定有富士山做背景，非常希望今年能去爬富士山！
西湖いやしの里根場
https://saikoiyashinosatonenba.jp/
門票 350日幣
天氣好時，富士山真是走到哪跟到哪！這裡與其說是欣賞當地日本傳統建築，這裡更像買有質感的紀念品的地方。
Houtou Fudou
Houtou麵河口湖的特色之一，有點像扁版的烏龍麵。上次和UN來時，我們有來這裡吃。當時還記得需要排隊登記，但現在馬上有位置。配菜全是青菜和菇類，很適合素食者。
第四天
天氣超完美，富士山繼續完整露臉！
新倉山浅間公園
天阿，這不就是IG上超有名的塔配富士山嗎！雖然需要走一段大上坡才能看到塔，但配上還為凋謝的櫻花樹，非常值得！希望下次來這裡賞楓葉！我們在這裡時，有電視公司來勘景呢！
北口本宮冨士浅間神社
2013年時列為世界遺產，原先沒在我們的計畫中，但開車經過時覺得神社前兩旁高聳的樹非常壯觀，我們立刻決定停車參觀。這裡也是爬富士山的其中一條登山口：吉田口步道。
忍野八海
有點像是第四天去的Iyashi Village，但疫情關係這裡變得不太熱鬧。這裡有像極京都的哲學之道，滿滿的櫻花且陽光照下來真的好舒服。
河口湖富士山全景纜車
2019年時我和UN來這裡搭纜車，那時沒有看到完整的富士山，但兩人都希望隔年能一起爬富士山。2020年我就不多解釋，富士山大關閉！今年和朋友一起搭纜車看河口湖，天氣無比好，還看到完整的富士山，也起許今年能拿富士山！（拜託拜託拜託）
富士眺望の湯 ゆらり
https://www.fuji-yurari.jp/eat.html
入場費：約1300日幣（不同時段有不同價錢，也有套餐組合）
我決定了，爬完富士山後我要馬上來這裡泡溫泉。九種不同溫泉，室外能直接挑望富士山，絕對會列入我的溫泉清單裡。不貴且乾淨，寬廣不吵雜，而且疫情期間防疫措施也做得很好。
第五天
美好的時光總是過得特別快，最後一天我們打包行李開車到成田機場搭飛機回沖繩。最近幾次旅行我們都是搭乘廉價航空，搭飛機前工作人員會徹底檢查每位乘客的行李重量。雖然我們成功通過檢查，但之後打包行李時需要更小心，以免超重罰錢。順帶一提，山梨縣有水果王國之稱，出產好多我愛吃的水果（水蜜桃和葡萄），但四月還不是盛產季節。說不定今年夏天爬完富士山，我能大口吃水蜜桃和葡萄！希望你們會喜歡這次的山梨縣分享，你們有來過山梨縣嗎？有推薦山梨縣必做的事嗎？
