Discover Yamanashi’s sacred sites and nature on this tour.
Visit Mount Minobu Kuonji Temple, ride the ropeway for stunning mountain views, and explore Okunoin Shishinkaku. Enjoy a scenic pilgrimage trek to Akasawa-shuku, savor handmade soba and tempura for lunch, and relax with a drink at a traditional inn. The journey ends with a stop at the serene Hagoromo Waterfall before returning to your departure point.
Akasawa-shuku
- Since the medieval period, Akasawa has been known as a post town on the pilgrimage route connecting the sacred Mt. Minobu and the holy Mt. Shichimen. In the early Edo period, thanks to Lady Oman, a concubine of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the ban on women entering Mt. Shichimen was lifted. As pilgrimages to Mt. Shichimen flourished, the number of worshippers increased rapidly, and many travelers used Akasawa’s inns, porters, and palanquin bearers, making the town lively.
- During the Taisho to Showa eras, the opening of the Minobu Line further increased visitors, and Akasawa-shuku reached its peak. With the development of bypass roads and improved transportation, the number of travelers using the inns decreased from around the 1950s. However, the traditional inns and stone-paved streets still remain today, giving visitors the atmosphere of walking through history. In 1993, the area was designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings by the Japanese government.
Hagoromo Falls
A statue of Lady Oman, the concubine of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who lifted the ban on women entering Mt. Shichimen, stands here. Further inside, the Male Falls (O-daki) and Female Falls (Me-daki) flow as a pair.
Kuonji Temple
- The head temple of the Nichiren sect of Buddhism. The temple grounds include the Main Hall, Founder’s Hall, Buddha Hall, and a five-story pagoda, with numerous temple lodgings surrounding the area.
- Kuonji is also famous for its cherry blossoms, including a 400-year-old weeping cherry tree selected as one of Japan’s “Top 10 Weeping Cherry Trees,” along with many others that can be enjoyed in spring.
Minobu-san Ropeway
A short 7-minute ride from Kuonji Station at the foot of the mountain to the 1,153-meter summit of Mt. Minobu. At the top, there are three observation decks: the East Observation Deck next to Okunoin Station, the South Observation Deck at the start of the East hiking trail, and the North Observation Deck, a 3-minute walk along a promenade. From these points, you can enjoy sweeping panoramic views:
- East: Mt. Fuji, Tenshi Mountains, Fuji River, and the town of Minobu
- South: Suruga Bay and the Izu Peninsula
- West: Abe Mountains and Mt. Shichimen
- North: Hayakawa Valley, Southern Alps, Yatsugatake Mountains, Kofu Basin, and the Okuchichibu Mountain Range
The scenery offers unique beauty in every season—spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
Departure Dates
As this tour includes trekking, it is unavailable for children under elementary school age. (0-5 years old)
- September 21 (Sun), 28 (Sun), 2025
- October 5 (Sun), 12 (Sun), 19 (Sun), 26 (Sun)
- November 2 (Sun), 9 (Sun), 16 (Sun), 23 (Sun), 30 (Sun)
- December 7 (Sun), 14 (Sun)
Meeting Points & Times
- ① Hayakawa Town Minami-Alps Plaza – 9:00 AM
- ② JR Minobu Station Rotary – 9:45 AM
Please choose your preferred meeting point when booking.
※ Transportation to/from the meeting and dismissal points is at your own expense.
※ Free parking available at Hayakawa Town Hall (avoid parking in the central heliport area). About a 7-minute walk to Minami-Alps Plaza.