The mountain is finally open again this year! A three- Tomari, two-night itinerary for Kamikochi, Matsumoto , and Hokuto City , Yamanashi Prefecture

Kamikochi in Nagano Prefecture, a hidden gem surrounded by the majestic nature of the Northern Alps, displayed its beautiful side once again this year.

With the long-awaited opening of the mountain in 2025, the clear air, endless greenery, and the pure murmuring of the Azusa River warmly welcome all visitors.

In fact, access to Kamikochi is relatively easy from Hokuto City , Yamanashi Prefecture .

After enjoying the rich nature and fresh air of Hokuto City, enjoy the magnificent scenery of Kamikochi.

In this article, we will introduce a three- Tomari , two-night trip that departs from Tokyo , passes through Hokuto City in Yamanashi Prefecture , and heads to Kamikochi in Nagano Prefecture .

Higashizawa Bridge

• Table of Contents
• Barley Forest
• Moegi Village
• Beautiful Mori Observatory
• Higashizawa Bridge
• Seisen dormitory
• Sun Meadows Kiyosato Ski Resort
• Tajima family Konosuke
• Nakamura Keith Haring Collection
• Kobuchisawa Roadside Station
• Misogi Shrine
• Matsumoto

Day 1: Tokyo to Hokuto City.

Departing from Tokyo, let's start off with lunch in Hokuto City.

There are several ways to access Hokuto City.

By car : Direct access from Tokyo.

By train : From Tokyo, it is convenient to get off at Kofu Station, Nirasaki Station, or Kobuchizawa Station and rent a car.

Expressway bus : Expressway buses bound for Kofu Station are available from Busta Shinjuku. Please rent a car from Kofu Station. https://www.highwaybus.com/gp/index

Barley Forest

Mugi no Mori: An excellent udon restaurant

A recommended place for lunch in Hokuto City is "Mugi no Mori." The udon noodles are made using natural water from the Minami Alps and Mount Yatsugatake, and the broth is carefully made using only natural ingredients. No chemical seasonings or synthetic flavors are used, so the flavor is so rich you'll want to drink it all down to the last drop. You can enjoy the carefully made udon noodles while taking in the magnificent views of the vast Minami Alps, Kai Mount Komagatake, and Mount Yatsugatake.

Business hours: 11:00-14:30

Dinner (Saturdays and Sundays only): 17:00-21:00 (side menu buffet available)

Closed: Tuesdays

Address: 3219-3 Minowa , Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture , 408-0012

Website

Moegi Village

After lunch, why not take a stroll around the Kiyosato area? "Moegi-no-mura" is a perfect place for an after-meal stroll. There is also a restaurant in the village, so we recommend trying their famous "ROCK curry."

In the village, near the restaurant " ROCK ", there is a shop selling cute cat goods that cat lovers will love, a shop selling local specialties and gardening supplies, and the merry-go-round, the symbol of the village. There are also many photogenic spots. If you go further, there are various shops such as a music box store, a cafe, and a workshop, so be sure to take a stroll around.

For more details, please see this article

Business hours : 10:00-18:00

Address: 3545 Kiyosato, Takane Kiyosato , Hokuto-shi, Yamanashi Prefecture Hokuto City , 407-0301

Website

Beautiful Mori Observatory

If you have time before checking into your accommodation, we recommend taking a stroll along the nature trail. There is a free parking lot and a tourist information center. After climbing the stairs for about 15 minutes, you can get to the observation deck at the top of the mountain, where you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Kiyosato Takaharu and the Minami Alps. It is a great spot where you can also see Mount Fuji.

You can enjoy beautiful scenery in every season, so if you have time, be sure to stop by.

Address: 8240-1 Nishiide, Oizumi-cho , Oizumi Town, Yamanashi Prefecture Hokuto City, 409-1501

Higashizawa Bridge

If you have more time, why not stop by the red bridge, Higashizawa Ohashi Bridge?

Address: 〒409-1501 Yamanashi Prefecture , Oizumi-cho, Oizumi Town, Hokuto City

Higashizawa Bridge

409-1501 8240-1 Nishiide, Oizumi-cho, Hokuto-shi, Yamanashi Prefecture

Nicknamed the "Red Bridge," this 90-meter-long red arch bridge spans Higashizawa Valley, which originates from Jigokudake in the Yatsugatake Mountains. The red color of the bridge stands out against the fresh greenery of the Yatsugatake Mountains in spring and the autumn leaves of the mountains in autumn, making it a popular spot for sketching and photography. The promenade along the Kawamata River Valley 2.8 kilometers downstream from the bridge is lined with strangely shaped rocks, including Kakuenbo, Shishiiwa, and Tenguiwa, making it perfect for trekking.

Seisen dormitory

Seisenryo Hotel

This spacious historic hotel offers not only accommodation, but also restaurants where you can enjoy lunch and a shopping area. The rich soft serve ice cream made with Jersey milk, a specialty of the hotel, is a must-try.

The hotel boasts spectacular views of not only Mount Fuji but also the top three highest mountains in Japan.

Read a detailed review of the hotel here.

Check-in : 14:00

Check-out : 10:00

Address: 3545 Kiyosato, Takane Kiyosato , Hokuto-shi, Yamanashi Prefecture Hokuto City , 407-0301

Website

Recommended nearby accommodation

Day 2: Hokuto to Matsumoto.

Let's make the most of our sightseeing on the second day.

Sun Meadows Kiyosato Ski Resort

This ski resort is located at an altitude of 1,900m. In winter, it is a bustling ski resort, but from spring to autumn, it becomes a cafe called "Kiyosato Terrace," where you can enjoy the spectacular view while riding the lift. The panoramic view of Mount Fuji is a must-see.

G-karts, which run on the vast ski slopes of ski resorts, are also popular. Karts run using gravity and can be easily driven by just braking and steering, so they can be enjoyed by both children and adults.

For more details, please see this article

Address: 8240-1 Nishiide, Oizumi-cho , Oizumi Town, Yamanashi Prefecture Hokuto City, 407-0311

Website

Tajima family Konosuke

For lunch, we recommend the yakiniku restaurant "Tajimaya Konosuke" in the Kobuchisawa area, about an hour's drive from Kiyosato.

This restaurant purchases whole Kuroge Wagyu cattle raised on its own farm, so you can enjoy fresh, high-quality beef at a reasonable price. Another appealing feature is that they use locally grown rice and vegetables.

Business hours: 11:30-14:00, 17:00-22:00

Address: 1549-5 Kobuchizawacho , Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture Prefecture, 408-0044

Website

Nakamura Keith Haring Collection

After lunch, visit the museum that houses the work of world-famous American artist Keith Haring. The contemporary and distinctive design of the building blends in with the surrounding nature, and you'll find Haring's paintings and sculptures, as well as exhibits on his life and inspiration.

This is recommended for fans of contemporary art and those who want to experience American pop art while in Japan.

Business hours : 9:00-17:00

Admission fee: General: 1,500 yen

Persons with a disability certificate: 600 yen (same price for up to one accompanying person)

Students aged 16 and over: 800 yen

Under 15 years old: Free

Address : 10249-7 Kobuchizawacho , Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture Prefecture, 408-0044

Website

Kobuchisawa Roadside Station

Roadside Station Kobuchisawa is a well-equipped roadside station with a shop selling local specialty products, a bakery, a soba restaurant, an Italian restaurant, a Chateraise shop, a workshop facility, a craft beer shop, hot springs, accommodation, a Chinese restaurant, etc. It is the perfect place to buy souvenirs and take a break.

For more details, please see this article

Business hours: 9:00-18:00

Address: 2968-1 Kobuchizawa-cho , Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture Prefecture, 408-0044

Website

Misogi Shrine

If you have time before heading to Matsumoto, we recommend visiting the nearby Misogi Shrine. The vast grounds are surrounded by beautiful nature and have a very solemn atmosphere, and it is an important place in Japanese religion and culture. There are souvenir shops and sweet shops nearby.

For more details, please see this article

Address : 3401 Kamisasao, Kobuchizawa-cho , Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture Prefecture, 408-0041

Website

Depart for Matsumoto

Matsumoto

On your way to Kamikochi, stop by Matsumoto Castle, a designated national treasure. It is believed to have been built around 1593-1594 and is the oldest surviving five-story, six-storey castle tower in Japan. It is also the symbol of Matsumoto City.

Business hours: 8:30-16:30

Address: 4-1 Marunouchi , Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture , 390-0873

Website

Day 3: Kamikochi

We are finally heading to Kamikochi.

From Matsumoto, it is convenient to take the "National Park Liner" bus from Matsumoto Bus Terminal. There are only two buses per day (departing at 5:30 and 10:15), and the journey takes about two hours.

Another option is to take a train and a bus. Take the Kamikochi Line from Matsumoto Station to the last stop, Shinshimashima Station, which takes about 30 minutes, then change to a bus to Kamikochi, which takes about an hour.

Kamikochi is located in the Chubu region of Nagano Prefecture and is part of the Chubu Sangaku Kunitachi Park. At an altitude of about 1,500m, it is surrounded by majestic mountains such as Mount Hotaka and Mount Yake, and is one of Japan's most scenic natural sites. You can enjoy hiking, mountain climbing, and beautiful mountain scenery. Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit.

This time, we introduced a 3 Tomari, 2-night trip from Tokyo to Kamikochi. If you have time on your way back, why not stop by Hokuto City again? There are so many attractive sightseeing spots, restaurants, cafes, and natural areas that it would be a waste to stay just one Tomari. For more information on Hokuto City's sightseeing spots, please see here: Google Maps