Head to the extraordinary "Horse Town"! Enjoy an active day in Hokuto City
The Yamanashi Prefecture Horse Town Festival is held in mid-October in Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture. Kobuchizawa is a town where horses and people live together, and is packed with activities that allow you to get in touch with nature, such as horse-drawn experiences, horse shows, and Shingen Bodo walks! We will introduce you to this special "horse town" that is only available this fall.
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It is located in the northwest of Yamanashi Prefecture, on the border with Nagano Prefecture. It is a vast area surrounded by 3,000m-class mountains such as the Yatsugatake Mountains, the Southern Alps, and Mt. Kinpu, and overlooking Mt. Fuji to the south. It is about a two-hour drive from Tokyo, about an hour from Mt. Fuji, and about an hour from Matsumoto, and is easily accessible, so many tourists visit throughout the year. It is also known as a "village of famous water," and three places have been selected as one of Japan's 100 famous water sources. This bounty of water is loved as natural water, and the area boasts one of the largest production volumes of mineral water in Japan. Sake is also produced from the pure water, and you can enjoy beautiful natural scenery and rich food.
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Table of Contents
- Enjoy the experience of interacting with horses
- Feel the nature on the Shingen Bomichi Walk
- Local gourmet food and markets are also plentiful
- Event Schedule
- How to participate in the experience program
- Recommended spots to visit in Kobuchizawa, the town of horses
Enjoy the experience of interacting with horses
There are activities such as horse-drawn experiences, horseshoe throwing, stilt walking challenges, and an exciting horse show.
A wide variety of active experiences unique to the "town of horses"!
Everyone from small children to adults can enjoy an extraordinary time with horses.
This is an event unique to Hokuto City, where you can feel relaxed just by touching the horses and taking photos.
Feel the nature on the Shingen Bomichi Walk
At the same time, the "Shingen Boudo Walk" will be held.
We will walk along the historic Shingen Bodō road, which was built by the Sengoku daimyo Takeda Shingen and was selected as one of the 500 most beautiful walking paths in Japan .
A walking event where you can enjoy the view of the Mount Yatsugatake in the clear autumn air.
You can enjoy both natural beauty and a road steeped in history.
Advance registration is required .
Local gourmet food and markets are also plentiful
The venue will feature flavors unique to Hokuto , including fresh vegetables from the local Kobuchizawa area and bento boxes from local bento shops.
There's also a wide selection of gourmet food from the food truck, including cup steaks, kebabs, and crepes!
The fragrant aroma fills the venue.
There will also be exhibits of handicrafts using horseshoes and local craft workshops.
Under the blue sky, tents and food trucks lined up and people coming and going created a lively scene.
The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, something that only this festival can offer.
Event Schedule
The Hokuto Horse Town Festival will be held in mid-October in Kobuchizawa Town , Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture Prefecture.
The experience program will start in the morning at the venue, followed by a horse show in the afternoon.
The way you enjoy it changes with time.
You can enjoy an autumn day with horses throughout the day.
In the past, the schedule was as follows (excerpts of major events):
9:30am - Shingen Bodo Walk
10:30am - Horse-pulling experience, stilt challenge, horseshoe throwing
13:20～ Opening Ceremony
13:40～ Stage performance
14:45～ Horse Show
How to participate in the experience program
・Shingen Bodō Walk: Application required. Participation fee: 1,500 yen (advance reservation required)
A popular program where you can walk along the historic road built by the Sengoku daimyo Takeda Shingen while enjoying the spectacular views of the Mount Yatsugatake.
・Horse-pulling experience: 500 yen per experience (registration on-site on the day)
This is a popular experience that allows you to casually enjoy interacting with horses.
There are also free activities available, such as horseshoe throwing and a stilt walking challenge.
Recommended spots to visit in Kobuchizawa, the town of horses
RISONARE Mount Yatsugatake
From October 1st to 31st, the entire facility will be decorated for Halloween as part of the " Risonare Halloween 2025 " event.
Piman Street, reminiscent of a European street, is lined with pumpkins and lanterns, making it a great photo spot during the day and creating a fantastical atmosphere when lit up at night.
During the event, there will be a variety of content for visitors to enjoy in their own way, including a costume parade, limited edition sweets, and hands-on workshops.
If you stay at the hotel, you can enjoy the illuminated streets at night and the quiet atmosphere of the streets in the mornings.
Address: 129-1 Yamanashi Prefecture , Hokuto City Prefecture
Event period: October 1st to 31st, 2025
Instagram: @risonare_yatsugatake
Kobuchisawa Roadside Station
A popular spot where you can find fresh local vegetables and specialty products.
There is a hot spring called "Enmei no Yu," a restaurant, a direct sales store, and more, so you can stop by during your trip and enjoy the "taste of Hokuto."
Address : 2968-1 Yamanashi Prefecture , Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture
Business hours : 9:00-18:00 (varies by facility)
Official website : https://mkobuchisawa.jp/
Spatio Experience Workshop
A popular workshop area where you can enjoy a variety of craft experiences, such as pottery, glasswork, and leather goods making.
Everyone, from children to adults, can enjoy the joy of "making" and create memories of their trip.
Address : 2968-1 Kobuchizawa-cho , Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture (next to Kobuchizawa Roadside Station)
Opening hours : 10:00-16:00 (varies depending on the experience)
Cafe & Bar LONG Kobuchizawa
A cafe and bar that is open from morning until night.
Coffee brewed with Yusui from the Mount Yatsugatake and handmade sweets are popular, and this is a recommended place to relax and end your trip.
A new morning menu will be available from September 2025!
We have added new menu items to make your mornings more luxurious, such as bacon eggs Benedict and banana pancakes.
Address : 398-1 Yamanashi Prefecture , Hokuto City
Business hours : 8:30-21:00
How was it?
Kobuchizawa, Hokuto City , is a "town of horses" where horses, people, and nature are connected.
This year's Hokutouma Town Festival was once again filled with warm smiles and excitement.
Next time, why not try spending some special time with a horse?
Also worth reading: Articles about Hokuto City , Yamanashi Prefecture
It is located in the northwest of Yamanashi Prefecture, on the border with Nagano Prefecture. It is a vast area surrounded by 3,000m-class mountains such as the Yatsugatake Mountains, the Southern Alps, and Mt. Kinpu, and overlooking Mt. Fuji to the south. It is about a two-hour drive from Tokyo, about an hour from Mt. Fuji, and about an hour from Matsumoto, and is easily accessible, so many tourists visit throughout the year. It is also known as a "village of famous water," and three places have been selected as one of Japan's 100 famous water sources. This bounty of water is loved as natural water, and the area boasts one of the largest production volumes of mineral water in Japan. Sake is also produced from the pure water, and you can enjoy beautiful natural scenery and rich food.
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