[2 hours from Tokyo] Winter trip to Hokuto City| 6 experiences to enjoy in Hokuto in winter - Part 1

• Table of Contents
• How to spend this winter? Six ways to enjoy winter in Hokuto
• 1. Hatsumode: Praying for Good Fortune in the New Year– A Beloved Japanese Tradition –
• 2. Stargazing in Winter– A Dazzling Sky of Countless Stars –
• 3.Discover Hokuto’s Local Sake– Brewed with Pristine Mountain Water –
• summary

How to spend this winter? Six ways to enjoy winter in Hokuto

Hokuto City in winter is a place where the cool air and quietness are pleasant . In this article , we will introduce a winter trip to this town where time flows calmly , a little different from the bustling tourist spots, in two parts.

In the first part , you'll enjoy a moment of pure nature and Japanese culture , while in the second part , we'll introduce you to warming gourmet food , outdoor activities , and winter events .

Please enjoy the first part first.

Explore more of the charms of Hokuto City , Yamanashi Prefecture !

1. Hatsumode: Praying for Good Fortune in the New Year– A Beloved Japanese Tradition –

Hatsumode is a traditional Japanese event in which people visit a shrine in the New Year to prepare their minds and pray for happiness in the coming year .

Walking along the approach to the shrine, purifying yourself at the water basin, and quietly joining your hands in prayer is a special moment away from everyday life.

Surrounded by nature, the shrine in Hokuto City offers a peaceful experience of Japanese New Year culture .

⛩ Misogi Shrine - A place to prepare your mind and welcome the new year -

Misogi Shrine , located at the southern foot of Yatsugatake mountains, is an ancient Shinto shrine in Japan that continues to convey the Japanese spiritual culture of "misogi" to the present day.

Surrounded by the crisp winter air, you can quietly pray for happiness in the new year .

At the monthly "Kasho Shinji" ritual , you can experience a ritual in which you purify your mind and body with the power of fire and pray for the "revival of life."
Please check the official website for details on how to make a reservation.

【supplementary explanation】
・Misogi: An ancient Japanese teaching to purify the mind and body and renew life ・Koshinto: The origin of Japanese spiritual culture, which teaches from nature itself

After your visit, you can relax and enjoy some sweet sake or wild herb tea at the on-site health center .

Check out Misogi Shrine now!

Other articles related to Misogi Shrine can be found here 👇

2. Stargazing in Winter– A Dazzling Sky of Countless Stars –

Far from city lights, Hokuto City is enveloped in pitch black nights. Winter is the perfect season for stargazing , as the air is particularly clear .

Gazing at the stars through a telescope or binoculars, you can contemplate the distant reaches of space - a special time awaits, where you can feel the romance of space in the silence.

☆彡 Star Round Yatsugatake Starry Sky Walk - Starry sky walk with a guide -

A private stargazing tour guided by a Star Round Navigator.

At Mount Yatsugatake's special stargazing spot , you can observe shooting stars, the Milky Way, and the phases of the moon using an astronomical telescope or binoculars .

Why not experience a memorable walk under the stars while surrounded by the quiet nature of the night?
Please check the official website for details such as the event schedule and how to make reservations.

Check out Star Round Mount Yatsugatake now

☆彡 Lake Mizugaki Visitor Center Stargazing - A gateway to deep space, peering through a large telescope -

Lake Mizugaki is one of Japan's leading stargazing spots, attracting astronomy enthusiasts .

The program is packed with content, including observing celestial bodies in deep space using large telescopes and listening to stories about constellations and the universe .

Why not enjoy a moment of extraordinary romance under a starry sky where you can almost reach out and touch the stars ?
Please check the official website for details such as the event schedule and how to make reservations.

Check out Lake Mizugaki Visitor Center now

☆彡Moegi no Mura Village Starry Sky Observation Event - A starry sky tour in Kiyosato with a Kiyosato sky guide -

Moegi no Mura Village is located in Kiyosato, close to the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, where you can see beautiful starry sky .

With the guidance of a starry sky guide, you will observe planets and star clusters through a telescope .

There will also be an indoor slideshow .
Please check the official website for details such as the event schedule and how to make reservations.

Check out Moegi Village now

☆彡 Heidi no Mura Village Stargazing - Experience a starry sky that fills your field of vision -

“Yamanashi” can also be written with the characters 月見里, literally meaning “a place where the moon is clearly visible, unobstructed by mountains.”

Heidi no Mura Village is located in a place with such a name. In this open environment, you can gaze at the night sky through an astronomical telescope .

On a calm night, try spending some quiet time facing the stars .
Please check the official website for details such as the event schedule and how to make reservations.

Check out Heidi's Village now

Other articles related to Heidi's Village are here 👇

3.Discover Hokuto’s Local Sake– Brewed with Pristine Mountain Water –

Hokuto City, known as the "Mountain of Water," is one of Japan's most famous water towns, surrounded by Yatsugatake mountains and the Southern Alps .

Winter is the season for brewing new sake . The sake breweries scattered throughout Hokuto City make unique sake using underground water.

Some breweries hold brewery openings , where you can enjoy a freshly brewed cup of sake in the crisp winter air.

Yamanashi Meijo Co., Ltd. (Shichiken) - An innovative, long-established sake brewery nurtured by the famous Hakushu waters -

This long-established sake brewery is located in Hakushu, a village of famous water , at the foot of the Minami Alps.

Since its founding in 1750, the brewery has inherited its pure water, breweries, and techniques, and is a representative presence in Hokuto City that is pioneering new value in sake while cherishing traditions .

You can also enjoy a paid sake tasting at the adjoining sake bar, “Sakedokoro Onakaya.”

The brewery opening ceremony , held every spring, is another reason to visit.

Check out Yamanashi Meijo now

🍶Yamagi Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. - Traditional handicrafts passed down along with famous water -

Founded in 1862, this historic sake brewery continues to brew sake using the same traditional handcrafted techniques .

Using underground water from Yatsugatake mountains and locally grown rice , "Kai Otokoyama" is produced using traditional techniques .

This sake, made using the bounty of nature , is appealing for its refreshing taste and pleasant aroma.

You can find a cup of coffee that truly reflects the local climate .

Check out Hachiman Sake Brewery now

🍶 Takenoi Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. - A delicate world of sake, guided by fine water and flower yeast -

Founded in 1865, this sake brewery has been preserving the traditions of sake brewing for 160 years.

They brew sake using underground water from the foot of Yatsugatake mountains and their own yeast made from seasonal flowers .

At the on-site NOBU SAKAGURA Cellar Door, you can casually enjoy pairing sake with light snacks .

Check out Takenoi Sake Brewery now

🍶Tanizakura Sake Brewery Ltd. - A sake brewery that continues to take on new challenges based on the skills of the Nanbu Toji brewers -

Founded in 1848, this sake brewery has grown alongside the pure spring waters of the southern foot of Yatsugatake mountains.

From rice polishing to brewing and sales, every step is handled in-house, resulting in a sake with a gentle umami shaped by nature’s bounty and master craftsmanship.

Under the leadership of the chief brewer who serves as chairman of the Nanbu Toji Association , the brewery continues to take on new challenges while preserving tradition .

Free tastings are available at the on-site direct sales store. Don't miss the brewery opening ceremony held every spring.

Check out Tanizakura Sake Brewery now

More articles related to local sake here 👇

Check out the facilities introduced this time on the map!

summary

  Hatsumode shrine visits, stargazing, and local sake tasting.

I In Hokuto City, surrounded by crystal-clear air and snow-covered mountains, winter reveals a side of Japanese culture and nature that can only be experienced this time of year. 

If you’re looking to embrace the essence of a Japanese winter, Hokuto is the place to be. 

In the next installment, we’ll share even more ways to explore the season — from comforting winter flavors to invigorating outdoor adventures.