[2 hours from Tokyo ] A relaxing 1-nigh, 2-days trip to Hokuto City by train

• Table of Contents
• 1. Travel schedule
• 2. What is the Koumi Line, the Local Train Running Through the Yatsugatake Highlands?
• 3. 1-night, 2-days itinerary | Enjoying the Kiyosato area - Day 1
• 4. 1-night, 2-days itinerary | Enjoying the Kobuchizawa area - Day 2
• 5. Summary

Learn more about the charms of Hokuto City , Yamanashi Prefecture !

1. Travel schedule

2. What is the Koumi Line, the Local Train Running Through the Yatsugatake Highlands?

The JR Koumi runs along the foot of the Yatsugatake mountains.
The route connects Kobuchisawa in Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture with Komoro City in Nagano Prefecture, and travels through a the highland area at an altitude of over 1,000 meters.

The HIGHRAIL1375 sightseeing train also operates, allowing passengers to enjoy the starry sky. This is a special local line where the travel time itself becomes a relaxing journey .

3. 1-night, 2-days itinerary | Enjoying the Kiyosato area - Day 1

Day 1 am Travel – 2 hours from Shinjuku to Kiyosato

The journey begins at Shinjuku Station .
If you take the JR Chuo Line Azusa Limited Express, you can easily get to Kobuchizawa in just 2 hours .

Relax on holiday mornings,
We recommend the train departing Shinjuku at 10:00 and arriving Kobuchizawa at 11:52 .

*Please check the official website for the latest operating status.

Once you arrive at Kobuchizawa, transfer to the highland train "Koumi Line" and head to Kiyosato.
Access is simple, with only one transfer, so it's safe even for first-time visitors to Hokuto.

The train departing from Kobuchizawa at 12:02 and arriving in Kiyosato at 12:29 has good connections and is recommended.

*Please check the official website for the latest operating status.

As you gaze upon the magnificent scenery from the train window, your mind will relax and the hurried rhythm of everyday life will change to a gentler flow.

Useful Tips for the Local Line "Koumi Line"

・IC
cards are accepted at Kobuchizawa and Kiyosato Stations
You can use major transportation IC cards at both stations, making your trip smooth and convenient.
・Doors
are manually operated
The doors on the Koumi Line are manual, both when boarding and disembarking. Don't forget to press the button.
・If
getting off at unmanned stations
When stopping at stations such as Kai-Koizumi or Kai-Oizumi, please settle your fare on board, as these are unmanned stations.
*Both unmanned
・Tourist
information centers available
Both Kobuchizawa and Kiyosato Stations have tourist information centers in front of the station—so you can easily get help if needed.

Day 1 pm Lunch - Kiyosato specialty Rock curry

After arriving in Kiyosato, head to your
hotel for the night, Hotel Hut Walden.

It’s about a 10-minute walk from the
station, with simple, straightforward access—just follow the road downhill from
the station, and you’ll arrive at the hotel.

First, leave your luggage and pick up your exclusive guest benefits at the reception (Rock FastPass and discount tickets for Moegi no Mura shops and facilities). When you come to Kiyosato, you can't miss the famous curry at Moegi no Mura Rock . Use your FastPass right away to skip the line.

More Rock articles 👇

Day 1 pm Experience - Weave Your Own One-of-a-Kind Piece

Tucked inside Moegi no Mura, Lou
b. Weaving Studio** offers a cozy hand-weaving experience.
Founder Louise, originally from Tasmania, Australia, moved to Kiyosato—drawn by
its nature-rich landscape reminiscent of her hometown—and continues her
creative work here.

At the studio, you’ll find original pieces
on display and for sale, along with weaving workshops that even beginners can
easily enjoy. The warp threads are pre-set, so you simply choose your favorite
weft yarn from around 500 colors and begin weaving—moving your hands and feet
gently at your own pace.

This quiet time with the threads helps
untangle your thoughts and brings you back to yourself. Once finished, your
woven fabric can be made into items such as a smartphone pouch or tissue
case—something uniquely yours. Why not come and discover your
one-of-a-kind piece?

Useful tip: Hotel Hut Walden guests can enjoy a special discount with exclusive tickets .

Check out Moegimura lou.b Hand Weaving Experience Workshop now

Day 1 pm: Take a break - Enjoy the taste of Kiyosato little by little

Take a break between hand weaving.
Located just a few minutes from Moegi no Mura Village, Tomoniko no Mori is highly recommended, where you can enjoy the gentle flavors of Kiyosato while surrounded by the Mori air.

📍Un
Gouter a la Campagne
Beautiful and gentle French Goutte snacks are lined up. You can enjoy a quiet tea time while looking out at the nature of Kiyosato from the large windows in the cafe space .

📍Kiyosato Jam
The store is stocked with low-sugar jams made from locally grown fruits , scones, and freshly baked bread. The cafe space also has a terrace, where you can enjoy jam and scone sets while taking in the natural beauty of Kiyosato.

📍Kiyosato Milk Plant
You can find soft serve ice cream and handmade cheese made with milk from Kiyosato, which is milked every morning by a limited number of dairy farmers. Each item is carefully handcrafted by artisans, and the flavor is full of the natural umami of the milk.

📍Daizuya
You can enjoy the deliciousness of soybeans in various ways, such as rich tofu and natto made with Kiyosato soybeans , tofu donuts, and soy milk soft serve. Fresh yosedofu (silken tofu)  served at the tables in front of the store is rich and lets you taste the original flavor of the beans. *Closed during the winter

Enjoying the luxurious nature of Kiyosato as you walk is another joy of this trip.

Check out Un Goutte à la Campagne now

Check out Kiyosato Jam now

Check out Taizuya now

Day 1 night accommodation - Relax at a hotel surrounded by the forest

Hotel Hut Walden opened in 1978, inspired by the idea expressed in Henry David Thoreau's essay " Walden in the Woods" that"a simple life stimulates the imagination and leads to a more fulfilling life than a life filled with material things."

Based on the concept of "living in harmony with nature," the hotel offers a quiet, classical space enveloped in the soft colors of hand-painted plaster and the warmth of wood . The windows of the antique-style guest rooms offer a tranquil forest view , allowing you to spend a relaxing evening surrounded by the scent of the Mori and the starry sky . It remains a beloved place for many as a place where you can experience the origins of the ideal lifestyle.

*Please inquire about pick-up and drop-off to Kiyosato Station.

A variety of guest rooms are available to cater to your desires, from the "Standard Twin" that cherishes the charm of antiques, to the "Deluxe Room A" with a spacious sofa and bed space, to the "Japanese-Western Room (33 m²)" that offers a relaxing stay.

Bar Perch , located in the hotel, is an authentic bar where you can relax in a woodsy and calming atmosphere and enjoy a wide variety of whiskeys, award-winning original cocktails , and drinks made with fruits hervested in Yamanashi prefecture . If you immerse yourself in conversation with the bartender, he will gently guide you to a drink that suits your mood that day. Bar experts and novices alike can enjoy drinks without feeling intimidated.

Restaurant Nest serves creative cuisine that makes the most of the bounty of the Yatsugatake mountains. The chef, fascinated by local ingredients, carefully brings out the best in the ingredients using French techniques, and in the morning, the restaurant serves a selection of gentle flavors of fresh vegetables based on the theme of "Mount Yatsugatake." Herbs and flowers that grow on the premises also add color to the dishes, inviting you to a fulfilling moment where you can savor the natural beauty of Kiyosato .

Check out Hotel Hut Walden now

Check out Restaurant Nest now

Check out Bar Perch now

4. 1-night, 2-days itinerary | Enjoying the Kobuchizawa area - Day 2

Day 2 am: Forest Stroll — Find a Little Gift for Yourself

Moegi no Mura Village is a tourist complex located on the Kiyosato Highland at an altitude of approximately 1,200 meters. The entire 32,000 square meter site of Moegi no Mura Village is packed with a variety of fun things to do, including a natural garden where over 700 species of plants grow, Rock where you can enjoy Kiyosato famous curry, a merry-go-round, a music box museum, various craft shops, workshops, and a hotel.

📍Information Garden Tekuteku
This visitor center conveys the worldview of "Natural Gardens MOEGI" and the workings of nature. In addition to exhibits, books, and seedling sales, it also stocks products that allow you to experience the nature of the Mount Yatsugatake, such as aromatherapy and household goods. It's a great place to start your garden tour .

📍Merry-go-round in the forest 
This carousel, installed on the hill of Moegi no Mura Village in 1993, is fun for adults too . Its counterclockwise movement, unique to American-made cars, and the different animal designs on each one make it appealing, making it like a small art museum . The colorful scenery , with the mountains visible in the distance and the flowers of the four seasons , has long been a popular photo spot .

📍Music Box Museum Hall of Halls
A music museum where you can enjoy the sounds of music boxes and automatic musical instruments. The delicate sounds that resonate along with the curator's commentary will take you to a timeless state of mind. The museum shop also stocks a wide variety of music boxes, so you can find a memorable item or a gift for a special someone.

📍Moegi no Mura Village Essengarten
This shop stocks local ingredients , sake produced in the prefecture , and household goods . There is also a new cafe and original goods from Moegi no Mura ROCK. You can enjoy a peaceful time surrounded by the garden while savoring soft serve ice cream created by Artisan Palet d'Or .

Check out Information Garden Tekuteku now

Check out Mori Merry-Go-Round now

Check out the Music Box Museum Hall of Halls now

Check out Moegi no Mura Essengarten now

More articles about Moegi no Mura Village 👇

Day 2 am - pm Travel - Take the Koumi to the next resort

Leaving the forest resort and head to a town resort with an exotic atmosphere.

Departing Kiyosato Station at 10:15 --- arriving Kobuchizawa at 10:37 , or
We recommend either the train departing from Kiyosato Station at 12:54 or arriving at Kobuchizawa at 13:17 .

*Please check the official website for the latest operating status.

The great thing about this trip is that you can choose to leave early and enjoy the trip to the fullest, or take your time and enjoy the journey depending on your mood that day.

From the station, you can take a free shuttle bus to your next destination.

We recommend the 11:45 or 14:10 departures from Kobuchizawa Station.

*Please check the official website for the latest operating status.

The ride takes only about five minutes, so why not relax at the cafe in front of the station before your departure?

Day 2 pm: Waiting for the bus – Satisfied with Austrian cake

While waiting for the shuttle bus, take a break at the cafe in front of Kobuchizawa Station . Happy Medium Club is an all-day dining establishment where you can enjoy authentic espresso and meals at any time.
Inside the store, you can relax and enjoy elegant, nostalgic cakes made by an Austrian-trained master . From the rooftop , you can see Mount Fuji , Yatsugatake , and the Minami Alps , gently connecting the scenery of your travels. There is also a souvenir shop in the basement, making it a casual and enjoyable place to stop by.

Check out Happy Medium Club now

Day 2 pm: Go to a resort near the station --- Stroll around and shop at a town resort

RISONARE Yatsugatake was designed by the master Italian architect Mario Bellini. The 160m long cobblestone main street, Piman Street , is lined with over 15 shops, including restaurants , cafes , and general stores , that give you a taste of Yatsugatake life .

With seasonal decorations , markets , and wine events, you'll discover something new to enjoy every time you visit, making it a place you'll want to enjoy like a stroll.

Event: "Snow Resort Town" where you can enjoy the winter of Mount Yatsugatake
Event period: January 27th to March 6th, 2026

📍Toki ha Shirazuni
This restaurant specializes in charcoal-grilled cuisine , where carefully selected fresh fish is carefully grilled over charcoal. The fish is cooked to a plump, deep flavor using far-infrared rays. Guests can enjoy seasonal dishes and local ingredients in a relaxing Japanese atmosphere.

📍Books & Cafe
BOOKS & CAFE is lined with approximately 3,000 books . Take your time to find your favorite book , immerse yourself in a book with a drink and cake , or browse the carefully selected goods and works of local craft artists . Here, you can find your own way to relax.

📍Kinkuma Perfume Yatsugatake Risonare
Nestled in the nature of the southern foot of Mount Yatsugatake, Kinkuma Perfume is a small workshop that carefully creates gentle, soft fragrances that are suited to the Japanese climate and lifestyle. You can also create your own unique scent by layering two to five of the 18 fragrances.

Check out RISONARE Mount Yatsugatake now

Check out Tokihachirazni now

Check out Books&Cafe now

Check out Kinkuma Perfume Resort Mount Yatsugatake Main Store now

More articles about RISONARE Mount Yatsugatake 👇

Day 2 pm: Return home – Returning to everyday life with the afterglow of the trip

The trip ends at the station.
The rooftop observation deck at Kobuchizawa Station is a hidden gem offering panoramic views of Mount Fuji , the Yatsugatake Mountains , and the Minami Alps . You can spend a relaxing moment quietly immersed in the afterglow of your trip.

On the premises, there is also the shop MASAICHI , which offers a selection of carefully selected items , so you can enjoy picking up any souvenirs you forgot to buy or doing some last-minute shopping . Surrounded by beautiful scenery , time passes as you slowly return to your daily life .

Check out JR Kobuchizawa Station now

Check out MASAICHI Main Store now

5. Summary

How was it?
The Koumi Line runs through Hokuto City, allowing you to enjoy a relaxing journey even without a car .

If you're worried about driving overseas or don't have an international driver's license , don't worry . A local train journey that lets you savor the experience of travel will bring you a special experience that can only be experienced in Hokuto.

Choose comfort over speed on this journey. Discover your own special moment as you enjoy the slowly flowing scenery of Hokuto.

Check out the facilities introduced this time on Google Maps