road trip Archives | Japan Cheapo

Are you tired of the same packed tourist spots in Japan? Same. That’s how I ended up in Yamanashi. There’s a lot to do here, but this is the exact two-day itinerary I followed on my solo trip -- built around moving my body, getting into nature, and honestly just touching grass for a bit. Note: I rented a car, which made everything way easier. A lot of these spots are doable by public transport, but it can get time-consuming or tricky. Day 1: Shosenkyo Gorge and a relaxing ryokan stay For a trip like this, starting early helps. It takes about 2–2.5 hours to reach Yamanashi from Tokyo -- I left around 8:30 a.m. By car: Drive to Shosenkyo Tenjinmori Municipal Free Parking Lot (Kōfu). By public transport: Take the Limited Express on the JR Chūō Line to Kōfu (about 1 hr 30 min), then bus 3 to Shosenkyo-iriguchi-Tenjimmori. Shosenkyo Gorge Hike This hike takes around 4 hours in total and is honestly perfect if you want something active but not too intense. The path is mostly paved, following a river through forest, with a waterfall along the way and small shops waiting at the top. Once you reach the top area, there are restaurants and little souvenir shops where you can take a break. You can either walk back down or take the ropeway. Pro tip: Near the ropeway entrance, there’s a small glass-craft shop where you can design your own cup or bracelet (from around ). It’s surprisingly relaxing after the hike, and you leave with something you actually made. Dinner and stay After heading back down, I drove about 45 minutes toward Yamanashi Station to my ryokan. The drive itself was super scenic -- more forests and mountains, and you can even get a Mount Fuji view if you’re lucky. If you’re using public transport, you can head back to Kōfu Station and continue on the JR Chūō Line. I stopped at a restaurant called West Mountain for dinner -- they do both Japanese and Western food. I went for the hamburg steak, which hit perfectly after the hike. For accommodation, I stayed at Hotel Kakyo (around with breakfast). It’s simple, but the sento bath was exactly what I needed -- soaking after a full day of walking just resets everything. If you don’t want to think about dinner, booking a ryokan with meals included is a great (but slightly pricier) option. Day 2: Hot springs, strawberries and Fuji views Here's what the next day looked like. Morning onsen with a view I started the day at Hottarakashi Onsen, and this was honestly a bucketlist moment. For , you get outdoor baths with views of Mount Fuji (weather permitting), plus a few different indoor baths to relax in. Bring your own towel or grab one at the entrance. There are also food stalls outside, so sitting there after a bath, eating with a Fuji view ... not bad at all. Note: This spot is very hard to reach without a car. You’d likely need a taxi or be ready for a pretty intense uphill walk! Strawberry-picking Next stop: fruit picking -- one of those wholesome Japan experiences. I went to Ichikawa Berry House, where I paid for 30 minutes of all-you-can-eat strawberries (with free condensed milk). Using condensed milk might be controversial, but I’m fully on board -- it’s so good. There are multiple strawberry varieties, so you can actually taste the differences as you go. Yamanashi has fruit-picking year-round, but what’s available depends on the season, so make sure to check beforehand. Again, this spot is easiest by car (about 7 minutes from the onsen), but public transport would require extra planning or a taxi. Fujiyama Twin Terrace For the final stop, I wanted one last big Mount Fuji view -- and this one delivered. From the Yamanashi Station area, it’s about a 1.5-hour drive. By public transport: Take the JR Chūō Line to Sasago Station, then taxi for about an hour. From the base, it’s a 45-minute uphill hike to the terrace. It’s a bit of a workout, but worth it. If you’re visiting between April and November, there’s also a shuttle bus ( round trip) from Suzuran Gunseichi, running roughly 9:25 a.m. to 4 p.m. Note: Even with a car, you’ll need to park and take the shuttle if you don’t want to hike. At the top, there are benches and viewing areas where you can just sit and take it all in -- Mount Fuji and the lake below. Final thoughts This was my full two-day Yamanashi trip -- and it felt like such a reset. There’s a lot more you can add depending on the season, but this route already covers a bit of everything: hiking, food, hot springs, and views. Because everything is quite spread out, renting a car makes a huge difference. You get flexibility, save time, and can actually reach places that are otherwise hard to access. That said, if you’re willing to plan around buses and taxis, it’s still doable. Either way, if you’re looking to get out of Tokyo and do something a little different, this is such a good one. While we do our best to ensure it's correct, information is subject to change.

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