Hear the sounds and see the sights of unfiltered nature by hiking the picturesque trails of Yamanashi’s Shosenkyo Gorge.

Hear the sounds and see the sights of unfiltered nature by hiking the picturesque trails of Yamanashi’s Shosenkyo Gorge.

The best way to take in the beauty of Shosenkyo Gorge, smack dab in the middle of Yamanashi Prefecture, is by lacing up your walking shoes and ambling along the four-kilometer hiking path that starts at the Nagatoro Bridge, following the Arakawa River all the way to the Sengataki Waterfall. Although the hike is beautiful all year, it’s most popular with visitors from early to mid-November, when the trees glow red, orange, and gold with autumn leaves.

Keep an eye out for the unique rock formations along the river. One massive boulder is said to resemble a giant Buddha, while there’s a menagerie of other formations that look like cats, blowfish, bears, and monkeys. The river is crisscrossed by a number of small bridges where photographers and the social media savvy can get great shots of the steep slopes of the valley. Along the way, visitors will also encounter small shrines, and remains of various archeological structures.

Continuing on past the waterfall will take hikers to the Shosenkyo Ropeway, which whisks visitors up Mount Yasaburo. From the ropeway station, a short 20-minute walk will lead you to a viewing spot at 1,058 meters, from where you can take in vistas of the Southern Alps and the iconic Mount Fuji on clear days. There is also a small restaurant on the summit, perfect for a relaxing meal while enjoying the views of the mountains.

Shosenkyo Gorge

Shosenkyo Gorge

About three hours or so from Tokyo (Shinjuku) by train and bus, Shosenkyo Gorge offers great hiking and breathtaking sights.

 

Once you’ve filled up and are ready to get back out there exploring other areas in and around Tokyo, we’ve got you covered with some great places to check out next on our model itinerary list here.

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