Shosenkyo valley in Yamanashi

Shosenkyo
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Trip to Shosenkyo valley in Yamanashi prefecture. It has nice hiking trail, which is asphalted all the way up, so some part of it need to share with cars. This is good place for day trip and no need for any hiking skills, equipment or supplies.

In video, steep cliff named Kakuenpo can be seen. As it was written in tour map, top of cliff is flat and some monk meditated there for some days. Ishimon means stone gate in Japanese. It also looks like a stone gate. Notice there is small open space between upper and lower stones. At the end - Sengataki big waterfall.


Image: Nagatoro bashi, entrace to Shosenkyo valley


Image: Road goes deeper into mountains playing around cliffs


Image: Looks from trail are beautiful


Image: Dragons and small spring

This place is especially popular in autumn when leaves turn red.Valley also has web page in Japanese.

Access:From Kofu station by bus (570 yen for bottom of valley or 870 yen for top), taxi about 4000 yen. It will take 30-40 min to reach and need to get off at 昇仙峡口 bus stop. Hike from entrance of valley till top might take 2-3 hours.♫

Three videos from Kofu and cherry tree viewing

Yamanashi
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These three videos are from trip to Kofu town in Yamanashi prefecture. Located just three hours from Tokyo, it is good getaway.

After passing long tunnel, train stopped in station with a lot of sakura trees blooming. I got out because could not resist this great sight!

This station has remarkable name - its very long - Katsunumabudoukyou station (勝沼ぶどう郷駅-かつぬまぶどうきょうえき). Budou ぶどう means grapes in Japanese and there are a lot of grapes grown in the area. At the both ends of station I met people with cameras waiting for moments when trains pass.


Image 1: sakura trees in Katsunumabudoukyou station


Image 2: sakura trees in Katsunumabudoukyou station

Later I continued to Kofu city and here look at Kofu castle hill. From castle just walls are left and train station is built accross former place of castle. From castle great view on surrounding mountains and city.

Image of castle in Google map:

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Video: Look from Kofu castle


Image: part of Kofu castle


Image: view from Kofu castle

On the return way stop to see Monkey bridge. Don't ask me why it is called Monkey bridge, because I did not see any monkeys there. Superstructure, which holds weight on both sides, has interesting shape.




Image: Monkey bridge