Let's go to fresh-green Kiyosato

Leave Shibaura off to Kiyosato with Velfire.

The trip takes about 2.5 hours from Tokyo. As soon as getting off the expressway at Nagasaka exit, you will be greeted by the refreshing early summer breeze from the nature.

As you drive on Route 28 toward Kiyosato, you will get to “Kiyosato-Kogen Doro” which is popular among drivers for the beautiful scenery. After passing through sylvan gentle slope, you will arrive at Yatsugatake Kogen-Ohashi.

There you will find a magnificent view of forested mountains in front of you; Mt. Fuji will be on your right, a beautiful canyon, Kawamata-Keikoku just below the bridge. The spectacular landscape will enthralls you.

After crossing the bridge, there is a parking area on the left, you can get a view of the entire bridge from there.

INFORMATION

Yatsugatake Kogen-Ohashi

Address:

Higashiide, Takane-cho, Hokuto-shi, Yamanashi (15 minutes from Nagasaka Exit of Chuo Expressway)

Parking:

Available

Moegi-no-mura is a theme park surrounded by nature with several lovely small house like shops scattered around. This park is popular among pet lovers because of its big open space and some cafes that accept pets. The atmosphere will make you feel like you are in a small European country town.

Moegi's Christmas is a shop where you can experience “Canadian Christmas all year round”. More than 10,000 different Christmas items in the shop create the fantasy world. The shop owner, Mr. Fujiwara fell in love with a Christmas shop when he visited Canada and he decided to replicate the store in Kiyosato. His favorite item of all is Gnormy, which is an adorable angel doll made by a German artist, Anneka Bouke.

A special wooden figure from Felalu Two shops, Felalu and Moegi's Christmas are in the same building.

According to Mr. Fujiwara, there is a waterfall that is supposed to make one's wishes come true in just 5 minutes walk distance from the shop. Out of curiosity, we decided to stop by.
The directions to the waterfall given by Mr. Fujiwara is as follows; turn left on the alley “Kaitaku-no-kane” on the left side of the shop, then you will be on a small path, which leads you to the forest. You may start wondering if you are on the right path, but don’t worry.

You will find a sign “Takimi-no-oka”, soon. After a short walk, you will hear the sound of the waterfall, then you will be at the spot where you can overlook waterfall　called “Sengataki” between trees as well as many wood plates with others’ wishes!!

Wow! So many wooden plates with people's wishes!

After a hard morning exploration, it is time for fine dining as a little treat. Restaurant, OLD AGE located in a petit hotel is well-known for its healthy dishes, in which plenty of fresh organically grown local vegetables, all extraordinarily fresh and abundant are beautifully arranged just like the English style garden at the restaurant. Various kinds of Yamanashi-produced wines will make every meal truly special organic experience. Here are some samples from the restaurant menu; antipasto - homemade ham with wild vegetable pickles such as Warabi, Kogomi and big oaf (udo). The main dish - fragrant flavored Japanese Black Cattle stake with sesame and ‘fond de veau’ sauce has rich but gentle taste. The dessert - very creamy earl grey tea Pannacotta is served with strawberry jelly, which compliments it perfectly. This lunch course with a cup of coffee or tea as the finale costs JPY3,675 (JPY4,725 for dinner).
The soft spoken handsome chef Mr. Sano showed up and greeted us with a smile. “Please make yourself at home”. 10 points out of 10 point scale! This restaurant is highly recommended!

This lunch course with a cup of coffee or tea as the finale costs JPY3,675 (JPY4,725 for dinner).

After lunch, it may be a good idea to take a walk to the top of Utukishi-Mori You will have to go up a flight of wooden stairs for about 15 minutes while looking at brightly colored Azaleas. If you look back, you will see a panorama view of Kiyosato town. All you hear is the sound of wind, chirp of bush warbler as well as your steps and short breath. If you close your eyes and take a deep breath you may feel as if you are a part of nature.
After the flight of stairs, there is a stone path leading you to the mountain top. At the summit, the peaks of Southern Alps and Mt. Fuji are waiting for you.

data

Utsukushi－Mori

Address:

8240-1 Nishiide, Oizumi-cho, Hokuto-shi, Yamanashi

Parking:

50 cars

Website

Website

Utsukuhi-Mori is a famous for its great hiking trails.

After parking your car at Seisen-Ryo (see next section), 10 minute walk will take you to the grandma's house from the movie “The Witch of the West is Dead”. The house, English garden as well as vegetable garden, all used in the movie are kept as a museum after the filming was finished.
If you have seen the movie, you may recall some scenes. Lettuces, tomatoes, and onions in the garden, mint, lemongrass, and lavender at the entrance area…you will feel like you really are stepping into someone's house. Also, wild deer live around this area, so if you are lucky, you may bump into one or two..

Visitors can receive a brochure and a handmade ornament (limited).

Seisen-Ryo was established in 1938 by Dr. Paul Rasch who also initiated the development of Kiyosato. Various facilities such as accommodation, restaurants, shops, and a farm are around the area.
There is also a hiking trail available from Seisen-Ryo.

After all that exercise you might need a little pick-me up. Try a ‘soft served ice cream’ (so-called ‘soft cream’) from Seisen-Ryo. But be prepared to lineup especially on holidays, because this tasty treat made by rich jersey milk attracts so many people! The ice cream costs 350 yen (as of June 2008).

The ice cream costs 350 yen (as of June 2008).

If you time your trip back, you will be able to take in the sunset. The most scenic route is along Yatsugatake Kogen line through “Makiba Park” and over, “Higashisawa-Ohashi”, the red bridge, on the way to Nagasaka Exit.
Kiyosato offers a laid back relaxing atmosphere with easy access to a variety of activities in the beauty of highland nature only 2.5 hours away from Tokyo. So, if the hustle and bustle of the big city is getting to you, why not take a drive to Kiyosato?