Rin's Review: Exploring Hokuto City, Yamanashi – Million-Dollar Views, Just 2 Hours from Tokyo

Hello everyone! Today, "Rin's Review" will take you away from the hustle and bustle to breathe fresh air in Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture, a travel destination surrounded by the Southern Alps and Mount Fuji, just an easy 2-hour trip from Tokyo.

This trip brings you new attractions and cafes, summer and autumn foliage itineraries, and plenty of delicious food.

Getting to Know Hokuto City and Getting There

Hokuto City is located in northwestern Yamanashi Prefecture, bordering Nagano Prefecture.

Photo: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.5)

• From Tokyo (Shinjuku Station): Take the Chuo Line (Limited Express Azusa) or drive via the expressway, taking about 2 hours to Kobuchizawa Station
• From Nagoya: Take the Limited Express Shinano train or drive, about 3 hours
• From Fuji or Matsumoto: No more than 1.5 hours

Newly Opened Check-in Spots You Shouldn't Miss

1. Grand Mercure Yatsugatake Resort & Spa: A luxury resort with beautiful views, opened in April 2024, featuring a stargazing rooftop deck
2. Yatsugatake Grandvert Vineyard (cafe opening March 21, 2026): Sip coffee amidst the vineyards
3. Truffle Bakery Minami Yatsugatake (grand opening April 24, 2026): Famous bakery that bread lovers must visit
4. Kiyosato Kogen Resort (reopening May 1, 2026): An Italian mountain-town style resort with scenic photo spots and Piman Street for a stroll

Kiyosato Kogen Resort by the lake, mountain view, reopening May 1, 2026

3-Day Travel Itineraries

Summer Trip

Photo: さかおり / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

• Day 1: Depart from Tokyo, stop to pay respects at Misogi Shrine, have yakiniku lunch at Tajimaya Yakiniku, continue to Yatsugatake Grandvert Vineyard, stop to taste water drop mochi at Kinseiken / Shichiken, and check in to your hotel in Hokuto City
• Day 2: Admire sunflower fields at Akeno Sunflower Festival (Jul - Aug), pick blueberries at Blueberry Akeno, take a stroll at Moegi Village and Makiba Park, and stop by Higashizawa Bridge
• Day 3: Have fun with G-Karts and take in panoramic views at Sun Meadows Kiyosato, lunch at Seisenryo Restaurant, before heading on to Matsumoto

Autumn Foliage Trip

Photo: Rs1421 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

• Day 1: Same as the summer trip (Tokyo, Misogi Shrine, Tajimaya Yakiniku, Yatsugatake Grandvert Vineyard, Kinseiken & Shichiken, check in in Hokuto)
• Day 2: View autumn foliage at Heidi's Village, take photos at Yatsugatake Kogen Bridge and Higashizawa Bridge, visit Moegi Village and Makiba Park
• Day 3: Make hoto noodles (Hoto Workshop), Yamanashi's famous specialty, ride G-Karts at Sun Meadows Kiyosato, lunch at Seisenryo Restaurant, then continue your journey

Food Spots and Cafes

• Tajimaya Kounosuke: Wagyu beef from their own farm, served with vegetables and rice grown with natural organic manure
• Seisenryo Restaurant / Makiba Restaurant: Mountain restaurants with 360-degree views, serving beef stew, hamburg steaks, bakery items, and milk ice cream
• Kinseiken (Mizu Shingen Mochi): Distinctive crystal-clear water drop mochi from the world's first shop, served with syrup and soybean powder
• Oishii Gakkou: Relive school days in a historic Showa-era wooden building, enjoying a Japanese student lunchbox served on an aluminum tray

Wrapping Up

I hope this review inspires everyone to pack your bags and visit Hokuto City. You are sure to return with plenty of beautiful photos. Stay tuned to see where "Rin's Review" will take you next!

Interested in a private tour in Japan with See You Again? Feel free to chat or message Rin on LINE anytime.

Special thanks for information and photos from Tourism Division, Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture
Cover photo: Tourism Division, Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture (山梨県北杜市役所 観光課)