Yamanashi

Yamanashi has 29 onsen areas and 304 springs (Ministry of the Environment, FY2024), with more than 3.09 million overnight stays a year. Its springs fall into three landscapes: the Kofu basin with Isawa and Yumura, the foot of Mt Fuji with the Fuji-Kawaguchiko group, and the mountains of the Southern Alps and beyond with Shimobe on the Minobu Line and remote Masutomi. Many places claim to be one of warlord Takeda Shingen's 'secret baths', where he is said to have healed his troops.

Main onsen areas

The Kofu basin holds Isawa in Fuefuki, Shingen-no-Yu Yumura in Kofu, and Hottarakashi in Yamanashi City, with views over the basin to Mt Fuji. On Fuji's northern slopes are the Fuji-Kawaguchiko group and Yamanakako. In the south along the Fuji River lies Shimobe, deep in Hayakawa are Narada and Nishiyama, and in Hokuto to the north is Masutomi.

Characteristic spring types

Simple springs are the most common in our records, followed by sulfur, chloride and sulfate. Isawa and the Fuji-Kawaguchiko group are simple springs. Masutomi is known as one of Japan's strongest radon springs and, like Shimobe, is lukewarm water of around 30 °C meant for long, quiet soaks.

Reachable by public transport

Isawa's inns gather around Isawa-Onsen Station on the JR Chuo Line, about 1.5 hours from Shinjuku by limited express. Yumura is about 15 minutes by local bus from Kofu Station. The Fuji-Kawaguchiko group's gateway is Kawaguchiko Station on the Fujikyu Line, with express buses from Busta Shinjuku too. Shimobe has its own station on the JR Minobu Line, and Masutomi is 50 to 60 minutes by bus from Nirasaki (infrequent services).

For solo travellers

Hottarakashi is a day-only open-air bath with no lodging, and many visitors come alone. It opens before sunrise, so a dawn soak and breakfast make an easy solo outing. Shimobe and Masutomi have inns geared to multi-night therapeutic stays.

Food & culture

Hoto noodle stew, Yoshida udon, Koshu wine, peaches and grapes are Yamanashi's flavours. Isawa was born in 1961, when hot water suddenly burst out of a vineyard. Popular pairings include a pilgrimage to Kuonji temple on Mt Minobu with Shimobe, and the Mt Fuji World Heritage sites with the Fuji-Kawaguchiko group.