Hello 😃 This is Waraji, a restaurant of Koshu local cuisine. Shosenkyo Gorge is covered in fresh green foliage, and pleasant days are continuing. At Waraji we have added the Waraji Gozen as a weekend and holiday special menu. This special set lets you enjoy Waraji’s recommended dishes all at once, including Iwana trout with crisp skin and tender flesh, hoto noodle soup, simmered chicken giblets, and basashi (horse sashimi). It would not be an exaggeration to call this the definitive collection of Waraji’s menu items. Please enjoy it if you have the chance.

Hello everyone, this is the Shosenkyo Tourism Association. Today the weather cleared enough to see blue skies! At Senga Falls, where sunlight streamed through, the fresh green leaves were shining. The weather looks good for the second half of Golden Week starting tomorrow, so please come and visit us.

The Itajiki Valley, which had been closed due to a fallen tree, has reopened✨ Please exercise caution when passing through. With this reopening, you can now see the Great Falls. Come visit the refreshingly cool Itajiki Valley during Golden Week😊 *The photo was taken in June 2023.*

Hello 😃 This is Crystal Sound. Time flies, and it will soon be May — what a surprise 😅 At Shosenkyo Gorge, the trees are beginning to show plump new green shoots 🌱 as they welcome the fresh season, and you can see their vigor. You might also hear pleasant birdsong in the air. Why not take a leisurely walk through nostalgic streets, forgetting the passage of time for a while? A visit to Shosenkyo Gorge might fill you with energy ☺️ It could spark a change in your step starting tomorrow! By the way, the gemstone for May is emerald ✨ Its beautiful green color suits the fresh-leaf season perfectly. The gemstone meanings of emerald are… “happiness, good fortune, love, hope.” You can feel its sparkling power 😉 Come to Shosenkyo Gorge to heal a tired heart. All of our staff sincerely look forward to welcoming you 😆

Hello! This is the Shosenkyo Tourism Association. The sacred tree of Kanayama Shrine, "Kanayama," is now at its best. The pale yellow ukon cherry, tinged with a golden hue, looks mystical and truly feels like a power spot for improving financial luck. The double-flowered cherry in front has also begun to bloom, so you can likely enjoy yellow and pink blossoms together.

Hello ☺️ This is Jewelry Town! The weather has warmed up, and it’s been perfect for strolls 🌳 At Kanazakura Shrine, the cherry trees are in full bloom, and soon the sacred Ukonzakura, whose pale golden tones appear, will begin to flower 🌸✨✨ Peak viewing is around late April, and the blossoms should remain beautiful through Golden Week ☺️ After paying respects to the golden cherry at Kanazakura Shrine, please stop by our shop to see an exceptionally rare rutile quartz sphere — a true treasure among treasures 🔮✨✨ It’s believed to boost your luck with money dramatically! You might even catch the Crystal Uncle’s passionate talk! 😆 We’ve also uploaded a follow-up to that much-talked-about video on our new YouTube channel, so please check it out as well.

Late April: The sacred tree of Kanazakura at Kanazakura Shrine is in full bloom 🌼 A notice from Shosenkyatto, Shosenkyo Gorge’s local mascot 🐱 Kanazakura Shrine is said to be deeply mystical and is known as a power spot. The sacred tree, Kanazakura, has long been famous in folk songs as the “money-bearing tree, Kanazakura.” 😳 It is said that if you pay respects to the cherry blossoms and receive a crystal charm in this season, you will be blessed with lifelong financial luck ♪ If you want money, you should definitely come, okay? Come to Shosenkyo Gorge this spring and during Golden Week! We’re waiting for you!

Hello 😃 This is Yamanashi Wine Kingdom main building. Under a bright blue sky, the cherry trees around the ropeway are now in full bloom. A stroll while admiring the cherry blossoms feels very exciting. Next up, after the Somei-yoshino finish, a rare pale yellow-petaled ukon (Ukon cherry) will begin to bloom. Kanezakura Shrine is famous, so look forward to it! By the way, there is also an Ukon cherry at the corner of the Wine Kingdom parking lot, but it is still in bud. Why not take a cherry-blossom walk in Shosenkyo Gorge?

Hello everyone, this is the Shosenkyo Tourism Association. The mitsuba azaleas along the promenade are blooming in vivid colors. Listen to the sound of the mountain stream and refresh your body and mind as you admire the cute pink mitsuba azaleas. We also spotted buds that are about to open, so you can enjoy them for a while.

Hello, this is Minamoto. The weather has taken on a springlike feel, and recent rain has swelled the waterfall, making it impressively powerful. The spray flying off it is quite cold. Now that April has arrived, we are featuring crystal, the birthstone. Clusters of many crystals are especially recommended as interior accents. Shosenkyo Gorge is famous for crystal, so why not place one by your entrance? Speaking of crystal, the Minamoto symbol tree near the entrance, the Tree of Happy Crystal, is made entirely of natural crystal. Among the Tree of Happy Crystal pieces you can find rainbow-included crystals; feel free to photograph them and use them as charms. All our staff look forward to welcoming you.

Hello😃 This is Yamanashi Wine Kingdom Senga Falls Store. As April arrives, the weather has felt like winter at times, with cold and rainy days continuing. It looks like the weekend will bring back more spring-like weather, so that’s a relief☺️ While a fine day is nicer for a walk, there are some unusual sights you can only see when it rains☔️ For example, rainwater streaming from a crack in the rock directly opposite Senga Falls can look like a small waterfall👀 You might think, “I came all the way to Shosenkyo and it’s raining,” but rain can reveal scenes and little discoveries you wouldn’t see otherwise. We hope you enjoy the many faces of Shosenkyo😊 We also have a recommended rosé that pairs beautifully with the spring season and its colors. Why not try Japan Wine Sakura, with petals of gold leaf drifting in the glass, or an aromatic Merlot rosé? As it becomes easier to stroll around, please come visit Shosenkyo and enjoy your time here😄

Hello! This is En'emon Folklore Museum. Just when we thought it had warmed up, snow fell on Wednesday and winter suddenly came back! Still, the weeping plum at the shop burst into cheerful bloom! Attracted by the plum scent, the little birds are happily singing. Aquamarine, the birthstone for March, is a stone that gently soothes the heart. Would you like to come and feel gently healed by the warm spring breeze and the plum fragrance? Our whole staff is preparing a relaxing welcome and waiting for you♪

Hello 😊 This is Waraji, a Koshu regional cuisine restaurant. In March, sunlight in Shosenkyo Gorge grows warmer, and you can gradually feel the arrival of spring. Waraji’s traditional house has been renovated from a historic building dating back to the Edo period (about 150 years ago). The pillars and tables are made from fine timber, so while you enjoy the warmth of the wood, please savor our signature dishes, starting with hoto. In particular, the eel skillfully prepared by our veteran chefs is thick and tender; when coated with the sweet-and-savory secret sauce, it will surely keep you reaching for your chopsticks. We look forward to welcoming you and serving you a warm meal from the bottom of our hearts 😃

Hello 👋😃 This is Crystal Sound. As March arrives, it’s gradually getting warmer 🎵 The skies over Shosenkyo are clear and the river’s water is pristine. At the Crystal Sound Crystal and Gem Museum, a beautiful amethyst dragon welcomes you at the entrance ✨ We’ve also just received new pearl items 🎵 Please come and see the stones while enjoying the scenery ✨ All our staff look forward to welcoming you 😇

This is Senga Falls at Shosenkyo Gorge. The photo was taken at about 1:00 PM, and when sunlight hits around noon a rainbow appears, creating a beautiful sight. The drop is about 30 meters. The day after rain brings an even more powerful flow of water to enjoy. Come and visit Shosenkyo Gorge during spring break. The gorge's walking trails should be at their best for mitsuba azalea blooms. We will post updates on social media. Look forward to it 🙂 Date photographed: 2024/3/4

This view is from Nagatoro Bridge at Shosenkyo Gorge. Hello, this is the Shosenkyo Tourism Association. From the "oldest concrete bridge in Yamanashi" you can look out over the ravine of Shosenkyo. Crossing this bridge at the entrance to Shosenkyo might make your heart race with the thought, “At last, Shosenkyo!” 😊 Please come and visit Shosenkyo during spring break. The Mitsuba azaleas along the gorge’s promenade should be in full bloom. We will announce updates via social media. Look forward to it 🙂 Date photographed: 2024/3/4

This is Kakuen Peak at Shosenkyo Gorge. Somehow it looks a bit like the Zaku from Gundam, doesn’t it? 😊 Hello. This is the Shosenkyo Tourism Association. Today the weather was fine. Kakuen Peak takes its name from a monk called Kakuen, who is said to have practiced ascetic training atop the rocky mountain long ago. It is a spectacular 180-meter-high rock formation. 😆 Come and visit Shosenkyo during spring break. The valley’s walking trails should be carpeted with mitsuba azaleas at their peak. We will post updates on social media. Look forward to it 🙂

Hello! This is the Shosenkyo Tourism Association. Shosenkyo in Yamanashi Prefecture, designated a Special Place of Scenic Beauty by the nation, has long been celebrated as Japan’s most beautiful gorge, sculpted by nature over the ages. We introduce the artistic splendor of Shosenkyo, worthy of being called a natural masterpiece, in a Cool Japan video. What is Mitake Shosenkyo? Mitake Shosenkyo is a roughly 5-kilometer gorge in the northern part of Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture, surrounded by rich nature. If you come by car, it’s about 40 minutes from the Chuo Expressway Kofu Showa IC. By train, take a bus or taxi from the south exit of Kofu Station for about 30 to 45 minutes. The natural forms shaped over long ages continue to captivate many visitors. With its scattered strange rocks and stones and seasonal beauty, this place makes you want to return time and again. In spring, stroll the promenade surrounded by fresh greenery; in summer, enjoy activities like canoeing on the reservoir; and in autumn, admire the gorge dyed bright red with fall foliage. History of Mitake Shosenkyo Mitake Shosenkyo was designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty in 1923 and upgraded to a Special Place of Scenic Beauty in 1953. Together with Teishaku Gorge (Hiroshima Prefecture), Nagato Gorge (Yamaguchi Prefecture), Goukei Gorge (Okayama Prefecture), and Bed of Sleep (Nagano Prefecture), it is counted among Japan’s five great scenic gorges. Highlights of Shosenkyo • Kakuen Peak Kakuen Peak, the highest peak among the Shosenkyo ranges, stands as the symbol of Shosenkyo. The name comes from the monk Kakuen, who once practiced ascetic training on the roughly tatami-sized summit. • Senga Falls Senga Falls lies at the base of Kakuen Peak at the far end of the Arakawa that flows through Shosenkyo. With a dramatic 30-meter drop and vehicle access, it’s a popular spot. • Shosenkyo Promenade This approximately 4.5-kilometer promenade lets visitors enjoy the gorge’s seasonal beauty and was ranked first in the gorge category of the National Top 100 Tourist Spots. • Stone Gate Stone Gate is a gigantic natural granite arch formed by the power of nature. Located on the promenade, it cannot be reached by car. • Nagatoro Bridge This historic bridge, built in 1925 at the entrance to Shosenkyo, is designated a modern civil engineering heritage as the oldest surviving concrete arch road bridge. • Tenkorin At Tenkorin along the promenade, stomping your feet produces a mysterious sound like a drumbeat. This is said to be the echo from underground cavities carved by the stream. • Numerous strange rocks and stones Along the promenade you can find many named rock formations, including Fur seal rock, Daibutsu Rock, Kansan Jade Rock, Floating Rock, Cannon Rock, Tofu Rock, Monkey Rock, Camel Rock, Mt. Fuji Rock, Bear Rock, Cat Rock, and Matsutake Rock. Be sure to look for them on foot. • Arakawa Dam The majestic dam spreading across the valley of Oku-Shosenkyo is a multipurpose structure aimed at flood control and other uses for the Arakawa riverside region. • Shosenkyo Ropeway The ropeway’s gondola takes about five minutes one way to the summit, offering sweeping views of the gorge below. From the ropeway summit you can enjoy panoramic views that include Mount Fuji. Shosenkyo’s crystals Shosenkyo is also famous as a sacred place for crystals. On Mt. Kinpu in the Shosenkyo area, several crystal mines once operated actively in the Meiji era. Skilled polishing and processing of crystals attracted minerals from around the world, and today shops displaying and selling precious gemstones and mineral specimens line the area. Shosenkyo cuisine Local specialties using the clear streams of Shosenkyo—such as somen noodles, soba, and Koshu houtou—are popular. Many restaurants serve regional gourmet dishes and local cuisine featuring abundant Yamanashi ingredients. Enjoy the breathtaking natural scenery shaped by nature at Shosenkyo, one of Yamanashi Prefecture’s most popular tourist destinations! As a treasure trove of power spots, it might lift your luck as well. Cool Japan Video will continue to release footage of Shosenkyo’s charms and its beautiful seasonal scenery. Thank you for your attention!