Hello! This is the Shosenkyo Tourist Association. Shosenkyo Gorge in Yamanashi Prefecture, which has been designated as a special scenic spot in Japan, is said to be "The most beautiful valley in Japan" that has been nurtured by nature for a long time. It is no exaggeration to say that it is a work of art created by nature, and we will introduce the charm of "Shosenkyo Gorge" in the COOL JAPAN VIDEO. 【What is Mitake Shosenkyo Gorge?】 Mitake Shosenkyo Gorge is a Canyon in the northern part of Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture, and is a Canyon with a total length of about 5 kilometers surrounded by abundant nature. If you are coming by car, it is 40 minutes from Chuo Expressway and Kofu Showa IC. If you come by train, it takes about 30 to 45 minutes by bus or taxi from the south exit of JR Kofu Station. The beauty of nature, which has been created over a long period of time, continues to fascinate many people. Dotted with Strange Rock and Strange stone, this area shows the beauty of the four seasons, and is a tourist spot that you will want to visit again and again. In spring, you can enjoy the promenade surrounded by the scent of fresh greenery, in summer you can enjoy activities such as canoeing through the dam, and in autumn you can enjoy the Canyon dyed bright red with autumn leaves. 【History of Mitake Shosenkyo Gorge】 Mitake Shosenkyo Gorge was designated as a national scenic spot in 1923 and a special scenic spot in 1953. In addition, it is counted as one of the five great gorges in Japan, along with Teishaku Gorge (Hiroshima), Chomonkyo Gorge(Yamaguchi Prefecture), Goukei Gorge (Okayama Prefecture), and Nezame no toko (Nagano Prefecture). 【Highlights of Shosenkyo Gorge】 ・Kakuen Peak Kakuen Peak, the highest in the Shosenkyo Gorge mountain range, is the symbol of Shosenkyo Gorge. The name comes from the monk Kakuen, who practiced asceticism on a peak the size of several tatami mats in the past. ・Senga Waterfall It is a waterfall located at the foot of Kakuen Peak at the innermost part of the Arakawa River, which flows through the Shosenkyo Gorge. It is a powerful waterfall with a drop of 30 meters, and it is a popular spot because it can be accessed by car. ・Shosenkyo Gorge Promenade It is a promenade of about 4.5 kilometers where you can enjoy the beauty of the Canyon of the four seasons, which was also selected as the first place in the Selected as one of the 100 best sightseeing spots in Japan Canyon category. ・Ishimon The stone gate is a huge natural granite arch created by Mother Nature. It's on the promenade, so you can't get there by car. ・Nagatoro Bridge It is a historic bridge built in 1925 at the gateway to Shosenkyo Gorge. It has been selected as a modern civil engineering heritage site as the oldest surviving concrete arch road bridge. ・Tenkorin If you step on your feet in the Tenkorin forest along the promenade, you will hear a mysterious sound similar to the sound of pom-poms and drums. This is said to be the echoing sound of an underground cavity carved out by a mountain stream. ・ Numerous Strange Rocks and Strange Stones On the promenade, there are various Strange Rocks and Strange Rocks such as Fur Seal Rock, Daibutsu Rock, Kansan Jade Rock, Floating Rock, Cannon Rock, Tofu Rock, Monkey Rock, Camel Rock, Fuji Rock, Kuma Rock, Cat Stone, Matsutake Stone, etc. Please look for it on your feet. ・Arakawa Dam The majestic dam that spreads across the valley of the Oku-Syosenkyo is a multipurpose dam for the purpose of flood control in the coastal area of the Arakawa River. ・Shosenkyo Ropeway From the gondola of the ropeway, which takes about 5 minutes one way to the summit, you can see the Canyon below. From the top of the ropeway, you can overlook a spectacular panoramic view of Mt. Fuji and other areas. 【Shosenkyo Gorge Crystal】 Shosenkyo Gorge is also famous as a sacred place for crystals. There are a number of quartz mines on Mt. Kinpusan in Shosenkyo Gorge, and excavations were actively promoted during the Meiji era. Because of its excellent crystal grinding and processing technology, ores from all over the world gathered, and now there are many shops displaying and selling precious gems and ores. 【Shosenkyo Gorge Gourmet】 Popular gourmet dishes include Somen, Soba noodles, and Koshu Houtou made from the clear stream of Shosenkyo Gorge. In addition, there are many shops where you can enjoy local gourmet and local cuisine using plenty of local ingredients from Yamanashi Prefecture. Enjoy the superb view created by nature at one of the most popular tourist spots in Yamanashi Prefecture "Shosenkyo Gorge"! It is also a treasure trove of Power Spots, so why not try to raise your luck? In the future, COOL JAPAN VIDEOS will continue to show the charm of Shosenkyo Gorge and the beautiful scenery of the four seasons. Best regards!