Shosenkyo is currently said to have the most beautiful valley in Japan. Shosenkyo Gorge’s steep cliffs and gigantic, strangely shaped rocks create an impressive landscape. There are many sights to see, and you can visit each tourist spot by walking along the promenade that has been maintained along the valley. It is a tourist destination that can accommodate any type of trip, whether you are traveling alone, with friends, or with family. This time, we will introduce in detail the Shosenkyo Gorge in Yamanashi Prefecture, a spectacular valley where you can see “Japan’s most beautiful valley”.
①【Shosenkyo】 Beautiful valley ranked No. 1 in Japan‼︎
Shosenkyo is a valley located in Chichibu-Tama Kai National Park in Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture. By the way, a valley is a valley between mountains. Shosenkyo Gorge has been designated as a special scenic spot.
❶A spot with a beautiful valley.
Shosenkyo is a spot with a beautiful valley. Due to its beauty, it has been ranked 1st in the valley section of the 100 Best Tourist Destinations in Japan and 2nd in the 100 Scenic Views of the Heisei Era. For this reason, Shosenkyo is known as a tourist spot with “the most beautiful valley in Japan.”
❷You can also go by car on the Shosenkyo Green Line.
The Shosenkyo Green Line is a road that can be reached by car from the Kofu City side to Shosenkyo. The official name is “Mitake Shosenkyo Toll Road.” The starting point is near the intersection with Yamanashi Prefectural Route 104 Tenjindaira Kofu Line, and the ending point is the Shosenkyo Green Line prefectural parking lot. If you use the Shosenkyo Green Line, you can go directly from Kofu City to Shosenkyo without making any detours.
▲You can enjoy the beauty of the valley while riding a horse-drawn carriage.
❸You can take a walk on the promenade.
There are two courses in Shosenkyo where you can walk along the promenade.
①Walk course 1 (distance approximately 2.1km one way, time approximately 30 minutes)
The course includes 10 stops from the Takigami parking lot to Kakuenpo.
②Walk course 2 (distance approximately 1.5km one way, time approximately 20 minutes)
The course includes a tour of 7 locations from the Takigami parking lot to Ishimon.
There are also other trekking and walking courses.
➁What is Ichiyen Road?
Ichien Road is the road near Senga Falls in the back of Shosenkyo Gorge. To be exact, it is a protruding rocky area between 40 and 50 meters from the area in front of Senga Falls to Shosenkyo Bridge.
❶What is the origin of the name “Ichiyen Road”?
Ichiyen Road is not the official name. The name “One Yen Road” comes from the fact that one yen coins were inserted into cracks in the rocks on the road near Senga Falls.
❷Who is inserting the 1 yen coin and for what purpose?
According to locals, it is tourists who insert 1 yen coins into the cracks in the rock. The reason is said to be a wish to receive good fortune from Senga Falls and Shosenkyo Gorge. Due to the huge amount of 1 yen coins inserted in the coins, local people are now collecting them regularly to prevent damage to the landscape. By the way, 1 yen coins started being inserted a dozen years ago. The total amount spent over the past 10 years has been approximately 300,000 yen, which has been used to purchase cleaning tools such as mowers and brooms.
➂What is Senga Falls?
➂【仙娥滝】昇仙峡を代表する滝‼︎
Senga Falls is a waterfall located within Shosenkyo Gorge. The drop is 30m, and the waterfall type is a direct waterfall. The location is at the foot of Kakuenmine. It is characterized by a magnificent and graceful waterfall that flows down the granite rock surface, accompanied by a loud roar.
❶What is the origin of the waterfall’s name?
To youThe waterfall’s name comes from Chang’e, a woman who appeared in Chinese mythology and went to the moon. Xianxian’e is a Chinese fairy. AlsoTo youTaki also has the meaning of a waterfall with gentleness like the moon.
④What is Shosenkyo Shadow Picture Museum?
The Shosenkyo Shadow Picture Museum is an art museum located in Takanari-cho, Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture, that was supervised and designed by the shadow puppet artist Seiji Fujishiro. It opened in 1992. Seiji Fujishiro is a world-renowned shadow puppet artist, and the Shosenkyo Shadow Picture Museum has been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s first shadow puppet art museum. By the way, Seiji Fujishiro is 99 years old as of 2023. He is still active and posts his works on YouTube and Instagram. At the Shosenkyo Shadow Picture Museum, you can fully appreciate Seiji Fujishiro’s works, which have beautiful contrasts of light and shadow.
⑤Access information to Shosenkyo
Here you will find detailed information about access to Shosenkyo Gorge. The address of the Shosenkyo Green Line prefectural parking lot is “Kamiobina-cho, Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture”.
❶Route from Kofu Station to Shosenkyo by car
Kofu Station (1-chome Marunouchi, Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture) ⇒ Prefectural Route 6 ⇒ Prefectural Route 104 ⇒ Shosenkyo Green Line ⇒ Prefectural Route 7 ⇒ Shosenkyo Green Line Prefectural free parking lot
The total travel distance is approximately 11.7 km, and the travel time is approximately 25 minutes.
Summary 【Shosenkyo】
This time, we introduced Shosenkyo Gorge in Yamanashi Prefecture, a spectacular valley where you can see “Japan’s most beautiful valley.” At Shosenkyo Gorge in Yamanashi Prefecture, you will be greeted by Kakuenbo, a symbol of the beauty of the valley. It is possible to enjoy the impressive scenery from the ground. Shosenkyo is also famous for its autumn leaves, and many tourists visit during the season. When I visited Yamanashi Prefecture,NoboruFairyWhy not stop by the gorge?
▲Official site
Nearby Spot① Miharashi Square at Wada Pass‼︎
This is a great observation space with a great view of the Kofu Basin and Mt. Fuji.
There is parking space for about two cars.
Nearby Spot② Miharashi Square‼︎
It has the same name as the previous one, but you can see a different view. You can see a wonderful view with depth, and Mt. Fuji can be seen.
It seems that you can park a few cars on the side of the road, but if you are going for a long time, please use the parking lot at Lake Chiyoda. (20 minutes walk)
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