EXPERIENCE YAMANASHI AND MORE _ EXPLORE YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

Ryujin Falls, Nishizawa Gorge, Mitomi-Kamikamakuchi, Yamanashi-shi, Yamanashi, 5/02/2026

Nanatsugama Godan (5 steps and 7 pools) Falls, Nishizawa Gorge, Mitomi-Kamikamakuchi, Yamanashi-shi, Yamanashi, 5/02/2026

Mie (3 steps) Falls, Nishizawa Gorge, Mitomi-Kamikamakuchi, Yamanashi-shi, Yamanashi, 5/02/2026

Direction stones, Nishizawa Gorge, Mitomi-Kamikamakuchi, Yamanashi-shi, Yamanashi, 5/02/2026

Rhododendron subg. Hymenanthes, Nishizawa Gorge, Mitomi-Kamikamakuchi, Yamanashi-shi, Yamanashi, 5/02/2026

Rhododendron subg. Hymenanthes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhododendron_subg._Hymenanthes

Viburnum furcatum, Nishizawa Gorge, Mitomi-Kamikamakuchi, Yamanashi-shi, Yamanashi, 5/02/2026

Viburnum furcatum: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viburnum_furcatum

Trifid holly fern, Nishizawa Gorge, Mitomi-Kamikamakuchi, Yamanashi-shi, Yamanashi, 5/02/2026

Trifid holly fern (Polystichum tripteron (Kunze) C. Presl): https://hosho.ees.hokudai.ac.jp/tsuyu/top/plt/wood_fern/polystichum/tri.html; https://www.picturethisai.com/wiki/Polystichum_tripteron.html

Mount Tosaka (2115m) and Mount Habu (2317m), Nishizawa Gorge, Mitomi-Kamikamakuchi, Yamanashi-shi, Yamanashi, 5/02/2026

A fine day at Mount Arakura Sengen Park. This day Mount Fuji had a white cloud over the summit as if she was wearing a hat.

A lenticular cloud, or lens-shaped cloud, that forms when stable, moist air is forced upward over the summit, condensing into a smooth, stationary white cap. Lenticular cloud: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lenticular_cloud; Kasagumo: https://www.mir768.com/en/post/the-cap-cloud-of-mt-fuji-kasa-gumo-a-natural-omen-and-mythical-mystery

Mount Arakura Sengen Park: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arakurayama_Sengen_Park

The Chureito Pagoda, a five storied pagoda, on the mountainside overlooking the city of Fujiyoshida and Mount Fuji off in the distance, Mount Arakura Sengen Park, Fujiyoshida-shi, Yamanashii, 5/04/2026 

Nishiura-district, Shimoyoshida and Road Station Fujiyoshida, Fujiyoshida-shi, Yamanashii, 5/04/2026 

Nishiura District: https://www.yamanashi-kankou.jp/english/recover/nishiura-district.html; Hidden gem: https://fujiyoshida.net/feature/nishiura/index

Road Station Fujiyoshida: https://www.yamanashi-kankou.jp/english/recover/road-station-fujiyoshida.html

New World Kanpai (cheers) Alley, Nishiura-district, Shimoyoshida, Fujiyoshida-shi, Yamanashi, 5/04/2026

Kanpai Dori (Alley): (REIHO fuji, winter 2020) https://www.city.fujiyoshida.yamanashi.jp/uploaded/attachment/1554.pdf; (Laid Back Drinking and Dining Course on Shinsekai Kanpai-dori) https://fujiyoshida.net/en/itineraries/195

Kanadorii is a historic torii (gate) in the city of Fujiyoshida in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, serving as the traditional “first torii” marking the entrance to the sacred realm of Mount Fuji. Reconstructed in 1957, it stands over 9 meters tall and serves as a premier photography spot, specifically framing Mount Fuji in its center when viewed from the street.

Sacred rice straw rope (Shimenawa) of Kanadorii, Shimoyoshida, Fujiyoshida-shi, Yamanashi, 5/04/2026

Kanadorii: https://fujiyoshida.net/en/see-and-do/24; https://fujiyoshida.net/spot/24; https://fujiyoshida-kanko.net/bestview-kanadorii/

Sacred rice straw rope (Shimenawa): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shimenawa

The Ando Family Residence in the Nishinango area in the city of Minam-Alps in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, was built in 1708, in the middle of the Edo period. This is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property, featuring a valuable main house built in the Irimoya style with a hip-and-gable, thatched roof. As a prestigious family serving as the village headman (Nanushi) of Nishinango, the Ando Family Residence has been maintained in its original, authentic state, having avoided any fire damage throughout its history.

Ando Family Residence: (In Japanese) https://www.city.minami-alps.yamanashi.jp/sisetsu/shisetsu/bunkazai-ando/; Irimoya style: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Asian_hip-and-gable_roof

There was the Hoei eruption of Mount Fuji in 1707, one year before the Ando Family Residence was built. It was the last confirmed eruption of Mount Fuji.

Hoei eruption: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C5%8Dei_eruption; https://www.web-gis.jp/GM1000/GM_Red1/GM_Red1-147.html; Geological Survey of Japan: https://www.gsj.jp/en/index.html; Mount Hoei: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_H%C5%8Dei

A huge carp streamer and Koshu warrior banners by Inoue Somemono Store, a warrior doll, Japanese armor and helmets and warrior doll decorations, and a ropework display, Ando Family Residence, Minami-Alps shi, Yamanashi, 4/06/2026

Inoue Somemono Store: https://kousyu-koinobori.jp/

Ando Family Residence: https://www.city.minami-alps.yamanashi.jp/sisetsu/shisetsu/bunkazai-ando/

Koshu; Koshu was an abbreviated form name of Kai Province (Kai no kuni, current Yamanashi Prefecture): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kai_Province

Ropework: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ropework

An old pine tree (over 330 years old), a stone rain catcher and koi, Ando Family Residence, Minami-Alps shi, Yamanashi, 4/06/2026

Koi: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koi

Japanese photini, Ando Family Residence, Minami-Alps shi, Yamanashi, 4/06/2026

Japanese photini (Photinia glabra): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photinia_glabra; https://mikawanoyasou.org/data/kanamemoti.htm; https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%AB%E3%83%8A%E3%83%A1%E3%83%A2%E3%83%81

Senbei are traditional Japanese crackers made from rice flour, typically baked or grilled over charcoal to achieve a crunchy, savory texture. Neatly wrapped senbei, Japanese rice crackers, are a staple of Japanese gift-giving (temiyage) and tea-time snacks, often found individually packaged to ensure freshness, hygiene, and convenience.

Senbei: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senbei; Senbei Guide: Types & Flavors of Japanese Rice Crackers: https://www.jeepe.jp/en/articles/senbei-guide-japan-1566; Senbei (Rice Crackers) – Japanese Encyclopedia: https://matcha-jp.com/en/2024

Neatly wrapped senbei by Ginza Hananoren, Fujisa-An, Kinseiken Fujiyoshida Store, Fujiyoshida-shi, Yamanashi, 5/04/2026

Ginza Hananoren: (In Japanese) https://ginzahananoren.co.jp/

Kinseiken: https://kinseiken.co.jp/en/; https://kinseiken.co.jp/news/8187/

Soka Senbei and Nanbu Senbei are two of Japan’s most iconic regional snacks, but they differ significantly in ingredients, texture, and origin. Soka Senbei is a savory, hard-baked rice cracker from Saitama Prefecture, while Nanbu Senbei is a wheat-based, crisp cracker from the Aomori/Iwate region.

Key Differences at a Glance

Feature	Soka Senbei	Nanbu Senbei
Main Ingredient	Non-glutinous Rice (Uruchimai)	Wheat Flour
Texture	Very hard, firm, and crunchy	Crisp, light, and sometimes chewy
Flavor Profile	Soy sauce (savory)	Simple, salty, often with sesame or peanuts
Origin	Soka City, Saitama (Edo period)	Aomori/Iwate (Nanbu Domain)
Distinct Feature	Flattened during baking with oshigawara	Distinct “ears” (mimi) from mold overflow

Nanbu Senbei 101: https://visithachinohe.com/en/stories/nanbu_senbei/; Sannohe’s Famous Senbei: https://visithachinohe.com/en/shopping/senbei/

The legend of Osen-san and Soka Senbei: https://web-japan.org/kidsweb/local/soka-senbei/; Soka Senbei Garden: https://www.yamakosenbei.co.jp/?page_id=1526; Soka City, Saitama Prefecture: https://kodawari-times.net/sightseeing/soka-city-saitama-prefecture/

Baby blue eyes (Nemophila menziesii), known commonly as baby blue eyes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nemophila_menziesii

Baby blue eyes, Oishi Park, Fujikawaguchiko-machi, Yamanashi, 4/24/2026

Wintercress (Barbarea vulgaris): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbarea_vulgaris

Wintercress, Oishi Park, Fujikawaguchiko-machi, Yamanashi, 4/24/2026

Tree Heath, Oishi Park, Fujikawaguchiko-machi, Yamanashi, 4/24/2026

Oishi Park: https://fujisan-ne-jp.translate.goog/sightseeing/1652/?_x_tr_sl=ja&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=ja: https://www.fkchannel.jp/facility-03

Oshino Hakkai are the eight springs found in the village of Oshino in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. The aquifer water originated from Mount Fuji comes out to the ground to form these springs.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oshino_Hakkai: Oshino-mura: https://www-vill-oshino-lg-jp.translate.goog/index2.html?_x_tr_sl=ja&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=ja&_x_tr_pto=wapp

Koi, Oshino Hakkai, Oshino-mura, Yamanashi, 4/24/2026

Koi: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koi

Oriental paperbush or mitsumata (Edgeworthia chrysantha): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgeworthia_chrysantha

Oriental paperbush, Oshino Hakkai, Oshino-mura, Yamanashi, 4/24/2026

Eastern leatherwood (Dirca palustris): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirca_palustris

Eastern leatherwood, Oshino Hakkai, Oshino-mura, Yamanashi, 4/24/2026

Kawaguchi Asama Shrine was established in 865, one year after the massive eruption of Mount Fuji in 864, to enshrine the deity Asama-no-Okami and appease the mountain’s wrath. Located in the town of Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, it is a designated component of the Mount Fuji World Cultural Heritage site.  The grounds contain seven massive cedar trees that are over 1,200 years old. The “Chigo-no-Mai” traditional dance, designed to calm the eruption, is recognized as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. The dance is still performed by young girls on April 25th (Annual Festival) and July 28th (Taita-Gokagurasai).

Kawaguchi Asama Shrine: (In Japanese) https://asamajinja.or.jp/; https://fujisan-ne-jp.translate.goog/sightseeing/1480/?_x_tr_sl=ja&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=ja

Kawaguchi Asama Shrine, Kawaguchiko-machi, Yamanashi, 4/24/2026

“Double-flowered” describes varieties of flowers with extra petals, often containing flowers within flowers. Yaezakura in Japanese means double-flowered cherry blossoms and Prunus ‘Kanzan’ is a representative cultivar of the Yaezakura cherry blossoms. Kazan is a double flower cultivar with with 20 to 50 petals.

Double-flowered: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double-flowered; Prunus ‘Kanzan’: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prunus_%27Kanzan%27; https://www.southern.edu/arboretum/plant/view?id=514#slide-id-3804; https://www.nps.gov/subjects/cherryblossom/types-of-trees.htm

Yaezakura cherry blossoms, Arakura Sengen Park, Fujiyoshida-shi, Yamanashi, 4/24/2026

An exhibition titled 2026 Early Term Special Exhibition “Birds of the Mountains” has been held at the Yabuucni Masayuki Art Museum in Hakushu-cho in the city of Hokuto in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, during March 20 through July 14, 2026.

Yabuucni Masayuki Art Museum: (In Japanese) https://yabuuchi-art.jp/index.html; https://www.iwafu.com/en/events/1065217: https://www.hokuto-kanko.jp/spot/yabuuchi_masayuki_museum/; https://wanderlog.com/ru/place/details/7514797/masayuki-yabuuchi-museum

Yabuucni Masayuki Art Museum, Hakushu-cho, Hokuto-shi, Yamanashi, 4/23/2026

The Shosenkyo Bakuzaka Kodo Trail is a short 1.6 km mountain biking trail located in the Shosenkyo area, along with the Shosenkyo Ropeway. The trail is part of the ancient path network in the area and is exclusively accessed through guided tour.

Shosenkyo: https://www.shosenkyo-kankoukyokai.com/en/; Shosenkyo Ropeway: https://kofu-tourism.com/en/see-and-do/13

Artist’s bracket (Ganoderma applanatum): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganoderma_applanatum; https://midwestmycology.org/ganoderma-applanatum/; https://fungusdb.muses.tottori-u.ac.jp/catalog/info?id=30415

Artist’s bracket, Shosenkyo, Ikaricho, Kofu-shi, Yamanashi, 4/25/2026

Togoku-mitsubatsutsuji Rhododendron (Rhododendron wadanum Makino): https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhododendron_wadanum; https://nikko-bg.jp/nikko-old/pra/rhododendron/tougokumituba_tutuji.html; https://mikawanoyasou.org/data/tougokumitubatutuji.htm; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhododendron_dilatatum; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhododendron; https://tbg.kahaku.go.jp/recommend/illustrated/result.php?p=2&mode=easy&list=jname&ruby=ta&name=%E3%83%88%E3%82%A6%E3%82%B4%E3%82%AF%E3%83%9F%E3%83%84%E3%83%90%E3%83%84%E3%83%84%E3%82%B8

Togoku-mitsubatsutsuji Rhododendron, Shosenkyo, Ikaricho, Kofu-shi, Yamanashi, 4/25/2026

An old Dosojin stone statue, Shosenkyo, Ikaricho, Kofu-shi, Yamanashi, 4/25/2026

Dosojin: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C5%8Dsojin

“Among the various Buddhist sects that developed in various regions after the Kamakura period, Zen Buddhism had a deep connection with Yamanashi, as seen in the visit of the Zen monk Rankei Doryu to Yamanashi, and the achievements of Muso Soseki and his disciples, who were highly valued by the Muromachi shogunate.
This exhibition will introduce the rich Zen culture that developed in Yamanashi through artworks such as paintings and sculptures, as well as the influence of Zen monks.” Cited from: https://www.porta-y.jp/en/event/188180

Blooming Rhododendron degronianum plants, Museum Garden, Yamanashi Prefectural Museum, Fuefuki-shi, Yamanashi, 4/18/2026

Rhododendron degronianum (Rhododendron degronianum): 　https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhododendron_degronianum

Rhododendron: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhododendron