For those coming to Japan for the first time, a visit to Tokyo and Mount Fuji are essential, and Yamanashi Prefecture — nestled in the shadow of this iconic mountain — serves as the perfect gateway to experiencing Japan’s natural splendor and traditional landscapes.
Tokyo and Yamanashi Prefecture offer captivating contrasts, embodying the multifaceted essence of Japan’s landscape and culture. In Tokyo, cutting-edge technology, vibrant entertainment, and fine dining pulse through neon-lit streets, where towering skyscrapers and bustling districts like Shinjuku and Toranomon represent the pinnacle of urban innovation and digital excitement. Just a short journey away, Yamanashi Prefecture presents a serene counterpoint, with its rolling vineyards, pristine nature, and tranquil hot springs that invite visitors to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with nature.
But which locations should you head to best experience this juxtaposition? We have carefully selected locations and experiences to bring out the striking differences between Tokyo’s electrifying urban landscape and Yamanashi’s serene natural environment.
Day 1: Dive into teamLab Borderless: MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM
The latest addition to the world of teamLab, teamLab Borderless: MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM is a mesmerizing, fluid, boundaryless world, with artworks dancing and transforming around you as you seamlessly move between the spaces. With no map to guide you, you can explore intentionally, discovering new perspectives with each step, your body becoming part of this immersive, artistic landscape. The interconnected labyrinth that ties the experience together is impressive, but the installations that can be found taking over entire rooms are to be searched out and immersed in.
Enjoy Lunch at Halal Ramen Honolu
With the influx of visitors from overseas, halal ramen is not only becoming more common in the Japanese capital, but also sought out by locals for its unique flavors that eschew the usual heavy pork broth base. Halal Ramen Honolu is no exception, with both locals and visitors lining up to enjoy it. The star of the menu is the Honolu spicy fried chicken ramen, featuring a creamy chicken-based white soup and juicy chunks of karaage (fried chicken). Halal-certified since 2020, the restaurant buzzes with an international crowd, with halal gyoza or rice topped with wagyu as a perfect accompaniment. The lively atmosphere reflects the restaurant’s core wish: For people all around the world to enjoy the pride of Japan’s ramen.
Immerse Yourself in RED° TOKYO TOWER
RED° TOKYO TOWER, situated at the base of Tokyo Tower, is a VR wonderland of interactive entertainment spanning four floors, with experiences for kids as well as adults. For adults, RFIGHT is a distinctive attraction where you actually get to pilot a robot in battle, landing punches against other visitors, and KAT WALK is an immersive VR game where you can walk around on a platform as you experience the interactive world. The fourth floor features physical games that kids will love, including skipping rope races and VR roller coaster rides.
Dine in Luxury at GINZA THE EMPEROR
As Ginza’s first Halal-certified Kobe beef restaurant, GINZA THE EMPEROR is dedicated to sharing Japan’s precious culinary treasures with the world. You’ll experience a dining journey where every dish is meticulously prepared without additives, alcohol, or chemical seasonings. The restaurant offers rare halal-certified Kobe beef — selected from top-tier Tajima cattle with exceptional meat quality — featuring a perfect balance of the robust flavor and delicate marbling of this top quality beef. Its course menu is visually stunning, deliciously balanced, and culturally meaningful, specifically designed to showcase the exquisite tradition of Japanese beef.
Retreat to Hotel New Otani Tokyo The Main
After a day of what could possibly amount to sensory overload, you’ll discover a sanctuary of tranquility in the heart of Tokyo. Spanning 10 acres, the centerpiece of Hotel New Otani Tokyo The Main is a stunning 400-year-old Japanese Garden with koi (carp) ponds, red bridges, and lush landscapes. Shin-Edo style rooms come with a cypress wood bathtub and complimentary sake, and offer views of this magnificent green oasis. With 37 restaurants, an expansive pool that transforms into a glamorous evening venue, and unobstructed views of Tokyo with tomorrow’s destination, Mount Fuji, off in the distance, this hotel promises both relaxation and luxury.
Day 2: Rise Up to TOKYO NODE
The latest addition to Tokyo’s digital landscape, this technological creative hub in Toranomon represents the cutting edge of Japan’s innovative spirit. As you explore this immersive space, you’ll witness the convergence of business, art, and technology through spectacular installations like MUUUSE — a groundbreaking music museum featuring a massive 24m x 4.5m LED display and other advanced display technology. The goal of TOKYO NODE is to create a space for global innovators to gather and push creative boundaries, whether through interactive digital art, immersive music experiences, or technological breakthroughs, making TOKYO NODE a symbol of Tokyo’s future-forward vision. No matter the installation that is currently at the venue (it changes frequently), you can be guaranteed a groundbreaking experience.
Discover Nature at the Fugaku Wind Cave and Narusawa Ice Cave
As you venture into these naturally air-conditioned caves at the foot of Mount Fuji, you’ll explore centuries-old lava tubes where summer icicles persist year-round. The Wind Cave, with its sound-absorbing basalt walls and historic role as a natural refrigerator for silkworm eggs, offers a fascinating glimpse into both geological and cultural history. A trail connects these caves through the atmospheric Aokigahara forest, making for an enriching excursion that combines underground exploration with a serene forest walk. Though each cave takes just 10 minutes to explore, their distinctive features and the surrounding forest trail make them a worthy stop in your Yamanashi journey.
Stay in the Exquisite Kagetsu
Kagetsu is a stunning example of the accommodation options that are available once you leave the neon of Tokyo and step back into nature. Set within a magnificent Japanese garden, carefully curated over decades with remarkable stones from across Japan, this sanctuary offers 33 elegant rooms, each providing unique views of the seasonal landscape. As you explore, you’ll encounter waterfalls and serene ponds where koi swim gracefully. The rooms, from the luxurious Naka-no-Tono with its private open-air bath to the bright Minami-Tono suite, blend traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern comfort. Here, you can experience true Japanese omotenashi hospitality while soaking in views of the meticulously maintained garden, where every stone and water feature has been thoughtfully placed to create moments of perfect tranquility.
Day 3: See Magical Views of Mount Fuji at Oshino Hakkai
As you explore Oshino Hakkai, you’ll discover eight crystal-clear ponds nestled in this charming village between Lakes Kawaguchi and Yamanaka. These springs are fed by Mount Fuji’s snowmelt which is filtered through volcanic rock for over 80 years.
Though touristy, the atmosphere remains delightful as you weave through local vendors grilling sweet potatoes and rice crackers, their enticing aromas mixing with the fresh mountain air. The highlight of the town is the Hannoki Bayashi Shiryokan open-air museum, where you can step inside a traditional thatched-roof farmhouse, with fantastic views of Mount Fuji in the distance.
For an extra special experience, visit during mid to late April when cherry blossoms frame your views of Mount Fuji, or mid-November when the autumn leaves are turning, creating picture-perfect moments that capture the essence of Japanese seasons.
Dine at Locals Favorite: Hoto Fudo
Located near Lake Kawaguchi, Hoto Fudo offers a dining experience that seamlessly blends architecture, cuisine, and nature. The restaurant’s striking design, inspired by the clouds that often encircle Mount Fuji, creates a one-of-a-kind atmosphere. Inside is a cave-like interior which changes with the seasons — open and airy in summer, and warm and enclosed in winter. The signature dish, hoto, is a local delicacy, a hearty bowl of handmade noodles simmered in a rich miso broth with an abundance of local vegetables. The staff are constantly greeting new customers and running to serve those who have just arrived, making for a bustling atmosphere which matches the nature of the meal.
Make Your Way up Shosenkyo Gorge
Located north of Kofu, Shosenkyo Gorge offers a breathtaking blend of natural beauty and cultural significance, and is the perfect end to your Yamanashi escape.
As you follow the well-maintained trail, you’ll be surrounded by pristine river, dramatic waterfalls, and lush forests. Towering granite cliffs, sculpted over centuries, create a stunning backdrop to the walk up to the ropeway. If you visit in autumn, the gorge comes alive with vivid reds, yellows, and oranges, with peak foliage around mid-November providing a spectacular display.
As your journey through Tokyo and Yamanashi comes to an end, you’ll carry with you a profound appreciation for Japan’s remarkable ability to harmonize ultra-modern innovation with timeless natural beauty. From the electrifying digital landscapes of teamLab Borderless: MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM to the serene, crystal-clear ponds of Oshino Hakkai, you’ve experienced a Japan that defies simple categorization — a land where cutting-edge technology and ancient traditions coexist in breathtaking synchronicity. This trip will leave you with lasting memories and a deeper understanding of Japan’s special cultural landscape.
Sponsored by TCVBxYamanashi.
