Who said traveling in Japan has to be stressful? If you’re tired of shopping and sightseeing and want to take a breather from the hustle and bustle of the city, Yamanashi Prefecture is the perfect location to experience mindfulness and relaxation just a train ride away from Tokyo in around 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Blessed with bountiful nature and stunning views of the mountains (yes, even Mount Fuji!), the area is a must-visit destination for all tourists seeking to venture off the beaten path. This natural paradise offers plenty of hiking and biking trails and activities geared toward those looking to make their trip a more mindful experience. Read more about yoga retreats, art, and stargazing in Yamanashi!
A Mindful Yoga Experience at Nipa Yoga at the Foot of Mount Fuji
Located in Fujiyoshida city (富士吉田市), Nipa Yoga is a yoga school offering yoga courses, trekkings, and retreats. Its position right at the foot of Mount Fuji, on the shores of Lake Kawaguchiko (河口湖), makes it the ideal place to unwind from the city and embrace mindfulness while enjoying the gorgeous natural surroundings.
The school provides a variety of yoga courses for both residents and tourists, catering to all levels of experience. If you’re looking for a more active vacation, you can sign up for one of the tours around the Fuji Five Lakes. If you have a few days to spare, don’t miss out on one of their yoga retreats, which may be completely personalized based on the number of people, days of your stay, and goals.
The courses and treks are particularly convenient for travelers, as the school provides complimentary equipment (hiking shoes, yoga mats, etc.) and a pick-up and drop-off service at local hotels.
SUP and Forest Yoga at Lake Kawaguchiko
If you’re up for something different than traditional yoga on a yoga mat, Nipa Yoga, on the shores of Lake Kawaguchiko (河口湖) offers SUP (stand-up paddleboard) yoga courses for people of all ages and levels of experience. This workout focuses on your core, combining the benefits of regular yoga with the merits of engaging your muscles while maintaining your balance on a paddleboard. It’s recommended that you bring sandals or water shoes, sunscreen, and a change of clothes that you don’t mind getting wet.
Nipa Yoga also offers reiki healing sessions and yoga treks, where guides take you down to grassy fields under the shade of surrounding trees or up to views of Mt. Fuji to practice yoga in Lake Kawaguchiko’s natural beauty.
Discover New Japanese and International Artists at Gasbon Metabolism
Mindfulness is not just about yoga ー being surrounded by beautiful works of art can also encourage meditation. Fortunately, in addition to various daring outdoor activities, Yamanashi Prefecture is also home to many must-see venues for art junkies.
The Gasbon Metabolism warehouse, located on the site of a former factory in Hokuto city, is a gallery, exhibition venue, and photography studio that welcomes artists from all over the world. Since its opening in 2021, artists who chose Gasbon Metabolism for their exhibitions include Automoi, Yutaro Aoki, BIEN, and Jonathan Zawada.
Located nearby is MANGOSTEEN HOKUTO (万珍醸造), a craft beer brewery with a brewing lab, shop, taproom, and diner where you can sample the malt-filled dumplings. And, of course, a wide selection of craft beers to wash it all down.
Meditate Under the Starry Sky in the Utsukushimori Forest
The Utsukushimori Forest (美し森) is one of the best spots in the Yatsugatake Mountains to take in a breathtaking view of Japan’s three tallest mountains of Mount Fuji, Mount Kitadake, and Mount Ainodake. Its magnificent autumn foliage and lovely azaleas flowering in the spring make it a must-see all year. When night falls, the Utsukishimori parking lot is also a popular spot for stargazing on clear days.
We recommend visiting by car or taking a taxi from Kiyosato Station on the JR Koumi Line or Kobuchizawa Station on the JR Chuo Line.
Read our six-part travel journey for more ideas on what to see and do in Yamanashi!
- Yamanashi’s Water of Life: The Source of its Unparalleled Wild Game, Wines, Whiskies, and Sake
- A Spiritual Journey Across the Temples of the Yamanashi Mountains
- Unleash the Adventurer in You in the Great Yamanashi Outdoors
- A Mindful Kind of Travel: Art, Yoga, and Stargazing in Yamanashi
- Into the Heart of Traditional Japanese Arts and Crafts in Yamanashi Prefecture
- Yamanashi Inden, the Traditional Japanese Lacquer and Leather Handicrafts by Yamanashi Artisans
How to Get to Yamanashi Prefecture
The Yamanashi main center is easily accessible by JR Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and other major cities. Kofu Station and Otsuki Station are two main hubs from which you can travel to all other destinations via local trains and buses. For those on a tighter budget, the Azusa or Kaiji Limited Express from Shinjuku Station can take you directly to Yamanashi’s Kofu Station via the JR Chuo Line (approx. 1 hour and 30 min.) An even cheaper option is to take one of the highway buses departing from all major cities in Japan.
Yamanashi Prefecture is an excellent destination for hiking enthusiasts, travelers, and locals who want to take a break from city life by taking it slowly in the beautiful landscapes of the Japanese mountains. Whether you’re a seasoned yoga practitioner or just looking for new ways to make your stay more mindful, we hope the places we’ve listed in this article will serve as a solid starting point for you to plan the trip of your dreams!
Sponsored by: Yamanashi Prefecture
