Yamanashi has some of the most beautiful hiking trails in the country, and it has the benefit of being within easy driving distance of Tokyo or accessible from highway buses and rail lines. One of several routes through the Chichibu Tama Kai National Park, the trail along Nishizawa Gorge is welcoming and well-maintained. The trail follows the Fuefuki River which carved through this section of northeastern Yamanashi millennia ago, leaving a thickly forested canyon. Nishizawa Gorge is well-known among hikers but still not incredibly popular, leaving it fairly peaceful, even in the high season.
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The trail begins at Nishizawa Gorge Entrance and heads out on a loop up one side of the gorge and down the other. All told, the loops takes about three and a half hours at a leisurely pace, with other trails leading from the main trail, as well. The route is forgiving, when it’s dry, at least, even for those with limited hiking experience—dress in layers, put on some comfortable shoes, and you’ll be good to go. In the chillier months, when rain is expected or snow is in the forecast, make sure you’re ready for mud and slippery conditions.
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The entrance to the gorge is the Futamata Suspension Bridge, about twenty or thirty minutes down the trail. It is there that Nishizawa and Higashizawa split, and more challenging trails lead up toward Mount Tosaka—but you’re headed across the bridge! A sign beside the bridge warns hikers not to step onto the platform if snow is more than 20 cm deep, giving those unfamiliar with Yamanashi winters a hint of what the place looks like during January and February. The view from the bridge is one of the best on the trail, and it’s swamped in autumn with photographers snapping shots of the crimson foliage.
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Rivers, creeks and streams run through the Nishizawa Gorge area, and there is nearly constant sound of trickling water echoing up through the trees. The signs of civilization that creep into the gorge are part of the appeal with the weirs put up to tame the rivers, a century of trailmaking, and traces of the narrow gauge forest railways that ran through the area all the way out west to the Kiso Valley in Nagano.
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The Fuefuki River and other streams splash into the gorge in stunning falls along the trail. Here and there, there are spots to descend from the trail and touch the ice cold water that cascades down from the mountains. The rock formations carved by the waterfalls over the millennia have been named by hikers over the years, so look out for the Fugu (Blowfish) Rock and the Frog Rock, which bear some vague resemblance to the animals they’re named for.
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The Nanatsugama Godan no Taki is the reason many hikers take this trail. The crystal clear mountain water of the famous waterfall crashes down the slope, resting in placid cauldrons along the way. When the leaves turn red in the autumn, this spot is particularly popular among hikers.
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Access
Many of those taking a day trip out from Tokyo cruise down National Route 140 west from Chichibu and make use of the parking lot at the trailhead, but it’s easy enough to get there without a car. That sets the gorge apart from quite a few other spots in the Yamanashi wilderness, including a number of great trails. From Tokyo, it’s easy enough to get out to Yamanashishi Station on the Chuo Main Line, and hop a bus or a taxi up to the trailhead. Keep an eye on the time, to avoid missing the last bus back to the station!
Bus
The nearest bus stop to the trailhead is Nisizawa Keikoku Iriguchi (City bus)
Duration: 60 minutes from Yamanashishi Station, JR Chuo Main Line
Bus Schedule: There are 4 buses/day from Yamanashishi Station. Prior to your hike, make sure to confirm with Yamanashi Tourism Organizationhere for the latest information about the hike as well as the bus schedule.
With that being said, the 4 buses depart at 9:06am, 10:15am, 13:44am, or 15:11am.
On your way back from the Nishizawa Gorge, there are 5 buses/day to Yamanashishi Station. The bus will depart at 7:20am, 10:12am, 11:22am, 15:10pm, and 16:25pm.
Price: 900 yen one way.
Payment is cash only. Don't forget to bring extra cash for this trip
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