17 Parks in Yamanashi worth your time

A massive national park featuring Mount Fuji, hot springs, and volcanic islands, offering Japan's most iconic landscapes and outdoor recreation.

What it is

• A national park established in 1936 covering over 121,000 hectares across four prefectures.
• The park consists of four distinct areas including Mount Fuji and the Izu Islands.
• It is Japan's most popular national park with over 100 million annual visitors.
• The protected area expanded in 1955 and 1964 to include the Izu Peninsula and islands.

What to see

• Mount Fuji and the surrounding Fuji Five Lakes in the northern section.
• Lake Ashi and various natural hot springs located within the Hakone area.
• The Amagi Mountains and the rugged Jogasaki Coast on the Izu Peninsula.
• Volcanic islands stretching from Oshima to Hachijojima in the Pacific Ocean.
• Educational exhibits and park information at the Hakone Visitor Center.

Official site

www.env.go.jp

Read more about Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park

Yatsushiro Furusato Park offers scenic views, cherry blossoms, and a unique maglev train observatory.

What it is

• A park on a hill at the foot of the Misaka Mountains.
• Features a Kofun Plaza and a Cherry Blossom Forest.

What to see

• Views of the Southern Alps and Yatsugatake.
• Night views, selected as one of Japan's 100 best.
• A linear observatory for the superconducting maglev train.
• Various cherry tree species are planted.
• The Oka Choshizuka Kofun is within the park.

When to go

• During the Fuefuki City Tougenkyo Spring Festival.
• At night for illuminated cherry blossoms.

Official site

www.city.fuefuki.yamanashi.jp

Read more about Yatsushiro Furusato Park

Japan's highest freshwater aquarium, showcasing rare fish in Mt. Fuji spring water.

What it is

• A freshwater fish aquarium in Yamanashi Prefecture.
• Opened in 2001, the first in the prefecture.
• Breeds and exhibits rare freshwater organisms.
• Uses highly transparent spring water from Mt. Fuji.

What to see

• A double-loop tank.
• A tank showing a cross-section of an outdoor pond.

When to go

• Closed every Tuesday.

Getting there

• 5-minute drive from Yamanakako Interchange.
• 20-minute drive from Kawaguchiko Interchange.

Official site

www.morinonakano-suizokukan.com

Read more about Yamanashi Prefectural Fuji Spring-fed Village Aquarium

Fujikawa Craft Park offers diverse activities from crafts to nature, ideal for a relaxing stop.

What it is

• An urban park in Minobu-cho, Yamanashi Prefecture.
• Opened in 1989.
• Includes Michi-no-eki Minobu.
• Houses Fujikawa Kirie-no-Mori Art Museum.

What to see

• Fujikawa Kirie-no-Mori Art Museum.
• A Japanese garden.
• A canoe area.
• A barbecue area.

Getting there

• Accessible by bus.
• 5 minutes from Shimobe-Onsen Hayakawa IC by car.
• 50 minutes from Chuo Expressway Kofu-Minami IC by car.

Address

下山1578 Map

Official site

www.kirienomori.jp

Read more about Fujikawa craft park

Urban park overlooking Kofu Basin, offering fruit-themed activities and stunning night views.

What it is

• An urban park with public and private development areas.
• Opened in 1997, featuring fruit-themed facilities.
• Located on a slope overlooking the Kofu Basin.

What to see

• Views of Mount Fuji on clear days.
• Night views, one of Japan's New Three Major Night Views.
• Fruit workshop, athletic dome, and dog run.
• Yamanashi Fruit Onsen Pukupuku.
• Fruit Park Fujiya Hotel with a chapel and Shinto shrine.

Official site

fuefukigawafp.co.jp

Read more about Yamanashi Fuefukigawa Fruit Park

Arakurayama Sengen Park offers iconic views of Mount Fuji, especially with cherry blossoms.

What it is

• A district park established in October 1959.
• Located on the mountainside of Mt. Arakura.
• Covers an area of approximately 4.3 hectares.
• Contains a memorial tower for war dead.

What to see

• Approximately 650 cherry trees.
• A memorial tower for war dead.
• Views of Mount Fuji, selected as one of 100 landscapes.
• A renovated viewing deck, reopened February 1, 2022.

Official site

www.city.fujiyoshida.yamanashi.jp

Read more about Arakurayama Sengen Park

Kofu City Yuki Park Zoo, Japan's fourth zoo, is currently closed for renovations until 2027.

What it is

• An urban zoo in Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture.
• Opened in 1919, the fourth zoo in Japan.
• Re-established as Kofu City Yuki Park Zoo in 1957.
• Currently undergoing renovation work, reopening in 2027.

What to see

• Zoo grounds include an amusement park.
• Received two red pandas from Chengdu, China, in 1985.
• Lent a giant panda from Chengdu, China, in 1989.

Official site

www.city.kofu.yamanashi.jp

Read more about Kofu city Yuki park zoo

Minami Alps National Park offers stunning alpine scenery and Japan's second-highest peak.

What it is

• A national park in Yamanashi, Nagano, and Shizuoka prefectures.
• Located in the Akaishi Mountains.
• Designated on June 1, 1964.

What to see

• Mount Kita, Japan's second highest peak.
• Many mountains over 3,000 meters high.
• Parts of the Tenryu, Oi, and Kamanashi rivers.

When to go

• Camping is allowed at designated campsites.

Official site

www.env.go.jp

Read more about Minami Alps National Park

This sports park, established in 1952, offers various athletic facilities for public use.

What it is

• An athletic facility in Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture.
• Established by Yamanashi Prefecture in 1952.
• Redevelopment announced from 2020 to 2024.

What to see

• Athletic field, known as Fujiden Stadium.
• Baseball field, known as Fujiden Kyujo, for soft baseball.
• Tennis courts, developed in 1952.
• Four pools are available.

Official site

www.city.kofu.yamanashi.jp

Read more about Kofu Midorigaoka Sports Park Stadium

A flower park near Mount Fuji, offering stunning views and seasonal blooms.

What it is

• A flower park in Yamanakako Village.
• Located in the Gun'nai region of Yamanashi Prefecture.

What to see

• Mount Fuji is visible to the southwest.
• Flowers blooming in a cool climate.

Getting there

• Closest train station is Fujisan Station.
• Yamanakako IC is on the Higashi-Fujigoko Road.

Address

山梨県南都留郡山中湖村山中1650 Map

Official site

www.hananomiyakokouen.jp

Read more about Hana no Miyako Flower Park

Kose Sports Park is a large sports complex with diverse facilities, home to a professional football team.

What it is

• An urban park in Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture.
• Opened in 1975 as a municipal park.
• Became a prefectural park in 1986.
• Yamanashi Prefecture owns the facilities.

What to see

• Athletic stadium and baseball field.
• Gymnasium and ice arena.
• Climbing wall.
• Monument to judo instructor Yasusaburo Kanebe.

Read more about Kose Sports Park

Fuji-Q Highland is a thrilling amusement park with record-breaking roller coasters and themed areas.

What it is

• An amusement and theme park.
• Opened in 1961 as a skating center.
• Renamed Fuji-Q Highland in 1969.
• Known for many thrilling roller coasters.

What to see

• Many thrilling roller coasters.
• Thomas Land theme area.
• Lisa and Gaspard Town theme area.
• New large coaster, ZOKKON, opened in 2023.

Official site

www.fujiq.jp

Read more about Fuji-Q Highland

Midaiminami Park offers diverse outdoor activities, including a rugby field and playground, ideal for families.

What it is

• A Yamanashi Prefectural urban park.
• Opened in 1989.
• Covers approximately 35 hectares.

What to see

• A rugby field, opened in 1986.
• The prefecture's only rugby-specific stadium.
• A 3km cross-country course.
• An artificial fountain plaza.
• A large lawn area.
• A playground for children.

Address

山梨県南アルプス市六科1588-2 Map

Read more about Midai Minami Park

Fuji Hokuroku Park offers sports facilities and views of Mount Fuji.

What it is

• A natural and urban park.
• Located at the foot of Mount Fuji.
• Urban planning decided in 1977.
• Renovated for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

What to see

• Athletics stadium, capacity 11,105.
• Baseball field, capacity 13,449.
• Indoor training track.
• Free weight training room.

Official site

www.hokuroku.jp

Read more about Fuji Hokuroku Park

Manriki Park is a free urban park with a petting zoo, easily accessible from Yamanashishi Station.

What it is

• An urban park in Yamanashi City.
• Also known as Nezu Park.
• Maintained by Yamanashi City.
• Designated as a wildlife protection area.

When to go

• Open year-round.
• Admission is free.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from Yamanashishi Station.

Official site

www.yamanashi-fruitpark.co.jp

Read more about Manriki Park

Kawaguchiko Tenjōyama Park offers scenic ropeway views and a mountaintop park experience.

What it is

• A park established on Tenjoyama mountain.
• Opened July 11, 1959.
• Operated by Fujisanroku Electric Railway.
• Renewed in April 2001.

What to see

• Two ropeway stations.
• Gondolas designed after Fujisan Mode Kago.

Read more about Kawaguchiko Tenjōyama Park

Heidi's Village is a flower and star theme park, bringing the Alps to Japan.

What it is

• A flower and star theme park.
• Themed after "Heidi, Girl of the Alps."
• Opened on April 1, 2006.
• Used as a wedding venue.

When to go

• Closed on Tuesdays from January to March.

Official site

www.haiji-no-mura.com

Read more about Heidi's Village