I get writers block when trying to think of places to go, we’ll be in Kofu for a couple months with family and want to go on a couple trips with the kids (3 and 1). Already been to the obvious places in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka etc. There’s still of course things to do in Kyoto still as always but maybe this time we’ll ignore Kyoto.
I love to visit towns with beautiful architecture, temples and shrines; honestly temples and shrines more than anything. Open air museums or Edomuras are awesome too. Maybe nothing too exposed to nature as it is winter. I’ll have a car and international driving permit so we can drive places from Kofu assuming up to a 6 hour drive, but can also take the train and shinkansen if it makes more sense.
We’ve been looking at
\- Nikko
\- Izu
\- Nagano
\- Tomioka
For reference one of our best trips was biking around in Asuka, so that kind of environment is great.
Thanks in advance!
3 comments
If you like biking, Lake Biwa (Shiga) seems four hours away and is really quite nice, lots of old towns to visit, plenty of shrines/temples, and suited for cyclists as the loop around the lake is a Thing. You don’t have to bike the whole loop but it means the infrastructure is good.
More information from the tourism agency: https://en.biwako-visitors.jp/news/detail/520
Nikko will be excellent if you are really into shrines and temples. The nature park is pretty awesome too but easily missed too if you want given it’s winter.
I love Nagano- places of interest include Matsumoto (castle, cool town area, some nice museums (the art museum and the timepiece museum are lovely) though they’re indoors so maybe not your thing). Zenkoji temple complex in Nagano city.
Jigokudani (snow monkey park).
You might also like Shirakawago or Takayama. I’ve not been to Takayama because it’s a bit of a pain to get to using public transport but driving I think should be ok. Shirakawago has beautiful architecture including an open air museum. It is quite snowy and exposed in winter but it looks magical in the snow. Takayama looks lovely too.
You could also look at Hakone, it’s an easy trip out and has a nice open air art museum.
Fujigoko is easy to reach by National Route 358. I’ve drive from Kofu tho there once, very pleasant and beautiful.
Shosenkyo Ropeway is famous for maple leafs.
Lake Suwa is beautiful, also famous for “Your Name” real-life location.
Matsumoto city / Matsumoto Castle is a historical site that worth visit.
Day trip to Kamikochi from Kofu is a little busy, but it is very beautiful place.