Hokuto

Understand

Yatsugatake peaks lie in the north of the Hokuto city, and the Kiyosato plateau stretches to the foot.

Tourist information site The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site with integrated Google Translate.

Getting around

Hokuto is a collection of towns and villages that have pooled their administration, and it is not centered around a single densely populated area. As such it is a very rural area and getting around largely requires a car. There are a large number of stations on the JR Chuo Line and the JR Koumi Line in Hokuto.

See

1 Yamataka Jindai-zakura. A legendary cherry blossom tree planted over 1800 years ago on the grounds of Jissoji Temple. It is said to have been planted by Yamato Takeru no Mikoto, a son of the 12th emperor of Japan, and is said to be the oldest cherry blossom tree in Japan. According to another legend, when the Priest Nichiren visited, the tree was nearly dead, so he prayed and the tree was miraculously revived. With so much history and folklore surrounding the tree, it has been designated as one of Japan's Top 3 Cherry Blossom Trees.In addition to the Jindai-zakura, a nearby tree is known as the Space Cherry Blossom. It began as a seed of the Jindai-zakura that was sent into space, orbiting earth for 8 months, before being returned and planted here. It is one of only 2 cherry blossom trees out of 118 taken into space that actually grew. (updated Apr 2023) 2 Hirayama Ikuo Silk Road Museum, ☏ +81 551-32-0225. 10:00-17:00; closed in winter (late December to early March). Features the famous Silk Road paintings by Hirayama Ikuo along with artifacts from various places along the Silk Road. \1200. (updated Apr 2023) 3 Nakamura Keith Haring Collection. An art museum featuring the works of American artist Keith Haring. ¥1500. (updated Apr 2023) Hokuto City Go Museum (2 min walk from JR Nagasaka station). 9:00-17:00, closed Mon. Small museum for the game of Go. Free. (updated Jan 2024)

Do

1 Hakushu Distillery. A Japanese whisky distillery.

Go next

Nirasaki Kai Kofu Yamanashi Minamialps Fujimi Chino Suwa Okaya