【Coolness and Scenic Views】A Journey Healed by the Clear Stream and Scenic Beauty of the Hidden Spot "Shosenkyo" in Yamanashi

As the hot days continue, I headed to Shosenkyo, a scenic spot in Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture, in search of coolness. Reporting on the gorge lined with steep, bizarre rocks resembling a landscape from an ink wash painting.

A day trip to Shosenkyo aiming to reach it by Jimny

Shosenkyo is usually explored on foot from the parking lots scattered along the Shosenkyo Green Line road in Kofu City. This time, we aim for the parking lot near the summit and take our time enjoying the views from the foot of the mountains. We will walk the approximately 6 km standard course from Chotan Bridge, the gateway to Shosenkyo, to Crystal Fountain.

Park the car and let's walk to Shosenkyo

We park the car at the almost summit parking lot called Senga Falls Parking Lot and enjoy a compact exploration. Despite it being a weekday, there are many tourists to be seen.

Beyond the souvenir shops typical of tourist attractions, there is a hiking trail. The author usually doesn't approach places like this, so it feels very refreshing.

Shosenkyo Gorge is unusual in that there is no clear entrance or exit; rather, it can be accessed from downstream and upstream, as well as various directions. Until you arrive on-site, it's unclear what kind of course it takes, which caused some confusion during my research. The first spot you encounter from here, the Sengataki Falls, can be considered the main attraction of Shosenkyo Gorge.

The water volume of Sengataki Falls is impressive! The cool air is delightful.

Sengataki Falls is a waterfall formed by geological activity, with a drop of about 30 meters, and the amount of water that splashes to the viewing area is remarkable. You can enjoy its flow along with the refreshing air unique to the gorge.

The flow that falls from the falls rushes downstream with considerable force, slipping through large rocks. The pathway alongside the stream is also quite steep, allowing you to feel that the entire Shosenkyo Gorge is a sloped canyon.

Shosenkyo Gorge is a canyon formed by deep-seated igneous rocks (magma that has cooled and solidified) surfacing due to geological activity. The emergence of rocks that are rarely seen makes visitors feel a sense of uniqueness and beauty.

The natural arch known as the Stone Gate. This place has also become a famous spot, and many people were taking commemorative photos. It feels cool even while walking, making it worth the trip to get here.

The clear stream and the towering peaks make you forget about everyday life.

It is said that the clear stream, where a lot of moss can be seen at the bottom, is home to iwana and yamame, and although they are not caught here, grilled iwana was being sold at the souvenir shop above. I would like to try casting a lure here, but of course, this area is a no-fishing zone.

The location shown in the above image is the peak known as Gakuenshō, which is also designated as a special scenic spot by the country, and it is approximately 180 meters high, formed by the erosion of granite.

Upon researching, it seems that Mount Huangshan, a UNESCO World Heritage site in China and a subject of many ink wash paintings, is also made of granite, and my earlier mention of a landscape akin to ink wash paintings doesn't seem to be entirely wrong. The slightly yellowish granite contrasted with the patches of green created a mystical ambiance.

Seeking coolness, I ventured to a tourist spot that I wouldn’t usually go to, and the place that attracts many people offered a new sense of awe through its mystical scenery. Indeed, during the hot season, a refreshing valley is perfect, and I was able to refresh myself from the fatigue of daily work.

Interview & text by Kazuma Tanaka

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