Shosenkyo

Access to Shosenkyo is possible by car, public transportation, bicycle, or motorcycle. By car, the Chuo Expressway is convenient and there are plenty of parking spaces available. Public transportation involves taking a bus from Kofu Station or Ishiwaki Onsen Station on the JR Chuo Main Line to Yamanashi Kotsu Bus. However, checking the bus schedule is essential. Access by bicycle or motorcycle is also attractive, and the winding roads unique to mountainous areas are especially recommended for riders. You can also enjoy Chiyoda Lake as a rest spot. One of the charms of Shosenkyo is that you can feel a different atmosphere depending on the means of transportation.

In addition to nature, you can also enjoy history. Among them, "Kinzakura Shrine," built in the early Edo period upstream of Shosenkyo, is a particularly noteworthy spot, said to bring good luck in money and business prosperity. You can visit the shrine in a refreshing atmosphere surrounded by silence. The shrine, which enshrines Mt. Kanamori as its object of worship, is famous as one of Japan's three sacred mountains and one of the three major sacred places. It is said that in the reign of Emperor Sujin, the tenth emperor of Japan (about 2000 years ago), in order to pray for the eradication of epidemics and the peace of the people, Sukunahikona-no-mikoto was enshrined at the summit of Mt. Kanamori. Later, in the reign of Emperor Ouryaku, the 21st emperor of Japan (about 1500 years ago), Kinzakura Shrine was founded as a village shrine of Mt. Kanamori. In the shrine's precincts, there is a "Kinzakura" tree that shines golden, which is the origin of the shrine's name. This is revered as the "Kinzakura tree that turns into gold" sung in folk songs since ancient times, and is said to bring good luck in money, which is the reason for its name. Especially from late April to early May is the best time to see the Kinzakura in full bloom, so be sure to stop by when visiting Shosenkyo.