Kiyosato

Located in the Kiyosato Highlands at the southern foot of the Yatsugatake mountains that mark the border between Yamanashi Prefecture and Nagano Prefecture, the resort town of Kiyosato is popular for its old-fashioned charm and beautiful views. Today, it is perhaps most famous for the Seisen Ryo Farm, with its creamy soft serve ice cream, set up by Anglican missionary Paul Rusch in 1938.

Kiyosato is filled with quaint attractions, beginning with Kiyosato Station, which was first opened in 1933. The current station building was added in 1976 and looks striking with its sharp modernist angles and brilliant white color scheme. Served by the Koumi Line, which connects northern Yamanashi to Nagano, it is 1,276 meters above sea level, making it the second highest train station on the entire JR network.

Outside the station is a preserved steam train that ran on the Koumi Line until 1972. The wooden tourist information center offers a variety of transport options for seeing the town. Visitors can rent electric bicycles or get a two-hour tour of Kiyosato via a motorized rickshaw or tuk tuk. There is also a bus that leaves from the front of the station and travels to the best picnic spots around the area.

In keeping with the fairytale surroundings of the area, the town is filled with European-style buildings, many of which are guesthouses, hotels, and restaurants. There are also art galleries, including the Kiyosato Museum of Photographic Arts and the Ehon Museum Kiyosato, and plenty of outdoor activities such as mountain climbing, hiking, golf, tennis, and skiing. Kiyosato is a hidden gem that is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the bountiful nature of Yamanashi.