Kiyosato is one of the most famous summer mountain resorts in Japan. It can be reached in about three hours by bus or train from Tokyo. Located in the Southern foothills of Yatsugatake, Kiyosato Kogen Highland has an altitude of 1,200 meters and offers many attractions including pastoral farms, museums, and hiking trails. The view of Mt. Fuji, spreading out to its base, is also wonderful. Here, you can enjoy hundreds of spring flowers, the beautiful summer green fields, and the autumn leaves. In winter we have the ski area open and are also renowned for its beautiful starry night sky.
Kiyosato Station
There are many restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops around the station. The tourism information center is located in the station and offers bicycle rentals, which are perfect for exploring the area on wheels. You can also try walking on the snow with snowshoes in the winter.
By train from Tokyo: From Shinjuku Station take the Chuo Line Limited Express Azusa to Kobuchizawa Station. Switch to the JR Koumi Line.
By Shinkansen from Tokyo: From Tokyo Station take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Sakudaira Station. Switch to the JR Koumi Line.
JR TOKYO Wide Pass:This is a JR’s discounted rail pass. It can be used for either of the routes listed above. The pass is valid for three days. Fare: adults ¥10,000 children ¥5,000
▶ For more information on the JR TOKYO Wide Pass (External link/ Japanese, English, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional) Korean)
By bus from Tokyo: About three hours by the direct bus from ‘Busta’, the Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal at Shinjuku Station
▶ For more information on direct buses from Shinjuku (External link/ Japanese)
Reservations: Bike rental requires reservations by phone.
Contact: Tourism Information Center at Kiyosato Station
TEL: 0551-48-2200
Pricing: 3 hours for ¥1,700, 5 hours for ¥1,900, 1 day for ¥2,200
Sun Meadows Kiyosato
Kiyosato Picnic Bus makes four to seven trips per day from Kiyosato Station to Sun Meadows Kiyosato. A trip takes about 15 minutes. Sun Meadows Kiyosato opens its ski resort in the winter and every summer 300,000 people come visit to see the picturesque landscape. At the top of the lift is the Kiyosato terrace. In the restaurant of the Center House at the base of the mountain, you can enjoy the lunch buffet full of seasonal flavors.
Approximate time required: 90 minutes in summer, 240 minutes in winter
By Kiyosato Picnic Bus from Kiyosato Station: Duration 15 minutes. Service period: late April to early November. ¥500 per trip. ¥1,000 for an all-day pass. 4 to 7 trips per day.
Contact: Tourism Information Center at Kiyosato Station
TEL: 0551-48-2200
▶ Kiyosato Picnic Bus Information (External link / Japanese, English, Chinese (simplified), Korean)
Taxi: There’s a taxi stop in front of Kiyosato Station. Takes about 8 minutes, and costs around ¥1,700.
To Kiyosato Terrace: about 10 minutes each way
Service period
A: April 26 to May 6 / 9:30AM to 4PM (last outbound lift at 3:30PM)
B: May 7 to May 31 / No service on maintenance day
C: June 1 to July 5, on weekdays / 9:30AM to 3:30PM (last outbound lift at 3:00PM)
D: June 1 to July 5, on weekends and holidays / 9:30AMto 4:00PM (last outbound lift at 3:30PM)
E: July 6 to October 27 / 9:20AM to 4:30PM (last outbound lift at 4:00PM)
F: October 28 to November 10 / 9:30AM to 4:00PM (last outbound lift at 3:30PM)
Fares
A, C, D: Middle school students or older ¥1,300; Ages 3+ ¥800
E, F: Middle school students or older ¥1,500; Ages 3+ ¥900
Kiyosato Terrace: beginning of April to beginning of November
▶ Kiyosato Terrace Information (External link/ Japanese, English)
Ski area: middle of December to beginning of April
▶ Sun Meadows Kiyosato Information (External link / Japanese, English)
Makiba Park
Yamanashi Prefectural Makiba Park is a spot with a wonderful view. You can come and greet animals, and it’s super popular with visitors bringing along family as well. At Makiba Restaurant in the park, you can enjoy the scenic view while tasting the restaurant’s specialty like the jumbo hamburger or soft serve ice cream. The restaurant provides beef, pork, chicken, fish and non-meat menus to accommodate with foreign visitors’ needs.
Approximate time required: 90 minutes
By Picnic Bus from Kiyosato Station: Duration: 10 minutes.
Service period: late April through early November. ¥500 per ride. ¥1,000 for 1 day pass. 4 trips per day.
Contact: Tourism Information Center at Kiyosato Station TEL: 0551-48-2200
▶ Kiyosato Picnic Bus Information (External link / Japanese, English, Chinese (simplified), Korean)
Taxi: There’s a taxi stop in front of Kiyosato Station. Takes about 8 minutes, and costs around ¥1,700.
Mid April to Early November: 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Closed: Mondays (If Monday is a holiday the park will be open, and close the following day)
December to March: 11:00AM to 4:00PM
Closed: Tuesdays. Open during the New Year’s Holidays.
April to November: 10:00AM to 6:00PM (During Golden Week and late July to mid August: opens until 7:30PM)
Closed: Third Tuesday of every month. Open everyday in July and August.
▶ Makiba Restaurant Information (External link / Japanese)
Moeginomura
Within walking distance of Kiyosato Station is Moeginomura, and it has a hotel, restaurants, Hall of Halls, Kiyosato Moeginomura Museum, Merry Go Round Café, workshops, and a café. Here you can find souvenirs, listen to antique music boxes, and enjoy dinner and drinks.
Approximate time required: 90 minutes
On foot from Kiyosato Station: about 15 minutes
Japanese site below
▶ Moeginomura Information (External link / Japanese)
Enjoy the Starry Sky
The high elevation, clean air, and good sunshine duration make the Southern foothills of Yatsugatake a perfect place for stargazing. How about taking a ride on the HIGH RAIL Hoshizora train, or joining in Star Round Yatsugatake, the starry sky study group? Make sure you let your hotel known in advance that you’ll be going so that you can arrange transportation, and adjust meal time as necessary.
Approximate time required: 120 minutes
Facilities on board: Gallery HIGH RAIL provides passengers with astronomy books and videos of starry skies projected onto the ceiling.
Group stargazing: In Nobeyama Station the train stops for 40 minutes to an hour, and a guide will provide information on the stars along the route. Participation is free.
Tickets: You will need to purchase both a JR ticket, and a special reserved seat ticket. If you hold a pass such as the Japan Rail Pass, please purchase a reserved seat ticket.
Reserved seat tickets: adults ¥820, children: ¥410
Service days and hours: Mostly operates on weekends and holidays. Operation hours vary throughout the year. Please check the latest information on the JR East website.
▶ HIGH RAIL Hoshizora Information (External link / Japanese, English)
Star Round Yatsugatake is the name for a time and a place for stargazing in the area (Hokuto, Yamanashi Prefecture and towns and villages in Nagano Prefecture) around Yatsugatake. By putting yourself under the marvelous starry sky you will notice how small your presence is in the vast universe and appreciate your life with the loved ones. Please come visit Yatsugatake for star watching.
▶ Star Round Yatsugatake Information (External link / Japanese, English)
Stargazing tour with a guide in Yatsugatake
Location: Kiyosato Kogen Hotel, Kiyosato Terrace (the top of the Sun Meadows Kiyosato lift). The location changes with the seasons.
Period: every Saturday from December to February
Price (with advance reservation): Kiyosato Kogen Hotel: adults ¥1,300, children ¥ 650; Kiyosato Terrace: adults ¥1,800, children: ¥900
Contact：mail: info@star-yatsugatake.com
Check in hotels in Yatsugatake area
With Kiyosato Station centered, the Yatsugatake area contains quite a few lodging places, with everything from unique B&Bs to large hotels.
Transport to and from your accommodation: Remember to get in touch with your host in advance to arrange transportation. Recommended pick up location: Kiyosato Station.
Taxi: There’s a taxi stop in front of Kiyosato Station.
Accommodation where you can enjoy star watching: Star Round Yatsugatake
▶ Information on accommodation for star watching (External link / Japanese, English)
Other accommodation: Yatsugatake Portal Site
▶ Information on accommodation in the Yatsugatake area (External link / Japanese)
