In Kajikazawa, the Shio no Hana History and Culture Museum introduces visitors to the area’s history; in the Jukkoku district, trekking and nature take center stage in the Ooyanagawa Gorge. A traditional Mimi dish is another possible experience. If you’re looking for a hotel in Fujikawa, first consider whether culture and food or the gorge will shape your stay more.

Local History and River Shipping in Kajikazawa

The Shio no Hana History and Culture Museum in Kajikazawa shares the area’s history and preserves historical artifacts for the future. It opened on February 23, 2023. One of its exhibits is dedicated to Fujikawa river shipping: at the Fujikawa River Shipping History Hall, materials and panels trace its story from its beginnings to its end. This lets you explore how river shipping changed over time, rather than simply learning individual dates or names.

The Fujikawa Modern Figures Hall introduces 30 people connected with the city of Fujikawa. The exhibition areas thus offer different perspectives: one hall focuses on the history of a form of transportation, while the other focuses on people connected with the city. The former Kajikazawa-kashiato river landing and U-no-se are also designated as historic sites by the city. Together, the museum and historic sites offer several ways to explore Kajikazawa’s cultural history.

For planning your visit, check the museum’s website in advance for current opening hours and closing days.

Make and Taste Mimi

At Tsukutabekan in Kajikazawa, you can make and taste Mimi, a dish handed down in Jukkoku. To prepare it, wheat dough is shaped into pieces like small shovels and then cooked with local vegetables and homemade miso paste. The experience combines tasting with hands-on steps: you shape the dough, cook the ingredients, and then try the dish.

If you’re interested in a place’s food culture, this activity offers a different experience from simply tasting a dish. Mimi’s traditional connection to Jukkoku and its preparation with vegetables and miso paste give it a distinctive character. This lets you combine an interest in food with a visit to Kajikazawa without making museums the focus.

Trekking and Nature in the Ooyanagawa Gorge

The Ooyanagawa Gorge, a popular trekking area, is in the Jukkoku district. Fresh greenery appears there in early summer, while autumn brings colorful foliage. These two seasons offer different scenery: if you’d like to experience the changing vegetation, you can plan your visit around either one, without assuming any specific opening or visiting hours.

The gorge, surrounded by mountains, is also home to many wild animals, including deer and birds such as copper pheasants and pheasants. However, sightings are not guaranteed. Wildlife watching may be part of your stay, but it should not be planned as a sure thing.

For directions: From the Jukkoku Entrance intersection on National Route 52, Prefectural Route Jukkoku–Onishima runs for about six kilometers, or 15 minutes, to the signposted entrance to the gorge. From there, a steep descent leads to the entrance to the footpath. When planning your visit, remember that the access route includes this descent as well as the drive.

Choose Where to Stay

The cultural and culinary offerings are in Kajikazawa, while the gorge is in the Jukkoku district. When looking for a hotel in Fujikawa, it’s therefore helpful to decide which places you want to visit first, then compare their locations with the specific location of your accommodation. If culture, Mimi, and trekking are all on your list, decide which one you’d like to spend more time on. This way, your choice of accommodation reflects your actual plans without requiring a set order for your visits.

For an overview of the wider trip: Yamanashi Prefecture.