Discover Kai: Nature, History and Festivals

Kai is the destination you’re searching for a vacation rental in. When planning your trip, it’s also worth looking at the wider travel region: its highlights range from a striking gorge and historic pilgrimage routes to seasonal festivals. You can plan your trip around what matters most to you: the landscape, cultural history or an event date.

Nature, walking trails and viewpoints

The Mitake-Shōsenkyō Gorge, located in Kai City and Kōfu, is designated a Special Place of Scenic Beauty of Japan. Stretching about 4.1 kilometers from Tenjinmori to Sengataki, it features named rock formations on both sides of the valley. West of the gorge, you can experience nature through the seasons on the 甲斐市ふる里自然観察路 nature trail: fresh greenery defines the landscape in spring, while autumn brings colorful foliage. The trail starts at Shishidaira on Prefectural Route 101, the Shikishima-Ryūō Line. It loops back to Shishidaira via the gorge’s Panorama-dai viewpoint, the Shimofukusawa-Ōkawa forest road and the Shikishima-Ryūō Prefectural Route. This brings together a rocky landscape stretching over several kilometers and a clearly defined loop trail, offering two different ways to enjoy nature.

For a different perspective, visit Akasakadai General Park, also known as Dragon Park. Its observation tower is 33 meters tall, with an observation deck at a height of 22 meters. From there, you can see Mount Fuji and the Kōfu Basin. The view of Mount Fuji is included in the “100 Views of Mount Fuji in the Kantō Region.” At Shingen Tsutsumi Park, the seasons shape the scenery instead: cherry trees bloom in spring, zelkova leaves change color in autumn, and the park is illuminated at night.

Pilgrimage routes and history

The Mitake-Kodō, also known as the Kamezawa Route, is one of the historic Mitake pilgrimage routes in Kai City. It was once used by pilgrims traveling to Kinpu-san Gojō-iwa and Kinzakura Shrine; stone monuments can still be seen along the roadside today. In 2020, the route was recognized as part of the Mitake-Shōsenkyō region’s Japan Heritage designation. Today, hikers and trail runners use it. The route thus connects a historic pilgrimage tradition with its present-day use as a hiking and trail-running path.

Shingen Dam also tells the story of river management: it is said to have been completed in 1560 by Takeda Shingen after 17 years of construction to control flooding on the Kamanashi River. If you like to combine landscapes and history when planning a trip, the wider travel region offers both a historic route and a structure with a recorded history of its construction.

Festivals and local highlights

The Daiji Gakumon Festival takes place every year on the autumnal equinox around Yamagata Shrine. The program includes a costume parade, a mikoshi procession, Shingen Taiko performances and the Miyuki Sokodai dance. It’s a distinct reason to visit, tied to a specific time of year. If you’re planning your trip around the festival, check the latest event dates before you travel.

Another regional landmark is Suntory Tomi no Oka Winery, set on a hill covering about 150 hectares. Together with the gorge, viewpoints and pilgrimage routes, it shows the variety of regional highlights you can take into account when planning your vacation.

Choose a vacation rental based on your travel interests

When searching for a vacation rental in Kai, you can start by deciding which of these themes you’d like to shape your trip. A family can discuss whether they’re most interested in nature and viewpoints, the history of the pilgrimage routes or a seasonal festival’s program. The festival gives your plans a specific date, while the gorge, landscape and cultural history offer other points of focus.

Discover more destinations: Minobu, Fuefuki, Yamanashi, Minamitsuru District, Fujikawa, Funatsu, Hayakawa, Fujikawaguchiko.

View the wider travel guide: Yamanashi Prefecture.