Yamanashi Prefecture is a landlocked prefecture in the Chubu region of central Honshu, cradled in the Kofu Basin and ringed by mountains, most famously the northern slopes of Mount Fuji and the Fuji Five Lakes. Home to the Yoshida Trail, the most-used of Mount Fuji's four climbing routes, and to Japan's oldest and largest wine region around Katsunuma, Yamanashi pairs alpine and lakeside scenery with a proud viticulture and fruit-growing tradition, plus the jewelry and crystal-carving craftsmanship of its capital, Kofu City.
Top food tours
Guided experiences that show you Yamanashi through its food.
Katsunuma Koshu Wine Country Tasting Tour
Includes: Guided tastings at two to three wineries in Japan's oldest wine region · Vineyard walk explaining Koshu grape cultivation and overhead trellising · Winery lunch pairing Yamanashi produce with estate-grown wines · Most atmospheric during the September–November grape harvest
Hoto Noodle-Making Experience
Includes: Hands-on dough mixing, rolling, and hand-cutting of hoto noodles · Simmering the fresh noodles in a miso-kabocha broth to eat at the end of class · Background on hoto's origins as a Yamanashi mountain-village staple · Workshop located near Lake Kawaguchiko
Kofu Torimotsu-ni & Yakitori Alley Food Walk
Includes: Tastings of torimotsu-ni from three different Kofu izakaya · Charcoal-grilled yakitori sampled at Kofu's yakitori alley near the station · Local guide narrating the postwar origins of Kofu's giblet-stew tradition · Evening-only format matching when the featured restaurants are open
Fujiyoshida Udon Culture Tour
Includes: Tastings comparing Yoshida udon from two to three different established shops · Explanation of the noodle's unusual kneading and resting technique · Visit to a small flour mill or noodle workshop behind the scenes · Clarifies the distinction between Yoshida udon and Yamanashi's better-known hoto
Koshu Beef & Wine Pairing Dinner
Includes: Multi-cut Koshu beef tasting course grilled to order on teppan · Four-wine Katsunuma pairing selected by an on-site sommelier · Explanation of Koshu beef grading and Yamanashi's cattle-raising areas · Premium cuts and reserve wines available at a higher price tier
Katsunuma Grape & Peach Orchard Picking Tour
Includes: All-you-can-eat grape or peach picking within a set time limit · Farmer-guided explanation of Yamanashi's fruit-growing techniques · Small take-home fruit gift included in the price · Located in Fuefuki City, the heart of Yamanashi's fruit-growing region
Kofu Jewelry & Sweets Walking Tour
Includes: Wagashi stops featuring grape and peach-based confectionery · Visit to a working jewelry and crystal-carving workshop · Optional guide connecting Kofu's craft heritage to its fruit-growing economy · Flexible self-guided or guided format through central Kofu
Cooking classes
Take a piece of Yamanashi home with you.
Yamanashi Home Cooking Class: Hoto & Torimotsu-ni
Katsunuma Winery Blending Workshop
Foodie tips
Get more out of every meal.
Book tours and cooking classes at least a few days in advance — small-group experiences sell out quickly.
Come hungry — most food tours include 5-8 tastings.
Bring cash for unscheduled stops the guide may recommend.