Yamanashi

Yamanashi is a landlocked prefecture west of Tokyo, ringed by mountains and holding the most famous view in Japan: the northern face of Mount Fuji above the Fuji Five Lakes. Vineyards and orchards fill its central basin, making it the country's wine capital as well.

The Chureito Pagoda frames Fuji beyond cherry trees in the picture every visitor wants, and lakeside onsen at Kawaguchiko face the mountain directly. North of the capital, Shosenkyo Gorge stacks granite cliffs and waterfalls along an easy walking trail, and the wineries of Katsunuma pour the native Koshu grape.

Orchards sell peaches and grapes through summer, and a bubbling pot of hoto noodles closes a day outdoors properly. Trains and buses reach the lakes and the wine country from Shinjuku. Winter mornings give the clearest Fuji; spring adds blossoms to the foreground.