Maskay guide

How do you reach and walk through Shosenkyo Gorge from Kofu?

Seasonal buses, walking sections and a ropeway make it possible to choose between a short visit and a several-hour gorge excursion from Kofu.

Maskay editorial team Updated
Shosenkyo lies north of Kofu, but a successful trip depends on checking the timetable, not just the map. The Arakawa gorge combines granite walls, Sengataki Waterfall, wooded trails and a ropeway to a mountain panorama. The walk can be a short outing or last several hours, provided the bus schedule leaves enough time to return. Autumn brings crowds: Kofu’s tourism association usually places the foliage season in early to mid-November and adds services on selected weekends. From Kofu Station’s south exit, buses leave platform 4 for Shosenkyo. One seasonal detail changes the plan: from 1 December to 31 March, regular services terminate at Shosenkyo-guchi, so they do not reach the upper area; expect a longer walk or check connections. During the foliage period, temporary express buses run on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from the third weekend of October through 30 November. Check the timetable for your date and calculate the return margin before starting a walk. Official visitor information offers two scales of route: a walk of about 30–40 minutes and a longer course of two to two-and-a-half hours. The classic gorge trail is also described as roughly six kilometres each way, so these figures should not be read as one single loop. The ropeway leaves Sengataki and reaches Panorama-dai in five minutes; it runs every 20 minutes, with a published round-trip fare of ¥1,500 for adults and ¥750 for children. From the top, Yasaburo-dake is about a 15-minute walk over rocky ground. Visitors wanting an easier outing can enjoy the viewpoint and return by cabin. Visitors praise the river sounds, rock formations and autumn colours, but uneven sections, rain and crowds can change the difficulty. Wear shoes with good grip and bring water; not every upper trail is paved. Check closure notices, ropeway operation and the last bus on the day of your visit. If time is short, choose between a valley walk and the viewpoint beforehand; trying to do everything can leave too little time to get back to Kofu.

Profiles of the recommended places: Shosenkyo Gorge · Shosenkyo Ropeway

Bottom line

For a short visit, choose one section and check the last bus; for a longer day, confirm the return point, ropeway and footwear. In winter, the regular bus does not reach the upper area.

Editorial selection

Options to compare

These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.

01
Scenic gorge and walking trail

Shosenkyo Gorge

Takanaricho, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-1214, Japan

4.4 /5 3,182 reviews

North of Kofu, Shosenkyo follows the Arakawa River between granite walls, waterfalls and formations shaped by water over time. The scenery changes with the seasons, but this is more than a viewpoint: visitors can combine walking sections, stop at Sengataki Waterfall and, if the weather and transport

Why it made the selection

Granite formations, the Arakawa River, waterfalls and trails in Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park.

Hours: Gorge and trail access are subject to safety notices and local closures. Autumn is a busy season; check access conditions before setting out. Verified: October 12, 2026
View Maskay profile → Official website ↗
02
Mountain ropeway and viewpoint

Shosenkyo Ropeway

441 Ikaricho, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-1217, Japan

4 /5 2,924 reviews

The Shosenkyo Ropeway changes the scale of the valley. In about five minutes it climbs from Sengataki to Panorama-dai, where the view opens across woodland, the Kofu Basin and Yamanashi’s mountain ranges. On clear days, Mount Fuji and the Southern Alps come into view; visibility matters as much as t

Why it made the selection

Five-minute ride from Sengataki to Panorama-dai, with views towards Mount Fuji, the Southern Alps and Kofu Basin.

Hours: Seasonal schedule; services generally run every 20 minutes. Last uphill and downhill departures vary by season and weather. Verified: October 12, 2026
View Maskay profile → Official website ↗
Verification

Sources & references

Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.

  1. Official website of Shosenkyo Gorge ↗ Primary source Shosenkyo Tourism Association · Accessed October 12, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  2. Official website of Shosenkyo Gorge ↗ Primary source Kofu City Tourism Association · Accessed October 12, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  3. Official website of Shosenkyo Gorge ↗ Primary source Kofu City Tourism Association · Accessed October 12, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  4. Official website of Shosenkyo Ropeway ↗ Primary source Kofu City Tourism Association · Accessed October 12, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  5. Official website of Shosenkyo Ropeway ↗ Primary source Shosenkyo Ropeway Co. · Accessed October 12, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  6. Official website ↗ Primary source Toyama City Tourism Association · Accessed October 12, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  7. Official website ↗ Primary source Toyama City Tourism Association · Accessed October 12, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  8. Official website ↗ Primary source Ponshukan · Accessed October 12, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  9. Official website ↗ Primary source Imayo Tsukasa Sake Brewery · Accessed October 12, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  10. Official website ↗ Primary source Kofu City Tourism Association · Accessed October 12, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  11. Official website ↗ Primary source Shosenkyo Tourism Association · Accessed October 12, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  12. Google visitor rating and review count ↗ Secondary source Wanderlog · Accessed October 12, 2026

    Exact Shosenkyo listing showed 4.4/5 from 3,182 Google reviews, checked 2026-10-12.

  13. Google visitor rating and review count ↗ Secondary source Wanderlog · Accessed October 12, 2026

    Exact ropeway listing showed 4.0/5 from 2,924 Google reviews, checked 2026-10-12.

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