Things to Do in Kōshū (甲州市), Yamanashi: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 27, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Kōshū (甲州市) in Yamanashi Prefecture (Chubu, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Shirayama Shrine (12.9 km), Ō-garasu Mountain (11.4 km), Ko-garasu Mountain (11.4 km) and served by Enzan Station (塩山駅) (0.5 km) via the regional hub at Kofu Station & Otsuki Station (JR Chuo Line / Fujikyuko Line). Set at 635 m elevation (35.7043°N, 138.7294°E), Kōshū offers travelers a base for sampling regional Hoto (flat wheat noodles simmered in miso pumpkin broth), Koshu white wine & Kofu tori-motsuni (鳥もつ煮, glazed chicken offal), Yoshida udon (firm noodles near Mt. Fuji) cuisine and exploring neighboring Yamanashi (山梨市) (4 km), Fuefuki (笛吹市) (10.3 km), Chūō (中央市) (14.5 km), Kōfu (甲府市) (15.3 km).

The city is the home of the indigenous Koshu grape and is synonymous with viticulture and wine production in Japan. Kōshū is in northeastern Yamanashi Prefecture, occupying the eastern portion of the Kofu Basin. Parts of the city are within the borders of the Chichibu Tama Kai National Park. Kōshū is located near the center of ancient Kai Province and contains many ruins from the Jōmon period and burial mounds from the Kofun period. During the Heian period, the area was developed in shōen under control of the Minamoto clan, which devolved into feudal holdings by the Nikaido clan and later the Takeda clan from the Kamakura through Sengoku periods. Within Yamanashi Prefecture, Kōshū (甲州市) serves as a city in Yamanashi Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 2005-11-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Northern slopes of Mount Fuji, the Fuji Five Lakes (Kawaguchiko, Yamanakako), Chureito Pagoda (Fujiyoshida), Koshu wine-country vineyards, and Shosenkyo Gorge.

What to See & Do in Kōshū (甲州市): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Kōshū (甲州市) from Enzan Station (塩山駅) (0.5 km) at 635 m elevation (35.7043°N, 138.7294°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Kōshū):

• Shirayama Shrine (12.9 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Kōshū (甲州市).
• Ō-garasu Mountain (11.4 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Kōshū (甲州市).
• Ko-garasu Mountain (11.4 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Kōshū (甲州市).
• Daibosatsu-mine (12.0 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Kōshū (甲州市).
• Mount Daibosatsu — local sightseeing landmark near Kōshū (甲州市).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Kōshū: Enzan Station (塩山駅) (0.5 km) (connecting to Kofu Station & Otsuki Station (JR Chuo Line / Fujikyuko Line)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Kōshū

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Kōshū (甲州市) and Enzan Station (塩山駅) (0.5 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Yamanashi Prefecture and Chubu:

• Yamanashi (山梨市) — 4 km from Kōshū (Yamanashi Prefecture)
• Fuefuki (笛吹市) — 10.3 km from Kōshū (Yamanashi Prefecture)
• Chūō (中央市) — 14.5 km from Kōshū (Yamanashi Prefecture)
• Kōfu (甲府市) — 15.3 km from Kōshū (Yamanashi Prefecture)
• Tabayama (丹波山村) — 19.2 km from Kōshū (Yamanashi Prefecture)

Getting to Kōshū & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Kōshū (甲州市) via Enzan Station (塩山駅) (0.5 km): 1h 30m from Tokyo Shinjuku Station to Kofu on the JR Limited Express Azusa/Kaiji, or 1h 55m to Kawaguchiko via the Fuji Excursion train or highway bus. From Kofu Station & Otsuki Station (JR Chuo Line / Fujikyuko Line), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Enzan Station (塩山駅) (0.5 km) to reach central Kōshū (35.7043°N, 138.7294°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Enzan Station (塩山駅) (0.5 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Kofu with Kōshū (甲州市) and neighboring Yamanashi, Fuefuki, Chūō. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Kōshū, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Kōshū and continuing toward Yamanashi can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Kōshū: While Enzan Station (塩山駅) (0.5 km) anchors public transit for Kōshū, picking up a rental car at Kofu Station & Otsuki Station (JR Chuo Line / Fujikyuko Line) makes it easy to link Shirayama Shrine (12.9 km) and Ō-garasu Mountain (11.4 km) with nearby Yamanashi (山梨市) (4 km), Fuefuki (笛吹市) (10.3 km), Chūō (中央市) (14.5 km), Kōfu (甲府市) (15.3 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Kōshū (甲州市) & Yamanashi

Dining near Enzan Station (塩山駅) (0.5 km) and across Kōshū (甲州市) highlights the regional food culture of Yamanashi Prefecture and Chubu. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Kōshū:

• Local specialty & terroir of Kōshū (甲州市): sweet peach orchards and basin fruit cultivation alongside table grape vineyards, winemaking, and orchard farming.
• Hoto (flat wheat noodles simmered in miso pumpkin broth) — regional specialty enjoyed across Kōshū (甲州市) and Yamanashi Prefecture.
• Koshu white wine & Kofu tori-motsuni (鳥もつ煮, glazed chicken offal) — regional specialty enjoyed across Kōshū (甲州市) and Yamanashi Prefecture.
• Yoshida udon (firm noodles near Mt. Fuji) — regional specialty enjoyed across Kōshū (甲州市) and Yamanashi Prefecture.
• Shine Muscat grapes & peaches — regional specialty enjoyed across Kōshū (甲州市) and Yamanashi Prefecture.

If you are dining in Kōshū (甲州市) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Enzan Station (塩山駅) (0.5 km).

Where to Stay in Kōshū (甲州市)

Visitors staying overnight in Kōshū (甲州市) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Enzan Station (塩山駅) (0.5 km), or base at major rail hubs in Kofu (Kofu Station & Otsuki Station (JR Chuo Line / Fujikyuko Line)) or neighboring Yamanashi, Fuefuki, Chūō for quick train access into Kōshū. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Kōshū & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Kōshū (甲州市, 635 m elevation at 35.7043°N, 138.7294°E): Mid-April for Chureito Pagoda cherry blossoms with Mt. Fuji; July–September for grape/peach orchards; November for Lake Kawaguchiko Maple Corridor & crisp clear Fuji views.

Wider sightseeing across Yamanashi Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Shirayama Shrine (12.9 km) in Kōshū (甲州市) includes: Northern slopes of Mount Fuji, the Fuji Five Lakes (Kawaguchiko, Yamanakako), Chureito Pagoda (Fujiyoshida), Koshu wine-country vineyards, and Shosenkyo Gorge.

Practical Travel Tips for Kōshū (甲州市)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Kōshū: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Kofu Station & Otsuki Station (JR Chuo Line / Fujikyuko Line) or Enzan Station (塩山駅) (0.5 km) for local bus schedules to Shirayama Shrine (12.9 km) and walking maps of Kōshū (甲州市).
• Cash & ATMs in Kōshū: Convenience stores and major hotels around Enzan Station (塩山駅) (0.5 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Shirayama Shrine (12.9 km) often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Kōshū accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Kōshū: Around Enzan Station (塩山駅) (0.5 km) and neighboring Yamanashi, Fuefuki, Chūō, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.