Isawa Onsen [石和温泉]
Footbath around Isawa-Onsen station
Photo by Yamanashi Tourism Organization
Street of Isawa Onsen
Photo by Yamanashi Tourism Organization
Isawa Onsen is a hot spring resort in Fuefuki city located about 7 km east of Kofu city and is roughly located in the middle between Kofu and Katsunuma Grape Hill.
It is also about 100 km west of central Tokyo.
It is in Kofu Basin and the onsen town is on the north side of Fuefuki River.
Over 40 hotels and ryokans are dotted along a street with an irrigation channel.
The street runs from west to east for about 3 km, and there is JR Isawa-Onsen station near the west part of the area.
Bathroom in a hotel in Isawa Onsen
Photo by Yamanashi Tourism Organization
Street of Isawa Onsen in winter
Photo by Yamanashi Tourism Organization
This hot spring was found by drilling the ground in 1961.
The onsen town were formed after that and developed as Japan's economy grew rapidly in the 1960s.
There are various orchards such as grape, strawberry, cherry, peach, etc. around the onsen town, so you can enjoy any fruit picking all through the year.
And there are a dozen wineries around the town.
The tour visiting favorite wineries by taxi is operated.
How to get here
By limited express of JR Chuo Line, from Shinjuku to Isawa-Onsen, about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Or, by express bus, from Shinjuku to Isawa-Onsen, about 1 hour and 50 minutes.
