Kiyosato Highland: Sacred Ground of Highland Resorts, Refreshing Summer Destination

Kiyosato Highland, in Hokuto City, Yamanashi, is a highland resort at about 1,200 meters elevation. Spread across the southern base of the great Yatsugatake range, its cool, refreshing climate even in summer has long made it a beloved retreat from the heat. Once bustling as a favorite spot among young people, it still offers peaceful pastures, beautiful nature, and stylish cafes and shops, a popular highland resort for families and couples alike.

Highlights

Kiyosato thrived as a major tourist destination hugely popular with young people from the late 1970s into the 1990s. Fashionable shops and pensions lined the streets, drawing large crowds. Today the old bustle has quieted, and it has become a refined highland resort where you can spend relaxed time amid Yatsugatake's majestic nature.

Kiyosato's symbolic facility is Seisen-ryo, a Christian youth center established in 1938 that now operates a restaurant, lodging, and a farm. Seisen-ryos soft-serve ice cream, made with freshly milked milk for a rich flavor, is widely known as a Kiyosato specialty. The views of Yatsugatake, Mt. Fuji, and the Southern Alps are appealing, and you can also interact with animals at the farm.

Seasonal Highlights

Kiyosato's best season runs from early summer, when fresh greenery and highland flowers are beautiful, through the refreshing summer, to autumn foliage. Summer is far cooler than the lowlands and ideal for escaping the heat. In the open pastures you can meet cows and sheep and enjoy soft-serve ice cream. Nature-focused activities such as hiking and cycling abound. Autumn colors the surrounding mountains, and winter brings snowy scenery and winter sports. The luxury of gazing at a sky full of stars in the clear night air is unique to a highland resort.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: Kiyosato, Takane-cho, Hokuto City, Yamanashi
• Elevation: About 1,200 meters
• By public transport: Kiyosato Station on the JR Koumi Line is the gateway; transfer to the Koumi Line at Kobuchizawa Station on the Chuo Main Line
• By car: Access from the Sudama IC or Nagasaka IC on the Chuo Expressway
• Best season: Early summer to autumn (cool retreat and foliage)
• Fees: Farms and viewpoints range from free to charged depending on the facility

Practical Travel Notes

• Best season and time: Summer for cool air, and around October for foliage. Stargazing is best on clear nights.
• Avoiding crowds: Roads and parking fill up during summer holidays and foliage-season long weekends, so weekdays or mornings are more comfortable.
• Time needed: Half a day to a full day for farms and cafes; an overnight stay is recommended if extending into the Yatsugatake area.
• Nearby spots: Seisen-ryo, Makiba Park, Moegi-no-Mura, Doryu Falls, and Yatsugatake hiking trails.
• Budget feel: Strolling is free; soft-serve ice cream, cafes, and activity facilities run from a few hundred to a couple of thousand yen.

One Piece of Advice

Because of the high elevation, mornings and evenings can be chilly, so bring a layer even in summer. Public transport is limited, so a rental car or private car is convenient for touring the area efficiently. Take your time to enjoy Yatsugatake's majestic nature and the charm of this peaceful highland resort.

📚 Sources

This article draws on tourism guidance for Hokuto City and Kiyosato, the official information of facilities such as Seisen-ryo, and notices on sites like Makiba Park and Doryu Falls. Ranch and activity hours and fees and the Koumi Line timetable can change with the season and operations. Since fees and times may change, please confirm each facility's official information before you visit.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: Half a day to a day for ranches and cafes, or an overnight to reach the wider Yatsugatake area.
• What to prepare: It is high and cold morning and night, so bring an extra layer even in summer.
• Getting around: Public transport is limited, so a rental car makes touring the area easier.
• Avoiding crowds: Roads and car parks are busy on summer and foliage holidays, so travel on weekdays or in the morning.
• Nearby stops: Plan in Seisen-ryo, Makiba Park, Moegi no Mura, Doryu Falls, and the Yatsugatake trails.