YamanashiLeisure

Kachozan Observation Deck (花鳥山展望台)

Flow of the course

About 50 min here

About 20 min to the next stop

Next stop: Climb a prefecturally designated burial mound and learn local history at the Furusato exhibit hall

About this spot

This viewpoint sits on a hill in Yatsushiro-cho, Fuefuki City, offering a panoramic view of the Kofu Basin and the Southern Alps mountain range. Below, the elevated track of the Chuo Shinkansen maglev test line stretches out, and on test-run days you might catch the moment a train speeds by. Children's reactions of surprise at how fast it goes are a pleasure unique to this spot. The surrounding area is covered in orchards, with a peaceful landscape befitting a region known for peaches and grapes. Being on a hilltop, the breeze passes through, keeping it relatively cool even on summer mornings.

Tips

Viewing is free. Checking published information about test-run schedules beforehand increases your chances of seeing a train. There's little shade, so don't forget a hat and drinks. Parking is limited, so if it's crowded, don't push it — wrap up and move on.