No fooling was involved when four towns and two cities merged on April first, 2003, and Minami Alps City was born.
Minami Alps City--originally Hatta Village, Shirane Town, Ashiyasu Village, Wakakusa Town, Kushigata Town, and Kosai Town--is home of the second highest mountain in Japan, Mount Kitadake, as well as the Minami, or Southern, Alps.
Although Mt. Kitadake is the second-highest mountain in Japan, foreigners usually opt for the extra hike Mt. Fuji offers. At 3,192 meters, Kitadake is 600 meters shorter than the infamous Fuji-san, enough of a difference to steal the limelight--and foreign climbers--from Kitadake's adventurous climb.
Anyone willing to take on Kitadake (or any mountains making up the Southern Alps) might want to take time mid-week, as weekends tend to be extremely crowded. Also, transportation into Minami Alps City is limited, so those without rental cars will want to look into the nearest train station and figure out something from there. People climb through mid-October, to avoid snow fall and freezing temperatures

Mountain lovers who want to take a break from climbing have many options throughout the city.
Onsen, natural hot springs, are abundant throughout the region--each with its own spectacular view which changes with the seasons. If the hot, natural spring water alone is not calming, the breathtaking views of each onsen are entirely capable of removing any stresses acquired during a busy week at the office.
Visitors may find it difficult to avoid these relaxation havens which, like Yamanami Onsen, offer much more than a place to bathe. Guests at Yamanami, for example, can take advantage of several spas, whirlpools, and a relaxation room as well.
Yamanami is one feature of Fureai Park, an ideal location for athletic tourists. Also within the park is a tennis court, a children's slide, a gate ball court, and beautiful landscape. Juen is another area visitors can relax at--either in its onsen, at the tennis courts, the open yard, or while enjoying food at the barbeque area.

Aside from the second-highest mountain peak in Japan, a spectacular view of Fuji, and a plethora of relaxing hot springs, Minami Alps City has several other inviting attributes--both natural and man-made.
Dee Coulter, a native of the state of Iowa, in the United States, spent a year in the Kushigata region of Minami Alps City in 2002. Coulter, who was in Japan as part of an exchange program, recommends spending time at Kushigata Mountain, which offers a "cabin area, lakes, hiking trails, and a lookout to see the valley." During Coulter's stay, signs around town were in Japanese only; however, according to employees of Minami Alps City, bilingual signs with English will be available in the near future. Aside from signs, Coulter and her family received helped from locals. "Wherever we went, "she explains, "There was someone who could speak enough English to get us by. Or there were friendly people who 'showed' us what we needed. It was truly a total Japanese experience--not a tourist experience."

Rain may hinder certain outdoor activities, but indoor attractions like the Furusato Museum of Local Culture, the Miniami Alps Ashiyasu Mountain Museum, or the Hatta Astronomical Observatory--all located within Yukari no Sato--offer visitors to Minami Alps City information on the region, keeping everyone informed, entertained and--more importantly--dry.
Minami Alps Ashiyasu Mountain Museum, a recent addition to the region, is a real crowd puller. Guests to the museum may peruse the rather impressive library within the museum, which displays 6,000 books--all from the personal collection of mueum's head curator.
Those wanting to sit inside while enjoying the outside, can gaze out the large windows of the museum, or simply sit and watch a live view from one of Minami Alps City's mountains.
Anyone wanting to get a glimpse of Japan's infamous Fall colors while in Minami Alps City should stop by man-made Lake Inaga, surrounded by beautiful, large-leaved, maple trees.
Like the rest of Yamanashi Prefecture, Minami Alps City grows delicious grapes and peaches. However, the fruit does not stop there! Cherries, kiwis, persimmons, plums, and more delicious fruits may be purchased at Minami Alps City's own Happy Park, a fruit market which sells and delivers a variety of produce to its customers.
With all Minami Alps City has to offer, only a fool would pass up a chance to visit.

by Dilek Dogruyusever