Boar Pigs, Monkeys and Bears! Oh, My!

Even without the increase in altitude, anyone who pass through Mitomi Village in Northern Yamanashi will find themselves gasping for air in the midst of breath-taking views.
Located 690 meters (2,262 feet) above sea level, Mitomi village is 96% mountain and forest with a population of 1,309. A seemingly out-of-the-way location has many assets putting it on the maps of adventurous nature enthusiasts.
Nishizawa Ravine , Mitomi's main attraction is known throughout Japan. A three-hour walking course allows trekkers to survey a series of waterfalls and innumerable trees and flowers,and wild life -including maple trees and perhaps copper pheasants, Mitomi's tree and bird, respectively. Serenity surrounds those who embark on the short journey-as well as magnificent sights that no-doubt excite novice and professional photographe alike. Nishizawa is beautiful year-round, although wandering along the trail is risky in winter, walkers should practice caution around icy patches. Fall is recommended as a time to plan a trip to the northern reaches of Yamanashi.
People travel to Mitomi in autumn to witness an exceptional cornucopia of colors. Drastic changes in temperature between morning and night make for a unique hodgepodge of hues, blanketing the mystic sights that encompass the ravine's walking course. While autumn is the most popular season for a brief stay in Mitomi, spring's fresh verdure also draws in a substantial amount of people. Rhododendrons, the flower of Mitomi, begin to bloom in spring and monkeys, bears and other creatures in the region's charming forests might be spotted traversing around.
Mountain climbers should bring along climbing gear and make time to climb some of Mitomi's nationally known mountains-including Mount Kentoku which peaks at 2,031 meters (6,659 feet) and, according to the Mitomi Tourism Division, has many visitors every year. Mitomi's tallest mountain stands at 2,592 meters (8,498 feet).
Despite its remote location, Mitomi is easily accessible by car, bus or train and also has ample accommodations for guests (this hidden treasure of a village has received many foreign tourists, according to its Tourism Division staff).

For fans of Japan's infamous natural hot springs, four ryokan (Japanese style inns) with hot springs are located in Mitomi. In addition, privately owned hot springs are scattered throughout the vicinity. Also worth soaking in the older Fuefuki no yu, which is quite reasonable in price and allows residents and tourists alike to experience traditional Japanese culture in a calming environment.
Mitomi is accessible by the Japan Railways Chuo Line, via Enzan, Yamanashi. Alternatively, busses and taxis are available to transport people from Enzan as well; when split between 5 people, cab fare is roughly the same-if not slightly cheaper than bus fare.
No Yamanashi town, city, or village would be complete without its contributions to the prefecture's famous selection of wine and fruits (namely grapes, peaches, plums and apples). While at Mitomi Station's gift shops, visitors can purchase products like blueberry, strawberry, peach and grape wines. T-shirts, local dishes, specialized Hello Kitty (originally from Yamanashi) goods and various other gift options are also for sale.
One local product you will not find in any of Mitomi's stores is the rare Inobuta. Inoshishi is the Japanese word for wild boar; buta means pig. Inobuta as you may have gathered, is the combination of wild boar and pig, and also makes for a delicious dish. Mitomi has several restaurants serving this exotic animal's meat and visitors can see inobuta up close at various breeding grounds within the village. One of Mitomi's inobuta restaurants is even mentioned in a Japanese manga (comic book)! Inobuta is served in thin slices for grilling, with various Japanese noodles, or in other delicious ways.

Whether searching for something to suit your adventurous side indoors, outdoors, at dinner time or under water, an outing in Yamanashi Prefecture's northern Mitomi is guaranteed to please-and will surely capture your heart and your breath.

For more information on Mitomi Village, please visit the following website which, although available in Japanese only, offers many beautiful photographs:
http://www.vill.mitomi.yamanashi.jp/

by Dilek Dogruyusever