5/12/2007

Nishizawa Keikoku is easily the most beautiful valley and waterfall sight in the whole of Japan. It’s turquoise colored water and lush falls is definitely a sight to behold. It is part of the Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park, a park which covers more than 1250 square kilometers of forested mountains, hills, gorges and some rural towns in the prefectures of Yamanashi, Saitama, Nagano and Tokyo.

The waterfall is a 5 tiered one, it’s as picturesque as it can be actually. If i were you, i’d take the day off and hike up there just to enjoy the scenery. And with that, please bring your proper attire and sturdy shoes.

How do you get to Nishizawa Keikoku?

Take the JR Chuo Line to Enzan Station. From Tokyo’s Shinjuku Station, Enzan Station can be reached in 90 minutes by direct limited express train (3190 Yen, covered by the Japan Rail Pass) or in 150 minutes by local trains (1460 Yen, at least one transfer of trains is required along the way).

From Enzan Station, there are six buses per day to the Nishizawa Keikoku (only four buses per day from December to April). The bus ride takes about one hour and costs 1020 Yen one way. Alternatively, a taxi costs about 6000 Yen one way and may be worth considering if you are traveling in a group.

Source: Japan Guide