Shosenkyo is an area located in the mountains just north of the city of Kofu in Yamanashi Prefecture. This place is a true hidden gem of natural beauty. Part of Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park, Shosenkyo is a scenic valley surrounded by mountains. Historically, it was an important religious site. Later, it became famous for the crystals that are found and polished there.

Many of the shops and attractions in Shosenkyo are related to crystals. At a shop that sells local and imported crystals, I was surprised to see a gigantic amethyst geode on sale for over 10 million yen! A small shrine called Shogyokudo houses one of Japan's largest crystal balls. It weighs 850 kilograms and is 85 centimeters wide.

You can touch it for good luck. A teahouse near the shrine even sells edible crystal balls! They are actually made of clear jelly. I ate one with syrup and kinako powder on top. It was sweet and delicious!

In addition to the attractions about crystals, there is a ropeway and a waterfall. I took the ropeway to Mt. Yasaburo. Then, I hiked along a trail with stunning views of Mt. Fuji. The end of the trail is on top of a large boulder. I had to use chains to climb onto it. The climb was scary and difficult, but the view was worth it.

Then, I returned to the valley. I walked on the pathway next to the river to get to a waterfall called Senga Falls. I went by some interesting spots, like a special phone booth. In this phone booth, you pick up the receiver and speak into it about your wish for the future. There was also a small pond with statues of the Seven Lucky Gods. You can buy crystals and throw them towards different statues to wish for good fortune in areas like health, business, and love. I also passed by many rocks with unusual shapes. People had put coins on the rocks for good luck. After walking some more, I arrived at Senga Falls. The pathway was very close to the waterfall. The sound of the water was loud but relaxing.

Other points of interest in the area include the Shosenkyo Museum of Shadowgraph, which is the world's first shadow-picture museum, as well as Arakawa Dam. I didn't get the chance to go to those places on this trip, but I would like to see them next time.

Shosenkyo is a beautiful area that offers a variety of interesting sights and activities for everyone. Plus, it's easy to get to from Kofu, so it makes a perfect day trip. If you're going to Yamanashi Prefecture, Shosenkyo is a must-visit!