card-story-water.webpHome of Famous Waters
Why is the water of the Southern Alps and Yatsugatake so clear?
Hokuto's water is clear because rain and snow spend years filtering through the ground before they surface: through granite on the Southern Alps side, and through old volcanic layers on the Yatsugatake side.
Three famous waters in one city
In 1985 Japan's Environment Agency, now the Ministry of the Environment, chose its 100 best waters. Yamanashi had three, and two of them are in Hokuto: the Yatsugatake southern foothill springs and the Hakushu / Ojira River. In 2008 the headwaters of Mt. Kinpu and Mt. Mizugaki were added to the Heisei list of 100 best waters[1][2].
Yamanashi produces more mineral water than any other prefecture in Japan, about 1.74 million kiloliters in 2023[3]. The Ojira River basin is rich in good groundwater, and mineral water plants are gathered there[2].
Southern Alps water that passes through granite
The Ojira River flows down from Mt. Kaikoma in the Southern Alps[4]. The mountains here are made of Kaikoma granite. Water in granite areas carries few dissolved minerals, and the Ojira River is no exception. The name Hakushu is said to come from the white sand left by crumbling granite[5].
Yatsugatake springs born in volcanic ground
On the Yatsugatake side the story is a little different. The southern foothills are covered by layers of rock and sand that broke away from older Yatsugatake volcanoes. Groundwater flows down through these layers and comes out as springs[5]. Because it passes through andesite, Yatsugatake groundwater carries a moderate amount of minerals[6].
The springs also carry local history. At Sanbuichi Spring, Takeda Shingen is said to have settled a dispute between villages over water by dividing it equally among three villages[5][7]. Otaki Spring is the largest at the southern foot of Yatsugatake. About 22,000 tonnes rise there every day, and the temperature hardly changes through the year[8].
Where to experience this story
One of Japan's 100 best waters, flowing from Mt. Kaikoma. Trails follow the water over granite past waterfalls and deep pools[4].
city-h21chc0007.webpSee · Hakushu
Ojiragawa Gorge
Granite and emerald pools at the source of Hakushu's water.
Tip
Look into the spot where the water comes up and see how clear and cold it is.
Tabizen guide B (name)- Price guide
- Free
- Languages
- Checking with venue
- Closed
- Open all year, but the gorge trail is usually closed mid-Dec to mid-Apr, and beyond Fudo Falls it is closed for now after a landslide
One of the Yatsugatake southern foothill springs, a group on Japan's list of 100 best waters. The Sanbuichi Spring House next to it measures water temperature and more around the clock[8].
city-h14bnc0012.webpSee · Nagasaka
Sanbuichi Spring
One of Japan's 100 finest waters, with a historic three-way stone divider.
Tip
Look into the spot where the water comes up and see how clear and cold it is.
Tabizen guide B (name)- Price guide
- Free
- Languages
- Checking with venue
- Closed
- Open all year
The largest spring at the southern foot of Yatsugatake, in the grounds of Otaki Shrine[8].
city-j04bkb0021.webpSee · Kobuchisawa
Otaki Spring
A famous spring welling up in the forest.
Tip
Look into the spot where the water comes up and see how clear and cold it is.
Tabizen guide B (name)- Price guide
- Free
- Languages
- Checking with venue
- Closed
- Open all year
A waterfall about 10 m high and 15 m wide. Part of the trail is closed, so check the tourism association's notice before you go[9].
city-h10boc0007.webpSee · Oizumi
Doryu Falls
A waterfall that falls like silk threads between green rocks.
Tip
Look closely at the small falls dropping in tier after tier.
Tabizen guide B (name)- Price guide
- Free
- Languages
- Checking with venue
- Closed
- Open all year (part of the Kawamata River Gorge trail closed as of Dec 2025)
A sample roadside station with a spring-water tap and a farm shop.
place-8015-hero.webpSee · Hakushu
Meisui-no-Sato Roadside StationSample
Spring water to take away, a farm shop and a café.
Tip
Anyone can use the water tap at Meisui-no-Sato for free. Bring empty bottles and you have drinking water for the trip. The farm shop and café share one building, so you can rest after shopping.
- Price guide
- Free (spring water free, 24 hours)
- Languages
- Japanese
- Closed
- New Year (closed Wednesdays, Dec to Feb)
How to experience it
Private tour
Visit the Ojiragawa Gorge and the Yatsugatake springs with a guide in one day, and taste the difference.
Self-guided
Follow this page in order, Ojiragawa Gorge, Meisui-no-Sato Roadside Station (sample), Sanbuichi Spring and Otaki Spring, at your own pace.
Audio guide
Listen to the Ojiragawa Gorge audio guide as you walk to the source of Hakushu's water.
Sources
- 資料10 主な環境関係100選（山梨県） www.pref.yamanashi.jp Checked: 2026-10-24
- 水のめぐみ（山梨県） www.pref.yamanashi.jp Checked: 2026-10-24
- 山梨県のあらまし2025 全国上位3位（山梨県、日本ミネラルウォーター協会統計資料より） www.pref.yamanashi.jp Checked: 2026-10-24
- 尾白川渓谷（富士の国やまなし観光ネット、2024-12-06時点の情報） www.yamanashi-kankou.jp Checked: 2026-10-24
- 島野安雄・永井茂「日本水紀行(4) 甲信越地域の名水」地質ニュース466号（1993年6月、産業技術総合研究所 地質調査総合センター） www.gsj.jp Checked: 2026-10-24
- やまなしの水（山梨県） www.pref.yamanashi.jp Checked: 2026-10-24
- 参考2 北杜市の名水（環境省 報道発表資料） www.env.go.jp Checked: 2026-10-24
- 名水百選 山梨県 八ヶ岳南麓高原湧水群（環境省） www.env.go.jp Checked: 2026-10-24
- 川俣川渓谷／吐竜の滝（富士の国やまなし観光ネット、2025-12-10時点の情報） www.yamanashi-kankou.jp Checked: 2026-10-24