Kofu City, located in central Yamanashi Prefecture, is the prefectural capital and the most populous city in the prefecture. As a Core City, a designated public health city, and a Regional Core Urban Center, Kofu plays a significant role in administration, healthcare, and the local economy. Although its population is the second lowest among all prefectural capitals in Japan (after Tottori City), due to its relatively small area, its population density is comparable to that of Okayama City, a designated city.
History and Name Origin
The name "Kofu" dates back to the Sengoku period. In 1519 (Eisho 16), Takeda Nobutora, a feudal lord of Kai Province, relocated his residence to Tsutsujigasaki Residence (now Takeda Shrine) in the present-day Kokufu-cho area of Kofu City. He named the area "Kofu," meaning "the political center of Kai Province." Although it was not the official provincial capital during the Ritsuryō era, the name "Kofu" became synonymous with the region. During the rule of Takeda Shingen, Kofu flourished as the center of the Takeda clan's powerful domain.
After the fall of the Takeda clan, Kofu remained a political hub, serving as the administrative center under Tokugawa and Toyotomi-aligned lords. In the Edo period, it developed as a post town along the Koshu Kaido, functioning as both a strategic military point and a transportation hub west of Edo. In the modern era, the city also became known for its jewelry and gemstone polishing industry.
Geography and Natural Environment
Kofu lies in the northern part of the Kofu Basin, shaped like a crescent from north to south, and is surrounded by mountain ranges including the Okuchichibu Mountains, Misaka Mountains, and the Southern Japanese Alps. The city’s topography has been likened to an "upside-down silk hat," as described by the famous author Osamu Dazai in his work Shinju no Kotoba.
The city center sits at an elevation of about 250 to 300 meters. However, Kofu’s terrain varies greatly, from its lowest point near the Fuefuki River in the south (approx. 245 meters), to Mount Kinpu on the border with Nagano Prefecture (2,599 meters), resulting in an elevation difference of 2,350 meters across the city. The northern part of Kofu is within the Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park, home to the Shosenkyo Gorge, a famous scenic area known for its striking rock formations and river valley views.
Urban Connections and Transportation
Kofu is part of the Tokyo Metropolitan Area under the National Capital Region Development Act, with much closer ties to Tokyo than Nagoya. It is approximately 90 minutes from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo via the JR Chuo Main Line Limited Express trains Azusa or Kaiji, making it an important residential and sightseeing base within Tokyo’s greater suburban zone.
