Kofu Area
Kofu is associated with Takeda Shingen, a famous general from the Warring States Period, and Kofu City is the seat of the Yamanashi Prefectural Government. The area has many sightseeing spots connected to Takeda Shingen, such as Takeda-jinja Shrine which is dedicated to the general and Kai-zenko-ji Temple, and passes on the history and traditions of that era to the present day.
You can also take in the beautiful scenery and nature of the area, especially the famous Shosen Gorge which is a nationally designated Special Place of Scenic Beauty.
Kofu disseminates art and culture with its many art museums such as the Crystal Museum and the Yamanashi Prefectural Art of Museum. The region is also home to quartz crystal jewelry production, which involves gemstone and precious metal processing. Approximately 30% of Japan’s carved jewelry is produced here in the nation’s number one ‘jewelry town’.
Kofu is also well-known as a city of hot springs, and has many spas including Kofu Spa and Yumura Spa.
Access
It takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo by train (JR Chuo Line), approximately 2 hours by car on the Chuo Expressway or around 2 hours 10 minutes by Chuo Highway Bus from Shinjuku Station West Exit.
It takes approximately 50 minutes by car or around 1 hour by train from the Kofu area to Mt. Yatsugatake area.
From Kofu area to the Isawa area, it takes 20 minutes by car or 15 minutes by train.
To the Fujikawaguchiko area it takes 1 hour by car or 1 hour 20 minutes by train (JR Chuo Line) from Otsuki Station on the The Fuji Kyuko Line.