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Kōfu 甲府
—  Special city  —
甲府市 · Kōfu
Flag
Location of Kōfu in Yamanashi
Kōfu
Coordinates: 35°40′N 138°34′E / 35.667°N 138.567°E / 35.667; 138.567
Country	Japan
Region	Chūbu
Prefecture	Yamanashi
Area
- Total	212.41 km2 (82 sq mi)
Population (March 1, 2006)	201,184
Website	City of Kōfu

Kōfu (甲府市, Kōfu-shi^?) is the capital city of Yamanashi, Japan.

As of March 1, 2006, the city now has an estimated population of 201,184. The total area is 212.41 km².

Kōfu has been reputed through the years as a center where politics, economics, and culture have flourished. Rich in historical landmarks related to Takeda Shingen, the city also boasts museums, cultural centers, the famed and historic Yumura Onsen, and precious gem museums which display many examples from Kōfu's jewelry industry. The city is well-known for its natural splendor; two-thirds of the city area comprises mountains and forests.

History

Kōfu

Kōfu City town and Mt. Fuji. Photograph from Chiyodako-lake. January, 2010.

Kōfu's name means "capital of Kai Province." During the Sengoku period, it was the stronghold of Takeda Shingen.

The origin of the name of Kōfu is related to the ancestral name of Yamanashi Prefecture, as well as to the city's geographical location. Centuries ago, the area which today is referred to as Yamanashi Prefecture, was once known as Kai Province. At that time, the geographical denominations of ken (prefecture), were not yet in use, and instead, the area was categorized as a fu. Located in the center of Kai, Kōfu's name was derived from a combination of kanji used in both Kai and fu. Alternate pronunciation of the characters resulted in the modern name of Kōfu.

Archaeologists have discovered evidence of human settlement in the Kōfu area dating back as far as 6000 years BCE. However, the town of Kōfu was not formally established until 1519.

Kōfu is designated as the one of the special cities of Japan. The city once had only 193,795 people due to the population decline, but after the amalgamation of the town of Nakamichi, from Higashiyatsushiro District, and the northern part of the village of Kamikuishiki, from Nishiyatsushiro District, on March 1, 2006, the population went back up to 201,184.

Sister cities

• - Cheongju, a city of South Korea.
• - Chengdu, a city of southwest China.
• - Des Moines, the capital city of the State of Iowa, USA.
• - Lodi, a city in San Joaquin County, California, USA.^[1]
• - Pau, a city of southwestern France.
• - Yamatokoriyama, a city of Japan. It is known for goldfish.

Notable Places

• Kai-Zenkō temple
• Maizuru Castle Park
• Takeda Shrine
• Yumura Spa
• Yamanashi Science Museum

Sport

A J-League football team, Ventforet Kofu is based in Kōfu. They currently play in the J. League division 2, and their home ground is the Kose Sports Stadium.

Notable people

• Hidetoshi Nakata, Japanese football player who last played with the Bolton Wanderers in the English Premier League, but has since retired following the 2006 World Cup.
• Naoko Takeuchi, Creator of Sailor Moon and other comics.
• K.A.Z, a Japanese musician, songwriter and Guitarist of Oblivion Dust, Spin Aqua and most recently, VAMPS.

References

1. ^ "Consolidation of Local Governments in Japan and Effects on Sister City Relationships," Consulate General of Japan, San Francisco

External links

Japanese

• Kōfu official website
• Yamanashi International Association
• teacher website-English
• Yamanashi teacher's website-English

Yamanashi Prefecture
Cities
Chūō | Fuefuki | Fujiyoshida | Hokuto | Kōfu (capital) | Kai | Kōshū | Minami-Alps | Nirasaki | Ōtsuki | Tsuru | Uenohara | Yamanashi
Districts
Kitatsuru | Minamikoma | Minamitsuru | Nakakoma | Nishiyatsushiro
See also: Towns and villages by district edit

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

English

Proper noun

Kōfu

1. Alternative spelling of Kofu.

Translations