Kofu, Yamanashi

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**Kofu City**
**甲府市**
Location
Country	Japan
Region	Chūbu
Prefecture	Yamanashi Prefecture
Physical characteristics
Area	212.41 km²
Population (as of March 1, 2006)
Total	201,184
Location	35°39′26″N, 138°34′2″E
Symbols
Kofu City Hall
Official website: Kofu City

Coordinates: 35°39′26″N, 138°34′2″E

Kofu (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 212.41km².

Kofu 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 Kofu's world famous jewelry industry. The city is well-known for its natural splendor; two-thirds of the city area is comprised of mountains and forests.

1 History
2 Sister cities
3 Famous Places
4 Sport
5 Famous people
6 External links

[edit] History

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

The origin of the name of Kofu City 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. 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, Kofu'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 Kofu.

Archaeologists have discovered evidence of human settlement in the Kofu City area dating back as far as 8000 years. However, the town of Kofu was not formally established until 1519.

Kofu is designated as the Special cities of Japan. The city once had only 193,795 people due to the population decline, but after the amagalation of Nakamichi and Kamikuishiki(northern) on March 1, 2006, the population went back up to 201,184.

[edit] 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.
Pau, a city of southwestern France.
Yamatokoriyama, a city of Japan. It is famous for a goldfish.

[edit] Famous Places

[edit] Sport

A J-League football team, Ventforet Kofu is based in Kofu. They currently play in the top division, called the J1.

[edit] Famous 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.