Yamanashi Prefecture

Template:Infobox Prefecture Japan Yamanashi Prefecture (山梨県, Yamanashi-ken) is located in the Chūbu region on Honshū island, Japan. The capital is the city of Kofu.

History

Yamanashi Prefecture corresponds to the pre-Meiji Restoration Kai Province. During the Sengoku period it was the domain of Takeda Shingen.

Geography

Map of Yamanshi Prefecture.

Yamanashi Prefecture is bordered by Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Shizuoka, and Nagano. The prefecture is landlocked, and surrounded by mountains with a narrow central valley. Mount Fuji forms part of the southern boundary.

Cities

Chūō Fuefuki Fujiyoshida Hokuto Kai Kofu (capital) Kōshū

Minami-arupusu (Minami Alps) Nirasaki Otsuki Tsuru Uenohara Yamanashi

Towns and villages

Towns and villages in each district:

Kitatsuru District Kosuge Tabayama Minamikoma District Hayakawa Kajikazawa Masuho Minobu Nambu

Minamitsuru District Doushi Fujikawaguchiko Narusawa Nishikatsura Oshino Yamanakako Nakakoma District Showa Nishiyatsushiro District Ichikawamisato

Mergers

• March 1, 2003-the towns of Tomizawa and Nambufrom Minamikoma District merged to form the new town of Nambu.

• April 1, 2003-the municipalities of Shirane, Wakakusa, Kushigata, Kouzai, Hatta and Ashiyasu (all from Nakakoma District) merged to form the new city of Minami-arupusu.

• November 15, 2003-the municipalities of Kawaguchiko, Katsuyama and Ashiwada from Minamitsuru District merged to form the new town of Fujikawaguchiko.

• September 1, 2004-the town of Futaba from Kitakoma District and the towns of Ryuou and Shikishima from Nakakoma District merged to form the new city of Kai.

• September 13, 2004-the towns of Nakatomi from Minamikoma District and Shimobe from Nishiyatsushiro District merged into the town of Minobu.

• October 12, 2004-the municipalities of Ichinomiya, Isawa, Misaka, Sakaigawa and Yatasushiro (all from Higashiyatsushiro District) and the town of Kasugai from Higashiyamanashi District merged to form the new city of Fuefuki.

• November 1, 2004-the municipalities of Akeno, Hakushu, Mukawa, Nagasaka, Oizumi, Sutama and Takane (all from Kitakoma District) merged to form the new city of Hokuto.

• February 13, 2005-the town of Uenohara from Kitatsuru District merged with the village of Akiyama from Minamitsuru District to become city of Uenohara.

• March 22, 2005-the town of Makioka and the village of Mitomi from Higashiyamanashi District merged into the city of Yamanashi to form the new city of Yamanashi.

• October 1, 2005-the towns of Ichikawadaimon, Mitama and Rokugo (all from Nishiyatsushiro District) merged to form the new town of Ichikawamisato.

• November 1, 2005-the city of Enzan merged with the towns of Katsunuma and Yamato (both from Higashiyamanashi District) to form the new city of Kōshū. Higashiyamanashi District was dissolved as a result of this merger.

• February 20, 2006-the towns of Tamaho and Tatomi from Nakakoma District and the village of Toyotomi from Higashiyatsushiro District merged to form the new city of Chūō.

• March 1, 2006-

  The northern part of Kamikuishiki from Nishiyatsushiro District (Furuseki, Kakehashi) and the town of Nakamichi from Higashiyatsushiro District merged into the city of Kofu.

  The southern part of Kamikuishiki from Nishiyatsushiro District (Fujigane, Motosu, Shoji) merged into the town of Fujikawaguchiko in Minamitsuru District.

• March 15, 2006-the town of Kobuchisawa from Kitakoma District merged into the city of Hokuto. Kitakoma District was dissolved as a result of this merger.
• August 1, 2006-the city of Fuefuki absorbed the village of Ashigawa, the only village left in Higashiyatsushiro District. Higashiyatsushiro District is now dissolved.

Economy

Yamanashi has a sizable industrial base in and around Kofu city. The surrounding area is host to a number of farms and vineyards. Yamanashi is one of the major fruit producing regions in Japan. The prefecture is famous for the size and quality of its grapes and peaches.

Demographics

Yamanashi Prefecture has a sizable minority of Brazilians, approximately 15,000 people. The prefecture also contains a number of Nigerians and Indians.

Sports

The sports teams listed below are based in Yamanashi.

Football (soccer)

• Ventforet Kofu (Kofu)

Tourism

Mount Fuji from Lake Shōji in Yamanashi Prefecture

Yamanashi is a popular destination for tourism. Mount Fuji, the Fuji Five Lakes region, the city of Kofu, the nearby wineries, the fine temple Erin-ji, and the popular Kuonji temple are a few of the most popular places to visit. Also, amusement park called Fuji-Q Highland with their newest roller coaster Eejanaika (roller coaster).

Eco-Tourism is very popular here. The natural topography of the region makes Yamanashi a hikers paradise. The tallest, Mt. Fuji, and second tallest mountains in Japan are both located within this prefecture. Although not as tall, Mount Minobu offers stunning views if one joins the Buddhist pilgrims up to the summit of the mountain.

Given the areas volcanic activity, natural hot springs Onsens are found in abundance. Some of the more famous are Isawa Onsen and Yamanami Onsen.

Trivia

A considerable portion of Haruki Murakami's 2002 novel Kafka on the Shore occurs in the Yamanshi Prefecture.

External links

• Official Yamanashi Prefecture homepage
• Yamanashi English Teachers International homepage(JET)

35°37′N 138°37′E