Kofu

Travel Guide

Chubu featuring mist or fog, snow and mountains
Lake Kawaguchi which includes fishing, a sunset and a lake or waterhole
Chubu showing a house and a park as well as a small group of people
Chubu featuring a sunset, snow and mountains
Kofu showing flowers, signage and drinks or beverages
Explore this historic city, fruitful in many ways, from its orchards and wineries to its mountain views and sacred temples.

During your visit to the verdant Kofu area, hike through the beautiful Shosenkyo Gorge, watch a parade of samurai warriors during the Lord Shingen Festival, pick peaches and sample fine wines or find the key to happiness at the Kai Zenkoji Temple. The capital and largest city in the Yamanashi Prefecture, Kofu is a natural basin, surrounded by mountains on all sides, including the grandest of all, Mount Fuji. The fertile valley also has numerous hot springs.

Start your visit at Shosenkyo Gorge in Chichibu Tama KaiNational Park. Walk the well-maintained trail to view the Arakawa River, SengaWaterfall and 590-foot-tall (180-meter) rocky prominence Kakuenpo overshadowing the cascading water.

Move on to the Kai Zenkoji Temple, established by the great commander Takeda Shingen. Within its temple walls and adjacent museum, view precious Buddhist treasures and statues. In the main altar area, look up at the giant two-headed dragon carving. If you stand in a certain spot and clap as loudly as you can, it is said you can hear the dragon weep. Don’t leave without walking through the underground passageway to the padlocked door. Legends say that salvation and wishes come to all who touch the lock.

Sample the Kofu basin’s ample harvest, from peaches and cherries to the wines of the Koshu and Fuefuki vineyards. The Yamanashi area’s sake and whiskey, relying on local spring water, are worth a sip as well. Try the local specialty, hotonoodles. These thick, flat noodles, similar to udon, are stewed with vegetables in miso soup.

Travel to the Kofu basin via train, bus or car from Shinjuku. From Tokyo, take the JR Chuo express train. A train ride takes about 90 minutes, while car or bus take about 2 hours. Upon arrival, you’ll be smitten by this charming region’s natural beauty, agricultural abundance and ancient history.

Where to stay in Kofu

Maizurujo Park showing a park

Marunouchi

While visiting Marunouchi, you might make a stop by sights like Takeda Shingen Statue and Maizuru Castle.

Marunouchi

Central

When in Central, you can plan a visit to Maizuru Castle and Yamanashi Prefectural Office, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Central
Kofu Fujimura Memorial showing street scenes as well as a couple

Kitaguchi

If you're spending some time in Kitaguchi, Sadoya Winery and Kofu Fujimura Memorial are top sights worth seeing.

Kitaguchi
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Kokubo

While Kokubo isn't home to many top sights, Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art and Yamanashi Prefectural Office are some notable places to visit nearby.

Kokubo
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Yumura

If you're spending some time in Yumura, Chichibu Tama Kai National Park and Entakuji Temple are top sights worth seeing.

Yumura
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Shiobe

When in Shiobe, you can plan a visit to Yamanashi Prefectural Office and Maizuru Castle, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Shiobe
Dormy Inn Kofu Natural Hot Spring
Dormy Inn Kofu Natural Hot Spring
3 out of 5
1-14-3 Chuo, Kofu, Yamanashi-ken
$79 nightly
The price is $88 total per night from Jul 21 to Jul 22
$88 total
Jul 21 - Jul 22
Stay at this 3-star spa hotel in Kofu. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"I booked this hotel because I've stayed in Dormy Inns before and because I wanted a hotel with an onsen. The room suited my needs, and the onsen was very enjoyable. The staff were professional and helpful. The room was clean. The bed was comfortable. It was a pleasant stay. An extra bonus was an ..."

Reviewed on Jun 3, 2025

Dormy Inn Kofu Natural Hot Spring
Dormy Inn Kofu Marunouchi
Dormy Inn Kofu Marunouchi
3 out of 5
3-1-3, Marunouchi, Kofu, Yamanashi
$77 nightly
The price is $86 total per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
$86 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kofu. Enjoy free WiFi, hot springs on site, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (614 reviews)
"Friendly staff in a clean and neat environment."

Reviewed on Apr 23, 2025

Dormy Inn Kofu Marunouchi
Toyoko Inn Kofu Station Minami 1
Toyoko Inn Kofu Station Minami 1
3 out of 5
1-13-20, Marunouchi, Kofu, Yamanashi
$61 nightly
The price is $67 total per night from Jul 7 to Jul 8
$67 total
Jul 7 - Jul 8
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kofu. Enjoy free breakfast, a 24-hour front desk, and dry cleaning or laundry services. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8/10 Very Good! (527 reviews)
"Really clean hotel, the staff were very helpful and friendly. I would definitely book again, great budget hotel option."

Reviewed on May 6, 2025

Toyoko Inn Kofu Station Minami 1
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Rental house up to 7 people possible - Rent a house / Kofu Yamanashi
Rental house up to 7 people possible - Rent a house / Kofu Yamanashi
Kofu
Stay at this vacation home in Kofu. Enjoy free WiFi, cable/satellite TV service, and air conditioning. Popular attractions Hottarakashi Onsen Hot Spring and ...
Rental house up to 7 people possible - Rent a house / Kofu Yamanashi
Mitsuka Building  Pursuing healing and beauty br / Kofu Yamanashi
Mitsuka Building Pursuing healing and beauty br / Kofu Yamanashi
Kofu
Stay at this apartment in Kofu. Enjoy free WiFi and air conditioning. Popular attractions Hottarakashi Onsen Hot Spring and Yamanashi Jewelry Museum are located ...
Mitsuka Building Pursuing healing and beauty br / Kofu Yamanashi
All rooms are nonsmoking Japanesestyle room w / Kofu Yamanashi
All rooms are nonsmoking Japanesestyle room w / Kofu Yamanashi
Kofu
Stay at this vacation home in Kofu. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and climate control. Popular attractions Hottarakashi Onsen Hot Spring and Yamanashi ...
All rooms are nonsmoking Japanesestyle room w / Kofu Yamanashi
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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