Country Japan Population 198,992 (2010) Area 212.41 km2 | Region ChubuTokai Mayor Masanobu Miyajima (since February 2003) | |
Points of interest Maizuru Castle Park, Mount Kinpu, Yamanashi Science Museum Colleges and Universities University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi Gakuin University, Yamanashi Prefectural University, Yamanashi Eiwa College, Yamanashi Gakuin Junior College | ||
Kofu (, Kofu-shi) is the capital city of Yamanashi Prefecture in Japan.
Contents
- Map of Kofu
- Tottori japan kofu yonago rice reaping sand museum kurayoshi daisen
- 20131102 13year old angelyna tatsuko highlights at the 16u kofu junior japan
- History
- References
Map of Kofu
As of May 1, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 197,540, with 85,794 households and a population density of 929.99 persons per km². The total area is 212.41 km².
Tottori japan kofu yonago rice reaping sand museum kurayoshi daisen
20131102 13year old angelyna tatsuko highlights at the 16u kofu junior japan
History
Kofus name means "capital of Kai Province". During the Sengoku period, it was the stronghold of Takeda Shingen.
Centuries ago the area which today is referred to as Yamanashi Prefecture was known as Kai Province. At that time the geographical denomination of ken (prefecture), was not yet in use, and the area was categorized as a fu. Located in the center of Kai, Kofus 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 area dating back as far as 6000 years BCE. However, the town of Kofu was not formally established until 1519.
During World War II, much of the city was destroyed by United States Army Air Forces B-29 Superfortress bombers during a major air raid during the night of 6 July 1945.
Kofu is designated as one of the special cities of Japan. On March 1, 2006, Kofu, with a population of 193,795, absorbed the town of Nakamichi (from Higashiyatsushiro District), and the northern part of the village of Kamikuishiki (from Nishiyatsushiro District) increasing the population to 201,184.