Kōfu, Yamanashi
Kōfu, Yamanashi
| Kōfu 甲府 |
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| — Special city — | |||
| 甲府市 | |||
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 Kōfu
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| Coordinates: 35°40′N 138°34′E / 35.667°N 138.567°ECoordinates: 35°40′N 138°34′E / 35.667°N 138.567°E | |||
| Country | Japan | ||
| Region | Chūbu | ||
| Prefecture | Yamanashi | ||
| Government | |||
| - Mayor | Masanobu Miyajima (since February 2003) | ||
| Area | |||
| - Total | 212.41 km2 (82 sq mi) | ||
| Population (May 1, 2011) | |||
| - Total | 197,540 | ||
| - Density | 929.99/km2 (2,408.7/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) | ||
| City symbols | |||
| - Tree | Quercus | ||
| - Flower | Dianthus | ||
| - Bird | Common Kingfisher | ||
| Phone number | 055-237-1161 | ||
| Address | 2-17-1 Aioi, Kofu-shi, Yamanashi-ken 400-8585 |
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| Website | City of Kōfu | ||
Kōfu (甲府市 Kōfu-shi) is the capital city of Yamanashi Prefecture in Japan.
As of May 1, 2011, the city had a estimate population of 197,540, with 85,794 households. The total area is 212.41 km².
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History
Kōfu's 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, 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. On March 1, 2006 the city, with a population of 193,795, was amalgamated with 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.
Sister cities
Cheongju, South Korea
Chengdu, China
Des Moines, Iowa, USA- Lodi, California, USA
Pau, France, France
Yamatokoriyama, Nara, Japan
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[update] play in the J. League division 2, and their home ground is the Kose Sports Stadium.
Notable people
- Hidetoshi Nakata, football player who last played with the Bolton Wanderers in the 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.
- ^ "Consolidation of Local Governments in Japan and Effects on Sister City Relationships," Consulate General of Japan, San Francisco
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Yamanashi Prefecture
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