Yamanashi Prefecture

is located in the Chubu region on Honshu 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

Yamanshi 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

Towns and villages

These are the towns and villages in each district.

ǂFollowing municipalities and/or districts scheduled to dissolved in the future.

Mergers

On March 1, 2003, the towns of Tomizawa and Nambufrom Minamikoma District merged to form the new town of Nambu.
On 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.
On November 15, 2003, the municipalities of Kawaguchiko, Katsuyama and Ashiwada from Minamitsuru District merged to form the new town of Fujikawaguchiko.
On 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.
On September 13, 2004, the towns of Nakatomi from Minamikoma District and Shimobe from Nishiyatsushiro District merged into the town of Minobu.
On 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.
On 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.
On February 13, 2005, the town of Uenohara from Kitatsuru District merged with the village of Akiyama from Minamitsuru District to become city of Uenohara.
On 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.
On October 1, 2005, the towns of Ichikawadaimon, Mitama and Rokugo (all from Nishiyatsushiro District) merged to form the new town of Ichikawamisato.
On 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 Koshu. Higashiyamanashi District was dissolved as a result of this merger.
On 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 Chuo.
On 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.
On March 1, 2006, the southern part of Kamikuishiki from Nishiyatsushiro District (Fujigane, Motosu, Shoji) merged into the town of Fujikawaguchiko in Minamitsuru District.
On 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.

Future mergers

On August 1, 2006, the city of Fuefuki is scheduled to merge with the village of Ashigawa from Higashiyatsushiro District. As a result, Higashiyatsushiro District will cease to exist.

Economy

Demographics

Culture

Tourism

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.

Prefectural symbols

Miscellaneous topics

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

External links

Chubu region | Yamanashi Prefecture | Prefectures of Japan

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