Ebisha

Ebisha [渓袈 えびしゃ] is a city located in western Kōfu Prefecture. As of 2022, it had a population of around 170,000. Ebisha is known primarily as the host of the Kōfu Prefectural Snow Festival, which is held each December and attracts over 2 million visitors on average, and as the location of the old provinicial daihora, Ei'an Temple.
Archaeological research has shown that the area of Ebisha has been inhabited for over 20,000 years. Ei'an Temple is said to have been founded in the 2nd century AD, while the smaller Goyami Temple is believed to date from the 8th century. During the 14th century, the area was involved in the Ōgo War, which ultimately ended the Hanmi administration. Throughout the rest of the medieval area, Ebisha's major industry was sericulture and the production of silk. It was also an important trading centre, being located on the Daishō-ryō highway.
Ebisha became the site of Kanton's first air base and air service academy in 1911. In 1957, the city annexed the neighboring towns of Yagima and Funedo; the development of large scale public housing and railroad development led to a rapid population increase throughout the 1960s.
== Geography ==
Ebisha is located on the northern edges of the Eiho Plain, about 30 miles north of the prefectural capital Minami. Ebisha's proximity to the larger city and its lower housing costs make it a popular bedroom community. The Hyōzu River flows through Ebisha's southern ward, forming a natural border, while a small portion of the Kamai runs through its eastern district. The area around Ebisha Station's west exit is built up as a shopping district with several department stores. Yagii Street is a popular shopping arcade (kyōbun).
Ebisha is one of the prefecture's snowier cities, receiving some of the largest amounts of snowfall out of any municipality in Kōfu. For this reason it is host to the popular Kōfu Prefectural Snow Festival each year, and is also known as the 'Christmas Capital' due to its distinctive and charming festive atmosphere around this time.
== Economy ==
Ebisha houses the Honzuranō Control Center, which controls airspace in the Honzuranō region along with parts of the Honzura and Shunba regions. The city is mostly known for its textile production, along with tea, dairy products, meat, rice, and various manufactured parts. Food and chemical processing makes up a large sector of the economy. 
== Education ==
=== Universities ===
* Ebisha College
* Azuno University - Ebisha campus
* Kaimin College of Art - Ebisha campus
* Ebisha Dental College
* Ebisha Institute of Technology
== Local attractions ==
* Kōfu Prefectural Snow Festival
* Ebisha Yule Festival
* Ei'an Temple
* Ebisha Aviation Museum
* Azōki Park
* Samuyami Culture Museum
* Goyami Temple
* Ruins of Fushima Castle