Yamanashi Prefecture

is a prefecture in the Chūbu region of Japan on the island of Honshū.Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Yamanashi-ken" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 1044; "Chūbu" at p. 126.  The  capital is the city of Kōfu.

 History 
During the Heian period, Kai Province was created in this areaNussbaum, "Provinces and prefectures" at p. 780. and it was re-named Yamanashi in the Meiji period.

Timeline
 1869 – Kai Province was renamed Kōfu PrefectureNussbaum, "Kai" at p. 448.
 1871 – Kōfu was renamed Yamanashi Prefecture.

 Geography 
The borders of Yamanashi Prefecture are formed by Tokyo Metropolis, Kanagawa Prefecture, Saitama Prefecture, Shizuoka Prefecture, and Nagano Prefecture.

The prefecture is landlocked with mountains surrounding the central Kōfu Basin.

Mount Fuji is on the southern border with Shizuoka.

Cities
Chūō
Fuefuki
Fujiyoshida
Hokuto
Kai
Kōfu (capital)
KōshūMinami-Alps
Nirasaki
Ōtsuki
Tsuru
Uenohara
Yamanashi

Towns and Villages

Towns and villages in each district:
Kitatsuru District
Kosuge
Tabayama
Minamikoma District
Hayakawa
Fujikawa
Minobu
NambuMinamitsuru District
Dōshi
Fujikawaguchiko
Narusawa
Nishikatsura
Oshino
Yamanakako
Nakakoma District
Shōwa
Nishiyatsushiro District
Ichikawamisato

National Parks
National Parks are established in about 27% of the total land area of the prefecture.Japan Ministry of the Environment, "General overview of area figures for Natural Parks by prefecture". Retrieved 2012-8-28.

Shrines and Temples
Asama jinja is the chief Shinto shrine (ichinomiya) in the prefecture.  
"Nationwide List of Ichinomiya," p. 1 . Retrieved 2012-8-28.
Takeda  jinja is related  to  "Takeda Shingen".

Related pages
 Provinces of Japan
 Prefectures of Japan
 List of regions of Japan
 List of islands of Japan
 Ventforet Kofu

References

Other websites 

Osano Memorial Foundation website
Yamanashi English Teachers International homepage (JET)