Kōfu Prefecture

**Kōfu Prefecture** [速月近 こうふ·こん] is a mostly-inland prefecture located in the lower Honzura region, also known as Honzuranō. Kōfu is both the southernmost prefecture of Honzura region and the region closest to the capital. As of 2022, it had a population of around 2.7 million, making it the second-most-populous prefecture in Honzura.

Minami is the capital and largest city of Kōfu Prefecture, with other major cities including Sadama, Kakunō, and Ebisha. Kōfu Prefecture is part of the Greater Kaimon Area, the largest urban area in Kanton, and many of its southern cities are bedroom communities and suburbs of the neighbouring Kuyama and Kanjō Prefectures; many of Kōfu's residents will commute into Kuyama each day for work and business.

## History

According to ancient records, the area of Kōfu was part of Sadawa Province, a large region which absorbed the entirety of what is now known as the Honzuranō region. It was ruled for several centuries by the powerful Sadawa clan, who were allied with the Sudai and Mizuno, and who participated often in land conflicts with the neighbouring Namema clan of Namema Province.

In the early 1400s after the Battle of Eiita, the area controlled by the Sadawa was split into two; half was absorbed into Eiita Province and the remaining half became Kan'ei Province. Both were under the governance of the Eiita clan, whose vassals oversaw the two provinces on a more direct level. This began the region's connection to the capital, with many trading routes being established including the Hongiryō highway, one of the busiest *dōryō* in the Honzura region.

The region of modern-day Kōfu was historically recognised for being an important fertile agricultural region which produced a large amount of the food for the Shunba region. It was common practice for high-ranking court nobles and lords to be given domains within Kan'ei Province in acknowledgement of their great deeds, and it was often referred to by the secondary name Yaginoso, meaning 'seat of the lords'.

## Geography

Kōfu Prefecture is located on the southern curve of the Taiyu Alps, with a large portion of the range almost splitting the region in half. The entire northern area of the prefecture is mountainous and sparsely inhabited. This large geographical divide has contributed to Kōfu being detached both culturally and commercially from the rest of the Honzura region and being more involved with areas of the Eibun region. In contrast, the southern areas of Kōfu are mostly flat or slightly hilly, and are much more conducive to agriculture and farming.

The south-west of Kōfu, and the area where its population is concentrated, is a swathe of grassland known as the Eiho Plain; this is the basis of the prefecture's agricultural industries. To the east, there are two major mountain ranges: the Hosagata Mountains, which is slightly larger, and the Kazari Mountains. The eastern region is also coastal, and fosters a large fishing industry. Shitoke Bay is home to the prefecture's largest port and is also known locally as Kōfuguchi ('mouth of Kōfu').

The prefecture is also home to the Kōfu National Park, located within the western reaches of the Taiyu mountains, which is the second-largest national park in the Honzura region. Within this park is situated Mount Hyōjō, the tallest peak in the Taiyu range and the tallest mountain in the Honzura region.

### Major rivers and lakes

* Hyōzu River
* Awara River
* Dōsui River
* Okunaki River
* Hōyū River
* Tadama River
* Hyōzuya River
* Kamai River
* Natamizu River
* Awarako River
* Yuwa River
* Hosaki River
* Hare River
* Aratsu River
* Lake Kōfu
* Lake Eiya
* Lake Danzu
* Lake Nomi
* Lake Yūgachi
* Lake Arani

### Major mountains

* Taiyu Alps
	+ Mount Hyōjō (3,100m)
	+ Mount Furashi (2,710m)
	+ Mount Seiyuki (2,770m)
	+ Mount Isuhara (2,530m)
	+ Mount Asuhara (2,220m)
	+ Mount Yahara (1,810m)
	+ Mount Shirezata (1,790m)
	+ Mount Amewa (1,620m)
	+ Mount Nōhara (1,610m)
	+ Mount Kumori (1,460m)
	+ Mount Kikei (1,450m)
* Hosagata Mountains
	+ Mount Atama (1,340m)
	+ Mount Inomi (1,280m)
	+ Mount Ohara (1,270m)
	+ Mount Ari (1,250m)
* Kazari Mountains
	+ Mount Irotakabe (1,470m)
	+ Mount Toroku (1,450m)

## Economy

The economy of Kōfu Prefecture is mainly focused on fishing, agriculture, light manufacturing, and tourism. The fishing industry is concentrated around the coastal region towards Shitoke Bay, while agriculture is based mainly on the Eiho Plain and other central grassland areas. Most of the popular tourist sites in Kōfu are located in the north-western portion of the prefecture, which is known as the Eiho Region. This area is known to be arable and moderately mountainous, and is situated in a rich natural environment. The region is very popular among residents of both Kōfu and neighboring prefectures for short trips, as it is easily accessible via the railroad network.

The production of tea and silk have traditionally been Kōfu's largest industries, but both have become less significant over the course of the last twenty years or so.

## Culture

Kōfu Prefecture shares more of its culture with the prefectures of the Shunba region than it does those of the Honzura region, mostly due to its position beneath the Taiyu Alps, which have separated it from the north for many centuries. The area is known for being the birthplace of the nationally beloved desserts/sweet treats *tosumi*, which are fruit slices boiled in sugar or honey and dried into decorative shapes. Although now produced all over Kanton, *tosumi* remains a symbol of the prefecture and is one of its most popular cultural exports. The popular variety of green tea, Kamai tea, is grown in Kōfu.

Additionally, Kōfu is known for its hot spring culture. The prefecture has one of the highest concentrations of hot spring resorts in the Honzura region due to its mountainous terrain. It is often called the 'hot spring capital of the north'. Kōfu is also one of the few regions in Kanton where public bathhouses are generally as popular as swimming pools.

Kōfu is home to an abundance of seasonal festivals, many of which are focused around winter. The prefecture receives high levels of snowfall during the winter months, which provides opportunity for snow and ice-oriented celebrations such as the Minami Ice Sculpture Festival and the Kōfu Prefectural Snow Festival.

## Education

### Universities

* Kōfu University
* Minami University
* Azuno University - Ebisha-Azuno campus
* Kakunō Technical College
* Honzura University - Minami campus
* Omiya University - Minami campus
* Kōfu Medical University
* Sadama University
* Kōfu Prefectural College
* Taishō University of the Arts
* Keida University - Esuda campus