Yamanashi Prefecture
Landlocked prefecture in central Honshu, home to Mount Fuji.
Yamanashi Prefecture (山梨県, Yamanashi-ken) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of Honshu. It has a population of 787,592 (1 February 2025) and a geographic area of 4,465 km² (1,724 sq mi). Yamanashi borders Saitama Prefecture to the northeast, Nagano Prefecture to the northwest, Shizuoka Prefecture to the southwest, Kanagawa Prefecture to the southeast, and Tokyo to the east. Kōfu is the capital and largest city. It is one of only eight landlocked prefectures, with most of the population living in the central Kōfu Basin surrounded by the Akaishi Mountains. 27% of its total land area is designated as Natural Parks. Mount Fuji, the tallest mountain in Japan, is partially located in Yamanashi on the border with Shizuoka Prefecture.
- Population
- 787,592 (as of 1 February 2025)
- Area
- 4,465 km² (1,724 sq mi)
- Capital
- Kōfu
- Region
- Chūbu, Honshu, Japan
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Yamanashi Prefecture corresponds to the historical Kai Province, created during the Heian period. During the Sengoku period of the 16th century, Takeda Shingen attained the status of daimyō and built Tsuzuji Mansion and Yōgai Castle in Kōfu. After Takeda's death in 1582, Kai-no-Kuni came under the control of the Oda and Toyotomi clans before being subsumed into the Tokugawa shogunate during the Edo period. In 1724 the area came under the direct control of the Shogunate. During the Boshin War, the Battle of Kōshū-Katsunuma on 29 March 1868 was a significant battle between pro-Imperial and Tokugawa shogunate forces. The province was renamed Kōfu Prefecture in 1869 and then Yamanashi Prefecture in 1871. The anniversary of this event on November 20, 1872, is now celebrated as Prefectural Citizen's Day in Yamanashi.
Reader's Guide
Yamanashi Prefecture's significance lies in its unique geography and economy. As one of only eight landlocked prefectures, its central Kōfu Basin is surrounded by the Akaishi Mountains, with 27% of its total land area designated as Natural Parks. The prefecture is a top domestic producer of grapes, peaches, plums, and wine. Roughly 40% of the mineral water bottled in Japan comes from Yamanashi, mainly from around the Southern Alps, Mount Fuji, and Mitsutōge areas. It hosts the headquarters of FANUC, manufacturer of factory automation systems, in Oshino. The SCMaglev test track, a completed 42.8 km section of the planned Chūō Shinkansen, runs under mountains in the eastern part of the prefecture, with a station planned south of Kōfu. The prefecture's population peaked at roughly 890,000 around the turn of the millennium and has since declined.
Did You Know?
- The name Yamanashi Prefecture literally means 'Pear Mountain,' referring to a local Japanese cultivar of the Asian pear, Pyrus pyrifolia.
- Mount Fuji, the tallest mountain in Japan at 3,776 m, is partially located in Yamanashi Prefecture on the border with Shizuoka Prefecture.
- Yamanashi is one of only eight landlocked prefectures in Japan.
- Roughly 40% of the mineral water bottled in Japan comes from Yamanashi.
- The SCMaglev test track in Yamanashi is a completed 42.8 km section of the planned Chūō Shinkansen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Yamanashi Prefecture?
Yamanashi is a landlocked prefecture in central Honshu, Japan, sitting within the Chūbu region. It is most widely recognized as the home of Mount Fuji and as one of the nation's premier fruit-growing areas.
What are Yamanashi Prefecture's signature 'powers' or claims to fame?
Its crown jewel is Mount Fuji, which defines the prefecture's identity and draws visitors worldwide. It also ranks among Japan's top producers of grapes, peaches, and plums, and it hosts the SCMaglev test track for next-generation rail research.
Where exactly is Yamanashi Prefecture located and what is its capital?
It sits entirely inland in the Chūbu region of Honshu, bordered by neighboring prefectures with no access to the sea. Kōfu serves as both the administrative capital and the largest city.
How large is Yamanashi Prefecture in terms of area and population?
The prefecture spans roughly 4,465 square kilometers (about 1,724 sq mi). As of early 2025, its resident population stands at approximately 787,592 people.
Why does Yamanashi Prefecture matter to the broader picture of Japan?
It is culturally pivotal as the guardian of Mount Fuji, a UNESCO-recognized landmark, and economically significant through its fruit, wine, and mineral-water industries. It also plays a forward-looking role in transportation R&D via the SCMaglev test line.
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