Yamanashi: Historical Sites You Should Visit

This prominent park and historical sightseeing place in Kōfu city holds the ruins of Kōfu Castle. It is also known as Maizuru Castle, and is about 400 years old. With an area of 20 hectares, the park is a beautiful place for people in Yamanashi to relax leisurely and at the same time immerse in the the historical ambience of the castle.

ADDRESS: 1 Chome-5 Marunouchi, Kōfu City, Yamanashi Prefecture
ADMISSION FEE: FREE

A 5,000 kg (5 tons) of warlord bronze statue with a height of 3.1 meters was built in front of Kofu station on 12 April 1969 (the anniversary of Lord Shingen’s death). The base is mainly made of granite and the whole statue was sculpted by Torahiko Miyaji. The place of construction was originally set at the south side of Kofu Station Building but relocated to the current location (west side of Kofu Station Building) in November, 1985 due to the maintenance of Kofu Station during that time. A great structure to see if you are touring Kofu city.

ADDRESS: Marunouchi, Kōfu City, Yamanashi Prefecture
ADMISSION FEE: FREE

This remarkable temple in Kōfu city built by Lord Shingen can be traced back to the battles of Kawanakajima during which Lord Shingen, fearing that Shinano Zenko-ji Temple might be destroyed by fire, transferred all the Buddhist treasures (especially the statues and sutras that included the main deity Zenkoji Nyorai from Shinano Zenko-ji) to its new temple. The temple, built in 1558, houses the largest wooden structures in Eastern Japan that symbolizes as significant treasures in the Japanese culture. The preservation initiated by Lord Shingen continues until today.

ADDRESS: 3 Chome-36-1 Zenkoji, Kofu-city, Yamanashi Prefecture
OPENING HOURS: 9:00 – 16:30
ADMISSION FEE: Adult ¥500, Child ¥250

A Shinto shrine dedicated to the lord of Takeda Shingen marks 12 April (Shingen’s death anniversary) as a day of remembrance for the great lord Shingen annually. It was established in 1919 at the site of Tsutsujigasaki Yakata which is also known as Azalea Cape Castle. A museum was built on the shrine’s grounds to display Takeda Shingen’s armor, weapons, battle standards, and personal effects, to name a few. An amazing place to explore the true history of Yamanashi.

ADDRESS: 2611 Kofuchūmachi, Kōfu City, Yamanashi Prefecture
OPENING HOURS: 9:00 – 16:00
ADMISSION FEE: FREE