Kofu

Kofu was Takeda Shingen's capital, and the shrine on his former stronghold grounds still honors the warlord with a spring festival in his name. Maizuru Castle Park preserves the stone walls at the city's heart, with Mount Fuji visible on clear days.

Shosenkyo Gorge, often called Japan's most beautiful ravine, carves granite cliffs and waterfalls just north of town. Kofu is also Japan's jewelry-making capital, a legacy of local crystal mining, and a bowl of thick hoto noodles finishes the day properly.