Kofu is Yamanashi's capital, sitting in a broad inland basin with mountains on nearly every horizon. On a clear day the city gives you a fine geography lesson: Mount Fuji to the south, the Southern Alps to the west, and Yatsugatake to the north.
The city is strongly tied to Takeda Shingen, the 16th-century warlord whose former residence is now Takeda Shrine. Down by the station, Maizuru Castle Park keeps the stone walls and reconstructed gates of Kofu Castle in daily use as a city park. For a more dramatic landscape, buses climb north to Shosenkyo Gorge, where cliffs, waterfalls, and autumn colour make the urban basin feel far away.
Kofu is not a polished showpiece city, and it sprawls more than walkers would like. It works best for travelers already in Yamanashi, or for anyone who wants a Tokyo side trip with a mix of samurai history, mountain scenery, wine country, and a bowl of thick hoto noodles at the end.