Cool Kofu（En）, Kofu, Kofu-shi (2026)

08/05/2026

When one thinks of Yamanashi Prefecture, where Kofu is located, Mount Fuji immediately comes to mind 🗻
At 3,776 meters, it is Japan’s tallest peak and a sacred symbol of the country; a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2013, and a popular hiking destination featured on a great many people’s bucket list.

⚠️But did you know that new climbing regulations, as well as strict requirements for what gear one should climb with, have been put in place in recent years?
With the start of the 2026 Mount Fuji climbing season rapidly approaching, here is some valuable information to remember if the iconic summit is on your radar:

🔹The official dates for the climbing season on the Yoshida trail are July 1st to September 10th. Climbing Mount Fuji outside of the official climbing season is highly perilous and strongly discouraged; the trails are not maintained, huts and first-aid stations are closed, food unavailable and the weather unpredictable (risk of extreme winds, snow, ice and avalanches).

🔹A mandatory ¥4,000 climbing fee applies to all hikers on all four official Mount Fuji trails, which goes directly to supporting trail maintenance, environmental protection, and safety services. Climbers can pay on the day or book online in advance; but be sure to reserve your slot early, as the maximum number of climbers per day is set to 4,000. Registrations are open as of April 27th.

🔹In an effort to reduce fatigue-related injuries and altitude sickness, restrictions are now in place for climbers attempting to “bullet climb” (rushing up to the summit overnight without proper rest); the Yoshida Trail 5th station gate is open from 3:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and only those with a mountain hut reservation can enter during closure hours. Mountain huts reservations typically open from early/mid-May; please refer to the official website of each facility for details.

🔹Climbing Mount Fuji requires proper gear to accomodate extreme temperature shifts and protect against cold winds. Rangers stationed at Fuji-Subaru Line Fifth Station will inspect your gear before you start climbing, and you will be turned away if you do not have (or rent) the following items:
- Hiking boots
- Rainwear (separate waterproof jacket and pants)
- Warm layers
Other recommended essential items include water, a headlamp, a hat, trekking poles, sunglasses, and high-energy snacks.

🚌For climbers starting their journey from Kofu: from Kofu Station (north or south bus terminal depending on the time), take a Fuji-Kyu bus bound for Kawaguchiko/Fujisan Sta. and alight at Kawaguchiko Station (approx. 1h20 min.). Change to a bus bound for Fuji-Subaru Line Fifth Station from bus stop number 7 (approx. 55 min.).
Fuji-Subaru Line Fifth Station is located 2300 meters above sea level; we recommend arriving early enough to spend 1 to 2 hours there for your body to adjust to the altitude before starting your ascent.

➡️Check the official Mount Fuji Climb website (https://www.fujisan-climb.jp/en/) to register your hike, and for more detailed information that will make your climb safer, more sustainable, and more memorable...
🇯🇵日本語専用ページはこちら https://www.facebook.com/coolkofu.jp
🇫🇷Page en français : https://www.facebook.com/coolkofu.fr

28/04/2026

As spring moves along, Shosenkyo Valley turns over a new leaf, revealing itself in all its lush glory! An almost unrealistic, brilliant shade of green that the Japanese refer to as "shinryoku", or "new green", only observed at this time of the year🌿

Registered as a Japan Heritage site and known as Japan's most beautiful gorge, Shosenkyo is particularly famous for its gorgeous fall colors, but presents as many stunning facets as there are seasons, making it an ideal repeat destination.
As the temperatures in the basin get warmer, now is the perfect window to escape to the valley for a refreshing stroll along the babbling water and towering cliff faces✨

➡️Catch the "Shosenkyo Spring Scenery Horoyoi Bus Tour" running until late May!
Designed to let you enjoy Kofu’s nature, food, and culture all in one, this bus tour takes you on a journey through Kofu’s craft breweries and wineries while you soak in the scenery from a double-decker open-top restaurant bus.
Reservation only; get your tickets on ykbus . net or scan the QR code on the flyer.

➡️The Cherry Blossom Festival at Kanazakura Shrine, located high up in the heart of Shosenkyo, will run throughout Golden Week until May 7th. Refer to our previous post for more information and be sure to drop by while you’re exploring the gorge!..
🇯🇵日本語専用ページはこちら https://www.facebook.com/coolkofu.jp
🇫🇷Page en français : https://www.facebook.com/coolkofu.fr

22/04/2026

Every year on April 12th, the streets of Kofu echo with the clippety-clop of horses’ hooves as a procession of samurais parades through the city to commemorate the death of a respected and beloved former feudal leader, and one of the most powerful warlords of his time—Takeda Shingen.

Each one of this year’s lucky participants found themselves in the (straw) shoes of one Shingen’s 24 esteemed generals, departing from Takeda Shrine in the morning to complete an 11-km course all around town, with actor Maekawa Yasuyuki in tow as this year’s Takeda Shingen 🐎

The procession made several stops along the way, one of which at the Community Plaza on the Koedo Kofu Hana-koji Alley, which just celebrated its 1st year opening anniversary, where the priests of Takeda Shrine held a memorial ceremony.

➡️Participants are selected by lottery, with applications accepted in February every year. Anyone regardless of nationality, age, gender or residential status can apply, so be sure to keep an eye on this page for when the call for applicants goes out again next year!..
🇯🇵日本語専用ページはこちら https://www.facebook.com/coolkofu.jp
🇫🇷Page en français : https://www.facebook.com/coolkofu.fr

15/04/2026

Next in line after the cherry blossoms is the lesser known but no less beautiful flowering dogwood ("hanamizuki")🌸

Lined with just shy of 100 trees, Kofu’s Asahi-dori shopping arcade, located a 7-min. walk from Kofu Station, is looking especially stunning and colorful at this time of the year, and will host its yearly Hanamizuki Festival this coming Saturday, April 18 from 10 to 4, with various stalls and vendors taking over the street turned pedestrian-only for the occasion.

💡Flowering dogwood is native to eastern North America and northern Mexico; its presence in Japan is a testimony of the friendship between Japan and the United States, as it was sent as a return-present in 1915 after Japan gifted Washington D.C. with thousands of cherry-blossom seedlings!..
🇯🇵日本語専用ページはこちら https://www.facebook.com/coolkofu.jp
🇫🇷Page en français : https://www.facebook.com/coolkofu.fr

10/04/2026

While cherry blossom season is over down in the Kofu basin, the trees are in peak bloom as we speak at higher altitudes; like in Kanazakura Shrine, in Shosenkyo Valley ⛩️
But one very special tree has yet to bloom; a golden sakura of the rare ukon-zakura ("turmeric cherry blossom") variety, revered as the shrine’s sacred tree and dubbed "kanazakura", as it is believed to bestow good luck on visitors’ finances.

Typically in full bloom in the later half of April, the tree is celebrated from mid-April through the collection of holidays known as "Golden Week" with a series of various performances, some hundreds of years old, some more modern!

Among the performances are the shrine’s spring rites featuring "Dai Dai Kagura" ceremonial dances, registered as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Yamanashi, as well as "Noh-sanba", a traditional dance local to the Kurobera region of Shosenkyo that has been preserved since the 14th century, and registered as Intangible Folk Cultural Heritage of Yamanashi.

Offer your prayers to the kanazakura, stock up on cherry blossom-themed charms, and enjoy the festival✨

🌸Kanazakura Shrine Cherry Blosom Festival🌸
📅When: Sat., Apr. 18 to Thur., May 7
11:00 start for the morning session, 1 for the afternoon session (in case of rain, the performances will be cancelled)

4/18 (Sat.) Kanazakura Shrine spring rites & "Daidai Kagura" (Shinto dance with flutes and drums)
4/19 (Sun.) Kanazakura Shrine spring rites & "Daidai Kagura" (Shinto dance with flutes and drums)
4/25 (Sat.) Japanese drum performance (Fujisan Kaen Taiko Preservation Society)
4/26 (Sun.) Japanese drums & dragon dance (Suwajin-daiko Preservation Society)
4/29 (Wed. / Holiday) Jazz band performance (Fuji Gakuen Junior & Senior High School)
5/2 (Sat.) Noh-sanba dance (lower Kurobera version)
5/3 (Sun.) Japanese drum performance ( Japan Aviation High School)
5/4 (Mon. / Holiday) Brass Band performance (Kofu Josai Senior high school)
5/5 (Tue. / Holiday) Brass band performance (Nirasaki Senior High School)
5/6 (Wed. / Holiday) Brass band performance (Hikawa Senior High School)
5/7 (Thur.) (Morning) Taisho-koto Performance (Next Ereki)
5/7 (Thur.) (Afternoon) Shizuka-ryu Kamimai priestess dance (Suzugami Yuki)

🚌Access: 30-min. walk from Shosenkyo Taki-Ue bus stop (Google “Shosenkyo bus timetable” for more information)...
🇯🇵日本語専用ページはこちら https://www.facebook.com/coolkofu.jp
🇫🇷Page en français : https://www.facebook.com/coolkofu.fr

02/04/2026

Today is the first day of April, and the beginning of a month packed with events here in Kofu!✨

Every year on the first Sunday of April, Kofu's Kose and Shimokajiya districts become the stage for a tradition going back centuries: "Tenzushi-no-mai", the dance of the sacred dolls.

9 life-sized dolls, each believed to be host to an ancient deity said to have come down from the heavens to save the land eons ago, are taken out of Tenzushi Shrine and paraded by priests up the road leading to the neighboring Suzunomiya Suwa Shrine, their faces covered with a red cloth.

Dolls playing musical instruments open the march, followed by "Okashima-sama", a doll wielding a sword in each hand; "Ohime-sama", the princess doll, clad in a vibrant red kimono; and finally "Oni-sama", the demon doll, dressed in white robes.
Once in Suzunomiya Suwa Shrine, the puppeteers unveil the doll’s faces and bring each one of them to life inside of a curtained enclosure as they perform a mystical ballet.
The performance ends with Okashima-sama throwing small wooden swords at the audience, bestowing good fortune on those who manage to catch one.

As the oldest puppet shows in the country, Tenzushi-no-mai is registered as an important intangible folk cultural property of Japan, and continues to be performed to this day thanks to the dedication of the Tenzushi-no-mai Preservation Society.

➡️After the dance, you may want to drop by Kose Sports Park nearby for the last day of its Sakura Festival and cherry blossom light-up! Though note that the cherry blossoms will likely be past their peak.

📅Sunday, April 5, 2026*
11:45～ Rituals at Tenzushi Shrine
12:30～ The procession heads for Suzunomiya Suwa Shrine
13:00～ Tenzushi-no-mai performance at Suzunomiya Suwa Shrine
13:30～ The procession returns to Tenzushi Shrine
*The event will be cancelled in case of rain, as the dolls risk getting damaged

🚌How to get there: take the 10:24 bus bound for Kose Sports Park from Kofu station (bus number 70, south bus rotary), arriving at 10:52. Walk 10 min. to Tenzushi Shrine.
Bus back to Kofu station at 17:51 from Kose Sports Park, or from Shimokajiya 下鍛冶屋 bus stop at 14:13, 16:38, 17:34, 17:54, 18:18, and 18:25...
🇯🇵日本語専用ページはこちら https://www.facebook.com/coolkofu.jp
🇫🇷Page en français : https://www.facebook.com/coolkofu.fr

25/03/2026

Shingen-ko Festival, officially the largest gathering of samurais in the world, returns for a 52nd edition on April 3-5 in Kofu🎉

The festival celebrates the accomplishments and legacy of Takeda Shingen, one of the most famous military leaders of feudal Japan, and features in-costume ceremonies & battle reenactements, fireworks, and music & dance performances.
Its biggest highlight, the “Koshu Battalion Deployment Parade”, reenacts Shingen’s troops leaving for one of the famous Battles of Kawanakajima against his biggest rival, Uesugi Kenshin, and features over 1,000 participants in full samurai gear on foot and horseback in what has been recognized by the Guinness World Book of Records as the world’s biggest samurai parade!

➡️Following actress & supermodel Tominaga Ai in 2023 and former Takarazuka R***e actress Shibuki Jun in 2025, this 52nd edition will see Takeda Shingen played by kabuki actor Uchikawa Udanji, in the festival's first-ever father-son duo with his young son Uchikawa Ukon in the role of Yamamoto Kansuke, Shingen's right-hang general.

Plan your outing with the event information below, and enjoy this once-a-year opportunity to relive the feudal days of Yamanashi✨

📅Friday, April 3, 2026
17:00-20:00 Festival stalls (📍Maizuru Castle Park Yuki Bridge, Maizuru Castle Park, Kofu Kameyaza Theater Area)
From 19:00 Shinmei-no-Hanabi Fireworks (📍Maizuru Castle Park)

📅Saturday, April 4, 2026
10:00-20:00 Festival stalls (📍Maizuru Castle Park Yuki Bridge, Maizuru Castle Park, Kofu Kameyaza Theater Area)
10:00-20:00 Fu-Rin-Ka-Zan plaza (📍Maizuru Castle Park south lawn & Kajikuruwa-mon Gate)
10:00-20:00 Bacon booths (📍Maizuru Castle Park south lawn)
10:00-14:15 Super Fu-Rin-Ka-Zan Performance Contest (📍Maizuru Castle Park stage)
10:30-15:45 Ninja show & Ninja experience (📍Maizuru Castle Park south lawn)
13:15-13:35 Victory Prayer ceremony (📍Takeda Shrine)
15:00-15:40 Portable shrine procession (📍Heiwa-dori Avenue)
From 15:00 Koshu Troops depart from their encampment (📍various locations throughout the city (Kofu City Hall, etc.) before converging on Maizuru Castle Park from 15:15)
15:45-16:45 Mass-dance performance (📍Joto-dori Avenue (Kofu City Hall~Yamanashi Chuo Bank))
16:00-16:30 Koshu Battalion Deployment Ceremony (📍Maizuru Castle Park stage)
16:10-16:20 Cavalry parade (📍Heiwa-dori Avenue)
From 16:30 Koshu Battalion Parade (Maizuru Castle Park / Heiwa-dori Avenue / Joto-dori / Kobaikita-dori / Kofu station south side pedestrian crossing)
18:40-19:00 Triumphant Return Ceremony (📍Maizuru Castle Park stage)

📅Sunday, April 5, 2026
9:00-11:30 Kendo battles (📍Maizuru Castle Park stage & Jiyu-hiroba Plaza)
10:00-16:00 Festival stalls (📍Maizuru Castle Park Yuki Bridge, Maizuru Castle Park, Kofu Kameyaza Theater Area)
10:00-20:00 Fu-Rin-Ka-Zan plaza (📍Maizuru Castle Park south lawn & Kajikuruwa-mon Gate)
10:00-16:00 Bacon booths (📍Maizuru Castle Park south lawn)
12:00-14:00 Children's Samurai Parade (📍Maizuru Castle Park stage & surrounding area)
12:45-13:45 Giant calligraphy performance (📍Maizuru Castle Park stage)

⚠️To see the Battalion Deployment ceremony and Koshu Battalion Parade up close, we recommend purchasing tickets for the reserved seating area, available on KKday (Google "KKday Shingen Festival viewing ticket")...
🇯🇵日本語専用ページはこちら https://www.facebook.com/coolkofu.jp
🇫🇷Page en français : https://www.facebook.com/coolkofu.fr

19/03/2026

Spring is almost upon us!
Soon, all of Kofu will be covered in ethereally beautiful, pale-pink cherry blossoms🌸
Below are some of our top recommended spots in the city and their respective current blooming situation as of today; sakura are quick to bloom and even quicker to drop, so be sure not to miss your window!

🌸Maizuru Castle Park
North side (lawn patch by the the Inari-yagura turret): in full bloom as we speak (early-blooming sakura)
Entire south side + Hydrangea square below the turret (📸1️⃣): 10 to 20% in bloom

🌸Kugawa River promenade (📸2️⃣)
Early-blooming trees on the first 500-meter stretch between Kugawa Bridge and Alps-dori Avenue are in full bloom. On the larger portion of the promenade further up the river, buds are just starting to open.

🌸Kose Sports Park (📸3️⃣)
Buds are starting to open (10% bloom).

🌸Kanazakura Shrine (located at a higher altitude in Shosenkyo Valley) (📸4️⃣)
Still buds, expected to start blooming in late March/early April.

🌸Takeda-dori Avenue & Takeda Shrine (📸5️⃣)
Buds are just starting to open.

*All pictures in this post are from previous years⚠️..
🇯🇵日本語専用ページはこちら https://www.facebook.com/coolkofu.jp
🇫🇷Page en français : https://www.facebook.com/coolkofu.fr

17/03/2026

On March 16, the local weather observatory announced the official start of Kofu's cherry blossom season!
The buds are starting to open up ("kaika") a whopping 10 days earlier than average this year, making this Kofu's earliest-ever sakura season.
If the warm weather persists, we can expect the trees to reach full bloom ("mankai") in about 7 to 10 days 🌸

In the meantime, for a little preview of what the season has to offer, be on the lookout for early-blooming varieties scattered throughout the city, which are reaching full bloom already; notably by the bronze statue of Takeda Shingen next to Kofu Station (📸1️⃣), and the north side of Maizuru Castle Park by the Inari-yagura turret (📸2️⃣).
The 2km long sakura-covered promenade along the Kugawa River is also lined with hundreds of these early-bloomers over its first 490-meter stretch (📸3️⃣4️⃣5️⃣), their buds steadily getting bigger as we speak.

Stay tuned for more information very soon about other cherry blossom viewing spots in Kofu✨

*All pictures in this post are from previous years⚠️..
🇯🇵日本語専用ページはこちら https://www.facebook.com/coolkofu.jp
🇫🇷Page en français : https://www.facebook.com/coolkofu.fr

13/03/2026

Walking through the streets of Kofu, you may spot a recurring bird motif; that of the kingfisher, the official bird of Kofu City!

This small bird with dazzling contrasting colors and a long, pointed beak is known as "kawasemi" in Japanese, and nicnkamed "sora tobu hōseki", meaning "flying gemstone". A most fitting symbol for Kofu, historically known as Japan’s "City of Gems"💎

True to their name, kingfishers are master fishers that live near rivers, lakes, ponds—any habitat with small fish, which they swoop down to catch with pinpoint accuracy.
Here in Kofu, you might spot their elusive flash of blue and orange along Arakawa River, the moats of Takeda Shrine, and the pond at Yuki Park; but your best chance as of recently would be to look for them from the promenade by Kugawa, a narrow river with abundant trees and hiding spots that makes for a popular birdwatching spot.

Kingfishers are highly territorial birds, with typically only one bird per territory; but during breeding season from spring to summer, you can sometimes spot pairs or families of them. And in fact, there is now a female alongside the one male kingfisher that is often spotted by Kugawa River!
To tell males and females apart, simply look at their beak; a male’s beak is entirely black, while the female's is black on top and orange underneath💡

The pair in these photos seems to inhabit the first stretch of the Kugawa River promenade, between Kugawa Bridge and Alps-dori Avenue; which also happens to be a beautiful cherry blossom viewing spot🌸
So when you go see the flowers during peak bloom (expected during the later half of March), be sure to try to spot the kingfishers too!..
🇯🇵日本語専用ページはこちら https://www.facebook.com/coolkofu.jp
🇫🇷Page en français : https://www.facebook.com/coolkofu.fr

11/03/2026

Last week on March 3rd, Japan celebrated "Hina-matsuri"!
Or rather, *almost* all of Japan did.
Here in Yamanashi Prefecture, this cherished tradition of celebrating the health and happiness of young girls is observed on April 3rd, in keeping with an old local custom that had Hina-matsuri pushed back to avoid the busy silk production season and coincide with the full bloom of the peach blossoms💡 (typically in early/mid-April)

And so for an authentic feel of this century-old celebration, we recommend paying a visit to Kofu’s neighboring city of Koshu, known for its beautiful fields of peach blossoms.
Just outside of JR Enzan Station sits the Kanzo Yashiki House, a mansion built in the early 19th century that once belonged to the wealthy Takano family, who made a fortune growing licorice to use in Chinese medicine, hence the mansion’s name ("Licorice House").
As a well-preserved period building, the house can be visited in exchange for a small fee, and is the main venue for Koshu’s "Hina Doll Decoration and Peach Blossom Festival" held from February to mid-April every year!

Come marvel at the extravagant displays of rare traditional dolls from different time periods from Edo (1603-1868) to Taisho (1912-1924), some of them housed in rare "goten-kazari" (decorative buildings modeled after the imperial palace), and take in the hundreds of colorful "tsurushi-kazari" hanging from the ceiling—small ornaments made from scraps of fabric in the shape of auspicious motifs such as peaches, monkeys, owls and fish💡

➡️The Kanzo Yashiki House will host a traditional koto and shakuhachi flute performance on Thursday, March 19 from 17:00. If you are interested, please sign up via the form linked on this page: https://www.city.koshu.yamanashi.jp/docs/2026010800025/

🔸Exhibition period: Wed., February 11 to Fri., April 18, 2026
🔸Venue: Kanzo Yashiki House (1651-15 Enzankamiozo, Koshu, Yamanashi)
🔸Entry fee: Adults ¥310, children ¥200
🔸How to get there: Take the train on the JR Chuo Line from Kofu Station for 19 minutes and alight at Enzan Station. Walk 2 minutes to Kanzo Yashiki House...
🇯🇵日本語専用ページはこちら https://www.facebook.com/coolkofu.jp
🇫🇷Page en français : https://www.facebook.com/coolkofu.fr
Official tourism website: https://kofu-tourism.com/en

Cool Kofu（En）