Chureito Pagoda
The classic Mt. Fuji-with-pagoda shot in cherry-blossom season — the most-photographed view of Fuji in Japan.
Open in Maps ↗Prefecture profile · 都道府県
Yamanashi 山梨県
Japan's wine country, the home of Shingen Takeda's samurai legacy, and the prefecture with the most-photographed view of Mt. Fuji — the Chureito Pagoda above the Fuji Five Lakes. Peaches, grapes, mineral water, and a quietly booming precision-machinery sector round out a small but distinctive economy.
Capital
Kofu
Population
800,000
Area
4,465 km²
Region
Chūbu
History
Kai Province (modern Yamanashi) was Takeda Shingen's domain in the 16th century; the 'Tiger of Kai' built Japan's most-feared cavalry force and engineered the Shingen-zutsumi flood-control dikes that still control the Fuji River today.
Modern Japanese wine was invented in Yamanashi in 1874 when two young samurai sons studied in Bordeaux and brought back vines; Yamanashi's Kōshū grape (its own native variety) was made the country's first OIV-recognized cultivar in 2010.
Postwar Yamanashi's identity has been split between agriculture (peaches, grapes), water (Suntory and Asahi both bottle Mt. Fuji groundwater here), and a precision-machinery cluster around Kofu — Faro, Fanuc-affiliated robotics, and the medical-device industry.
Economy & business
Yamanashi's prefectural GDP is around ¥3.6 trillion (US$24 billion). Fruit (Japan's #1 producer of grapes, peaches, and plums), wine (94 wineries — Japan's most concentrated wine region), bottled water (Suntory Hakushū and Asahi Mt. Fuji), and an unusual cluster of precision-machinery and medical-device firms.
Key industries
Fruit & wine
Japan's #1 producer of grapes, peaches, and plums; 94 wineries make Yamanashi the country's premier wine region.
Bottled water
Suntory Hakushū (also Suntory's premium whisky distillery), Asahi Mt. Fuji, and a half-dozen smaller bottlers tap Mt. Fuji groundwater.
Precision machinery & robotics
Fanuc's Yamanashi headquarters complex in Oshino (the entire town is essentially company-owned); Faro Technologies, Hitachi GST.
Jewelry & gem cutting
Kofu produces ~33% of Japan's jewelry by value — a heritage of Edo-era crystal cutting that pivoted to imported gemstone setting in the 20th century.
Tourism
Mt. Fuji Five Lakes (Kawaguchiko, Yamanakako etc.), Chureito Pagoda, Shosenkyo gorge, Takeda Shrine in Kofu.
Notable companies
Fanuc (Oshino HQ)Suntory HakushūAsahi Mt. FujiYamanashi Chuo BankSapporo Wines (Grace Wine)Kofu Jewelry Co-op
Trade partners
ChinaUnited StatesSouth KoreaTaiwanFrance
Tourism highlights
Lake Kawaguchi
Largest of the Fuji Five Lakes, with ryokan, the Kachi-Kachi ropeway, and a perfect reflection of Mt. Fuji on still mornings.
Open in Maps ↗Shosenkyo gorge
Granite gorge north of Kofu; cited in lists of Japan's most beautiful valleys. Best in autumn.
Open in Maps ↗Katsunuma wineries
Japan's premier wine valley; 30+ wineries within walking distance, including the historic Marquis Winery.
Open in Maps ↗Takeda Shrine (Kofu)
Built on Shingen Takeda's former residence in 1919; the cherry trees were planted to celebrate the rebuilding.
Open in Maps ↗Mt. Fuji ascent (north side)
Yoshida Trail from Yamanashi side — the most-walked Mt. Fuji route in summer.
Open in Maps ↗Did you know
Modern Japanese wine was born in Yamanashi — two young Kai samurai sons studied viticulture in Bordeaux in the early 1870s and returned to plant Yamanashi's first commercial vineyards.
The Suntory Hakushū whisky distillery in Hokuto City uses Mt. Fuji's groundwater (filtered through volcanic ash over hundreds of years) and consistently wins more World Whiskies Awards than any other Japanese distillery.
Kofu's jewelry trade traces back to the Edo era when local craftsmen cut crystal (from Mt. Mitsumine quarries) for tea-ceremony water beads; the same skills pivoted to imported diamonds and rubies in the early 20th century, and today Kofu accounts for ~33% of Japan's jewelry production by value.
About Yamanashi — Frequently asked
What is the capital of Yamanashi?
The capital of Yamanashi is Kofu.
What region of Japan is Yamanashi in?
Yamanashi is part of the Chūbu region of Japan.
What are Yamanashi's main industries?
Yamanashi's key industries include Fruit & wine, Bottled water, Precision machinery & robotics, Jewelry & gem cutting.
What are the top tourist attractions in Yamanashi?
Top attractions in Yamanashi include Chureito Pagoda, Lake Kawaguchi, Shosenkyo gorge, Katsunuma wineries.
What major companies are based in Yamanashi?
Notable companies headquartered in Yamanashi include Fanuc (Oshino HQ), Suntory Hakushū, Asahi Mt. Fuji, Yamanashi Chuo Bank, Sapporo Wines (Grace Wine).
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