Editing Yamanashi Prefecture

{{Short description|Prefecture of Japan}}
{{Redirect|Yamanashi, Japan|the city|Yamanashi, Yamanashi}}
{{Distinguish|Yamagata Prefecture|Yamaguchi Prefecture}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->| name               = Yamanashi Prefecture
| native_name        = {{nobold|{{lang|ja|山梨県}}}}
| settlement_type    = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]
| translit_lang1     = Japanese
| translit_lang1_type = [[Japanese language|Japanese]]
| translit_lang1_info = {{lang|ja|山梨県}}
| translit_lang1_type1 = [[Romanization of Japanese|Rōmaji]]
| translit_lang1_info1 = {{lang|ja-Latn|Yamanashi-ken}}
| image_skyline      = Lake Kawaguchiko Sakura Mount Fuji 3.JPG
| image_caption      = [[Lake Kawaguchi]], one of the [[Fuji Five Lakes]] in Yamanashi Prefecture, at the foot of [[Mount Fuji]]
| image_flag         = Flag of Yamanashi Prefecture.svg
| flag_size          = 100px
| image_blank_emblem = Symbol of Yamanashi Prefecture.svg
| blank_emblem_size  = 80px
| blank_emblem_type  = Symbol
| image_map          = Map of Japan with highlight on 19 Yamanashi prefecture.svg
| coordinates        = 
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|Japan}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[List of regions of Japan|Region]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Chūbu region|Chūbu]] ([[Kōshin'etsu region|Kōshin'etsu]]) ([[Tōkai region|Tōkai]])
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of islands of Japan|Island]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Honshu]]
| seat_type          = [[List of capitals in Japan|Capital]]
| seat               = [[Kōfu]]
| parts_type         = Subdivisions
| parts_style        = para
| p1                 = [[Districts of Japan|Districts]]: 5
| p2                 = [[Municipalities of Japan|Municipalities]]: 27
| leader_title       = [[List of prefectural governors in Japan|Governor]]
| leader_name        = [[Kotaro Nagasaki]] (from February 2019)
| area_total_km2     = 4,465.27
| area_water_percent = 1.3
| area_rank          = [[List of Japanese prefectures by area|32nd]]
| elevation_max_m    = 3778
| elevation_max_point = [[Mount Fuji]]
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 787,592
| population_as_of   = February 1, 2025
| population_rank    = [[List of Japanese prefectures by population|41st]]
| population_density_km2 = 176
| demographics_type2              = GDP 
| demographics2_footnotes         = <ref>{{Cite web |title=2020年度国民経済計算（2015年基準・2008SNA） : 経済社会総合研究所 - 内閣府 |url=https://www.esri.cao.go.jp/jp/sna/data/data_list/kakuhou/files/2020/2020_kaku_top.html |access-date=2023-05-18 |website=内閣府ホームページ |language=ja}}</ref>
| demographics2_title1            = Total
| demographics2_info1   = [[JP¥]] 3,566 billion<br />[[US$]] 32.7 billion (2019)
| iso_code           = JP-19
| website            = {{URL|http://www.pref.yamanashi.jp/}}
| module             = {{Infobox place symbols| embedded=yes
| country  = Japan
| bird     = Uguisu ([[Japanese bush warbler|bush warbler]])
| fish     = 
| flower   = Fujizakura ([[Prunus incisa|Fuji cherry]])
| tree     = Kaede ([[Japanese maple]])
}}
| population_blank1_title = Dialects
| population_blank1  = Gun'nai・Koshu・[[Narada dialect|Narada]]
| anthem             = [[:ja:山梨県の歌|Yamanashi-ken no uta]]
}}

{{Nihongo|'''Yamanashi Prefecture'''|山梨県|Yamanashi-ken{{efn|{{IPA|ja|ja.maꜜ.na.ɕi, ja.ma.na.ɕi̥ꜜ.keɴ, ja.ma.naꜜ.ɕi̥.keɴ}}<ref>{{cite book|script-title=ja:NHK日本語発音アクセント新辞典|publisher=NHK Publishing|editor=NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute|date=24 May 2016|lang=ja}}</ref>}}}} is a [[Prefectures of Japan|prefecture]] of [[Japan]] located in the [[Chūbu region]] of [[Honshu]].<ref>Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Yamanashi-ken" in {{Google books|p2QnPijAEmEC|''Japan Encyclopedia'', p. 1044|page=1044}}; "Chūbu" in {{Google books|p2QnPijAEmEC|p. 126|page=126}}</ref> Yamanashi Prefecture has a population of 787,592 (1 February 2025) and has a geographic area of 4,465 [[Square kilometre|km<sup>2</sup>]] (1,724 [[sq mi]]). Yamanashi Prefecture borders [[Saitama Prefecture]] to the northeast, [[Nagano Prefecture]] to the northwest, [[Shizuoka Prefecture]] to the southwest, [[Kanagawa Prefecture]] to the southeast, and [[Tokyo]] to the east.

[[Kōfu]] is the capital and largest city of Yamanashi Prefecture, with other major cities including [[Kai, Yamanashi|Kai]], [[Minamiarupusu]], and [[Fuefuki]].<ref>[http://www.city.kofu.yamanashi.jp/contents/  甲府市]; [http://www.city.kofu.yamanashi.jp/english/intro/intro.htm Introduction of Kofu City]; retrieved 2011-07-13</ref> Yamanashi Prefecture is one of only eight [[landlocked]] prefectures, and the majority of the population lives in the central Kōfu Basin surrounded by the [[Akaishi Mountains]], with 27% of its total land area being designated as [[List of national parks of Japan|Natural Parks]]. Yamanashi Prefecture is home to many of the [[List of mountains and hills of Japan by height|highest mountains in Japan]], and [[Mount Fuji]], the tallest mountain in Japan and [[cultural icon]] of the country, is partially located in Yamanashi Prefecture on the border with Shizuoka Prefecture.

[[File:Mt.Fuji from misaka pass 4.jpg|thumb|360px|[[Mount Fuji]] from the Misaka Pass, Yamanashi]]

== Etymology ==
The name Yamanashi Prefecture literally means Pear Mountain. [[Pyrus pyrifolia var. culta|Nashi]] specifically refers to a local Japanese [[cultivar]] of the [[Asian pear]], ''[[Pyrus pyrifolia]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pyrus pyrifolia var. culta - Nashi Tree {{!}} FLORA TOSKANA |url=https://www.flora-toskana.com/en/exotic-fruit-plants/542-pyrus-pyrifolia-culta-nashi-birne-asienbirne-asiatische-apfelbirne.html |access-date=2023-06-30 |website=Flora Toskana GmbH |language=en}}</ref>

== History ==
{{See also|Historic Sites of Yamanashi Prefecture}}

===Pre-history to the 14th century===
As in most other Japanese regions, prehistoric society in Yamanashi progressed through the hunting, fishing and gathering stage of the [[Jōmon period]], then the rice-producing stage of the [[Yayoi period]] and subsequent village and regional formation. The Maruyama and Choshizuka [[Kofun]] (earthen burial mounds) located on Sone Hill of Nakamichi Town (Southern [[Kōfu]]) are believed to have been built from the end of the 4th century. From these remains it can be assumed that the people of Sone Hill had great influence.

During the [[Heian period]], [[Kai Province]] was created in this area.<ref name="nussbaum448">Nussbaum, "Provinces and prefectures" at {{Google books|p2QnPijAEmEC|p. 780|page=780}}</ref>

===15th to 19th centuries===
Among the many Kaigenji generations, those of the [[Takeda family|Takeda]], Ogasawara, and Nanbu families were particularly prosperous. During the [[Sengoku period]] of the 16th century, [[Takeda Shingen]] attained the status of [[daimyō]] and built Tsuzuji Mansion and the Yōgai Castle in Kōfu. From this base, he attempted to unify and control Japan.

After Takeda's death in 1582, Kai-no-Kuni came under the control of the [[Oda clan|Oda]] and [[Toyotomi]] clans before being subsumed into the [[Tokugawa shogunate]] during the [[Edo period]]. Beneath the Edo shogunate, the Kōfu clan (based in Kuninaka, or Central and Western Yamanashi) and the Yamura clan (based in Gunnai, or Eastern Yamanashi) were formed, but in 1724 the area came under the direct control of the Shogunate. With the development of the [[Japan National Route 20|Kōshū Kaidō]] (highway) and [[Fuji River]] transport, goods, materials and culture flowed into the region.

By the mid-19th century, the contradictions of military government and clan system caused stability to erode and resistance to erupt across Japan, paving the way for the [[Meiji Restoration]] of 1868.

===Meiji Restoration (1868)  to end of World War II (1945)===
[[File:Shosenkyo-Waterfall.jpg|thumb|220px|Autumn at [[Senga Falls]], North of Kōfu]]

During the [[Boshin War]], the [[Battle of Kōshū-Katsunuma]] on the 29 March 1868 was a significant battle between pro-Imperial and Tokugawa shogunate forces immediately prior to the Imperial Forces march on [[Edo Castle]]. Preceding the Kōshū-Katsunuma battle, Kōfu Castle had been captured by troops loyal to the [[Emperor Meiji]].

The province was renamed [[Kōfu Prefecture]] in 1869 and then Yamanashi Prefecture in 1871.<ref name="nussbaum448"/> The anniversary of this event on November 20, 1872, is now celebrated as Prefectural Citizen's Day in Yamanashi.

In the early part of the [[Meiji period]] (1868–1911), industrial promotion policies furthered [[sericulture]], silk [[textile]] production and [[wine making]] industries. In 1903, after seven years of construction, including the building of a nearly three mile long tunnel at the Sasago Pass, the [[Chūō Main Line|Chūō Railway Line]] from [[Hachiōji, Tokyo|Hachiōji]] and central [[Tokyo]] finally reached [[Kōfu, Yamanashi|Kōfu]]. The reduced journey times to the capital and the port of Yokohama brought significant change to local industry and culture.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Ericson|first1=Steven|title=The Sound of the Whistle: Railroads and the State in Meiji Japan|date=1996|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=0-674-82167-X|page=46}}</ref>

Agricultural production in farming communities was still on a small scale at the turn of the century and land reforms had yet to be introduced.  From the 1920s however, tenancy and contract disputes between landowners and farmers in Yamanashi grew increasingly common.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Smethurst|first1=Andrew|title=Agricultural Development and Tenancy Disputes in Japan, 1870-1940|date=1986|publisher=Princeton University Press|location=Princeton, New Jersey|isbn=0-691-05468-1|page=367}}</ref>

In 1926, the [[Minobu Line|Minobu Railway Line]] connecting Kōfu with [[Shizuoka Prefecture]] opened, bringing an end to Fuji River transportation.  The [[Koumi Line]] connecting [[Kobuchizawa]] to [[Kiyosato, Yamanashi|Kiyosato]] was opened by [[Japanese National Railways]] (JNR) in 1933, providing access to hitherto remote highland areas on the slopes of Mt. [[Yatsugatake]] in the North of the prefecture.

===1945 to present===
[[File:Katsunuma 5.jpg|thumb|Vineyards in [[Kōshū, Yamanashi]]]]The capital city, [[Kōfu, Yamanashi|Kōfu]], suffered extensive damage during a [[Bombing of Kofu in World War II|major air raid]] on the night of 6 July 1945.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Ijiri|first1=Toshiyuki|title=Paul Rusch|date=1991|publisher=Forward Movement Publications|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|page=167}}</ref> From 1945 onwards, as part of economic initiatives introduced under the [[Occupation of Japan|post war Government of Occupation]], agricultural land reforms significantly increased the number of individual farms and promoted fruit farming and [[viticulture]] throughout the prefecture. At first with limited success in 1946, but on a much more sustained basis in 1951, dairy farming, introduced by American [[Paul Rusch]], became a feature of highland pastures surrounding the town of [[Kiyosato, Yamanashi|Kiyosato]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ishiguro|first1=Kana|title=There's cows in them there hills|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2002/12/08/general/theres-cows-in-them-there-hills/#.VEslyWIaySM|access-date=25 October 2014|publisher=Japan Times|date=December 8, 2002}}</ref>

Small scale manufacturing industries and commerce grew at rapid speed during the expansion of the post-war Japanese economy.  The 1982 opening of the [[Chūō Expressway]] also led to significant growth in service industries, transport logistics and tourism.

In common with many similar sized cities during the 1990s, rapid growth in car ownership, out of town shopping, and improved transportation links to Tokyo, caused a drop in commercial activity and land values in the center of the prefectural capital [[Kōfu]]. To counterbalance this trend the prefectural government launched a city center revitalization plan in 2008, promoting downtown tourist attractions such as redeveloped land North of Kōfu station, [[Maizuru Castle Park]] and new residential, cultural and government office facilities.

[[File:JR-Maglev-MLX01-2.jpg|thumb|left|MLX01 maglev train at the Yamanashi test track]]Planned changes in transportation infrastructure also promise to significantly impact the Yamanashi economy in the coming decades; under mountains in the eastern part of the prefecture is a completed 42.8&nbsp;km section of the [[SCMaglev]] test track, a section of the planned [[Chūō Shinkansen]].

The [[Magnetic levitation train|maglev]] line is designed to ultimately connect [[Tokyo]], [[Nagoya]], and [[Osaka]] with a station also planned to the South of [[Kōfu, Yamanashi|Kōfu]].<ref name="keikaku">{{cite web|title=中央新幹線（東京都・名古屋市間）計画段階環境配慮書の公表について|url=http://company.jr-central.co.jp/company/others/_pdf/info_25.pdf|publisher=[[Central Japan Railway Company]]|access-date=8 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613035129/http://company.jr-central.co.jp/company/others/_pdf/info_25.pdf|archive-date=13 June 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Central Government permission to proceed with an extension to the existing test track was granted on May 27, 2011.  At the end of 2013 construction was already well advanced as far as [[Fuefuki]].

JR Central is considering opening a demonstration service from a new station in [[Kōfu, Yamanashi|Kōfu]] by the [[2020 Summer Olympics]] so that visitors can also ride on the experimental track through the Yamanashi mountains.<ref>{{cite news |title=リニア山梨県駅、東京五輪前に 体験乗車に道 ＪＲ東海が検討 |date=14 January 2014 |url=http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASDD1301M_T10C14A1TJC000/?dg=1|work=日本経済新聞| access-date = 14 January 2014}}</ref>

== Geography ==
Yamanashi Prefecture is bordered by [[Tokyo]], [[Kanagawa Prefecture]], [[Saitama Prefecture]], [[Shizuoka Prefecture]], and [[Nagano Prefecture]]. The prefecture is landlocked, with high mountains surrounding the central Kōfu Basin. [[Mount Fuji]] and the [[Fuji Five Lakes]] region is located on the southern border with Shizuoka. Mount Fuji provides [[rain shadow]] effects, and as a result, the prefecture receives only about 818&nbsp;mm of rainfall a year.{{stack|
[[File:Yamanashi-Pref-Office2007.JPG|thumb|Prefectural Office]]
[[File:Map of Yamanashi Prefecture Ja.svg|thumb|Map of Yamanashi Prefecture<br />{{legend0|#EAB|City}} {{legend0|#ED9|Town}} {{legend0|#BFE|Village}}]]
[[File:1001 Koufu downtown.jpg|thumb|Kōfu Basin, Kōfu City and view of Mt. Fuji]]
[[File:Mount Kita from Mount Nakashirane 2001-10-03.JPG|thumb|[[Mount Kita]], Yamanashi, Japan's Second Highest Peak]]
[[File:Yatsugatake-Kogen-Higashizawa-Bridge.jpg|thumb|Yatsugatake-Kogen Higashizawa Bridge near [[Kiyosato, Yamanashi|Kiyosato]]]]
}}As of April 1, 2012, 27% of the total land area of the prefecture was designated as [[List of national parks of Japan#History|Natural Parks]], namely the [[Chichibu Tama Kai National Park|Chichibu Tama Kai]], [[Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park|Fuji-Hakone-Izu]], and [[Minami Alps National Park|Minami Alps]] National Parks; [[Yatsugatake-Chūshin Kōgen Quasi-National Park]]; and [[Minami Alps Koma Prefectural Natural Park|Minami Alps Koma]] and [[Shibireko Prefectural Natural Park|Shibireko]] Prefectural Natural Parks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.env.go.jp/en/nature/nps/park/doc/files/np_6.pdf |title=General overview of area figures for Natural Parks by prefecture |publisher=[[Ministry of the Environment (Japan)|Ministry of the Environment]] |access-date=25 April 2012}}</ref>

78% of the prefecture is covered by forests, making it one of the most densely wooded prefectures in Japan. Land cultivated for agriculture is mainly restricted to the lower elevations of the Kōfu basin.<ref>{{cite web|title=2008 Yamanashi Ken no Aramashi|url=http://www.pref.yamanashi.jp/english/profile/documents/2008yamanashifactsandfigures.pdf|website=Yamanashi Prefecture|publisher=Yamanashi Prefectural Government|access-date=1 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924081143/http://www.pref.yamanashi.jp/english/profile/documents/2008yamanashifactsandfigures.pdf|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

===Cities===
{{See also|List of cities in Yamanashi Prefecture by population}}
Thirteen cities are located in Yamanashi Prefecture:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! colspan="2" |Name
! rowspan="2" |Area (km<sup>2</sup>)
! rowspan="2" |Population
! rowspan="2" |Map
|-
![[Romanization of Japanese|Rōmaji]]
![[Kanji]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Chuo Yamanashi.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Chūō, Yamanashi|Chūō]]
|中央市
|31.69
|30,835
|[[File:Chuo in Yamanashi Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|52x52px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Fuefuki, Yamanashi.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Fuefuki]]
|笛吹市
|201.92
|69,463
|[[File:Fuefuki in Yamanashi Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|52x52px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Fujiyoshida]]
|富士吉田市
|121.74
|48,782
|[[File:Fujiyoshida in Yamanashi Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|52x52px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Hokuto, Yamanashi.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Hokuto, Yamanashi|Hokuto]]
|北杜市
|602.48
|46,888
|[[File:Hokuto in Yamanashi Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|52x52px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Kai, Yamanashi.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Kai, Yamanashi|Kai]]
|甲斐市
|71.95
|75,706
|[[File:Kai in Yamanashi Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|52x52px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Kofu, Yamanashi.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Kōfu]] (capital)
|甲府市
|212.47
|187,985
|[[File:Kofu in Yamanashi Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|52x52px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Koshu, Yamanashi.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Kōshū, Yamanashi|Kōshū]]
|甲州市
|264.11
|31,526
|[[File:Koshu in Yamanashi Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|52x52px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Minami-Alps, Yamanashi.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Minami-Alps, Yamanashi|Minami-Alps]]
|南アルプス市
|264.14
|71,618
|[[File:Minami-alps in Yamanashi Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|52x52px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Nirasaki, Yamanashi.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Nirasaki, Yamanashi|Nirasaki]]
|韮崎市
|143.69
|29,483
|[[File:Nirasaki in Yamanashi Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|52x52px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Otsuki, Yamanashi.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Ōtsuki, Yamanashi|Ōtsuki]]
|大月市
|280.25 
|23,976
|[[File:Otsuki in Yamanashi Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|52x52px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Tsuru, Yamanashi.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Tsuru, Yamanashi|Tsuru]]
|都留市
|161.63
|30,311
|[[File:Tsuru in Yamanashi Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|52x52px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Uenohara, Yamanashi.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Uenohara]]
|上野原市
|170.57
|23,158
|[[File:Uenohara in Yamanashi Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|52x52px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Yamanashi, Yamanashi.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Yamanashi, Yamanashi|Yamanashi]]
|山梨市
|289.8
|34,738
|[[File:Yamanashi in Yamanashi Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|52x52px]]
|}

===Towns and villages===
These are the towns and villages in each [[Districts of Japan|district]]:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! colspan="2" |Name
! rowspan="2" |Area (km<sup>2</sup>)
! rowspan="2" |Population
! rowspan="2" |District
! rowspan="2" |Type
! rowspan="2" |Map
|-
![[Romanization of Japanese|Rōmaji]]
![[Kanji]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Doshi, Yamanashi.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Dōshi]]
|道志村
|79.57
|1,676
|[[Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi|Minamitsuru District]]
|Village
|[[File:Doshi in Yamanashi Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|52x52px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Fujikawa, Yamanashi.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Fujikawa, Yamanashi|Fujikawa]]
|富士川町
|111.98
|15,125
|[[Minamikoma District, Yamanashi|Minamikoma District]]
|Town
|[[File:Fujikawa in Yamanashi Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|52x52px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Fujikawaguchiko]]
|富士河口湖町
|158.4
|26,540
|[[Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi|Minamitsuru District]]
|Town
|[[File:Fujikawaguchiko in Yamanashi Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|56x56px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Hayakawa, Yamanashi.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Hayakawa, Yamanashi|Hayakawa]]
|早川町
|369.86
|994
|[[Minamikoma District, Yamanashi|Minamikoma District]]
|Town
|[[File:Hayakawa in Yamanashi Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|52x52px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Ichikawamisato, Yamanashi.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Ichikawamisato]]
|市川三郷町
|75.18
|15,799
|[[Nishiyatsushiro District, Yamanashi|Nishiyatsushiro District]]
|Town
|[[File:Ichikawamisato in Yamanashi Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|52x52px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Kosuge, Yamanashi.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Kosuge]]
|小菅村
|52.78
|701
|[[Kitatsuru District, Yamanashi|Kitatsuru District]]
|Village
|[[File:Kosuge in Yamanashi Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|52x52px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Minobu, Yananashi.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Minobu, Yamanashi|Minobu]]
|身延町
|302
|11,674
|[[Minamikoma District, Yamanashi|Minamikoma District]]
|Town
|[[File:Minobu in Yamanashi Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|52x52px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Nanbu, Yamanashi.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Nanbu, Yamanashi|Nanbu]]
|南部町
|200.63
|7,222
|[[Minamikoma District, Yamanashi|Minamikoma District]]
|Town
|[[File:Nanbu in Yamanashi Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|52x52px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Narusawa, Yamanashi.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Narusawa, Yamanashi|Narusawa]]
|鳴沢村
|89.58
|3,152
|[[Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi|Minamitsuru District]]
|Village
|[[File:Narusawa in Yamanashi Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|52x52px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Nishikatsura, Yamanashi.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Nishikatsura]]
|西桂町
|15.22
|4,298
|[[Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi|Minamitsuru District]]
|Town
|[[File:Nishikatsura in Yamanashi Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|52x52px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Oshino, Yamanashi.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Oshino, Yamanashi|Oshino]]
|忍野村
|25.05
|9,710
|[[Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi|Minamitsuru District]]
|Village
|[[File:Oshino in Yamanashi Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|52x52px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Showa, Yamanashi.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Shōwa, Yamanashi|Shōwa]]
|昭和町
|9.08
|20,338
|[[Nakakoma District, Yamanashi|Nakakoma District]]
|Town
|[[File:Showa in Yamanashi Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|52x52px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Tabayama, Yamanashi.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Tabayama]]
|丹波山村
|101.3
|529
|[[Kitatsuru District, Yamanashi|Kitatsuru District]]
|Village
|[[File:Tabayama in Yamanashi Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|52x52px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Yamanakako Yamanashi.JPG|frameless|25x25px]] [[Yamanakako]]
|山中湖村
|52.81
|5,826
|[[Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi|Minamitsuru District]]
|Village
|[[File:Yamanakako in Yamanashi Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|52x52px]]
|}

===Mergers===
{{main|List of mergers in Yamanashi Prefecture}}

==List of governors of Yamanashi Prefecture==
{| class="wikitable"
! Name
! Start
! End
|-
| Katsuyasu Yoshie (吉江勝保)
| 12 April 1947
| 29 April 1951
|-
| Hisashi Amano (天野久)
| 30 April 1951
| 16 February 1967
|-
| Kunio Tanabe (田辺国男) 
| 17 February 1967
| 16 February 1979
|-
| Komei Mochizuki (望月幸明)
| 17 February 1979
| 16 February 1991
|-
| Ken Amano (天野建)
| 17 February 1991
| 16 February 2003
|-
| Takahiko Yamamoto (山本栄彦) 
| 17 February 2003
| 16 February 2007
|-
| [[Shōmei Yokouchi]] (横内 正明)
| 17 February 2007
| 16 February 2015
|-
| [[Hitoshi Goto]] (後藤 斎) 
| 17 February 2015
| 16 February 2019
|-
| [[Kotaro Nagasaki]] (長崎幸太郎)
| 17 February 2019
| Present
|}

== Economy ==
Yamanashi has a sizable industrial base in and around Kōfu city, with [[jewelry]] and [[robotics]] industries being particularly prominent. The headquarters of [[FANUC]], manufacturer of factory automation systems, is based in [[Oshino, Yamanashi|Oshino]] in the south of the prefecture.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fanuc.eu/en/about-us/history |title=FANUC History |publisher=FANUC Europe Corporation |access-date=March 19, 2014}}</ref>

The prefecture is also host to numerous fruit farms and vineyards.  Yamanashi is one of the major fruit producing regions in Japan, being the top domestic producer of grapes, peaches, plums as well as [[Japanese wine|wine]].

In addition, roughly 40% of the [[mineral water]] bottled in Japan comes from Yamanashi, mainly from around the [[Japanese Alps|Southern Alps]], [[Mount Fuji]], and Mitsutōge areas. The quality of the water sources in the Southern Alps prompted [[Suntory]] Group to open the [[Hakushu distillery]] in the northern Yamanashi town of [[Hokuto, Yamanashi|Hokuto]].

== Population ==
[[File:Yamanashi prefecture population pyramid in 2020.svg|thumb|Yamanashi prefecture population pyramid in 2020]]
{{historical populations|19=1920|20=583,453|21=1925|22=600,675|23=1930|24=631,042|25=1935|26=646,727|27=1940|28=663,026|29=1945|30=839,057|31=1950|32=811,369|33=1955|34=807,044|35=1960|36=782,062|37=1965|38=763,194|39=1970|40=762,029|41=1975|42=783,050|43=1980|44=804,256|45=1985|46=832,832|47=1990|48=852,966|49=1995|50=881,996|51=2000|52=888,172|53=2005|54=884,515|55=2010|56=863,075|57=2015|58=834,930|59=2020|60=809,974|percentages=pagr|source=Censuses<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stat.go.jp/english/index.html|title=Statistics Bureau Home Page|website=www.stat.go.jp}}</ref>}}Per Japanese census data, Yamanashi prefecture had negative population growth from 1950 to 1970 and again in the 21st century, with the population peaking at roughly 890,000 around the turn of the millennium.

== Tourism ==
[[File:Nishizawa-Valley.jpg|thumb|Nishizawa Waterfall on the Fuefuki River, Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park, Yamanashi]]
[[File:Fuji Five Lakes and Mount Fuji.jpg|thumb|Mount Fuji, [[Fuji Five Lakes]] region, Yamanashi]]

The natural scenery and cultural sights of Yamanashi are popular destinations for both domestic and international tourists due to the prefecture's proximity to the crowded [[Tokyo]] conurbation and ease of access by road and rail. [[Mount Fuji]], the [[Fuji Five Lakes]] region, the highland resort region of [[Kiyosato, Yamanashi|Kiyosato]], the city of Kōfu, the [[Senga Falls]], [[Koshu, Yamanashi|Koshu]] [[Japanese wine|wineries]], the temple of Erin-ji in Koshu, and the [[Kuonji|Kuonji Temple]] at Minobu are a few of the most popular places to visit.

The [[Fuji-Q Highland]] amusement park at [[Fujiyoshida]] with roller coasters [[Eejanaika (roller coaster)|Eejanaika]], and [[Takabisha]], the world's steepest roller coaster, is also a popular destination for day trips. It also features [[Do-Dodonpa]], the world's fastest accelerating roller coaster. At one point, it was also the world's fastest roller coaster before [[Cedar Point]]'s [[Top Thrill Dragster]] took the record in 2003.

The natural topography of the region makes Yamanashi popular with mountaineering, hiking and climbing enthusiasts throughout the year.  The highest mountain in Japan, [[Mount Fuji]], at {{Convert|3776|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} and the second highest mountain in Japan, [[Mount Kita]],  at {{Convert|3193|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} are both located within Yamanashi. The Mt. Fuji summer hiking season in July and August attracts thousands of overnight hikers typically starting at the Fifth Station in the late evening and climbing through the night to witness the sunrise at the summit.

Although not as tall, Mount Minobu, a popular place for Buddhist pilgrimage, offers extensive views from the summit of the mountain. Parts of the [[Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park]], [[Chichibu Tama Kai National Park|Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park]], and [[Minami Alps National Park]] are all located in Yamanashi.

Given the area's volcanic activity, natural hot springs, or [[onsen]]s, are found in abundance. Some of the more well known are Shimobe Onsen, Isawa Onsen and Yamanami Onsen.

The mascot of the prefecture is Hishimaru (菱丸), a [[Kai Ken|Kai Ken dog]] who is based on the local Sengoku-era daimyō Takeda Shingen. He wears a [[kabuto]] with the crest of the [[Takeda clan]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-13 |title=Yamanashi Prefecture |url=https://www.nippon.com/en/guide-to-japan/pref19/ |access-date=2023-05-16 |website=nippon.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Major festivals==
[[File:Ignition torches in the main street of Yoshida Fire Festival.JPG|thumb|230px|Lighting street torches at the [[Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi]], Fire Festival]]

* Shingen festival, held each March in the precincts of [[Maizuru Castle Park|Kōfu Castle]] and [[Takeda Shrine]] in commemoration of [[Takeda Shingen]]'s role in prefectural history.
* Fujiyoshida fire festival, marks the end of the summer climbing season on Mount Fuji. Held on the last weekend in August.
* Yatsugatake county fair and Paul Rusch festival.  Held each October in [[Kiyosato, Yamanashi|Kiyosato]] to celebrate the life and work of [[Paul Rusch]], his contributions to local agricultural development and US Japan friendship.

== Universities ==
* [[Tsuru University]]
* [[University of Yamanashi]]
* [[Yamanashi Eiwa College]]
* [[Yamanashi Gakuin University]]
* [[Yamanashi Prefectural University]]

== Sports ==
[[File:01kose3.jpg|thumb|[[Yamanashi Chuo Bank Stadium]] in [[Kōfu]].]]
[[Ventforet Kofu|Ventforet Kōfu]], the [[J2 League]] association football (soccer) team is based in [[Kōfu, Yamanashi|Kōfu]]. The team's home ground is the [[Yamanashi Chuo Bank Stadium]].

Since 2005 the Fujizakura Country Club in [[Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi|Fujikawaguchiko]] has also hosted the [[Fujisankei Classic]] golf tournament, an annual event on the [[Japan Golf Tour]].

== Transportation ==
[[File:Chuo Main Line SuperAzusa Yatsugatake.jpg|thumb|JR Chuo Main Line SuperAzuza passing Yatsugatake, near Hokuto, Yamanashi]]
[[File:Futaba-BusStop.jpg|thumb|Chuo Expressway, near Kai, Yamanashi]]

=== Railway lines ===
*[[Central Japan Railway Company]]
**[[Minobu Line]]
*[[Chūō Shinkansen]](Under construction)
*[[East Japan Railway Company]]
**[[Chūō Main Line]]
**[[Koumi Line]]
*[[Fuji Kyuko]]
**[[Fujikyuko Line]]

=== Road ===

==== Expressways ====
* [[Chūbu-Ōdan Expressway]] (under construction)
* [[Chuo Expressway]]
* [[Higashifuji-goko Road]] 
* Kōfu Yamanashi Road

==== National highways ====
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* Route 20
* Route 52
* Route 137
* Route 138
* Route 139
* [[Japan National Route 140|Route 140]]
* Route 141
* Route 411
* Route 413
* Route 469
{{div col end}}

== Media ==

=== Television ===
* [[UHF Television Yamanashi]] (UTY)
* [[Yamanashi Broadcasting System]] (YBS)

=== Radio ===
* FM Fuji (FMF)

==International relations==
*{{flagicon|KOR}} [[Chungcheongbuk-do]], Korea, since 1992
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Fairfield, California]], United States, since the 1970s
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Iowa]], United States, since 1960
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Madison County, Kentucky]], United States, since 1988
*{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Minas Gerais]], Brazil, since 1973
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Saône-et-Loire]], France, since 2000
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Sichuan Province]], China, since 1985

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}
* Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric and Käthe Roth. (2005). [https://books.google.com/books?id=p2QnPijAEmEC  ''Japan encyclopedia.''] Cambridge: [[Harvard University Press]]. {{ISBN|978-0-674-01753-5}}; [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/58053128?referer=di&ht=edition OCLC 58053128]

== External links ==
{{Commons and category|Yamanashi prefecture}}
{{Wikivoyage|Yamanashi}}
* {{official|http://www.pref.yamanashi.jp/foreign/index.html}} (in [http://www.pref.yamanashi.jp/ Japanese])
*{{OSM relation|3578391}}

{{coord|35|37|N|138|37|E|scale:500000|display=title}}
{{Yamanashi}}
{{Regions and administrative divisions of Japan}}
{{Authority control}}

<!--Categories-->
[[Category:Yamanashi Prefecture| ]]
[[Category:Chūbu region]]
[[Category:Prefectures of Japan]]