Kofu / Shosen-kyo Valley甲府・昇仙峡

A "Warrior Parade" with over 1,600 men in armor. Shosen Valley is one of the most beautiful valleys in Japan.

Kofu is located almost right at the middle of Yamanashi and has flourished since the old days as an important center for prefectural politics, culture, and transportation. Takeda-jinja Shrine in the ruins of the Takeda residence, where the famous 16th-century military general Takeda Shingen is worshiped, and Kai-Zenko-ji Temple are examples of the famous old shrines and temples that show the prosperity that the Takeda family enjoyed. In spring, the Shingen-ko-matsuri Festival, including the warrior's parade of more than 1,600 men in armor, is held, and the sight is overwhelmingly impressive.

Also in Kofu, hot springs well up in the center of the city. These include the Yumura-onsen Hot Spring that is said to have been discovered in 808 by Kobo Daishi, a Buddhist priest, and the Sekisuiji-onsen Hot Spring, forming the Kofu Hot Spring resort.

The Shosen Valley of the Ara-kawa River (a branch of the Kamanashi-gawa River) is 4 kilometers long and lies to the north of Kofu. The river forms part of Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park. From the promenade running parallel to the river, you can see fantastically-shaped rocks such as the Kakuenbo, which is 180 meters high and said to be the most attractive in the area, and the pan-shaped holes at the bottom of the river. If you go up to the panoramic platform by ropeway from the end of the promenade, Senga-taki Falls, which drops from 30 meters high, gives you can get a great view of the red leaves in fall.