Located almost in the center of Yamanashi Prefecture, Kofu City has a history of approximately 120 years since its establishment as a city in 1889. The mountainous area at the northernmost part of the city is home to a series of peaks over 2,000 meters high, including Mt. Hachiman, stretching from east to west. To the south are Mt. Odake and Mt. Shakagatake. Despite being the prefectural capital, Kofu City is known for its beautiful natural surroundings and as a "City of Mountains." It's a unique blend of nature and urban life, with a diverse range of industries, from agriculture and forestry to commerce. Its famous specialty products include decorative items like gemstones and crystals, agricultural crops like grapes and pears, and Koshu wine. Koshu wine, in particular, is said to be the birthplace of Japanese wine, and Kofu City is home to Japan's only wine science research center.