Job Discussion Forums

Sez · Joined: 19 Mar 2003 Posts: 32

Hi there,

I'm going to be living and working in Kofu in Yamanashi prefecture, starting December, and I wondered if anyone could tell me what Kofu is like.
Ie. Features of Kofu and what kind of things there are to do there on my days off. I'd also be interested to know what the Yamanashi Prefecture is like and whether it would be relatively easy to visit areas within Yamanashi from Kofu.

Any information/experiences of living or travel through Kofu/Yamanashi would be much appreciated!

Many thanks.

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

Haven't been there but dug this up for you...

http://www.kjp.or.jp/hp_24/

it's in Japanese which your browser may not be able to read but click around and you'll see a map and some pics. Better than nothing.

dove · Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Posts: 271 Location: USA/Japan

I lived in the southern part of Yamanashi from '93-95 in a small town called Nambu-cho. I often went to Kofu for shopping and to catch the train to Tokyo.
If you like hiking and hot springs, Yamanashi Prefecture will be a paradise for you. Afterall, Mt. Fuji is in the prefecture. You can take the Minobu-Sen train line and get off at quaint hot-spring villages like Shimobe-onsen. Many of the villages have art galleries because quite a few Tokyo artists have escaped to Yamanashi Prefecture.
Kofu has a great Prefectural Office. The CIRs on the JET Programme organized lots of activities around the prefecture that--I think--anyone can join. They used to print a great guide to the hiking trails in Yamanashi Prefecture. Maybe it's still available.
As an aside, I have never seen a greener place in the rainy season than Yamanashi Prefecture. Tea and rice fields are everywhere.
There are lots of immigrants from South America in Yamanashi. Try to make friends with people other than Specialists in Humanities.
Enjoy!
Dove

Sez · Joined: 19 Mar 2003 Posts: 32

Thanks a lot for the response Shmooj and Dove, I really appreciate it.

Yamanashi sounds really lovely - I'm definitely going to make sure I make the most of it. All those hikes sound wonderful too.

Thanks again!

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

I stayed in Kiyosato last year for a few days in August. It is next to Nagano Ken, and has good hiking and is known for its wine.
Kiyosato has its own brewery at The Rock and has good sausage and pickles.
I stayed at a nice bed and breakfast there.

What was nice is that I did not need to use an air conditioner, so I slept well.

I liked Kobuchizawa because the view is nice. Lush and lots of mountains nearby.

Evil Giraffe · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 32 Location: Kofu, Japan

I am living in Kofu right now. In fact, I am in one of those prefectural buildings as I write this. I am with the JET programme and have been here since about the beginning of August.
Kofu is a pretty cool little city. I can't tell you TOO much about it as I am still discovering things myself but so far, so good.
If you like nightlife, I know there are a few places to go. Even have a couple places where the foreigners hang out. I've only been to two of places, once each. Other than that there is a jazz club with live bands, but I haven't been there yet when one was playing.
If nature is your thing I understand that there are many things to do within a pretty small radius. Fujiyoshida is at the bottom of Mt. Fuji and it took us about a hour and a half to get there by bus. Haven't climbed it yet though, will do that next summer.
There are two train lines that run from Kofu. The Minobu line runs from here south. I teach down in Minobu once a week and it is quite pretty down there. The Chuo line runs east and west. Takes about an hour and a half by express train to get to Shinjuku. Haven't been more than three stops in the other direction so I can't say too much on that.
There are plenty of stores and places to shop in Kofu, too. I've already found at least four 100 yen stores. So when you get here and you start buying household things (cleaning supplies, school supplies, towels, hangers, etc.) make sure you save money and shop at these places.
I haven't endured a winter here yet, but I hear it gets damn cold. So be ready for that. Summer is hot and humid and you'll sweat just standing in place, so be ready for that too. Right now, though, it is quite nice and enjoyable.
If you need any other info, just ask. I can't promise I'll have a satisfactory answer for you but you never know.

here are some links for you.....

http://www.pref.yamanashi.jp/english/index.htm (that's not me on the front page)
http://www.city.kofu.yamanashi.jp/english/
http://www.yamanashi-kankou.or.jp/english/

Sez · Joined: 19 Mar 2003 Posts: 32

Thanks alot for the further responses Brooks and Evil Giraffe!

Evil Giraffe - good to hear positive things about Kofu, it sounds like a cool little city. I read through all those links you posted too thanks, Yamanashi looks like it's a really beautiful prefecture - I think I'm going to like it there!

Thanks again!

Sez