Yamanashi

Yamanashi Prefecture is an inland region in central Honshū, about 100 km (60 mi) west of Tokyo. It borders Tokyo and Saitama to the east, Nagano to the north and west, Shizuoka to the south, and Kanagawa to the southeast. The core is the Kōfu Basin, ringed by mountains—the Southern Alps (Akaishi Range), Yatsugatake, and the Misaka Mountains—which create a bowl-like landscape. Its southern edge includes the northern slopes of Mt. Fuji and the scenic Fuji Five Lakes area. The capital is Kōfu. Major rivers such as the Fuefuki and Fuji flow through the prefecture, and the inland climate brings large day–night and seasonal temperature swings. From Tokyo, Yamanashi is easily reached via the JR Chūō Line (to Kōfu/Kawaguchiko area) or the Chūō Expressway.