natural wonder
Lake Kawaguchi
The most accessible of the Fuji Five Lakes, offering spectacular reflections of Mount Fuji and seasonal flower festivals.
24 km · about 30 min drive
AsiaJapanYamanashi
Kofu
Yamanashi, Japan · Asia
About Kofu
Kofu works well as a base: 5 minutes from Kofu, 24km from Lake Kawaguchi.
Kofu is in Yamanashi, Japan, with about 190,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Kofu, about 4 km away.
Kōfu Station (甲府駅, Kōfu-eki) is the main railway station in the city of Kōfu, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. It is managed by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East).
Where to Stay in Kofu
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
Filter presets
Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.
Compare before you book!
Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Kofu.
Explore the Area
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Kofu.
Loading map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Kofu?
Within an hour or so of Kofu: Lake Kawaguchi (24 km), Lake Kawaguchi Viewpoint (24 km), Kachi Kachi Ropeway Viewpoint (Lake Kawaguchi) (26 km), Chureito Pagoda (28 km).
Are there any good drives near Kofu?
The nearest famous roads are Venus Line, Hakone Turnpike and Yabitsu Pass.
Where is Kofu?
Kofu is in Yamanashi, Japan, about 4 km from Kofu.
Road trip
Drive to Kofu
Add it as a stop and the planner works out the driving, the nights and what's worth seeing on the way.
Start planningWhat's nearby?
Swipe through places to go
Places within a drive of Kofu. Keep the ones you like and add them to your trip.
Explore now
Quick Information
- Population
- 189,591
- Continent
- Asia
- Country
- Japan
- Region
- Yamanashi
- Timezone
- Asia/Tokyo
- Coordinates
- 35.6667, 138.5667
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Japan
Japan Helpline (24h English assistance): 0570-000-911. An International Driving Permit (1949 convention) is required to drive.
Full driving guide for JapanTags
Worth the detour from Kofu
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
scenic viewpoint
Lake Kawaguchi Viewpoint
A lakeside viewpoint where Mount Fuji reflects perfectly in still waters, especially stunning during autumn foliage and cherry blossom seasons.
24 km · about 30 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Kachi Kachi Ropeway Viewpoint (Lake Kawaguchi)
A mountain-top station reached by ropeway above Lake Kawaguchi, offering a bird's-eye view of the lake with Mt Fuji dominating the skyline.
26 km · about 30 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Chureito Pagoda
A five-story pagoda offering one of the most iconic and photographed views of Mount Fuji, especially during cherry blossom season.
28 km · about 30 min drive
landmark
Mount Fuji
Japan's tallest peak and most sacred mountain, an almost perfectly symmetrical volcanic cone revered for centuries.
37 km · about 45 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Mount Fuji Fifth Station
The main starting point for summit climbs on Japan's highest and most sacred peak, accessible by bus at 2,300 meters elevation.
40 km · about 45 min drive
racetrack
Fuji Speedway
Historic circuit at the foot of Mount Fuji with a 1.5 km main straight, one of motorsport's longest, and postcard views of the volcano on clear days.
46 km · about 55 min drive
photogenic
Mishaka Pond
A small irrigation reservoir whose acidic, iron-rich water holds a still green surface mirroring the birch and larch on its bank. It became famous as the subject of a Higashiyama Kaii painting.
48 km · about 55 min drive
Driving roads near Kofu
- 24 kmLake Kawaguchi ViewpointA lakeside viewpoint where Mount Fuji reflects perfectly in still waters, especially stunning during autumn foliage and cherry blossom seasons.
- 26 kmKachi Kachi Ropeway Viewpoint (Lake Kawaguchi)A mountain-top station reached by ropeway above Lake Kawaguchi, offering a bird's-eye view of the lake with Mt Fuji dominating the skyline.
- 28 kmChureito PagodaA five-story pagoda offering one of the most iconic and photographed views of Mount Fuji, especially during cherry blossom season.
- 40 kmMount Fuji Fifth StationThe main starting point for summit climbs on Japan's highest and most sacred peak, accessible by bus at 2,300 meters elevation.
- 58 kmVenus LineA 76 km free touring road across Nagano's Kirigamine and Utsukushigahara highlands, rolling over open alpine meadows at up to 1,959 m. One of Japan's best-loved drives for bikers and grand tourers.
- 64 kmHakone Mount Fuji ViewpointThe Hakone region offers some of the best vantage points for viewing Mount Fuji, especially from the Owakudani volcanic valley.
Nearby Destinations
Other places to explore near Kofu.
Plan a trip around Kofu
Your trip starts here
Plan a road trip from Kofu.
Pick the days, drop in the stops, and share it with whoever's coming.