Kofu Castle

There are many famous castles in Japan, including the World Heritage Sites of Himeji Castle, Nijo Castle, and Matsumoto Castle, but the only castle in Japan where you can take a photo of Mt. Fuji in the background of the castle is Kofu Castle in Yamanashi Prefecture. The castle itself has been restored, but the stone walls surrounding it are over 400 years old and are designated as a historic site.

Photo Spot

Here’s a photo of some “Samurai” with a gorgeous view of Mt. Fuji in the background. This photo was taken from the top of Kofu Castle’s Yamanote gate.

▲Wearing Samurai armor and posing for a photo at Kofu Castle

You can access this spot by going through the exhibit space at Kofu Castles’s Yamanote Gate. The lookout is a great spot to take pictures.

▲Exhibit room

▲Lookout spot

The spot where you can see Mt. Fuji is locateed outside of Kofu Castle’s Yamanote Gate. Even when the exhibit space is closed, you can still go here whenever you want.

▲Yamanote Gate

Access to Kofu Castle

3-minute walk from Kofu Station (North Exit).

Access to Kofu Station

From Shinjuku Station: 1 hour and 30 minutes on the JR Chuo Line Express
From Matsumoto Station: 1 hour and 10 minutes on the JR Chuo Line Express
From Nagoya Station: 1 hour on the JR Tokaido Shinkansen to Shizuoka Station; then 2 hours and 10 minutes on the Minobu Line to Kofu Station

More Info

Kofu Castle related website:
https://www.yamanashi-kankou.jp/english/uncover/kofu-castle.html