Kofu Station Guide: Takeda Shingen Statue, Yoshida Udon & Kofu Castle Ruins — Yamanashi Day Trip

About Kofu City

Kofu is the capital of Yamanashi Prefecture, located inland and within striking distance of the Tokyo metropolitan area. That proximity is a double-edged sword: it makes Kofu convenient, but it also fuels a steady outflow of young residents to Tokyo — a phenomenon locals describe as a classic "straw effect," where nearby big cities drain smaller ones of population.

When the Linear Chuo Shinkansen (maglev) eventually opens, Kofu will be about 25 minutes from Shinagawa. Whether that accelerates the drain or opens up new possibilities — like commuting from Kofu to Tokyo — remains an open question. The case for choosing Kofu as a base while working in Tokyo is becoming more realistic.

Getting to Kofu Station

From Tokyo

• Tokyo Station → Shinjuku Station (JR Chuo Line) → Kofu Station (Limited Express Azusa or Kaiji)
• Travel time: approximately 1.5 hours from Shinjuku, about 2 hours from Tokyo Station
• Leave Tokyo around 9 a.m. and you can be exploring Kofu streets before noon

Exploring the South Exit Area

Exit through the south gate and you'll find a bus rotary straight ahead, with a glass-fronted tourist information center in one corner. It has a bright, open feel that makes it easy to walk in. Staff are helpful, and the center stocks maps and brochures for spots around the city. A good first stop before heading out to explore.

The Takeda Shingen Statue

The defining landmark of Kofu Station is the bronze statue of Takeda Shingen, anchoring the south exit plaza. Once feared across Japan as the Tiger of Kai, this 16th-century warlord now stands illuminated by festive lights, welcoming visitors some 450 years after his death. The statue looks different at night than it does by day — worth timing your visit to see it after dusk.

Public Restrooms

There are public restrooms right in the station plaza, well-maintained and in an obvious location. A small thing, but it makes starting a walking tour that much easier.

Kofu Castle Ruins (Maizuru Castle Park)

About a 5-minute walk from Kofu Station, Kofu Castle ruins (Maizuru Castle Park) are worth a visit. The castle was decommissioned during the Meiji era and most of its structures were demolished, but the stone walls and the Inari-kuruwa (a secondary enclosure) remain. It is listed among Japan's Top 100 Castles. The nighttime illumination is beautiful and pairs naturally with the Shingen statue into a compact evening walking route.

Dining in the Station Building

The station building has a solid lineup of restaurants and cafés. Remarkably, there are two Tully's Coffee locations plus a Starbucks — coffee options are not lacking. It's a comfortable place to rest between sightseeing.

Yoshida Udon

One of the must-try dishes of Yamanashi is Yoshida udon, and you can get it right in the station building. The style originates from Fujiyoshida City — not Kofu itself, but still in Yamanashi — and has spread throughout the prefecture as a regional staple. I ordered the tsuke udon (dipping style).

The noodles are thick, dense, and have a noticeably firm, almost rough bite — quite different from the smooth Sanuki-style udon of Kagawa. If anything, they're closer to the hearty udon found in northern Kanto. The broth is a clean soy-based dipping sauce that lets the noodles do the talking. It's an acquired texture, but one worth trying if you're in Kofu.

Walking from the Station to Ura-Kasuga-dori