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During the Edo period, Kofu flourished as a castle town so prosperous it was called Koedo, meaning Little Edo. Culture flowed in from Edo, bringing commercial vitality. A new attraction has been born south of Kofu Castle, reviving the memory of that vibrant town in modern times.
Machiya-style shops lining cobblestone paths, gardens evoking traditional Japanese aesthetics, and the revival of a theater that made its name during the Edo period.
This article introduces the highlights of Koedo Kofu Hanakoji, which opened in April 2025.
Koedo Kofu Hanakoji is a tourist attraction located south of Kofu Castle (Maizuru Castle Park) in Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture. It recreates the castle town that was called Koedo during the Edo period, featuring 12 shops where visitors can enjoy Yamanashi cuisine and shopping, along with Kofu Kameya-za, a historical and cultural exchange facility.
The name Hanakoji derives from the spring scenery when cherry blossoms bloom magnificently over the stone walls of Kofu Castle.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Koedo Kofu Hanakoji |
| Address | 1 - 11 - 5 Marunouchi, Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture |
| Hours | 10:00 am - 11:00 pm (varies by shop) |
| Closed | Varies by shop |
| Parking | None (use nearby coin parking) |
| Access | About 10 minutes walk from JR Kofu Station South Exit |
| Official Site | https://hanakouji.com/ |
The streetscape of Hanakoji recreates Edo-period architectural styles in modern times. Black wooden machiya buildings stand side by side, with lattice doors, white walls, tiled roofs, and noren curtains hanging at shop fronts evoking the atmosphere of a castle town.
Between each building are four gardens featuring stone lanterns, traditional umbrellas, and seasonal plantings that add traditional Japanese elegance.
One thing worth noting while strolling through Hanakoji is the onigawara roof tiles installed on each shop. Look closely, and you will find onigawara shaped like the Seven Lucky Gods. Ebisu, Daikokuten, Bishamonten, Benzaiten, Fukurokuju, Jurojin, and Hotei are each placed on different shop roofs.
The stone walls of Kofu Castle rise in the background, further enhancing the castle town atmosphere.
At dusk, street lamps light up, offering a different atmosphere from daytime. The town bathed in warm light creates a nostalgic scene.
Hanakoji brings together 12 restaurants and shops where visitors can enjoy Yamanashi flavors.
From Yamanashi specialties like hoto noodles and Shingen mochi, to sweets made with local fruits and authentic unagi eel, a variety of gourmet options await. There are also jewelry shops reflecting Kofus reputation for gemstone crafting and souvenir shops featuring Yamanashi specialty products.
| Shop Name | Genre | Hours | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toutou | Local Cuisine | Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm, Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm | Irregular |
| Kikyoya | Japanese Sweets | Meals 11:00 am - 9:00 pm, Takeout 10:00 am - 8:30 pm | None |
| Shunkando | Fruits | 11:00 am - 5:30 pm | Monday |
| Crepe and Espresso and Hanakoji | Sweets | Summer 10:30 am - 6:30 pm, Winter 10:00 am - 5:30 pm | Irregular |
| VLOO ReG CAFE | Cafe | 11:00 am - 10:00 pm | Monday |
| Onigiri Specialty RAN | Light Meals | 10:00 am - 5:00 pm | Monday |
| Nihon Unagi Daimon | Unagi | 10:30 am - 2:30 pm | Irregular |
| Edo Chinese Kaka | Chinese | 11:00 am - 10:00 pm | Monday |
| Shimonya Hanakoji | Izakaya | 11:00 am - 11:00 pm | None |
| kado. | Cafe and Wine Bar | Day 11:00 am - 3:00 pm, Night 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm | Sunday and Monday |
| GSTV Kofu Hanakoji Showroom | Jewelry | 10:00 am - 6:00 pm | Wednesday |
| Souvenir and Rest Stop Rikyu | Souvenirs and Sweets | Summer 10:00 am - 6:00 pm, Winter 10:00 am - 5:00 pm | Monday |
Kofu Kameya-za is the citys historical and cultural exchange facility. It features a theater seating 120 people across two floors, where visitors can enjoy rakugo performances and music concerts.
Around the building are two exchange plazas where markets and events are held.
The name Kofu Kameya-za comes from Kameya-za, a theater that was popular in Kofu during the Edo period.
Kameya-za was a theater founded in 1764 by local merchant Kameya Yohei. The large building measured approximately 20 meters wide and 36 meters deep, counted among the Eight Great Theaters of Kanto. Ichikawa Danjuro V performed his first regional tour here, and popular actors of the time such as Bando Mitsugoro and Matsumoto Koshiro also graced its stage.
It was said that plays that became popular in Kofu would also become popular in Edo, testament to the discerning eyes of Kofu audiences.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Kofu Kameya - za |
| Hours | 9:30 am - 6:30 pm |
| Closed | Every Tuesday |
| Official Site | https://kofu-kameyaza.com/ |
Kofus castle town began in 1519 when Takeda Nobutora moved his residence to Tsutsujigasaki. Later, Kofu Castle was built during Toyotomi Hideyoshis era, and the town prospered most when Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu, a close advisor to Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, became castle lord.
Confucian scholar Ogyu Sorai, who visited Kofu at the time, wrote that houses flourished, streets were well-organized with many goods in shops, and the appearance and manners of people were hardly different from Edo.
Kofu became direct shogunate territory, and as Kofu garrison officers dispatched from Edo mingled with townspeople, Edos learning, arts, and customs flowed in. Thus, a refined culture called Koedo, or Little Edo, blossomed.
Streetscapes recreating Edo-period castle towns, 12 shops offering Yamanashi cuisine and shopping, and Kofu Kameya-za, reviving an Edo-era theater in modern times.
Koedo Kofu Hanakoji is a new symbol conveying Kofus history and culture to the present day.
Combined with a visit to Koshu Yumekoji at Kofu Stations north exit, you can fully experience the castle town atmosphere spreading north and south of Kofu Castle.
With Kofu Castles stone walls as a backdrop, this is where Little Edos bustle is revived. Be sure to stop by when visiting Kofu.
