[For Seniors] Yamanashi Prefecture Local Quiz! Enjoy quizzes about local cuisine, tourist spots, and specialty products

Lake Motosu

The Fuji Five Lakes is a collective term for five lakes located on the Yamanashi Prefecture side at the foot of Mount Fuji. The correct answer, Lake Motosu, is known for being the deepest and having the highest water clarity among the Fuji Five Lakes. Moreover, the beautiful “upside-down Fuji” scene depicted on the reverse side of the 1,000-yen and 5,000-yen bills that we often see is based on a photograph taken from Lake Motosu by the photographer Koyo Okada. If you have any bills in your wallet, take a close look at them.

peach

Yamanashi Prefecture ranks first in Japan for peach production, accounting for about 30% of the nation’s total. Hakuhō is one of Yamanashi’s signature peach varieties, known for its very soft flesh, abundant juice, and pronounced sweetness. Its smooth texture makes it easy to eat even for the elderly, making it a highly popular fruit. In addition to Hakuhō, many lesser-known peach varieties are also grown, so it could be fun to look up what kinds of names they have.

simmered pork cutlet rice bowl

In Yamanashi Prefecture, what is commonly known as katsudon with egg is called “nikatsudon.” On the other hand, if you simply order “katsudon,” many restaurants will serve shredded cabbage and a pork cutlet on top of rice. You might be shocked if you order without knowing and get something different from what you expected.

Hottarakashi Onsen

Hottarakashi Onsen is a popular hot spring facility located in Yamanashi City, Yamanashi Prefecture. Situated on a mountain at an elevation of about 700 meters, its greatest appeal is the open-air baths that offer spectacular views of majestic Mount Fuji and the Kofu Basin from the tubs. Because it opens one hour before sunrise, you can enjoy a beautiful dawn while soaking in the baths, and at night you can take in the city lights. There are two bath areas with unique names—“Acchi no Yu” (That Bath) and “Kocchi no Yu” (This Bath)—making it a beloved healing spot where many people come to refresh both body and mind.

Kofu City

The capital of Yamanashi Prefecture is Kofu City. Located in the central part of Yamanashi, Kofu is a historic city that flourished during the Sengoku period as the stronghold of Takeda Shingen. The city retains many historical landmarks, such as Takeda Shrine and the ruins of Kofu Castle, making it a popular destination for history enthusiasts.

wine

Yamanashi Prefecture boasts the highest wine production in Japan. The prefecture has many renowned grape-growing regions, including Katsunuma Town, where high-quality grapes are harvested and used to produce delicious wines such as Koshu wine. With a long winemaking history dating back to the Meiji era, numerous wineries are still scattered throughout the area today.

Hōtō (a traditional flat noodle soup from Yamanashi, Japan)

Hoto is a signature local dish of Yamanashi Prefecture: flat noodles made from kneaded wheat flour simmered in a miso-based broth with plenty of pumpkin, leeks, mushrooms, and seasonal vegetables. There is a legend that the Sengoku-period warlord Takeda Shingen used it as a field ration, and it has long been cherished by the people of the prefecture.