Kōfu, Tottori


Kōfu is a town located in the northeast of Hino District, Tottori Prefecture, Japan.
As of October 2016, the town has an estimated population of 2,950, with a population density of 24 persons per km². The total area of Kōfu is.

Etymology

The name of the town of Kōfu was chosen in a referendum by its residents. In the Japanese language it is formed from two kanji characters. The first,, means "water", and the second, means "center" or "core".

Geography

Kōfu is located in the Chūgoku Mountains. The northeast part of the town is on a plateau composed of pyroclastic soil. at the southern foot of Mount Daisen. The Hino River flows through the western part of the town. The southern part of the town, which borders Okayama Prefecture, is at a high altitude and is dominated by Mount Giboshi, Mount Mihira, and Mount Kenashi.

Neighboring municipalities

The town of Kōfu was formed in 1953 by the merger of Ebi, Kanagawa, and Yonezawa.
Every August 17, there is a festival held in Kōfu called, "Juushichiya". Yatai of various kinds come and set up shop along the main road in Ebi, and people from all over come to participate in this festival. There is a sumo tournament in the early morning among the men who live in the town, and there is even a tournament for the school children as well. The kindergarten students play Japanese drums, taiko, in the evening along with other members of the town. There are fireworks as well in the evening. A 500-year-old traditional dance is also performed through the town and in the town's park; the dance is called "Kodaiji". The dance has been passed down for 500 years since the death of the lord who ruled over the town, and it is done in remembrance of him and to also wish for a plentiful harvest and successful year. The pinnacle of the festival occurs when townspeople light the hill facing the park on fire, spelling out the festival's name on the side of the hill.

Transportation

Rail