landlocked ken (prefecture), central Honshu, Japan. Much of its area is mountainous, including the peaks of Mount Shirane (10,472 feet 【3,192 m】) in the northwest and Mount Fuji (Fuji, Mount) (12,388 feet) on the southern border. The prefecture is drained by the Fuji River and its tributaries. The five lakes associated with Mount Fuji—Yamanaka, Kawaguchi, Sai, Shōji, and Motosu—are located in the south.

Yamanashi is basically agricultural, with extensive mulberry fields and orchards of peaches, apples, and cherries. Kōshū grapes are also grown. Small-scale factories manufacture textiles and processed foods. The prefectural capital, Kōfu (q.v.), is a major industrial and educational centre. Area 1,723 square miles (4,463 square km). Pop. (1993 est.) 865,000.