甲府第一高校　英語版　HP

Yamanashi Prefectural

Kofu First High School

Yamanashi Prefectural

Kofu First High School

About Us

Kofu First High School is the oldest high school in Yamanashi Prefecture, established back in 1880. With more than 140 years of history and a tradition of excellence in teaching and learning, we are proud of having produced many notable alumni in various fields, including Noritsugu HAYAKAWA, a founder of Tokyo Underground Railway Co., Tachu NAITO, who designed the landmark Tokyo Tower, and, most famously, 55th Prime Minister of Japan, Tanzan ISHIBASHI.

Our school mottos are “贊天地之化育”, “苟日新日日新又日新” and “Boys, be ambitious!” The motto “贊天地之化育”, a passage from the Confucian classic “中庸CHUYO”, means that human power supports and helps nature to create a better world. The second motto “苟日新日日新又日新” is a passage from the Confucian scripture “大学DAIGAKU”, meaning “each day begins anew”. “Boys, be ambitious!” was proposed by our seventh principal, Masatake OSHIMA, in the early 1900s. He noted the words of his high school teacher, William S. Clark: “Be ambitious not for money or for selfish aggrandizement. Be ambitious for the attainment of all that a man ought to be.” Even a century later, these mottos still constitute the core value of every school activity.

History

Academics

KFHS provides education through two different types of course: general course and inquiry course. Students on both courses learn a wide range of subjects in their first year, and in their second year they choose either social science studies classes or science classes, based on their academic interests. In addition to the core syllabus, the inquiry course has a purpose-designed curriculum which aims to prepare students to be innovative changemakers with big ambitions and “glocal” (global and local) perspectives.

Throughout their three years at high school, students on this course have their own group research theme and mentor. Based on their academic interests and desired future career, they choose a social issue Yamanashi is facing and research it from the perspective of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Students also get the chance to meet local businesses, universities, and entrepreneurs to receive practical advice on their research. In their final year, they have the opportunity to propose solutions to the social issue they have researched to the local government, a company, or another relevant institution.

From 2023, we became a base school for the "Worldwide Learning (WWL) Consortium Construction Support Project”, which makes it possible to develop educational and research activities from a more global perspective.

Worldwide Learning (WWL)

School Life

KFHS also supports students’ growth through club activities and school events. With nearly 40 clubs, students can gain social skills and leadership experience. Furthermore, we have a unique traditional school event first established over one hundred years ago named “Kyoukou Ensoku”. In this event, male students walk 104km within 24 consecutive hours and female students, starting the next day, walk 41.6km. This 104km course is known as the longest distance of any one-day high school event of this kind. Through this event, students understand the importance of planning, caring for others, and, most importantly, facing challenges.

Yamanashi is a mountainous prefecture located in central Japan. It has

many high mountains, including Mt. Fuji, the national symbol of Japan.

Celebrated for its climate and abundant nature, Yamanashi is Japan’s

biggest producer of grapes and peaches, and is therefore described as a

“fruit kingdom”. With its nature, food, culture, and closeness to Tokyo,

Yamanashi is one of Japan’s most popular destinations among foreign

tourists.