Kofu City is located almost in the center of Yamanashi Prefecture.

Do you know "Kofu Chicken Motsuni" that is gaining popularity in this town blessed with abundant nature such as Shosenkyo and Ashigawa Valley? It is a dish that is loved in Yamanashi Prefecture along with other local specialties such as "Houtou" and "Nigai" (boiled shellfish), and many customers come all the way from outside the prefecture to try it.

This time, we will introduce you to the deliciousness and appeal of this "Kofu Chicken Motsuni".

What is Kofu Chicken Motsuni?

Kofu Torimotsuni is a dish unique to Kofu, made by simmering chicken gizzards, hearts, liver, and kumquats (unhatched eggs) in a sweet and spicy soy sauce sauce.

When you hear the word "motsuni," you might imagine a dish simmered in a thick sauce containing soy sauce or miso, but Kofu's chicken motsuni is characterized by being simmered over high heat using a small amount of sauce. Different restaurants serve it in a variety of ways, and it can be served as a side dish for soba noodles, as a main dish for set meals, as a snack to go with alcohol, or as a rice bowl.

In 2010, it won first place at its first appearance in the local gourmet festival "B-1 Grand Prix," and its deliciousness continues to captivate many fans to this day.

The history and origins of Kofu Chicken Motsuni

"Kofu Chicken Motsuni" was originally created by a soba restaurant in Kofu City in 1950, when there were scarce supplies after the war. The restaurant wondered if they could make something tasty using chicken motsu, which was not eaten much at the time. The dish gained a reputation for its deliciousness, and can now be enjoyed at restaurants all over the city.

How to make Kofu Chicken Motsuni

The freshness of the ingredients is very important for "Kofu Chicken Motsuni," whose sweet and spicy aroma and glossy shine will whet your appetite. After cutting fresh chicken liver, heart, gizzard, and kumquats into individual parts, they are washed in lightly salted water, which helps to suppress their distinctive flavor.

The rest of the recipe is very simple: Bring soy sauce and sugar to a boil in a pot over high heat, add the chicken giblets, and continue simmering over high heat.

The chicken giblets will release moisture, but boil this off and stir fry until the sauce thickens and becomes shiny and glossy.

Some restaurants add peppers such as shishito peppers or bell peppers to add color to the dish. Be sure to check out the "Chicken Motsuni" at each restaurant.

The deliciousness and appeal of Kofu Chicken Motsuni

"Kofu Chicken Motsuni" is made by coating chicken offal in a rich, sweet and spicy sauce, and the crunchy gizzard and heart, soft liver, and the crunchy texture of kumquats are also part of its appeal.

The more you chew it, the more the natural flavor of the chicken spreads, and the rich, sweet sauce is addictively delicious. It is often served as an appetizer or part of a set menu at soba restaurants, and is also a popular snack to go with alcohol.

In addition, the "Chicken Motsu Donburi" (chicken offal bowl), which is made into a bowl with bamboo shoots and shiitake mushrooms, is also hearty and goes perfectly with hot rice. It can also be found at soba shops, izakayas, and yakitori restaurants, so be sure to look for it.

Recommended sightseeing spots in Kofu City

From here, we will introduce some recommended tourist spots in Kofu City.

Kofu Yumekoji: A shopping mall with a Little Edo atmosphere

The first is Kofu Yumekoji, located just a one-minute walk from the north exit of Kofu Station. This shopping area recreates the castle town of the Meiji, Taisho and early Showa periods, incorporating traditional architectural styles. The area has a retro atmosphere reminiscent of Little Edo, and is lined with shops selling traditional crafts such as Koshu wine, which has a fresh and clean taste, accessories and washi paper. You can enjoy the city of Kofu from various angles, including restaurants, cafes and art museums. It's also a great place to pick up souvenirs or do a little shopping before heading home.

"Shosenkyo" is known as the most beautiful valley in Japan

Another place we would like to introduce is Shosenkyo, known as the most beautiful valley in Japan. It is located in the northern part of Kofu city, about a 20-minute drive from Kofu Station.

At Shosenkyo Gorge, designated as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty, the highlight is the 30m-high Sengataki Falls. As you approach, you can hear the roaring water and feel the spray, allowing you to experience the power of the falls up close.

There are also strangely shaped rocks that look like animals and a historic bridge, so you can feel like an explorer and enjoy a stroll while feeling the energy of nature. In autumn, it is also a famous viewing spot for autumn leaves, attracting many tourists.

Access to Kofu City

From here, we will introduce how to access Kofu city. There are various ways to get to Kofu city, including train, express bus, and car.

If you go by train, take the JR Chuo Line Limited Express from Shinjuku and arrive at Kofu Station in about an hour and a half. From Nagoya, take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen to Shizuoka Station in about an hour, then take the JR Minobu Line Limited Express for a journey of about 2 hours and 20 minutes.

If you take an express bus, it takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes from Shinjuku Station to Kofu Station, and about 4 hours and 15 minutes from Nagoya Station. It takes about 2 hours from Shizuoka Station to Kofu Station.

If you are coming from Tokyo by car, take the Chuo Expressway and it will take about 1 hour and 40 minutes from Takaido IC to Kofu City.

From Nagoya, it takes about 3 hours and 20 minutes via the Chuo Expressway, and from Nagano, it takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes via the Joshinetsu, Nagano, and Chuo Expressways. Also, from Shizuoka Prefecture to Kofu City, it takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes via the Chubu-Odan Expressway, so it is also easily accessible.

Location of Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture

summary

This time we introduced the local gourmet dish of Kofu city, "Kofu Chicken Motsuni."

Kofu's stewed chicken offal, which was created in the post-war era and was a delicious transformation of chicken offal, which had not previously been eaten much, is a dish with a rich, sweet and spicy flavor that goes perfectly with rice and alcohol.

If you come across it, be sure to try eating it in a variety of ways.

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