Yamanashi City is located in the northeastern part of the Kofu Basin and is a nature-rich town with over 80% of its area covered by forest. It has an area of 289.87 square kilometers, ranking fourth in size within the prefecture. The northern part of the city borders Chichibu City in Saitama Prefecture and Kawakami Village in Nagano Prefecture, separated by the Okuchichibu Mountain Range.

The city is about 100 kilometers from central Tokyo, and there are direct trains from Tokyo Station and Shinjuku Station via the JR Chuo Line. It is also conveniently accessible by the Chuo Expressway, taking about 90 minutes from the Takaido toll gate.

The city's main industry is agriculture, particularly fruit cultivation, represented by grapes. Each season offers its own flavors: cherries in spring, peaches in summer, grapes in autumn, and strawberries in winter.

Notable tourist attractions include the Fuefukigawa Fruit Park, selected as one of Japan's New Three Major Night Views and as a "Lovers' Sanctuary," and the Nishizawa Gorge, located at the source of the Fuefukigawa River, known for its exceptional scenic beauty among Japan's top valleys.