Around the 12th century, Minamoto Kiyomitsu, founder of the Kai-Minamoto Clan in the Kai Region, moved into Hemi (thought to have been around Yato-jo Castle and Wakamiko-jo Castle) at the south foot of the Mount Yatsugatake, and took “Hemi” as his family name. Geographically, the south foot of the Mount Yatsugatake was suitable for raising horses, which was what it was selected as an Imperial pasture (Mimaki). The Kai-Minamoto Clan built a strong military force with cavalry. Trees cut down to clear the imperial pasture were used for lumber or fuel for forges used to make swords. Such environmental factors were thought to have led to the rapid progress of the Kai-Minamoto Clan, which would expand to present-day Yamanashi Prefecture and nationwide.
Hemi was ruled by the Hemi Clan, etc. after the death of Minamoto (Hemi) Kiyomitsu. In the 15th century, it was ruled by the Imai Clan, and in the 16th century, it was ruled by Takeda Clan. All of the clans were branches of the Kai-Minamoto Clan.
Along the Bomichi road are places with deep connections to the former site of a castle associated with the Kai-Minamoto Clan, and the temples and shrines where they worshipped. The Kofu Basin with Mount Yatsugatake in the background offers a magnificent view with Mount Fuji to the front, and the Southern Alps on the right. Surrounded by the grand view that the Kai-Minamoto Clan must have seen, we will head down to the Kofu Basin.