Hōfu (防府市, Hōfu-shi) is a city located in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan.

As of September 30, 2016, the city has an estimated population of 117,387 and a population density of 622.44 of persons per km². The total area is 188.59 km².

Hōfu (防府) means "the capital (国府) of Suō Province (周防国)". The eastern part of Yamaguchi Prefecture was formerly called Suō Province.

The city was founded on August 25, 1936. The city's change during the past fifty years can be visualised in the animated film Mai Mai Miracle, with its story taking place in the year of 1955 (with flashbacks a 1,000 years further back).

Mazda maintains a large automobile factory in Hōfu.