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Iwate Prefecture Banzai Japan Idol Group Visit there Website The sparsely populated Tōhoku prefecture of Iwate is home to both rugged mountains inland and an extensive coastline on the Pacific Ocean. Rich in history, it is also the site of Hiraizumi, whose Buddhist temples earned it a World Heritage designation in 2011. Iwate Prefecture is in the Tōhoku region, located on the Pacific coast of Honshū. It is the second largest prefecture in Japan, behind only Hokkaidō, but a low population density leaves it with plenty of space for natural beauty. Ski resorts in the west of the prefecture and spectacular coastal views in the east draw visitors year-round. Iwate Prefecture at a Glance Established in 1871 (formerly part of Mutsu province) Capital: Morioka Population: 1,211,000 (as of Oct. 2020) Area: 15,275 km2 Iwate’s capital, Morioka, is the largest city in the prefecture, but is still home to fewer than 300,000 people. Much of the population is concentrated along the Kitakami River, Japan’s fifth longest, in the prefecture’s west, also the route taken by the Tōhoku Shinkansen line. The western border of the prefecture, shared with Akita, is mountainous and sees heavy snow in the winter. Ski resorts like Shizukuishi, Hachimantai, and Appi—all near the prefecture’s tallest peak, the 2,038-meter Mount Iwate—enchant winter sports fans with their long runs and lack of crowds. The Pacific coast was heavily hit by tsunami following the March 11, 2011, Great East Japan Earthquake, which made the names of cities like Miyako and Kamaishi known nationwide and even around the world. Cape Todo, on the prefecture’s central coast, is the easternmost point on the main island of Honshū. Despite its distance from the centers of Japanese culture in antiquity, Iwate was home to a major center of Buddhism in the north. Hiraizumi, a city designed according to Pure Land Buddhist principles in the eleventh and twelfth centuries, earned UNESCO World Heritage status in 2011 for its gardens, archaeological sites, and temples including Chūsonji and Mōtsūji. Iwate’s small population means it is no industrial powerhouse, but it ranks fifth in the nation in forestry, providing some 5% of the nation’s lumber based on value as of 2015. Its rugged ria coastline, characterized by narrow inlets separated by high ridges, makes it ideal for production of shellfish, particularly abalone, in which it leads Japan. By no means a major industry, but one prized by tea aficionados, is Nanbu tekki, cast iron pots made in and around Morioka for some four centuries. Iwate is a land of literature and folktales. The folklorist Yanagita Kunio in 1910 wrote Tōno monogatari (Tales of Tōno), a collection of stories collected in the central Iwate district of Tōno, establishing the modern foundations of Japanese folklore studies. The early twentieth century also saw the writing career of Miyazawa Kenji, whose stories of the Iwate-inspired land of Ihatov are loved to this day. The Wanko Kyōdai, siblings based on the popular Morioka dish wanko soba (endless tiny bowls of soba noodles brought in rapid succession to diners until they have had their fill), are Iwate Prefecture’s official mascots. Famous Figures Miyazawa Kenji (1896–1933): Writer. Plagued by illness for much of his life, during which he received little recognition, in death he became known for his works set in Ihatov, his fictional land based on Iwate. Best known for the poem “Ame ni mo makezu” (trans. “Undefeated by the Rain”) and novels like Ginga tetsudō no yoru (trans. Night on the Galactic Railroad). Nitobe Inazō (1862–1933): Educator. Studied agricultural policy in the United States before returning to Japan, where he taught at universities in Sapporo, Kyoto, and Tokyo and devoted himself to women’s education as the first president of Tokyo Women’s Christian University. Known also as the author of Bushidō: The Soul of Japan.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5gy6QLq8wg

Miyagi Prefecture Banzai Japan Idol Group Visit there Website Miyagi Prefecture has long been known for its magnificent coastline, and is the most populous prefecture in the Tōhoku region of northern Honshū. Miyagi Prefecture lies on the Pacific coast of Honshū in the northern Tōhoku region. Rich in wild beauty, with almost a quarter of its territory falling inside of natural parks, it is famed for its coastline, in particular the hundreds of rocky islands of Matsushima, considered to be one of the three most spectacular scenic views in Japan. Miyagi Prefecture at a Glance Established in 1872 (formerly part of Mutsu province) Capital: Sendai Population: 2,302,000 (as of Oct. 2020) Area: 7,282 km2 Miyagi’s capital is Sendai, the largest city in the Tōhoku district, with more than a million people calling it home. The prefecture’s location on the eastern side of the island of Honshū means that the high mountains along its western border with Yamagata Prefecture protect it from the worst of the winter storms blowing in from Siberia, and it enjoys relatively warm winters compared to neighboring areas in Japan’s north. Miyagi borders Iwate and Akita to the north, Yamagata to the west, and Fukushima to the south. The west of the prefecture is mountainous, lying along the long Ōu range extending from Aomori in the north to Tochigi in the south. The bulk of the prefecture’s center is relatively flat, making it ideal for agriculture. Miyagi ranks first in the nation in production of seri (Japanese parsley) and bell peppers, and second in soybeans and Malabar spinach. The northern Miyagi coast, including the Oshika Peninsula, presents rugged terrain characterized by numerous ria inlets. This was the area closest to the epicenter of the March 11, 2011, Great East Japan Earthquake, and many coastal communities like Kesennuma and Ishinomaki saw severe damage and high numbers of casualties in the disaster. The prefecture’s rich seas place Miyagi near the nation’s top in its production of nori and wakame seaweed, oysters and scallops, and farmed Coho salmon. Miyagi’s shoreline is famed for its beauty, with the hundreds of islets of Matsushima being counted among Japan’s three most scenic spots. This area has been celebrated for centuries, as seen by the poet Matsuo Bashō’s visit to it in 1689, when he described it as the finest scenery in the country. Electronics and other manufacturing industries cluster around the capital and largest city of Sendai, forming another mainstay of the prefectural economy. Figuring large in the history of Miyagi was the renowned military tactician Date Masamune (1567–1636), who built Aoba Castle in Sendai and served as the first daimyō of the Sendai domain. During the Edo period (1603–1868) Sendai was the administrative center of the Mutsu province, extending north to include present-day Iwate and Aomori. Musubimaru, the tourism PR character of Sendai, Miyagi, has a face calling to mind a ball of Miyagi’s delicious rice, and wears a helmet called a katchū like that worn by Date Masamune. Famous Figures Yoshino Sakuzō (1878–1933): Political scientist. In the 1910s, he spent several years doing research in Europe and the United States; upon his return to Japan, he began exploring ways to implement democratic principles in his country, refining the minpon-shugi theory that placed people at the center of democracy without doing away with the imperial institution. Known as a father of the Taishō democracy that flowered during the interwar years. Fukuhara Ai (1988–): Table tennis player. Competed at the 2004 Athens Olympics, becoming the youngest-ever table tennis athlete to take part in the games. She would also compete in Beijing (2008), where she was the national team’s flag-bearer, London (2012), and Rio de Janeiro (2016). Hanyū Yuzuru (1994–): Figure skater. Won two Olympic gold medals in the men’s singles competition, in Sochi in 2014 and Pyeongchang in 2018. Turned professional in 2022 and remains one of the most popular athletes in any sport in Japan. https://youtu.be/60JaJn1zabE?si=IqlFu7HfijX6DpzH

Akita Prefecture https://youtu.be/m3F_DvV7PsM?si=XXILNDgJxOE79W7Y The remote Akita Prefecture, in the northern Tōhoku region of the main island of Honshū, is known for its cold, snowy winters and as the birthplace of beautiful women. Akita Prefecture, on the Sea of Japan coast in the Tōhoku region, is the sixth largest prefecture by area, but thirty-eighth by population. Its rugged mountains, harsh winter weather, and distance from the country’s population centers make it a place to go to get away from it all; more than 10% of the prefecture’s land falls inside of natural parks. Akita Prefecture at a Glance Established in 1871 (formerly parts of Dewa and Mutsu provinces) Capital: Akita Population: 960,000 (as of Oct. 2020) Area: 11,638 km2 Banzai Japan Idol Group Visit there Website The city of Akita, the prefectural capital, is the largest in the prefecture, with more than 300,000 residents. Siberian storms in winter bring it heavy snowfall, like much of the Japan Sea coastal regions of Honshū and Hokkaidō—the city is often included on top-10 lists of the world’s major cities with the most annual snowfall. The coastline is largely straight and smooth, with the exception of the Oga Peninsula in the northwest of the prefecture; in the center and east lie the Dewa and Ōu mountain ranges. Akita borders Aomori to the north, Iwate to the west, and Miyagi and Yamagata to the south. In 1997 the Akita Shinkansen was completed, connecting the capital to Morioka, Iwate, and south to Tokyo on the Tōhoku Shinkansen route. Akita’s natural resources long made it a regional economy dependent largely on agriculture, forestry, and fishing. Since World War II, however, the prefecture has come to produce a range of industrial products, such as radio receivers and camera lenses, in which it led the nation as recently as 2008. One particularly adorable natural resource from the prefecture is the Akita-inu, a breed of dog selected as a national natural monument. The most famous of these was the faithful Hachikō, whose statue is a popular meeting point outside Tokyo’s Shibuya Station. Akita is still known as a major rice producer. One of its most famous contributions to Japanese cuisine, kiritanpo, is pounded rice molded around wooden skewers and toasted over an open flame before being eaten with miso paste or as a main nabe hot-pot ingredient. The namahage, frightfully costumed ogres who barge into homes on the Oga Peninsula each New Year’s Eve and ask whether the children are behaving properly, are a famous aspect of Akita’s local culture. In the summer, a major tourist draw is the Ōmagari National Fireworks Competition, which brings together the nation’s top pyrotechnicians to show their best work to hundreds of thousands of observers. Akita is also known as the birthplace of Ono no Komachi, a ninth century poetess celebrated as one of the Rokkasen, or “poetic immortals,” and for her beauty, said to be such that to this day her name is a synonym for feminine beauty. Her name has also been given to the Komachi train service connecting Akita with Tokyo on the Shinkansen network. Ndatchi, the prefectural mascot, is a robot in the form of a namahage child who has come from the future to spread the word about Akita’s charms. Famous Figures Suga Yoshihide (1948–): Politician. Served as chief cabinet secretary to Prime Minister Abe Shinzō from 2012 to 2020 before taking the premiership himself from 2020 to 2021. Akashi Yasushi (1931–): Diplomat. After graduating from the University of Tokyo, went to the United States as a Fulbright Scholar and later a graduate student at the Tufts University Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. In 1957 he became the first Japanese national to go to work for the United Nations Secretariat; he would go on to serve in a number of key roles, rising to the position of under-secretary-general. He also served as Japan’s ambassador to the United Nations.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOzd7vFfP0k

Tokyo Metropolis Banzai Japan Idol Group Visit there Website Japan’s largest population center and main economic engine, and home to the nation’s capital, Tokyo is known around the world. Renowned as one of the world’s top cities and the capital of Japan, administratively Tokyo is actually a metropolis (to), a special kind of prefecture, and it is made up of numerous municipalities. The main parts of the metropolis are in Kantō. Central Tokyo consists of the 23 municipalities in the east, where the urban sprawl is most concentrated, while western Tokyo is less built up; to the east is Tokyo Bay. The metropolis also administers a number of distant islands, including the Izu and Ogasawara Islands. Its population of 14 million is by far the greatest among Japan’s prefectures. Tokyo Metropolis at a Glance Established in 1871 (formerly Musashi province) Capital: Shinjuku (seat of the metropolitan government) Population: 14,048,000 (as of Oct. 2020) Area: 2,194 km2 Tokyo has been the political center of Japan since Tokugawa Ieyasu established his shogunate in the city under its former name of Edo in 1603. After the fall of the shogunate in 1868, the city was renamed Tokyo and officially became the nation’s capital. What was once Edo Castle is now known as the Imperial Palace; as the residence of Japan’s imperial family, it has only a few sections open to visitors. Many tourists go to the public Higashi-Gyoen gardens on the palace grounds. Asakusa and its temple Sensōji, famous for its “thunder gate” Kaminarimon, are also essential for Tokyo sightseers. Tokyo Tower is a longstanding icon of the city; it was joined by another soaring structure, Tokyo Skytree, in the twenty-first century. Several Tokyo districts themselves have become international names. In the west, Shinjuku is a thriving entertainment and business district home to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office, while Shibuya’s scramble crossing has become a symbol of the urban bustle. Nearby Harajuku is a hangout for fashion fans, as well as the setting for Meiji Shrine and its sacred forest. On the eastern side of the Yamanote railway line ringing central Tokyo, Akihabara is known for electronics and otaku goods, and Ginza is associated with high-end shopping. Tokyo is a major global financial center, and the Tokyo Stock Exchange is one of the world’s leading exchanges. The Bank of Japan is based in the prefecture, along with the headquarters of the country’s three megabanks. There are many national government and administrative offices, along with head offices of major corporations. Japan’s media organizations and its publishing and printing industries are concentrated in the metropolis, and there are also many universities and other academic institutions. Toyosu Market is one of the world’s biggest fish markets, known for its famous tuna auctions. Edo kiriko cut glass is a longstanding traditional craft. Unlike most prefectures, Tokyo does not have a general mascot associated with it. Miraitowa (left) and Someity were memorable Tokyo 2020 characters. The name for the Olympic mascot Miraitowa derives from the Japanese words for “future” (mirai) and “eternity” (towa) while the name for Paralympic mascot Someity comes from the somei yoshino variety of cherry trees, and also evokes the English “so mighty.” Both designs are influenced by the 2020 logos with their Ichimatsu moyō checkered pattern. Famous Figures Ono Yōko (1933–): Avant-garde artist, singer, and peace activist. Miyazaki Hayao (1941–): Animator and director of critically acclaimed films including My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away, which won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP5QLZFsOlQ

Kanagawa Prefecture Banzai Japan Idol Group Visit there Website Kanagawa Prefecture, immediately to the south of Tokyo, is a center for industry and is also known for its rugged coastline, mountains, and hot springs. Kanagawa Prefecture is located south of Tokyo in the southern part of the Kantō Region. It has an extensive coastline, stretching 435 kilometers along Tokyo Bay to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the south. It is the second largest prefecture by population and is home to Yokohama, the country’s most populous city. Kanagawa Prefecture at a Glance Established in 1868 (formerly Musashi and Sagami provinces) Capital: Yokohama Population: 9,237,000 (as of Oct. 2020) Area: 2,416 km2 The northeastern section of the prefecture is part of the greater Tokyo area and includes the capital Yokohama and Kawasaki, known as an industrial center. The Miura Peninsula in the southeast boasts a rugged coastline and scenic beaches, and to the west stretches the arced coast of Sagami Bay. Inland is a mixture of heavily urbanized areas and farmland, with the western half of the prefecture punctuated by the tourist destination of Hakone and the foothills of Mount Fuji. Kanagawa has a robust industrial sector, centering on the Keihin Industrial Zone along Tokyo Bay, and is also an R&D hub for fields like IT and medicine. Global companies based in the prefecture include Fujitsu, Nissan, Sony, and Takeda Pharmaceutical. Agricultural output in the prefecture is modest, while Kanagawa’s long coastline supports a robust fishing industry that includes the port of Misaki on the Miura Peninsula, a major center of tuna fishing. Kanagawa’s long coastline attracts beachgoers and others looking to enjoy the prefecture’s abundant sunshine and sea air. The Shōnan area, a popular getaway for Tokyo residents, includes the island Enoshima, the feudal capital of Kamakura, and the surfing hub Chigasaki. In the west are the castle town of Odawara and the mountains, lakes, and hot springs of Hakone. Kanagawa’s official mascot, Kanagawa Kintarō, is based on the popular Japanese folklore character Kintarō, a child of legendary strength and bravery who was raised on Mount Ashigara near Hakone. Famous Figures Koizumi Jun’ichirō (1942–): Politician and prime minister of Japan, 2001–6. Antonio Inoki (1943–2022): Legendary professional wrestler and promoter, famed for taking on world champion boxer Muhammad Ali in 1976. Yamada Waka (1879–1957): Pioneering feminist and social reformer.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUPGjyH5YbA

Niigata Prefecture Banzai Japan Idol Group Visit there Website Niigata Prefecture is known for its heavy snow, its ornamental carp, and the island of Sado, which was once a place of exile and is now a habitat for the crested ibis. Niigata Prefecture lies on Japan’s west coast, in the Hokuriku region, stretching out beside the Sea of Japan. While its borders with neighboring prefectures are mountainous, there are flatter areas toward the coast. Niigata includes the major island of Sado and the mouth of the Shinano River, Japan’s longest. The prefecture is known for its heavy snow, and is the setting for Kawabata Yasunari’s novel Yukiguni Niigata Prefecture at a Glance Established in 1876 (formerly Echigo and Sado provinces) Capital: Niigata Population: 2,201,000 (as of Oct. 2020) Area: 12,584 km2 Once a place of exile, the island of Sado is now a popular tourist destination. Visitors can explore its former gold mine, which helped to support the economy of the shogunate during the Edo period (1603–1868). It is also a habitat for the crested ibis, which has been successfully reintroduced to the island after local extinction. On the mainland, Yuzawa is known for its ski resorts and onsen hot springs. The nearby Mount Tanigawa is a celebrated mountain-climbing destination, but also a dangerous one, accounting for more deaths than any other peak in Japan. Niigata Prefecture has a long tradition of producing high-quality rice, including particularly the superior Koshihikari variety, as well as related products like sake. It is the home of the ornamental carp nishikigoi, which have become a favorite with collectors overseas. While Japan mainly imports its fuel, the prefecture also has some of the country’s oil and gas projects. The official mascot for Niigata is Lerch, based on the Austro-Hungarian officer Theodor Edler von Lerch, who popularized the sport of skiing in Japan. Famous Figures Tanaka Kakuei (1918–93): Prime minister of Japan from 1972 to 1974, he is remembered for establishing postwar relations with China and his involvement in the Lockheed Scandal. Watanabe Ken (1959–): Actor who made his name in Japan before becoming an international star. Hirano Ayumu (1998–): Snowboarder with three Olympic medals in the men’s half-pipe event, including a gold in 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbkpBbvQ3ts

Toyama Prefecture Banzai Japan Idol Group Visit there Website Toyama Prefecture highlights include the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine route and its “snow corridor,” and the fresh fish and seafood, including the local delicacy, the firefly squid. Toyama Prefecture is located in the Hokuriku region of Japan. It is surrounded on three sides by land, with Toyama Bay and the Sea of Japan lying to its north. The Tateyama mountain range towers in the southeast of the prefecture, rising above 3,000 meters. Cloudy skies and precipitation are common through much of the year. Toyama Prefecture at a Glance Established in 1871 (formerly Etchū province) Capital: Toyama Population: 1,035,000 (as of Oct. 2020) Area: 4,248 km2 Visitors can cross the mountains of Tateyama via the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine route leading to Nagano Prefecture. The route is known particularly for its “snow corridor” near the highest point of Murodō, with great white walls that reach up to 20 meters high between April and June. Picturesque farmhouses with steep, thatched roofs at Gokayama have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, together with neighbors at Shirakawa-gō in Gifu Prefecture. Kurobe Gorge’s scenic railway offers spectacular views of the river below and surrounding peaks. Toyama Prefecture is a major rice producer, while the city of Tonami is well known for its tulips. Toyama Bay supplies a great deal of fresh fish and seafood, including the local delicacy, the firefly squid. Traditional medicine salesmen who used to travel the country laid the foundations for today’s robust pharmaceutical industry in the prefecture. The city of Takaoka produces over 90% of Japan’s copperware, and the metal-casting industry is symbolized by the local Daibutsu, or Great Buddha. Kitokito-kun is the official mascot for Toyama, taking his name from kito kito, a term in the local dialect that can mean either “fresh” or “lively.” His hairstyle represents the Tateyama mountain range. Famous Figures Fujiko F. Fujio (1933–96): The creator of Doraemon, one of Japan’s most famous characters. Ueno Chizuko (1948–): Feminist, sociologist, and writer, known for her highlighting of issues like gender inequality. Hosoda Mamoru (1967–): Director of anime films including The Girl Who Leapt Through Time and Wolf Children. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwtT9BGLuJs

Ishikawa Prefecture Banzai Japan Idol Group   Visit there Website Ishikawa Prefecture capital Kanazawa’s Kenrokuen is perhaps the most famous of Japan’s “three great gardens,” while the Noto Peninsula is known for its spectacular coastal scenery. Located in the Hokuriku region, Ishikawa Prefecture has a lengthy coastline with its northern half, the rugged Noto Peninsula, jutting out into the Sea of Japan. The southern half includes the major city of Kanazawa, long a historical center, which lies on a plain. To the southeast, the elevation rises toward Mount Hakusan, a dormant volcano with a peak of 2,702 meters, which is the nation’s tallest point west of the Japan Alps. Ishikawa Prefecture at a Glance Established in 1872 (formerly Kaga and Noto provinces) Capital: Kanazawa Population: 1,133,000 (as of Oct. 2020) Area: 4,186 km2 Kenrokuen in Kanazawa is perhaps the most famous of Japan’s “three great gardens,” with different flowers through the seasons; the Kotojitōrō, a distinctive two-legged stone lantern, has become a symbol of the location. Other attractions in Kanazawa include geisha and samurai districts. Noto Peninsula is a relatively remote area known for its spectacular coastal scenery of cliffs, caves, and rock formations. At Shiroyone Senmaida steep rice-field terraces overlook the sea. The company Komatsu, named after the Ishikawa city of the same name where it was founded, is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of construction and mining equipment. The machinery industry remains important in the prefecture, alongside textile production. In traditional crafts, Kanazawa is known for its kinpaku sheets of hammered gold leaf, and the lacquerware of Wajima. The Ishikawa official mascot Hyakuman-san is modeled after the local Kaga hachiman-okiagari tumbler dolls. Its name refers to the hyakuman or 1 million koku (a unit equivalent to around 180 liters of rice) produced by the former Kaga domain, which was the largest during the Edo period Famous Figures D. T. Suzuki (1870–1966): Philosopher who helped popularize Zen Buddhism around the world. Nagai Gō (1945–): Manga artist known for works including Devilman, Cutie Honey, and Mazinger Z. Matsui Hideki (1974–): Baseball star nicknamed “Godzilla,” who hit more than 500 home runs during his career in Japan and the United States.

Fukui Prefecture Banzai Japan Idol Group Visit there Website Fukui Prefecture is associated with dinosaurs and Zen, thanks to numerous fossil discoveries and a major temple founded by the Buddhist priest Dōgen. Fukui Prefecture lies to the west edge of the Hokuriku region of central Honshū, along the Sea of Japan coast. Most of the population is in the larger northeastern section of the prefecture, while a thin strip of land extends to the southwest. The city of Katsuyama has the largest dinosaur fossil site in Japan, which has also provided the largest number of specimens in the country. Fukui Prefecture at a Glance Established in 1881 (formerly Echizen and Wakasa provinces) Capital: Fukui Population: 767,000 (as of Oct. 2020) Area: 4,191 km2 Eiheiji, a temple founded by the Buddhist priest Dōgen in the thirteenth century, has become a major center for Zen. As well as appreciating the grounds of the complex, visitors can practice zazen meditation and experience the ascetic life of the temple by staying overnight. The prefecture’s association with dinosaur fossils encouraged the construction of the Fukui Dinosaur Museum. It is Japan’s largest such museum, with many skeletons on display, including some that were discovered locally. Fukui Prefecture has a relatively large number of nuclear power plants, particularly along the Wakasa Bay coast, which make a significant contribution to Japan’s electricity supply. Its major industries include synthetic fabrics and other textiles, while the small city of Sabae produces all but a small fraction of Japan’s eyeglass frames. Fukui’s official mascots, Dino-Happiness are a group of characters based on the prefecture’s dinosaur connections. Famous Figures Okada Keisuke (1868–1952): Prime minister of Japan who escaped assassination during the February 26 Incident coup attempt in 1936. Later played a key role in bringing down the Tōjō Hideki cabinet in 1944. Shirakawa Shizuka (1910–2006): Leading scholar of kanji and compiler of dictionaries. Iwasaki Chihiro (1918–74): Artist and illustrator of children’s books. Illustrated Kuroyanagi Tetsuko’s Madogiwa no Totto-chan (trans. by Dorothy Britton as Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window). https://youtu.be/nDr7yTaU5MY?si=rGURSShd8wbwdn03

Yamanashi Prefecture Banzai Japan Idol Group Visit there Website Yamanashi Prefecture, just west of Tokyo, is known as home to some of Japan’s highest mountains, including Mount Fuji, and as Japan’s wine- and fruit-producing heartland. Landlocked Yamanashi Prefecture in the Chūbu region consists of the Kōfu Basin in its center, surrounded by mountainous areas. Mount Fuji, at 3,776 meters Japan’s tallest peak, straddles southern Yamanashi and northern Shizuoka Prefecture, and the second-tallest mountain, the 3,193-meter Kitadake, stands in the Southern Alps on Yamanashi’s western side. The prefecture’s geography means that there is relatively less precipitation and fine weather is more frequent compared with the rest of the country. Yamanashi Prefecture at a Glance Established in 1871 (formerly Kai province) Capital: Kōfu Population: 810,000 (as of Oct. 2020) Area: 4,465 km2 The Yoshida trail in Yamanashi Prefecture is the most popular of the Mount Fuji climbing trails. The prefecture also has many good places to view the peak or take a picture, such as around the Fuji Five Lakes, of which Lake Kawaguchi is easiest to access. Nearby is the Chūreitō pagoda, which has become a favorite location for Fuji snaps among international tourists. Itchiku Kubota Art Museum displays kimono artworks, while the amusement park Fuji-Q Highland offers roller coaster thrills. Yamanashi Prefecture produces many varieties of fruit and leads Japan for growing of grapes, peaches, and sumomo plums. Its rich grape harvest has led to the establishment of many wineries, and the prefecture is also Japan’s top wine producer. Abundant rock crystals in the prefecture’s mountains have facilitated a thriving jewelry industry, while its clear waters make it the country’s number-one supplier of mineral water. Takeda Hishimaru, the dog character for Yamanashi Prefecture, is inspired by Takeda Shingen, the sixteenth-century leader of the area’s former Kai province, and is a Kai-ken breed. Its helmet displays the Takeda hishi or “diamond” family crest, and it carries a gunbai war fan with the famous phrase associated with Shingen, fūrin kazan (swift as the wind, still as the forest, devastating as fire, and steadfast as the mountain). It also has Mount Fuji on its apron. Famous Figures Takeda Shingen (1521–73): Powerful warlord who won a crushing victory over Tokugawa Ieyasu, but died of disease shortly afterward. Muraoka Hanako (1893–1968): Writer and translator of children’s literature from English to Japanese, including L. M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables. Nakata Hidetoshi (1977–): A key member of Japan’s soccer team, representing the country at three World Cups and playing for several seasons in Italy’s Serie A. https://youtu.be/xYMouxmOVc4?si=f_OAglHZbhZG8OJw