- published: 14 Dec 2011
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- author: EnchantingJapan
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- Aichi Prefecture
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- Ama, Shimane
- Amago clan
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Adachi Museum of Art
The Adachi Museum of Art (足立美術館?) opened in Yasugi, Shimane Prefecture, Japan in 1970. It houses a collection of modern Japanese art, including paintings by Taikan Yokoyama, and has a celebrated garden.
Coordinates: 35°22′48″N 133°11′39″E / 35.38°N 133.19417°E / 35.38; 133.19417
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Aichi Prefecture
Aichi Prefecture (愛知県, Aichi-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region. The region of Aichi is also known as the Tōkai region. The capital is Nagoya. It is the focus of the Chūkyō Metropolitan Area.
Originally, the region was divided into the two provinces of Owari and Mikawa. After the Meiji Restoration, Owari and Mikawa were united into a single entity. In 1871, after the abolition of the han system, Owari, with the exception of the Chita Peninsula, was established as Nagoya Prefecture, while Mikawa combined with the Chita Peninsula and formed Nukata Prefecture. Nagoya Prefecture was renamed to Aichi Prefecture in April 1872, and was united with Nukata Prefecture on November 27 of the same year.
The government of Aichi Prefecture is located in the Aichi Prefectural Government Office in Nagoya, which is the old capital of Owari.
The Expo 2005 World Exposition was held in Seto and Nagakute.
In the third volume of the Man'yōshū there is a poem by Takechi Kurohito 'The cry of the crane, calling to Sakurada; it sounds like the tide, draining from Ayuchi flats, hearing the crane cry'. Ayuchi is the original form of the name Aichi, and the Fujimae tidal flat is all that remains of the earlier Ayuchi-gata. It is now a protected area.
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Akita Prefecture
Akita Prefecture (秋田県, Akita-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku Region of northern Honshu, the main island of Japan. The capital is the city of Akita.
The area of Akita has been created from the ancient provinces of Dewa and Mutsu.
Separated from the principal Japanese centres of commerce, politics, and population by several hundred kilometres and the Ōu and Dewa mountain ranges to the east, Akita remained largely isolated from Japanese society until after the year 600. Akita was a region of hunter-gatherers and principally nomadic tribes.[citation needed]
The first historical record of what is now Akita Prefecture dates to 658, when the Abe no Hirafu conquered the native Ezo tribes at what are now the cities of Akita and Noshiro. Hirafu, then governor of Koshi Province (the northwest part of Honshū bordering the Sea of Japan), established a fort on the Mogami River, and thus began the Japanese settlement of the region.
In 733, a new military settlement—later renamed Akita Castle—was built in modern-day Akita city at Takashimizu, and more permanent roads and structures were developed. The region was used as a base of operations for the Japanese empire as it drove the native Ezo people from northern Honshū.
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Aomori Prefecture
Aomori Prefecture (青森県, Aomori-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku Region. The capital is the city of Aomori.
Until the Meiji Restoration, the area of Aomori prefecture was known as Mutsu Province.
The prefecture came into existence in 1871. Aomori Town was established in 1889. The town was incorporated as a city in 1898 with a population of 28,000. On May 3, 1910 a fire broke out in the Yasukata district. Fanned by strong winds, the fire quickly devastated the whole city. The conflagration claimed 26 lives and injured a further 160 residents. It destroyed 5,246 houses and burnt 19 storage sheds and 157 warehouses. At 10:30 p.m. on July 28, 1945 a squadron of American B29 bombers bombed over 90% of the city.
Radio Aomori (RAB) made its first broadcast in 1951. Four years later, the first fish auctions were held. 1958 saw the completion of the Municipal Fish Market as well as the opening of the Citizen's Hospital. In the same year, the Tsugaru Line established a rail connection with Minmaya Village at the tip of the peninsula.
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Chiba Prefecture
Chiba Prefecture (千葉県, Chiba-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region and the Greater Tokyo Area. Its capital is Chiba City.
The name of Chiba Prefecture in Japanese is formed from two kanji characters. The first, 千, means "thousand" and the second, 葉 means "leaves". The name first appears as an ancient kuni no miyatsuko, or regional command office, as the Chiba Kuni no Miyatsuko (千葉国造?). The name was adopted by a branch of the Taira clan, which moved to the area in present-day Chiba City in the late Heian period. The branch of the Taira adopted the name and became the Chiba clan, and held strong influence over the area of the prefecture until the Azuchi-Momoyama period. The name "Chiba" was chosen for the prefecture at the time its creation in 1873 by the Assembly of Prefectural Governors (地方官会議, Chihō Kankai Kaigi?), an early Meiji-period body of prefectural governors that met to decide the structure of local and regional administration in Japan.
The compound word ’’Keiyō’’ (京葉?), which refers to the Tokyo-Chiba region, is formed from the second character in Tokyo (京), and the second character in Chiba (葉), which can also be pronounced “kei” and “yō” respectively. This compound is used in terms such as the Keiyō Line, Keiyō Road, Keiyō Rinkai Railway Rinkai Main Line, and the Keiyō Industrial Zone.
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Chūbu region
The Chūbu region (中部地方, Chūbu-chihō?) is the central region of Honshū, Japan's main island. Chūbu has a population of 21,715,822 as of 2010.
Chūbu, which means "central region", encompasses nine prefectures (ken): Aichi, Fukui, Gifu, Ishikawa, Nagano, Niigata, Shizuoka, Toyama, Yamanashi, and often Mie.
It is located directly between the Kantō region and the Kansai region and includes the major city of Nagoya as well as long Pacific and Sea of Japan coastlines, extensive mountain resorts, and Mount Fuji.
The region is the widest part of Honshū and the central part is characterized by high, rugged mountains. The Japanese Alps divide the country into the Pacific side, known as the front of Japan, or Omote-Nihon (表日本?) sunny in winter, and the Sea of Japan side, or Ura-Nihon (裏日本?), the back of Japan, snowy in winter.
The Chūbu region covers a large and geographically diverse area of Honshū which leads to it generally being divided into three distinct subregions: Tōkai, Kōshin'etsu, and Hokuriku.
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Chūgoku region
The Chūgoku region (中国地方, Chūgoku-chihō?), also known as the San'in-San'yō region (山陰山陽地方, San'in san'yō-chihō?), is the westernmost region of Honshū, the largest island of Japan. It consists of the prefectures of Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori and Yamaguchi. As of 2010 it has a population of 7,563,428.
“Chūgoku” literally means “middle country”, but the origin of the name is unclear. Historically, Japan was divided into a number of provinces called koku, which were in turn classified according to both their power and their distances from the administrative center in Kansai. Under the latter classification, most provinces are divided into “near countries” (近国 kingoku), “middle countries” (中国 chūgoku), and “far countries” (遠国 ongoku). Therefore, one explanation is that Chūgoku was originally used to refer to the collection of “middle countries” to the west of the capital. However, only five (less than half) of the provinces normally considered part of Chūgoku region were in fact classified as middle countries, and the term never applied to the many middle countries to the west of Kansai. Therefore, an alternative explanation is that Chūgoku referred to provinces between Kansai and Kyūshū, which was historically important as the link between Japan and mainland Asia.
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Ehime Prefecture
Ehime Prefecture (愛媛県, Ehime-ken?) is a prefecture in northwestern Shikoku, Japan. The capital is Matsuyama.
Until the Meiji Restoration, Ehime prefecture was known as Iyo Province. Since before the Heian period, the area was dominated by fishermen and sailors who played an important role in defending Japan against pirates and Mongol invasions.
After the Battle of Sekigahara, the Tokugawa shogun gave the area to his allies, including Kato Yoshiaki who built Matsuyama Castle, forming the basis for the modern city of Matsuyama.
The name Ehime comes from the Kojiki and means "beautiful maiden."
In 2012, a research group from the University of Tokyo and Ehime University said they had discovered rare earth deposits in the City of Matsuyama in Ehime-ken Prefecture,Japan.
Located in the northwestern part of Shikoku, Ehime faces the Seto Inland Sea to the north and is bordered by Kagawa and Tokushima in the east and Kōchi in the south.
The prefecture includes both high mountains in the inland region and a long coastline, with many islands in the Seto Inland Sea. The westernmost arm of Ehime, the Sadamisaki Peninsula, is the narrowest peninsula in Japan.
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Fukui Prefecture
Fukui Prefecture (福井県, Fukui-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Fukui.
The Kitadani Dinosaur Quarry, on the Sugiyama River within the city limits of Katsuyama, has yielded the Fukuiraptor kitadaniensis and Fukuisaurus tetoriensis as well as an unnamed dromaeosaurid and a new sauropod. It also shows the coexistence of pterosaurs and birds, in the forms of comingled tracks.[citation needed]
Fukui originally consisted of the old provinces of Wakasa and Echizen, before the prefecture was formed in 1871.
During the Edo period, the daimyō of the region was surnamed Matsudaira, and was a descendant of Tokugawa Ieyasu.
The province faces the Sea of Japan, and has a western part (formerly Wakasa) which is a narrow plain between the mountains and the sea, and a larger eastern part (formerly Echizen) with wider plains including the capital and most of the population. The mountain side of the eastern part has much snow in winter.
As of 31 March 2008, 15% of the total land area of the prefecture was designated as Natural Parks, namely the Hakusan National Park; Echizen-Kaga Kaigan and Wakasa Wan Quasi-National Parks; and Okuetsu Kōgen Prefectural Natural Park.
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Fukuoka Airport
Fukuoka Airport (福岡空港, Fukuoka Kūkō?) (IATA: FUK, ICAO: RJFF), formerly known as Itazuke Air Base, is an international and domestic airport located 1.6 NM (3.0 km; 1.8 mi) east of Hakata Station in Fukuoka, Japan. It is officially designated a second class airport. It is operating at full capacity, and cannot be further expanded. Flights stop at 10 p.m. at the request of local residents and resume operation at 7 a.m.
The airport is located in Hakata-ku, south-east of the city centre. It is connected to the rest of the city by Fukuoka City Subway and road, and a subway from the airport to the business district takes less than ten minutes.
Fukuoka Airport is the fourth busiest passenger airport in Japan. In 2006, it was used by 18.1 million people and there were 137,000 takeoffs and landings.
There is only one runway of 2800 metres, and the airport is surrounded by residential areas and the approach is reminiscent of the old Hong Kong airport, Kai Tak International.
In the mid-1990s, Delta Air Lines operated a non-stop flight between Fukuoka and Portland, Oregon, where the airline once operated its trans-pacific hub. When the route was dropped due to financial pressure, Fukuoka lost its first and only non-stop service to the mainland U.S. Fukuoka once again regained its first and only nonstop service to the United States when both Delta and Hawaiian Airlines launched service to Honolulu.
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Fukuoka Prefecture
Fukuoka Prefecture (福岡県, Fukuoka-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan located on Kyūshū Island. The capital is the city of Fukuoka.
Fukuoka Prefecture includes the former provinces of Chikugo, Chikuzen, and Buzen.
Fukuoka Prefecture has signed Friendship Agreements with Bangkok (Thailand), Delhi (India), and Hanoi (Vietnam).
Fukuoka Prefecture faces the sea on three sides, bordering on Saga, Ōita, and Kumamoto prefectures and facing Yamaguchi Prefecture across the Kanmon Straits.
Fukuoka includes the two largest cities on Kyūshū, Fukuoka and Kitakyushu, and much of Kyūshū's industry. It also includes a number of small islands near the north coast of Kyūshū.
Twenty-eight cities are located in Fukuoka Prefecture:
These are the towns and villages in each district.
Fukuoka prefecture's main cities form one of Japan's main industrial centers, accounting for nearly 40% of the economy of Kyūshū. Major industries include automobiles, semiconductors, and steel. Fukuoka prefecture is noteworthy as the place where tire manufacturer Bridgestone[1] and consumer electronics chain Best Denki were founded.
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Fukushima Prefecture
Fukushima Prefecture (福島県, Fukushima-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku region on the island of Honshu. The capital is the city of Fukushima.
Until the Meiji Restoration, the area of Fukushima prefecture was known as Mutsu Province.
The Shirakawa Barrier and the Nakoso Barrier were built around the 5th century to protect 'civilized Japan' from the 'barbarians' to the north. Fukushima became a Province of Mutsu after the Taika Reforms were established in 646.
In 718, the provinces of Iwase and Iwaki were created, but these areas reverted to Mutsu some time between 722 and 724.
The province of Fukushima was conquered by Prince Subaru in 1293. This region of Japan is also known as Michinoku and Ōshū.
The Fukushima Incident took place in the prefecture after Mishima Michitsune was appointed governor in 1882.
The 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, the tsunami that followed, and the resulting Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant disaster caused significant damage to the prefecture, primarily but not limited to the eastern Hama-dōri region.
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Gassantoda Castle
Gassantoda Castle (月山富田城, Gassantoda-jō) is a mountain castle, or yamashiro, located in Yasugi, Shimane Prefecture, Japan. Today, only its ruins still stand.
Gassantoda Castle is regarded as among Japan's Five Greatest Mountain Castles, along with Kasugayama Castle, Nanao Castle, Kannonji Castle and Odani Castle. Now it is one of Japan's nationally-designated historical ruins.
Media related to Gassantoda Castle at Wikimedia Commons
Coordinates: 35°21′39″N 133°11′06″E / 35.360967°N 133.184875°E / 35.360967; 133.184875
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Gifu Prefecture
Gifu Prefecture (岐阜県, Gifu-ken?) is a prefecture in the Chūbu region of central Japan. Its capital is the city of Gifu.
Located in the center of Japan, it has long played an important part as the crossroads of Japan, connecting the east to the west through such routes as the Nakasendō. During the Sengoku period, many people referred to Gifu by saying, "control Gifu and you control Japan."
The land area that makes up modern-day Gifu became part of the Yamato Court around the middle of the fourth century. Because it is in the middle of the island of Honshū, it has been the site of many decisive battles throughout Japan's history, the oldest major one being the Jinshin War in 672, which led to the establishment of Emperor Temmu as the 40th emperor of Japan.
The area of Gifu Prefecture consists of the old provinces of Hida and Mino, as well as smaller parts of Echizen and Shinano. The name of the prefecture derives from its capital city, Gifu, which was named by Oda Nobunaga during his campaign to unify all of Japan in 1567. The first character used comes from Qishan (岐山), a legendary mountain from which most of China was unified, whereas the second character comes from Qufu (曲阜), the birthplace of Confucius. Nobunaga chose those characters because he wanted to unify all of Japan and he wanted to be viewed as a great mind.
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Gunma Prefecture
Gunma Prefecture (群馬県, Gunma-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan located in the northwest corner of the Kantō region on Honshu island. Its capital is Maebashi.
The remains of a Paleolithic man[citation needed] were found at Iwajuku, Gunma Prefecture, in the early 20th century and there is a public museum there.
Japan was without horses until around the fifth century CE. The ancient province of Gunma was a center of the horsebreeding and trading activities for the newly immigrated continental peoples. The arrival of horses and the remains of horse-tackle coincides with the arrival of a large migration from the mainland. From this point forward, the horse became a vital part of Japanese military maneuvers, quickly displacing the older Yayoi tradition of fighting on foot.
When Mount Haruna erupted in the late 6th century, Japan was still in the pre-historical phase (prior to the importation of the Chinese writing system during the Nara period). The Gunma Prefectural archaeology unit in 1994 was able to date the eruption through zoological anthropology at the corral sites that were buried in ash.
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Haneda Airport
Tokyo International Airport (東京国際空港, Tōkyō Kokusai Kūkō?), commonly known as Haneda Airport (羽田空港, Haneda Kūkō?) (IATA: HND, ICAO: RJTT), is one of the two primary airports that serve the Greater Tokyo Area in Japan. It is located in Ōta, Tokyo, 14 km (8.7 mi) south of Tokyo Station.
Haneda handles almost all domestic flights to and from Tokyo, while Narita International Airport handles the vast majority of international flights. In 2010, a dedicated international terminal was opened at Haneda in conjunction with the completion of a fourth runway. This allowed for a dramatic increase in international flights going to Haneda, which previously had only "scheduled charter" flights to Seoul, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Taipei. The Japanese government plans to further expand Haneda's international role in the future.
Haneda handled 64,211,074 passengers in 2010. By passenger throughput, it was the second busiest airport in Asia and the fifth busiest in the world, after Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, Beijing Capital Airport, Chicago O'Hare Airport, and London Heathrow Airport. With Haneda and Narita combined Tokyo has the third busiest city airport system in the world, after London and New York City.
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Hiroshima Prefecture
Hiroshima Prefecture (広島県, Hiroshima-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region on Honshu island. The capital is the city of Hiroshima.
The area around Hiroshima was formerly divided into Bingo Province and Aki Province. This location has been a center of trade and culture since the beginning of Japan's recorded history. Hiroshima is a traditional center of the Chūgoku region and was the seat of the Mōri clan until the Battle of Sekigahara.
Hiroshima is home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites:
Hiroshima prefecture lies in the middle of Chūgoku. Most of the prefecture consists of mountains leading towards Shimane Prefecture; and rivers produce rich plains near the coast.
The province facing Shikoku across the Seto Inland Sea. Hiroshima Bay opens on the Inland Sea. The prefecture also includes many small islands.
The sheltered nature of the Inland Sea makes Hiroshima's climate very mild.
Fourteen cities are located in Hiroshima Prefecture:
These are the towns and villages in each district:
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Hokkaido
Hokkaido (help·info) (北海道, Hokkaidō?, literally "Northern Sea Circuit"), formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectures. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel. The largest city on Hokkaido is its capital, Sapporo, which is also its only ordinance-designated city.
Hokkaido was settled by Ainu, Nivkh, and Orok 20,000 years ago. The Nihon Shoki, finished in 720, is often said to be the first mention of Hokkaido in recorded history. According to the text, Abe no Hirafu led a large navy and army to northern areas from 658 to 660 and came into contact with the Mishihase and Emishi. One of the places Hirafu went to was called Watarishima (渡島), which is often believed to be present-day Hokkaido. However, many theories exist in relation to the details of this event, including the location of Watarishima and the common belief that the Emishi in Watarishima were the ancestors of the present-day Ainu people.
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Hokuriku region
The Hokuriku region (北陸地方, Hokuriku chihō?) is located in the northwestern part of Honshu, the main island of Japan. It lies along the Sea of Japan within the Chūbu region. It is almost equivalent to Koshi Province and Hokurikudō area in pre-modern Japan.
The Hokuriku region includes the four prefectures of Ishikawa, Fukui, Niigata and Toyama, although Niigata is sometimes included in one of the following regions:
The major population centers of Hokuriku are:
Of these, Niigata is the largest with a population of over 800,000.
The main industries in the Hokuriku area include chemicals, medicine, tourism, textiles and textile machinery, heavy machinery, farming, and fishing. Koshihikari, a popular variety of rice is a special product of Hokuriku region.
The Hokuriku region has the highest volume of snowfall of any inhabited and arable region in the world.[citation needed] This is because dry Siberian air masses, which develop high humidity over the Sea of Japan, are forced upwards when they encounter the mountains of Honshū, causing the humidity to condense as snow.
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Hyōgo Prefecture
Hyōgo Prefecture (兵庫県, Hyōgo-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region on Honshū island. The capital is Kobe.
The prefecture's name was previously alternately spelled as Hiogo.
Present-day Hyōgo Prefecture includes the former provinces of Harima, Tajima, Awaji, and parts of Tamba and Settsu.
In 1180, near the end of the Heian Period, Emperor Antoku, Taira no Kiyomori, and the Imperial court moved briefly to Fukuhara, in what is now the city of Kobe. There the capital remained for five months.
Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is in the city of Himeji.
Southern Hyōgo Prefecture was severely devastated by the magnitude 7.2 Great Hanshin earthquake of 1995, which destroyed major parts of Kobe and Awaji, as well as Takarazuka and neighboring Osaka prefecture, killing nearly 6,500 people.
Hyōgo has coastlines on two seas: to the north, the Sea of Japan, to the south, the Inland Sea. The northern portion is sparsely populated, except for the city of Toyooka, and the central highlands are only populated by tiny villages. Most of Hyōgo's population lives on the southern coast, which is part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area. Awaji Island is an island in the Inland Sea, lying between Honshū and Shikoku.
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Ibaraki Prefecture
Ibaraki Prefecture (茨城県, Ibaraki-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan, located in the Kantō region on the main island of Honshu. The capital is Mito.
Ibaraki Prefecture was previously known as Hitachi Province. In 1871, the name of the province became Ibaraki.
Ibaraki Prefecture is the northeastern part of the Kantō region, stretching between Tochigi Prefecture and the Pacific Ocean and bounded on the north and south by Fukushima Prefecture and Chiba Prefecture. It also has a border on the southwest with Saitama Prefecture. The northernmost part of the prefecture is mountainous, but most of the prefecture is a flat plain with many lakes.
Thirty-two cities are located in Ibaraki Prefecture:
Towns and villages in each district:
Ibaraki's industries include energy, particularly nuclear energy, production, as well as chemical and precision machining industries. The Hitachi company was founded in the Ibaraki city of the same name.
As of March 2011, the prefecture produced 25% of Japan's bell peppers and Chinese cabbage.
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Ishikawa Prefecture
Ishikawa Prefecture (石川県, Ishikawa-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region on Honshū island. The capital is Kanazawa.
Ishikawa was formed from the merger of Kaga Province and the smaller Noto Province.
Ishikawa is on the Sea of Japan coast. The northern part of the prefecture consists of the narrow Noto Peninsula, while the southern part is wider and consists mostly of mountains with the prefecture's chief city, Kanazawa, located in the coastal plain. The prefecture also has some islands, including Notojima, Mitsukejima, Hegurajima.
Eleven cities are located in Ishikawa Prefecture:
Towns and villages in each district:
Ishikawa's industry is dominated by the textile industry, particularly artificial fabrics, and the machine industry, particularly construction machinery.
Ishikawa Prefecture has an area of 4,185 km² and as of April 1, 2011 it has a population of 1,166,643 persons.
The area is noted for arts and crafts and other cultural traditions:
The most popular destination in Ishikawa is Kanazawa. Tourists can get to Ishikawa by plane via Komatsu.
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Iwami Airport
Iwami Airport (石見空港, Iwami Kūkō?) (IATA: IWJ, ICAO: RJOW) is an airport located 2.8 NM (5.2 km; 3.2 mi) Masuda, a city in the Shimane Prefecture of Japan. It is also known as Hagi-Iwami Airport due to its location near the city of Hagi in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Contrary to what the name may make one think, it is not near the old town of Iwami, being about a 2 or 3 hour drive away.
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Iwate Prefecture
Iwate Prefecture (岩手県, Iwate-ken?) is the second largest prefecture of Japan after Hokkaido. It is located in the Tōhoku region of Honshū island and contains the island's easternmost point. The capital is Morioka. Iwate has the lowest population density of any prefecture outside Hokkaido. Famous attractions include the Buddhist temples of Hiraizumi, including Chūson-ji and Mōtsū-ji with their treasures, Fujiwara no Sato, a movie lot and theme park in Esashi Ward, Oshu City, Tenshochi, a park in Kitakami City known for its big, old cherry trees and Morioka Castle in Morioka City.
There are several theories about the origin of the name ‘Iwate’, but the most well known is the tale, 'Oni no tegata,' which is associated with the Mitsuishi or "Three Rocks" Shrine in Morioka. These rocks are said to have been thrown down into Morioka by an eruption of Mt. Iwate. According to the legend, there was once a devil who often tormented and harassed the local people. When the people prayed to the spirits of Mitsuishi for protection, the devil was immediately shackled to these rocks and forced to make a promise never to trouble the people again.[citation needed] As a seal of his oath the devil made a handprint on one of the rocks, thus giving rise to the name Iwate, literally ‘rock hand’. Even now after a rainfall it is said that the devil’s hand print can still be seen there.
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Izumo Airport
Izumo Airport (出雲空港, Izumo Kūkō?) (IATA: IZO, ICAO: RJOC) is an airport in the Hikawa area of Izumo, Shimane Prefecture, Japan, about 20–30 minutes by car from central Izumo or Matsue city centre. This airport is also known as Izumo En-Musubi Airport「出雲縁結び空港」; meaning Izumo Airport of Romantic Fate.
'Ichibata' Limousine bus available between airport and Matsue JR station (1,000yen) and Matsue's Shinjiko-Onsen Station (1,100yen). Bus times coincide with ariivals and departures. Journey is approx. 35 min duration.
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Izumo Taisha
Izumo-taisha (出雲大社, Izumo Grand Shrine?, also Izumo Ōyashiro) is one of the most ancient and important Shinto shrines in Japan. No record gives the date of establishment. Located in Izumo, Shimane Prefecture, it is home to two major festivals. It is dedicated to the god Ōkuninushi (Ōkuninushi-no-mikoto), famous as the Shinto deity of marriage.
A style of architecture, taisha-zukuri, takes its name from the main hall of Izumo-taisha. That hall, and the attached buildings, were designated National Treasures of Japan in 1952. According to tradition, the hall was previously much taller than presently. The discovery in the year 2000 of the remains of enormous pillars has lent credence to this.
Several other buildings in the shrine compound are on the list of Important Cultural Properties of Japan.
According to the two oldest chronicles of Japan, the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, when Ninigi-no-Mikoto, grandson of the Sun Goddess Amaterasu, descended from the heavens, the god Ōkuninushi granted his country to Ninigi-no-Mikoto. Amaterasu was much pleased by this action and she presented Izumo-taisha to Ōkuninushi.
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Izumoshi Station
Izumoshi Station (出雲市駅, Izumoshi-eki?) is a station of West Japan Railway Company (JR West) in Izumo, Shimane Prefecture, Japan. Dentetsu Izumoshi Station (電鉄出雲市駅, Dentetsu Izumoshi-eki?) of Ichibata Electric Railway is attached to the JR station.
Izumoshi Station
Dentetsu Izumoshi Station
Coordinates: 35°21′38″N 132°45′23″E / 35.3606711°N 132.7565145°E / 35.3606711; 132.7565145
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Japan
Japan
i/dʒəˈpæn/ (Japanese: 日本 Nihon or Nippon; formally 日本国 
Nippon-koku or Nihon-koku, literally the State of Japan) is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south. The characters that make up Japan's name mean "sun-origin", which is why Japan is sometimes referred to as the "Land of the Rising Sun".
Japan is an archipelago of 6,852 islands. The four largest islands are Honshū, Hokkaidō, Kyūshū and Shikoku, together accounting for ninety-seven percent of Japan's land area. Japan has the world's tenth-largest population, with over 127 million people. The Greater Tokyo Area, which includes the de facto capital city of Tokyo and several surrounding prefectures, is the largest metropolitan area in the world, with over 30 million residents.
Archaeological research indicates that people lived in Japan as early as the Upper Paleolithic period. The first written mention of Japan is in Chinese history texts from the 1st century AD. Influence from other nations followed by long periods of isolation has characterized Japan's history. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, victory in the First Sino-Japanese War, the Russo-Japanese War and World War I allowed Japan to expand its empire during a period of increasing militarism. The Second Sino-Japanese War of 1937 expanded into part of World War II in 1941, which came to an end in 1945 following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Since adopting its revised constitution in 1947, Japan has maintained a unitary constitutional monarchy with an emperor and an elected parliament called the Diet.
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Kagawa Prefecture
Kagawa Prefecture (香川県, Kagawa-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan located on Shikoku island. The capital is Takamatsu.
Kagawa was formerly known as Sanuki Province.
For a brief period between August 1876 and December 1888, Kagawa was made a part of Ehime Prefecture.
Located in Kagawa's capital city, Takamatsu, the mountain of Yashima was the battlefield for one of the best-known struggles between the Heike and the Genji clans.
Kagawa comprises the northeast corner of Shikoku, bordering Ehime Prefecture on the west and Tokushima Prefecture on the south, with a coastline on the Seto Inland Sea facing Okayama Prefecture and the Kansai. The Sanuki Mountains run along the southern border.
Kagawa is currently the smallest prefecture, by area, in Japan. Osaka Prefecture held that title until Kansai International Airport was reclaimed from the ocean in the early 1990s, pushing its land area slightly above Kagawa's[citation needed]. Kagawa is a relatively narrow prefecture located between the mountains of Shikoku and the sea.
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Kagoshima Prefecture
Kagoshima Prefecture (鹿児島県, Kagoshima-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyushu. The capital is the city of Kagoshima.
Kagoshima Prefecture is located at the southwest tip of Kyushu and includes a chain of islands stretching further to the southwest for a few hundred kilometers. The most important group is the Amami Islands. Surrounded by the Yellow Sea to the west, at least since 1879 by Okinawa Prefecture in the south, Kumamoto Prefecture to the north, and Miyazaki Prefecture to the east, it has 2,632 km of coastline (including the 28 islands). It has a bay called Kagoshima Bay (Kinkowan), which is sandwiched by two peninsulas, Satsuma and Ōsumi. Its position made it a 'gateway' to Japan at various times in history. While Kyushu has about 13 million people there are less than 2 million in this prefecture.
The prefecture boasts a chain of active and dormant volcanoes, including the great Sakurajima, which towers out of the Kagoshima bay opposite Kagoshima city. A steady trickle of smoke and ash emerges from the caldera, punctuated by louder mini-eruptions on an almost daily basis. On active days in Kagoshima city an umbrella is advisable to ward off the ash. Sakurajima is one of Japan's most active volcanoes. Major eruptions occurred in 1914, when the island mountain spilled enough material to become permanently connected to the mainland, and a lesser eruption in 1960. Volcanic materials in the soil make Sakurajima a source for record daikon radishes, roughly the size of a basketball. Many beaches around the Kagoshima Bay are littered with well-worn pumice stones. A crater lake in the southwestern tip of the prefecture, near the spa town of Ibusuki, is home to a rare species of giant eel.
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Kamakura Shogunate
The Kamakura shogunate (Japanese: 鎌倉幕府, Kamakura bakufu) was a military dictatorship in Japan headed by the shoguns from 1185 (or 1192, when it was formally recognized) to 1333. It was based in Kamakura. The Kamakura period draws its name from the capital of the shogunate. From 1203 onwards, the family of the first Shogun Yoritomo's wife, the Hōjō clan, effectively had total control over the nation with the title Shikken (Regent), setting up a Hojo family court that discussed and made most of the significant decisions.
Before the establishment of the Kamakura shogunate, civil power in Japan was primarily held by the ruling emperors and their regents, typically appointed from the ranks of the imperial court and the aristocratic clans that vied there. Military affairs were handled under the auspices of the civil government. However, after defeating the Taira clan in the Genpei War, Minamoto no Yoritomo seized certain powers from the aristocracy in 1185 and was given the title of shogun in 1192. The system of government he established became formalized as the shogunate.
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Kanagawa Prefecture
Kanagawa Prefecture (神奈川県, Kanagawa-ken?) is a prefecture located in the southern Kantō region of Japan. The capital is Yokohama. Kanagawa is part of the Greater Tokyo Area.
The prefecture has some archaeological sites going back to the Jōmon period (around 400 BC). About 3,000 years ago, Mount Hakone produced a volcanic explosion which resulted in Lake Ashi on the western area of the prefecture.
It is believed[by whom?] that the Yamato Dynasty ruled this area from 5th century onwards. In the ancient era, its plains were very sparsely inhabited.
Kamakura in central Sagami was the capital of Japan during the Kamakura period (1185–1333).
In medieval Japan, Kanagawa was part of the provinces of Sagami and Musashi.
During the Edo period, the western part of Sagami Province was governed by the daimyo of Odawara Castle, while the eastern part was directly governed by the Tokugawa Shogunate in Edo (Tokyo).
Commodore Matthew Perry landed in Kanagawa in 1853 and 1854 and signed the Convention of Kanagawa to force open Japanese ports to the United States. Yokohama, the largest deep-water port in Tokyo Bay, was opened to foreign traders in 1859 after several more years of foreign pressure, and eventually developed into the largest trading port in Japan. Nearby Yokosuka, closer to the mouth of Tokyo Bay, developed as a naval port and now serves as headquarters for the U.S. 7th Fleet and the fleet operations of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. After the Meiji Period, many foreigners lived in Yokohama City, and visited Hakone. The Meiji Government developed the first railways in Japan, from Shinbashi (in Tokyo) to Yokohama in 1872.
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Kansai region
The Kansai region (関西地方, Kansai-chihō?) or the Kinki region (近畿地方, Kinki-chihō?) lies in the southern-central region of Japan's main island Honshū. The region includes the prefectures of Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyōgo, and Shiga. Depending on who makes the distinction, Fukui, Tokushima and even Tottori Prefecture are also included. While the use of the terms "Kansai" and "Kinki" have changed over history, in most modern contexts the two can be considered the same. The urban region of Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto (Keihanshin region) is the second most populated in Japan after the Greater Tokyo Area.
The Kansai region is the cultural and historical heart of Japan with 11% of its land area and 22,757,897 residents as of 2010. The Kinki Plain with the cities of Osaka and Kyoto forms the core of the region, from there the Kansai area stretches west along the Seto Inland Sea towards Himeji and Kobe and east encompassing Lake Biwa, Japan's largest freshwater lake. In the north the region is bordered by the Sea of Japan, to the south by the Kii Peninsula and Pacific Ocean, and to the east by the Ibuki Mountains and Ise Bay. Four of Japan's national parks lie within its borders, in whole or in part. The area also contains six of the seven top prefectures in terms of national treasures. Other geographical features include Amanohashidate in Kyoto Prefecture and Awaji Island in Hyōgo.
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Kantō region
The Kantō region (関東地方, Kantō-chihō?) is a geographical area of Honshu, the largest island of Japan. The region includes the Greater Tokyo Area and encompasses seven prefectures: Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Saitama, Tokyo, Chiba, and Kanagawa. Within its boundaries, slightly more than 40 percent of the land area is the Kantō Plain. The rest consists of the hills and mountains that form the land borders. In official census count on October 1, 2010 by the Japan Statistics Bureau, the population was 42,607,376 s amounting to approximately one third of the total population of Japan.
The heartland of feudal power during the Kamakura period and again in the Edo period, Kantō became the center of modern development. Within the Greater Tokyo Area and especially the Tokyo-Yokohama metropolitan area, Kantō houses not only Japan's seat of government but also the nation's largest group of universities and cultural institutions, the greatest population, and a large industrial zone. Although most of the Kantō plain is used for residential, commercial, or industrial construction, it is still farmed. Rice is the principal crop, although the zone around Tokyo and Yokohama has been landscaped to grow garden produce for the metropolitan market.
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Kumamoto Prefecture
Kumamoto Prefecture (熊本県, Kumamoto-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan located on Kyushu Island. The capital is the city of Kumamoto.
Historically the area was called Higo Province; and the province was renamed Kumamoto during the Meiji Restoration. The creation of prefectures was part of the abolition of the feudal system. The current Japanese orthography for Kumamoto literally means "bear root/origin", or "origin of the bear".
Kumamoto Prefecture is located in the center of Kyūshū, the southernmost of the four major Japanese islands. It is bordered by the Ariake inland sea and the Amakusa archipelago to the west, Fukuoka Prefecture and Ōita Prefecture to the north, Miyazaki Prefecture to the east, and Kagoshima Prefecture to the south.
Mt. Aso (1592 m), an extensive active volcano, is in the east of Kumamoto Prefecture. This volcano is located at the center of the Aso caldera.
There are nine districts and 45 municipalities.
As of 31 March 2008, 21% of the total land area of the prefecture was designated as Natural Parks, namely the Aso Kujū and Unzen-Amakusa National Parks; Kyūshū Chūō Sanchi and Yaba-Hita-Hikosan Quasi-National Parks; and Ashikita Kaigan, Itsuki Gokanoshō, Kinpōzan, Misumi-Ōyano Umibe, Okukuma, Shōtaisan, and Yabe Shūhen Prefectural Natural Parks.
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Kyoto Prefecture
Kyoto Prefecture (京都府, Kyōto-fu?) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region of the island of Honshu. The capital is the city of Kyoto.
Until the Meiji Restoration, the area of Kyoto prefecture was known as Yamashiro. For most of its history, the city of Kyoto was the Imperial capital of Japan. The history of the city itself can be traced back as far as the 6th century. In 544, the Aoi Matsuri was held in Kyoto to pray for good harvest and good weather.
Kyoto did not start out as the capital of Japan. A noteworthy earlier capital was Nara. In 741, Emperor Shōmu moved the capital briefly to a place called Kuni-kyo, between the cities of Nara and Kyoto, in present-day Kyoto Prefecture. In 784, the capital was moved to Nagaokakyō, also in present-day Kyoto Prefecture. In 794, Emperor Kammu moved the capital to Heian-kyo, and this was the beginning of the current-day city of Kyoto. Even today, almost all of the streets, houses, stores, temples and shrines in the city of Kyoto exist where they were placed in this year.
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Kyushu
Kyushu (九州, Kyūshū?, lit. "Nine Provinces") is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include Kyūkoku (九国?, "Nine States"), Chinzei (鎮西?, "West of the Pacified Area"), and Tsukushi-no-shima (筑紫島?, "Island of Tsukushi"). The historical regional name is Saikaidō (西海道?, lit. West Sea Circuit) referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands.
In the 8th century Taihō Code reforms, Dazaifu was established as a special administrative term for the region.
As of 2006, Kyushu has a population of 13,231,995 and covers 35,640 square kilometres (13,760 sq mi).
The island is mountainous, and Japan's most active volcano, Mt Aso at 1,591 metres (5,220 ft), is on Kyushu. There are many other signs of tectonic activity, including numerous areas of hot springs. The most famous of these are in Beppu, on the east shore, and around Mt. Aso, in central Kyushu.
The name Kyūshū comes from the nine ancient provinces of Saikaidō situated on the island: Chikuzen, Chikugo, Hizen, Higo, Buzen, Bungo, Hyūga, Osumi, and Satsuma.
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Kōchi Prefecture
Kōchi Prefecture (高知県, Kōchi-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan located on the south coast of Shikoku. The capital is the city of Kōchi.
Prior to the Meiji Restoration, Kōchi was known as Tosa Province and was controlled by the Chosokabe clan in the Sengoku period and the Yamauchi family during the Edo period.
Kōchi Prefecture comprises the southwestern part of the island of Shikoku, facing the Pacific Ocean. It is the largest but least populous of Shikoku's four prefectures. Most of the province is mountainous, and in only a few areas such as around Kōchi and Nakamura is there a coastal plain. Kōchi is famous for its many rivers. Inamura-yama in Tosa-cho is the highest peak in Kochi prefecture with an altitude of 1,506 meters above sea level.
Eleven cities are located in Kōchi Prefecture:
These are the towns and villages in each district.
The sports teams listed below are based in Kōchi.
Media related to Kochi prefecture at Wikimedia Commons
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Liancourt Rocks
The Liancourt Rocks, also known as Dokdo or Tokto (독도/獨島, literally "solitary island") in Korean or Takeshima (たけしま/竹島?, literally "bamboo island") in Japanese, are a group of small islets in the Sea of Japan (East Sea). Sovereignty over the islets is disputed between Japan and South Korea. South Korea currently has its Coast Guard stationed there.
The Franco-English name of the islets derives from Le Liancourt, the name of a French whaling ship which came close to being wrecked on the rocks in 1849. Both the Korean and Japanese names have changed over time, a testament to the historical confusion over the subject which led to today's heated dispute.
The Liancourt Rocks consist of two main islets and 35 smaller rocks. The total surface area of the islets is 0.18745 square kilometres (46.32 acres), with the highest elevation of 169 metres (554 ft) found at an unnamed location on the west islet. Two Korean citizens—an octopus fisherman and his wife—are permanent residents on the islets. A small Korean police detachment, administrative personnel, and lighthouse staff are stationed in non-permanent supporting positions on the islets.
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Matsue Castle
Matsue Castle (松江城, Matsue-jō?) is a feudal castle in Matsue in Shimane prefecture, Japan. Nicknamed the "black castle" or "plover castle", it is one of the few remaining medieval castles in Japan – at least of the few remaining in their original wooden form, and not a modern reconstruction in concrete.
The construction of Matsue Castle began in 1607 and finished in 1611, under the local lord Horio Yoshiharu. In 1638, the fief and castle passed to the Matsudaira clan, a junior branch of the ruling Tokugawa clan.
Most Japanese castles have been damaged or destroyed by war, earthquakes, or other causes. Since a large part of their construction was wooden, fire was a major hazard. Matsue castle was built after the last great war of feudal Japan, so it never saw a battle. Yet only some of the walls and the keep exist today.
Of the 12 castles remaining in Japan, this is the only one remaining in the Sanin region. This castle is the second largest, the third tallest (30m) and the sixth oldest amongst castles. It was built over a period of 5 years by the daimyo of the Izumo region, Yoshiharu Horio, and was completed in 1622.
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Mie Prefecture
Mie Prefecture (三重県, Mie-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan which is part of the Kansai regions on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Tsu.
Until the Meiji Restoration, Mie prefecture was known as Ise Province, Shima Province, Iga Province and Kii Province.
Evidence of human habitation in Mie dates back more than 10,000 years. During the Jōmon and Yayoi periods, agricultural communities began to form along the river and coastal areas of the region. Ise Shrine is said to have been established during the Yayoi period, and in the 7th century the Saikū Imperial Residence was built in what is now Meiwa Town to serve as both a residence and administrative centre for the Saiō, an Imperial Princess who served as High Priestess of Ise Shrine.
During the Edo period, the area now known as Mie Prefecture consisted of several feudal domains, each ruled by an appointed lord. Transport networks, including the Tokaido and Ise Roads, were built. Port towns such as Ohminato, Kuwana and Anōtsu, posting stations and castle towns flourished. Pilgrimages to Ise Shrine also became very popular.
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Miyagi Prefecture
Miyagi Prefecture (宮城県, Miyagi-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan in the Tōhoku Region on Honshu island. The capital is Sendai.
Miyagi Prefecture was formerly part of the province of Mutsu. Mutsu Province, on northern Honshu, was one of the last provinces to be formed as land was taken from the indigenous Emishi, and became the largest as it expanded northward. The ancient capital was in modern Miyagi Prefecture.
In the third month of second year of the Wadō era (709), there was an uprising against governmental authority in Mutsu Province and in nearby Echigo Province. Troops were promptly dispatched to subdue the revolt.
In Wadō 5 (712), the land of Mutsu Province was administratively separated from Dewa Province. Empress Gemmei's Daijō-kan continued to organize other cadastral changes in the provincial map of the Nara period, as in the following year when Mimasaka Province was divided from Bizen Province; Hyūga Province was sundered from Osumi Province; and Tamba Province was severed from Tango Province.
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Miyazaki Prefecture
Miyazaki Prefecture (宮崎県, Miyazaki-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyushu. The capital is the city of Miyazaki.
Historically, after the Meiji Restoration, Hyūga Province was renamed Miyazaki Prefecture.
Miyazaki Prefecture is located on the eastern coast of the island of Kyushu. Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean to the south and east, Ōita Prefecture to the north, and Kumamoto and Kagoshima Prefectures to the west. It is one of only two locations on Earth where the fungus Chorioactis geaster is found. Miyazaki is also the home of the hyuganatsu fruit.
As of 31 March 2008, 12% of the total land area of the prefecture was designated as Natural Parks, namely the Kirishima-Yaku National Park; Kyūshū Chūō Sanchi, Nichinan Kaigan, Nippō Kaigan, and Sobo-Katamuki Quasi-National Parks; and Mochio-Sekinoo, Osuzu, Saitobaru-Sugiyasukyō, Sobo Katamuki, Wanitsuka, and Yatake Kōgen Prefectural Natural Parks.
Nine cities, 14 towns, and three villages are located in Miyazaki Prefecture:
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Nagano Prefecture
Nagano Prefecture (長野県, Nagano-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of the island of Honshū. The capital is the city of Nagano.
Nagano was formerly known as the province of Shinano. This province was divided among many local daimyo during the Sengoku period.
Nagano was host to the 1998 Winter Olympics, which gained the prefecture international recognition and a Shinkansen line to Tokyo.
Nine of the twelve highest mountains in Japan can be found in this inland prefecture. Nagano is also the prefecture which is bordered by the highest number of other prefectures and it contains the location which is the furthest point from the sea within Japan. One of its lakes is Lake Kizaki, a beach resort popular for its water attractions and games.
The province's mountains have made it relatively isolated, and many visitors come for its mountain resorts and hot springs.
As of 1 April 2012, 21% of the total land area of the prefecture was designated as Natural Parks, namely the Chichibu Tama Kai, Chūbu-Sangaku, Jōshin'etsu Kōgen, and Minami Alps National Parks; Myōgi-Arafune-Saku Kōgen, Tenryū-Okumikawa, and Yatsugatake-Chūshin Kōgen Quasi-National Parks; and Chūō Alps, Enrei Ōjō, Hijiriyama Kōgen, Mibugawa Suikei, Ontake, and Tenryū Koshibu Suikei Prefectural Natural Parks.
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Nagasaki Prefecture
Nagasaki Prefecture (長崎県, Nagasaki-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyūshū. The capital is the city of Nagasaki.
Nagasaki Prefecture was created by merging of the western half of the former province of Hizen with the island provinces of Tsushima and Iki. Facing China and Korea, the region around Hirado was a traditional center for both traders and pirates.
During the 16th century, Catholic missionaries and traders from Portugal arrived and became active in Hirado and Nagasaki, which became a major center for foreign trade. After being given free rein in Oda Nobunaga's period, the missionaries were forced out little by little, until finally, in the Tokugawa era, Christianity was banned under the Sakoku national isolation policy, during which time, Japanese foreign trade was restricted to Chinese and Dutch traders based at Dejima in Nagasaki; however, Kirishitan (Japanese Christian) worship continued underground. These Kakure Kirishitan (hidden Christians) were tried at every step, forced to step on fumi-e ("trample pictures", images of the Virgin Mary and saints) to prove that they were non-Christian. With the banishment of all Catholic missionaries, traders from Catholic countries were also forced out of the country. Along with them, their children, half Japanese and half European, were also forced to leave the country. The majority was sent to Jagatara (Jakarta) and are still remembered by the locals as the people who wrote the poignant letters which were smuggled across the sea to their homeland. Today, Nagasaki has a prominent Chinatown and Catholic churches - and the Churches and Christian Sites in Nagasaki have been proposed for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
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Nara Prefecture
Nara Prefecture (奈良県, Nara-ken?) is a prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan. The capital is the city of Nara.
The present-day Nara Prefecture was created in 1887, making it independent of Osaka Prefecture.
Historically, Nara Prefecture was also known as Yamato-no-kuni or Yamato Province.
It is certain that a political force established at the foot of Mount Miwa in the east of Nara Basin, seeking unification of most parts in Japan from the third century until the fourth century, though the process was not well documented. At the dawn of history, Yamato was clearly the political center of Japan.
Ancient capitals of Japan were built on the land of Nara, namely Asuka-kyō, Fujiwara-kyō (694–710) and Heijō-kyō (most of 710–784). The capital cities of Fujiwara and Heijō are believed to have been modeled after Chinese capitals at the time, incorporating grid layout patterns. The royal court also established relations with Sui and then Tang Dynasty China and sent students to the Middle Kingdom to learn high civilization. By 7th century, Nara accepted the many immigrants including refugees of Baekje who had escaped from war disturbances of the southern part of the Korean peninsula. The first high civilization with royal patronage of Buddhism flourished in today's Nara city (710–784 AD).
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Niigata Prefecture
Niigata Prefecture (新潟県, Niigata-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Honshū on the coast of the Sea of Japan. The capital is the city of Niigata. The name "Niigata" literally means "new lagoon".
Until after the Meiji Restoration, the area that is now Niigata Prefecture was divided into Echigo Province and Sado Province. During the Sengoku period, the Nagao clan, who were at times vassals to the Uesugi, ruled a fief in the western part of modern Niigata from Kasugayama Castle. The most notable member of the Nagao clan was Nagao Kagetora, was later and better known as Uesugi Kenshin. He unified the leaders of Echigo Province and became its sole ruler. By taking the surname Uesugi, he also became the head of the Uesugi clan and effectively brought their realm under his control.
The city of Niigata is now the largest Japanese city facing the Sea of Japan. It was the first Japanese port on the Sea of Japan to be opened to foreign trade following the opening of Japan by Matthew Perry. It has since played an important role in trade with Russia and Korea. A freighter from North Korea visits Niigata once a month, in one of the few forms of direct contact between Japan and that country.
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Okayama Prefecture
Okayama Prefecture (岡山県, Okayama-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region on Honshu island. The capital is the city of Okayama.
During the Meiji Restoration, the area of Okayama Prefecture was known as Bitchū Province, Bizen Province and Mimasaka Province.
Okayama Prefecture borders Hyōgo Prefecture, Tottori Prefecture and Hiroshima Prefecture. It faces Kagawa Prefecture in Shikoku across the Seto Inland Sea and includes 90 islands in the sea.
Okayama Prefecture is home to the historic town of Kurashiki. Most of the population is concentrated around Kurashiki and Okayama. The small villages in the northern mountain region are aging and declining in population - more than half of the prefectures municipalities are officially designated as depopulated.
Fifteen cities are located in Okayama Prefecture:
Towns and villages in each district:
The sports teams listed below are based in Okayama.
Some tourist attractions are:
Coordinates: 34°42′N 133°51′E / 34.7°N 133.85°E / 34.7; 133.85
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Oki Airport
Oki Airport (隠岐空港, Oki Kūkō?) (IATA: OKI, ICAO: RJNO) is an airport on Dōgo, one of the Oki Islands in the Shimane Prefecture of Japan. It is located in Okinoshima, the most populous town on these islands.
Oki Airport is a Class III facility with a 2,000 × 45 m (6,562 × 148 ft) runway. It provides air service to Osaka International Airport ("Itami", ITM) and Izumo Airport (IZO).
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Oki Islands
Oki Islands (隠岐諸島, Oki-shotō?, or 隠岐群島 Oki-guntō) are a group of islands in the southwestern part of the Sea of Japan and belong to Japan.
The Oki Islands are situated between 40 to 80 kilometers north of the coast of Honshū.
The islands are of volcanic origin and have a total area of 346,1 km2. The group consists of 16 islands and the highest elevation is Mount Damanji-San at about 608 meters on Dōgo.
The largest and inhabited islands are:
The population is about 24,500 inhabitants spread over the four administrative areas of:
The islands make up the Oki-shichō (Oki District) and are part of Shimane Prefecture. The island group is also part of the"Daisen Oki Kokuritsu Kōen (Daisen-Oki National Park).
The airport Oki Kūkō (Oki Airport, airport code "OKI") lies on the southeastern part of Dōgo and provides air service to Osaka International Airport (Itami, "ITM") and Izumo Airport ("IZO").
The islands can be reached by ferries from harbours like Sakaiminato, Shichirui and Kaga on the mainland.
It is uncertain as to when the islands were discovered; they are mentioned in the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki.
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Okinawa Prefecture
Okinawa Prefecture (沖縄県, Japanese: Okinawa-ken?, Okinawan: Uchinaa-ken) is one of Japan's southern prefectures. It consists of hundreds of the Ryukyu Islands in a chain over 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) long, which extends southwest from Kyūshū (the southwesternmost of Japan's main four islands) to Taiwan. Okinawa's capital, Naha, is located in the southern part of Okinawa Island. The disputed Senkaku Islands (Mandarin: Diaoyu Islands) are administered as part of Okinawa Prefecture.
The oldest evidence of human existence in the Ryukyu islands was discovered in Naha and Yaese. Some human bone fragments from the Paleolithic era were unearthed, but there is no clear evidence of Paleolithic remains. Japanese Jōmon influences are dominant in the Okinawa Islands, although clay vessels in the Sakishima Islands have a commonality with those in Taiwan.
The first mention of the word Ryukyu was written in the Book of Sui. This Ryukyu might refer to Taiwan, not the Ryukyu islands.[citation needed]Okinawa was the Japanese word depicting the islands, first seen in the biography of Jianzhen, written in 779. Agricultural societies begun in the 8th century slowly developed until the 12th century. Since the islands are located in the center of the East China Sea relatively close to Japan, China and South-East Asia, the Ryūkyū Kingdom became a prosperous trading nation. Also during this period, many Gusukus, similar to castles, were constructed. The Ryūkyū Kingdom had a tributary relationship with the Chinese Empire beginning in the 15th century.
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Osaka Prefecture
Osaka Prefecture (大阪府, Ōsaka-fu?) is a prefecture located in the Kansai region on Honshu, the main island of Japan. The capital is the city of Osaka. It is the center of Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto area.
Until the Meiji Restoration, the area of Osaka prefecture was known as Kawachi, Izumi and Settsu provinces.
Osaka Prefecture was created in 1868, at the very beginning of the Meiji era.
On September 1, 1956, the city of Osaka was promoted to a city designated by government ordinance and thereby divided into 24 wards.
In 2000, Fusae Ota became Japan's first female governor when she replaced Knock Yokoyama, who resigned after prosecution for sexual harassment.
On April 1, 2006: the city of Sakai was promoted to a city designated by government ordinance and thereby divided into seven wards.
In 2008, Tōru Hashimoto, previously famous as a counselor on television, was elected at the age of 38 as the youngest governor in Japan.
In 2010, the Osaka Restoration Association was created with backing by Governor Tōru Hashimoto, attempting to reform Osaka Prefecture into Osaka Metropolis reducing affiliated organizations of Osaka Prefecture and the City of Osaka.
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Saga Prefecture
Saga Prefecture (佐賀県, Saga-ken?) is located in the northwest part of the island of Kyūshū, Japan. It touches both the Sea of Japan and the Ariake Sea. The western part of the prefecture is a region famous for producing ceramics and porcelain, particularly the towns of Karatsu, Imari, and Arita. The capital is the city of Saga.
In ancient times the area composed by Nagasaki Prefecture and Saga Prefecture was called Hizen Province. The current name dates from the Meiji Restoration. Rice farming culture has prospered here since ancient times, and vestiges can be seen at the ruins of Nabatake in Karatsu and the Yoshinogari site in Yoshinogari.
From the Kamakura period to the Muromachi period it is thought that over 100 feudal clans existed. Also exerting great influence during this time was a samurai clan operating along the Genkai Sea called the Matsuratō. Upon entering the Sengoku period, the Ryūzōji clan expanded their control to include all of Hizen and Chikugo Provinces, and part of Higo and Chikuzen Provinces. After the death of daimyo Takanobu Ryūzōji, Naoshige Nabeshima took control of the political situation, and by 1607 all of the Ryūzōji clan's domain was under the control of the Nabeshima clan.
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Saitama Prefecture
Saitama Prefecture (埼玉県, Saitama-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region of the island of Honshu. The capital is the city of Saitama.
This prefecture is part of the Greater Tokyo Area, and most of Saitama's cities can be described as suburbs of Tokyo, to which a large amount of residents commute each day.[citation needed]
Saitama Prefecture was formerly part of the old Musashi Province.
In the fifth year of the Keiun era (708), deposits of copper were reported to have been found in the Chichibu District of what is now Saitama Prefecture.
The Saitama area was historically known as a fertile agricultural region which produced much of the food for the Kantō region. During the Edo period, many fudai daimyo ruled small domains within the Saitama area.
After World War II, as Tokyo expanded rapidly and modern transportation allowed longer commutes, the lack of available land in Tokyo led to the rapid development of Saitama Prefecture, whose population has nearly tripled since 1960. Most of the cities in the prefecture are closely connected to downtown Tokyo by metropolitan rail, and operate largely as residential and commercial suburbs of Tokyo.
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Sea of Japan
The Sea of Japan is a marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean, between the Asian mainland, the Japanese archipelago and Sakhalin. It is bordered by Japan, North Korea, Russia and South Korea. Like the Mediterranean Sea, it has almost no tides due to its nearly complete enclosure from the Pacific Ocean. This isolation also reflects in the fauna species and in the water salinity, which is lower than in the ocean. The sea has no large islands, bays or capes. Its water balance is mostly determined by the inflow and outflow through the straits connecting it to the neighboring seas and Pacific Ocean. Few rivers discharge into the sea and their total contribution to the water exchange is within 1%.
The seawater is characterized by the elevated concentration of dissolved oxygen that results in high biological productivity. Therefore, fishing is the dominant economic activity in the region. The intensity of shipments across the sea has been moderate owing to political issues, but it is steadily increasing as a result of the growth of East Asian economies. A controversy exists about the sea name, with South Korea promoting the appellation East Sea.
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Shiga Prefecture
Shiga Prefecture (滋賀県, Shiga-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan, which forms part of the Kansai region on Honshu Island. The capital is the city of Ōtsu.
Shiga was known as Ōmi Province or Gōshū before the prefectural system was established. Omi was a neighbor of Nara and Kyoto, and junction of western and eastern Japan, so Omi was developed as the hinterland of capitals, the traffic important point and sometimes political center. In the years 667 to 672, Emperor Tenji founded a palace in Otsu. In 742, Emperor Shōmu founded a palace in Shigaraki. In the early Heian Period, Saichō was born in north of Otsu and founded Enryaku-ji, the center of Tendai and one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Monuments of Ancient Kyoto now.
In the Medieval Period, Sasaki clan ruled Omi, and afterward Rokkaku clan, Kyōgoku clan and Azai clan ruled Omi. In 1570s, Oda Nobunaga subjugated Omi and built Azuchi Castle on the eastern shores of Lake Biwa in 1579. Tōdō Takatora, Gamō Ujisato, Oichi, Yodo-dono, Ohatsu and Oeyo were important persons from Omi in Sengoku Period. In this times, Ninja was active in Kōka (See also Kōga-ryū).
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Shikoku
Shikoku (四国?, "four provinces") is the smallest (225 km or 139.8 mi long and between 50 and 150 km or 31.1 and 93.2 mi wide) and least populous (4,141,955 as of 2005) of the four main islands of Japan, located south of Honshū and east of the island of Kyūshū. Its ancient names include Iyo-no-futana-shima (伊予之二名島), Iyo-shima (伊予島), and Futana-shima (二名島). The current name refers to the four former provinces which made up the island: Awa, Tosa, Sanuki, and Iyo.
The Shikoku region, comprising Shikoku and its surrounding islets, covers about 18,800 square kilometres (7,259 sq mi) and consists of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kōchi, and Tokushima. Across the Inland Sea lie Wakayama, Osaka, Hyōgo, Okayama, Hiroshima, and Yamaguchi Prefectures on Honshū. To the west lie Ōita and Miyazaki Prefectures on Kyūshū.
The 50th largest island by area in the world, Shikoku is smaller than Sardinia and Bananal, but larger than Halmahera and Seram. By population, it ranks 23rd, having fewer inhabitants than Sicily or Singapore, but more than Puerto Rico or Negros.
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Shimane Art Museum
The Shimane Art Museum (島根県立美術館, Shimane kenritsu bijutsukan?) opened in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, Japan in 1999. Designed by Kiyonori Kikutake and with a total floor area of 12,500 sqm, it houses a collection of Japanese and Western art, including Momoyama folding screens and paintings by Corot, Sisley, Monet, and Gauguin.
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Shimane Prefecture
Shimane Prefecture (島根県, Shimane-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region on Honshū island. The capital is Matsue. It is the second least populous prefecture in Japan, after its eastern neighbor Tottori. The prefecture has an area elongated from east to west facing the Chūgoku Mountain Range on the south side and to the Sea of Japan on the north side. It is divided into the Izumo Region in the East, the Iwami Region in the West and the Oki Region, a small group of islands off the northern coast. Most of the cities are near the shoreline of the Sea of Japan. Izumo Taisha in Izumo City is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan.
The Oki Islands in the Sea of Japan are also part of Shimane Prefecture, which also claims to have jurisdiction over the South Korea-controlled island of Liancourt Rocks (Takeshima).
The history of Shimane starts with the Japanese mythology. Shinto god Ōkuninushi was believed to be living in Izumo, an old province in Shimane. Izumo Shrine, which is in the city of Izumo, honors the god. At that time, the current Shimane prefecture was divided in to three parts: Iwami, Izumo, and Oki. That lasted until the abolition of the han system took place in 1871. During the Nara period, Kakinomoto no Hitomaro read a poem on Shimane's nature when he was sent as the Royal governor.
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Shizuoka Prefecture
Shizuoka Prefecture (静岡県, Shizuoka-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of Honshu. The capital is the city of Shizuoka.
Shizuoka prefecture was formed from the former Tōtōmi, Suruga and Izu provinces.
The area was the home of the first Tokugawa Shogun.[citation needed]Tokugawa Ieyasu held the region until he conquered the lands of the Hōjō clan in the Kantō region and placed land under the stewardship of Oda Nobunaga. After becoming shogun, Tokugawa took the land back for his family and put the area around modern-day Shizuoka city under the direct supervision of the shogunate. With the creation of Shizuoka han in 1868, it once again became the residence of the Tokugawa family.
Shizuoka prefecture is an elongated region following the coast of the Pacific Ocean at the Suruga Bay. In the west, the prefecture extends deep into the Japan Alps. In the east, it becomes a narrower coast bounded in the north by Mount Fuji, until it comes to the Izu Peninsula, a popular resort area pointing south into the Pacific.
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South Korea
South Korea ( listen), officially the Republic of Korea (Hangul: 대한민국; Hanja: 大韓民國; Daehan Minguk listen), is a sovereign state in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. The name "Korea" is derived from Goryeo, a dynasty which ruled in the Middle Ages (an initial "G" in Korean is pronounced like an English "K").
Its neighbors are China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the Korea Strait to the south. South Korea lies in the north temperate zone with a predominantly mountainous terrain. It covers a total area of 99,392 square kilometers and has a population of almost 50 million. The capital and largest city is Seoul, with a population of 9,794,304.
Archaeological findings show that the Korean Peninsula was occupied by the Lower Paleolithic period.Korean history begins with the founding of Gojoseon in 2333 BC by the legendary Dan-gun. Following the unification of the Three Kingdoms of Korea under Silla 668 AD, Korea went through the Goryeo Dynasty and Joseon Dynasty as one nation until the end of the Korean Empire in 1910, when it was annexed by Japan. After liberation and occupation by Soviet and U.S. forces at the end of World War II, the nation was divided into North and South Korea. The latter was established in 1948 as a democracy, though political turmoil and times of military rule and martial law characterized much of the period until the foundation of the Sixth Republic in 1987.
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Tochigi Prefecture
Tochigi Prefecture (栃木県, Tochigi-ken?) is a prefecture located in the Kantō region on the island of Honshu, Japan. The capital is the city of Utsunomiya.
Nikkō, whose ancient Shintō shrines and Buddhist temples UNESCO has recognized by naming them a World Heritage Site, is in this prefecture. Nikkō is approximately one hour by train from Tokyo, and approximately 35 km west of the capital Utsunomiya.
Other famous parts of Tochigi include a region called Nasu known for onsen and local sake and ski resorts. The Imperial family has a villa in Nasu. Nasu-Shiobara is a major Shinkansen station.
Another onsen resort is at Kinugawa Onsen.
Situated among the inland prefectures of the northern part of the Kantō region, Tochigi is contiguous with Ibaraki, Gunma, Saitama, and Fukushima prefecture.
The climate of Tochigi may be classified as a humid temperate zone with broad variations in temperature. Winters are arid with dry winds, while summers are humid with frequent thunderstorms.
The population of Tochigi as of November 2010 was approximately 2,005,096. The population increased until 2005,[citation needed] but started to decrease in 2006, as the population of Japan decreased, too. About 500,000 people live in the prefectural capital of Utsunomiya, with the remainder dispersed over 14 other cities and 17 towns.[citation needed]
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Tokushima Prefecture
Tokushima Prefecture (徳島県, Tokushima-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan located on Shikoku island. The capital is the city of Tokushima.
Until the Meiji Restoration, Tokushima prefecture was known as Awa Province.
Long ago, Tokushima City belonged to a region known as Myōdō-gun. But in the first wave of government consolidation following the abolishment of the fiefdom system and construction of prefectures in 1871, it became known by the name of Myodo Prefecture. At the time, it included not only the Awa region to the south, but the Awaji Island regions as well. In 1873 it further incorporated the region currently occupied by Kagawa Prefecture in its borders.
But in the second wave of government consolidation, on September 5, 1875, the Sanuki Region separated to form modern day Kagawa Prefecture. Then, on August 21, 1876, Awaji Island separated to join Hyogo Prefecture and the Awa region separated to form Kochi Prefecture.
After this, on March 2, 1880 Myodo Prefecture fully separated from Kochi Prefecture and became inaugurated as Tokushima Prefecture.
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Tokyo
Tokyo (東京, Tōkyō?, "Eastern Capital") [toːkʲoː], English /ˈtoʊki.oʊ/; officially Tokyo Metropolis (東京都, Tōkyō-to?), is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of the world. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family. Tokyo is in the Kantō region on the southeastern side of the main island Honshu and includes the Izu Islands and Ogasawara Islands. Tokyo Metropolis was formed in 1943 from the merger of the former Tokyo Prefecture (東京府, Tōkyō-fu?) and the city of Tokyo (東京市, Tōkyō-shi?).
The Tokyo Metropolitan government administers the 23 special wards of Tokyo (each governed as a city), which cover the area that was the city of Tokyo, as well as 39 municipalities in the western part of the prefecture and the two outlying island chains. The population of the special wards is over 8 million people, with the total population of the prefecture exceeding 13 million. The prefecture is part of the world's most populous metropolitan area with upwards of 35 million people and the world's largest urban agglomeration economy with a GDP of US$1.479 trillion at purchasing power parity in 2008, ahead of New York City metropolitan area, which ranks second on the list. The city hosts 47 of the Fortune Global 500 companies, the highest amount of any city.
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Tottori Prefecture
Tottori Prefecture (鳥取県, Tottori-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region. The capital is the city of Tottori. It is the least populous prefecture in Japan.
The word "Tottori" in the Japanese is formed from two kanji characters. The first, 鳥, means "bird" and the second, 取 means "to get". Early residents in the area made their living catching the region's plentiful waterfowl. The name first appears in the Nihon shoki in the 23rd year of the Emperor Suiko when Yukuha Tana, an elder from the Izumo, visits the emperor. The imperial Prince Homatsu-wake was unable to speak, despite being 30 years of age.
"Yukuha Tana presented the swan to the emperor. Homatsu-wake no Mikoto played with this swan and at least learned to speak. Therefore, Yukaha Tana was liberally rewarded, and was granted the title of Tottori no Miyakko." (Aston, tran.)
Tottori Prefecture was settled very early in the prehistoric period of Japan, as evidenced by remains from the Jōmon period (14,000 – 300 BC). The prefecture has the remains of the largest known Yayoi period (300 BC – 250 AD) settlement in Japan, the Mukibanda Yayoi remains, located in the low foothills of Mount Daisen in in the cities of Daisen and Yonago. Numerous kofun tumuli from the Kofun period (250 – 538) are located across the prefecture. In 645, under the Taika reforms, the area in present-day Tottori Prefecture became two provinces, Hōki and Inaba.
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Toyama Prefecture
Toyama Prefecture (富山県, Toyama-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Hokuriku region on Honshu island. The capital is the city of Toyama.
Toyama is the leading industrial prefecture on the Toyama Bay Japan Sea coast, and has the industrial advantage of cheap electricity due to abundant water resources from the Kurabo Dam. It also contains East Asia’s only glaciers outside Russia, which have been recognised as such only very recently.
Historically, Toyama Prefecture was Etchū Province. Following the abolition of the han system in 1871, Etchū Province was renamed Niikawa Prefecture, but Imizu District was given to Nanao Prefecture. In 1872 Imizu District was returned by the new Ishikawa Prefecture.
In 1876 Niikawa Prefecture merged into Ishikawa Prefecture but the merger was void in 1881 and the area was reestablished as Toyama Prefecture.
The Itai-itai disease occurred in Toyama around 1950.
Toyama Prefecture is bordered by Ishikawa Prefecture to the west, Niigata to the northeast, Nagano to the southeast, Gifu to the south and Sea of Japan to the north.
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Tōhoku region
The Tōhoku region (東北地方, Tōhoku-chihō?) is a geographical area of Japan. The region occupies the northeastern portion of Honshu, the largest island of Japan. The region consists of six prefectures (ken): Akita, Aomori, Fukushima, Iwate, Miyagi and Yamagata.
Tōhoku retains a reputation as a remote region, offering breathtaking scenery but a harsh climate. In the 20th century, tourism became a major industry in the Tōhoku region.
The area was historically known as the Michinoku region or province. a term first recorded in Hitachi-no-kuni Fudoki (常陸国風土記?) (654). There is some variation in modern usage of the term "Michinoku".
Tōhoku's initial historical settlement occurred between the seventh and ninth centuries, well after Japanese civilization and culture had become firmly established in central and southwestern Japan. The last stronghold of the indigenous Emishi on Honshu and the site of many battles.
The haiku poet Matsuo Bashō wrote Oku no Hosomichi (The Narrow Road to the Deep North) during his travels through Tōhoku.
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Wakayama Prefecture
Wakayama Prefecture (和歌山県, Wakayama-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan located on the Kii Peninsula in the Kansai region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Wakayama.
Present-day Wakayama is mostly the western part of the province of Kii.
On July 17 to 18, a torrential heavy rain occurred, followed by collapse of levees, river flooding and landslides in widely area, which destroyed many bridges and houses. According to Japanese Government official confirmed report, 1,015 people died, with 5,709 injured and 7,115 houses lost.[citation needed]
Nine cities are located in Wakayama Prefecture:
These are the towns and villages in each district:
Wakayama supplies most of Japan with its high production of mikans (Mandarin Oranges) in October of every year.
Mount Kōya (高野山, Kōya-san?) in the Ito District is the headquarters of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism. It is home to one of the first Japanese style Buddhist temples in Japan and remains a site of pilgrimage and an increasingly popular tourist destination as people flock to see its ancient temples set amidst the towering cedar trees at the top of the mountain. The Sacred sites and pilgrimage routes in the Kii Mountain Range extend for miles throughout the prefecture and together have been recognized as Japan's 11th UNESCO World Heritage site.
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Yamagata Prefecture
Yamagata Prefecture (山形県, Yamagata-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku region on Honshu island. Its capital is Yamagata.
The aboriginal Ezo (蝦夷?) people once inhabited the area now known as Yamagata. Yamagata and Akita Prefecture were known as Dewa Province until the Meiji Restoration.
During the Heian Period (794–1185), the Fujiwara (藤原?) family ruled the area. Yamagata City flourished during the Edo Period (1603–1867) due to its status as a castle town and post station, famous for beni (red safflower dye used in the production of handspun silk). In 1689, the famous haiku poet, Matsuo Bashō visited Yamagata during his five-month trip to the northern regions of Japan.
Yamagata Prefecture is located in the southwest corner of Tōhoku, facing the Sea of Japan. It borders Niigata Prefecture and Fukushima Prefecture on the south, Miyagi Prefecture on the east, and Akita Prefecture on the north. All of these boundaries are marked by mountains, with most of the population residing in a limited central plain.
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Yamaguchi Prefecture
Yamaguchi Prefecture (山口県, Yamaguchi-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan in the Chūgoku region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Yamaguchi, in the center of the prefecture. The largest city, however, is Shimonoseki.
Yamaguchi Prefecture was created by the merger of the provinces of Suō and Nagato. During the rise of the samurai class during the Heian and Kamakura Periods (794–1333), the Ouchi family of Suō Province and the Koto family of Nagato Province gained influence as powerful warrior clans. In the Muromachi Period (1336—1573), Ouchi Hiroyo, the 24th ruler of the Ouchi family conquered both areas of Yamaguchi Prefecture. The Ouchi clan imitated the city planning of Kyoto. They gained great wealth through cultural imports from the continent and trade with Korea and Ming Dynasty China. As a result, Yamaguchi came to be known as the "Kyoto of the West," and Ouchi culture flourished. Sue Harutaka defeated the 31st ruler of the Ouchi clan. The Sue clan was then defeated by Mōri Motonari, and the Mōri family gained control of the Chugoku region. Yamaguchi was ruled as part of the Mōri clan domain during the Sengoku period. Mōri Terumoto was then defeated by Tokugawa Ieyasu in the battle of Sekigahara in 1600. He was forced to give up all his land except for the Suō and Nagato areas (current-day Yamaguchi Prefecture), where he built his castle in Hagi. Mōri sought to strengthen the economic base of the region and increase local production with his Three Whites campaign (salt, rice, and paper).
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Yamanashi Prefecture
Yamanashi Prefecture (山梨県, Yamanashi-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of the island of Honshu. The capital is the city of Kōfu.
As in most other Japanese regions, prehistoric society in Yamanashi progressed though the hunting, fishing and gathering stage of the Jōmon period, then the rice-producing stage of the Yayoi period and subsequent village and regional formation. The Maruyama and Choshizuka Kofun (earthen burial mounds) located on Sone Hill of Nakamichi Town (currently in southern Kōfu) are believed to have been built from the end of the 4th century. From these remains it can be assumed that the people of Sone Hill had great influence.
During the Heian period, Kai Province was created in this area.
Among the many Kaigenji generations, those of the Takeda, Ogasawara, and Nanbu families were particularly prosperous. During the Sengoku period of the 16th century, Takeda Shingen attained the status of daimyō and built Tsuzuji Mansion and the Yōgai Castle in Kōfu. From this base, he attempted to unify and control Japan.
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Ōita Prefecture
Ōita Prefecture (大分県, Ōita-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan on Kyūshū Island. The prefectural capital is the city of Ōita.
Around the 6th century Kyushu consisted of four regions: Tsukushi-no-kuni 筑紫国, Hi-no-kuni 肥国, Kumaso-no-kuni (熊襲国?) and Toyo no kuni. Present day Oita was part of Toyo-no-kuni, which means "Abundant Land".
Toyo-no-kuni was later divided into two regions, upper and lower Toyo-no-kuni, called Bungo Province and Buzen Province.
After the Meiji Restoration, districts from Bungo and Buzen provinces were combined to form Ōita Prefecture. These provinces were divided among many local daimyo and thus a large castle town never formed in Ōita. From this time that whole area became known as "Toyo-no-kuni", which means "Land of Abundance".
The origins of the name Ōita are documented in a report from the early 8th century called the Chronicles of Bungo (豊後国風土記, bungonokuni-fudoki?) . According to the document, when Empress Keikō visited the Kyushu region, stopping first in Toyo-no-kuni, she exclaimed that 'This is a vast land, indeed. It shall be known as Okita-Kuni!' Okita-Kuni, meaning "Land of the Great Fields", later came to be written as "Ōita". Present day interpretations based on Ōita's topography state that Oita's name comes from "Okita", meaning "many fields", rather than "vast" or "great" field, because of Ōita's complex terrain.
wn.com/Ōita_Prefecture
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Lafcadio Hearn
Patrick Lafcadio Hearn (27 June 1850 – 26 September 1904), known also by the Japanese name Koizumi Yakumo (小泉 八雲?), was an international writer, known best for his books about Japan, especially his collections of Japanese legends and ghost stories, such as Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things. In the United States, Hearn is also known for his writings about the city of New Orleans based on his 10-year stay in that city.
Hearn was born in Lefkada (the origin of his middle name), one of the Greek Ionian Islands. He was the son of Sergeant Major Charles Bush Hearn (of County Offaly, Ireland) and Rosa Antoniou Kassimati, a Greek woman of noble Kytheran lineage through her father, Anthony Kassimati. His father was stationed in Lefkada during the British occupation of the islands. Lafcadio was baptized Patricio Lefcadio Hearn in the Greek Orthodox Church. It is not known whether Hearn's parents were ever legally married, and the Irish Protestant relatives on his father's side considered him to have been born out of wedlock. This may, however, have been because they did not recognize the legitimacy of a Greek Orthodox marriage ceremony for a Protestant.
wn.com/Lafcadio_Hearn -
Tokugawa Ieyasu
Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川 家康?, January 31, 1543 – June 1, 1616) was the founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan, which ruled from the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. Ieyasu seized power in 1600, received appointment as shogun in 1603, abdicated from office in 1605, but remained in power until his death in 1616. His given name is sometimes spelled Iyeyasu, according to the historical pronunciation of we. Ieyasu was posthumously enshrined at Nikkō Tōshō-gū with the name Tōshō Daigongen (東照大権現?).
Tokugawa Ieyasu was born in Okazaki Castle in Mikawa on the 26th day of the twelfth month of the eleventh year of Tenbun, according to the Japanese calendar. Originally named Matsudaira Takechiyo (松平 竹千代), he was the son of Matsudaira Hirotada (松平 広忠), the daimyo of Mikawa of the Matsudaira clan, and Odainokata (於大の方), the daughter of a neighboring samurai lord Mizuno Tadamasa (水野 忠政). His mother and father were step-siblings. They were just 17 and 15 years old, respectively, when Ieyasu was born. Two years later, Odainokata was sent back to her family and the couple never lived together again. As both husband and wife remarried and both went on to have further children, Ieyasu in the end had 11 half-brothers and sisters.
wn.com/Tokugawa_Ieyasu -
Zenbee Mizoguchi
Zenbee Mizoguchi (溝口 善兵衛, Mizoguchi Zenbee?, born January 20, 1946) is the governor of Shimane Prefecture in Japan, first elected in 2007. He is a graduate of the University of Tokyo and former official of the Ministry of Finance.
wn.com/Zenbee_Mizoguchi
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Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine （出雲大社）, Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture, Japan
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 11:48
- Updated: 23 Nov 2012
Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine （出雲大社） is located in Izumo city （出雲市） of Shimane Prefecture （島根県） in Chugoku region of Japan. The nearest train station JR Izumoshi is about 3 hours on the Limited Express train, "Yakumo", from JR Okayama Station. Izumo Taisha Grand shrine is the oldest and the first Shinto shrine in Japan and it is enshrined by diety O-kuninushi-no-okami, who is also known as Daikoku-sama. O-kuninushi-no-okami, Izumo Oyashiro, the diety who is enshrined here is known as the "creator of all things under the heavens". He is known by many names such as Daikoku-sama, en-musubi and he has founded Japan and made the land suitable to live in. When the video was taken the Main Structure is going renovations so, I did not get a chance to video it. But the Oracle Hall and the Main worship halls were included in this video. Both halls have large rope like hangings, made with reed and dried rice plants and they are impressive. Hope you enjoy the presentation of Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine.
http://wn.com/Izumo_Taisha_Grand_Shrine_（出雲大社）,_Izumo_City,_Shimane_Prefecture,_Japan
Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine （出雲大社） is located in Izumo city （出雲市） of Shimane Prefecture （島根県） in Chugoku region of Japan. The nearest train station JR Izumoshi is about 3 hours on the Limited Express train, "Yakumo", from JR Okayama Station. Izumo Taisha Grand shrine is the oldest and the first Shinto shrine in Japan and it is enshrined by diety O-kuninushi-no-okami, who is also known as Daikoku-sama. O-kuninushi-no-okami, Izumo Oyashiro, the diety who is enshrined here is known as the "creator of all things under the heavens". He is known by many names such as Daikoku-sama, en-musubi and he has founded Japan and made the land suitable to live in. When the video was taken the Main Structure is going renovations so, I did not get a chance to video it. But the Oracle Hall and the Main worship halls were included in this video. Both halls have large rope like hangings, made with reed and dried rice plants and they are impressive. Hope you enjoy the presentation of Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine.
Shimane Digest (Sightseeing in Shimane)
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 6:32
- Updated: 03 Feb 2013
Shimane Digest (Sightseeing in Shimane)
http://wn.com/Shimane_Digest_Sightseeing_in_Shimane
Yabusame 流鏑馬in Tsuwano, Shimane ken
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 8:10
- Updated: 27 Jan 2013
**Watch in HD** The highlight of our awesome outing on Sunday, April 8th was watching Yabusame (Horseback Archery - 流鏑馬) in Tsuwano, Shimane ken. More info about yabusame here: en.wikipedia.org I hope you enjoy the video, and thanks for watching! -Jason
http://wn.com/Yabusame_流鏑馬in_Tsuwano,_Shimane_ken
**Watch in HD** The highlight of our awesome outing on Sunday, April 8th was watching Yabusame (Horseback Archery - 流鏑馬) in Tsuwano, Shimane ken. More info about yabusame here: en.wikipedia.org I hope you enjoy the video, and thanks for watching! -Jason
- published: 27 Aug 2012
- views: 876
- author: myargonauts
journeys in japan -- All About Matcha Green Tea, Matsue, Shimane
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 28:01
- Updated: 08 Feb 2013
Reporters travel across Japan, discovering the charms of each place they visit. Today's destination: Matsue, getting in touch with the traditional culture of Japanese tea ceremony. Aired on 04.12.2012.
http://wn.com/journeys_in_japan_-_All_About_Matcha_Green_Tea,_Matsue,_Shimane
Reporters travel across Japan, discovering the charms of each place they visit. Today's destination: Matsue, getting in touch with the traditional culture of Japanese tea ceremony. Aired on 04.12.2012.
- published: 14 Dec 2012
- views: 386
- author: NHKWdocumentaries
ヘッドホン女子47 meets EXTRA BASS:【島根】御秒奈々
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 1:57
- Updated: 10 Feb 2013
"ソニーのヘッドホン「EXTRA BASS」の重低音で目覚めた47都道府県の女子たちが仲宗根梨乃のダンスに挑戦。 すべてのヘッドホン女子を今すぐチェック! ⇒ goo.gl
http://wn.com/ヘッドホン女子47_meets_EXTRA_BASS【島根】御秒奈々
"ソニーのヘッドホン「EXTRA BASS」の重低音で目覚めた47都道府県の女子たちが仲宗根梨乃のダンスに挑戦。 すべてのヘッドホン女子を今すぐチェック! ⇒ goo.gl
- published: 09 Nov 2012
- views: 213561
- author: SonyJpHeadphone
Shimane Naledi_wedding. Botswana
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 4:56
- Updated: 24 May 2012
One the most beautiful wedding celebrations ku Zezi
http://wn.com/Shimane_Naledi_wedding_Botswana
Saying goodbye to Shimane 島根and IzumoTaisha 出雲大社
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 8:14
- Updated: 28 Sep 2012
On my 2nd to last day in Shimane, I drove by my favorite place in all of Japan - IzumoTaisha shrine - to have one last look around. The Grand Shrine at Izumo is undergoing some construction that will give the large inner shrine, usually off-limits to the public, a new roof. This rebuilding/remodeling only happens every 60 years. If any of you new JETs end up in the Chugoku region, then I highly recommend a day-trip out to Izumo for a visit to the shrine. Peace, Jason
http://wn.com/Saying_goodbye_to_Shimane_島根and_IzumoTaisha_出雲大社
On my 2nd to last day in Shimane, I drove by my favorite place in all of Japan - IzumoTaisha shrine - to have one last look around. The Grand Shrine at Izumo is undergoing some construction that will give the large inner shrine, usually off-limits to the public, a new roof. This rebuilding/remodeling only happens every 60 years. If any of you new JETs end up in the Chugoku region, then I highly recommend a day-trip out to Izumo for a visit to the shrine. Peace, Jason
- published: 04 Aug 2009
- views: 2039
- author: myargonauts
One Japan #6 Seafood Bowl in Matsue (Shimane) 日本全国電車でゴー! 島根県の海鮮丼
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 2:03
- Updated: 12 Feb 2013
www.gundam.tk | http | My second prefecture in my travels around Japan. Good food always makes it more fun! See lots more reviews of all my models at gundamreviews.net
http://wn.com/One_Japan_6_Seafood_Bowl_in_Matsue_Shimane_日本全国電車でゴー!_島根県の海鮮丼
www.gundam.tk | http | My second prefecture in my travels around Japan. Good food always makes it more fun! See lots more reviews of all my models at gundamreviews.net
- published: 03 Feb 2013
- views: 1967
- author: rrobbert184
Sumo - profile of Okinoumi 隠岐の海 from Shimane 島根県
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 4:16
- Updated: 20 Sep 2012
Sorry I missed the first minute of this profile, but you get a glimpse of the small island off the coast of Shimane prefecture that Okinoumi grew up on. Enjoy! -Jason
http://wn.com/Sumo_profile_of_Okinoumi_隠岐の海_from_Shimane_島根県
Sorry I missed the first minute of this profile, but you get a glimpse of the small island off the coast of Shimane prefecture that Okinoumi grew up on. Enjoy! -Jason
- published: 16 Sep 2012
- views: 884
- author: JasonsinJapan
2011 Tottori,Shimane Surfin' & Train Rider Trip
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 8:43
- Updated: 04 Feb 2013
2011.09.23-2011.09.25 Tottori,Shimane Surfin' & Train Rider Trip
http://wn.com/2011_Tottori,Shimane_Surfin'_Train_Rider_Trip
2011.09.23-2011.09.25 Tottori,Shimane Surfin' & Train Rider Trip
- published: 07 Oct 2011
- views: 365
- author: sarareonmomo
Shimane, Gotsu Apartment Tour
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:20
- Updated: 10 Jun 2011
A tour of my apartment in Gotsu, Shimane, as it was in April 2011.
http://wn.com/Shimane,_Gotsu_Apartment_Tour
A tour of my apartment in Gotsu, Shimane, as it was in April 2011.
- published: 12 Apr 2011
- views: 640
- author: longwindedhaiku
Jane Conger Belson Shimane - Odds & Ends
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:42
- Updated: 02 Dec 2012
1959 film spoofing the avant-garde culture Info here: www.filmpreservation.org
http://wn.com/Jane_Conger_Belson_Shimane_Odds_Ends
1959 film spoofing the avant-garde culture Info here: www.filmpreservation.org
- published: 15 Nov 2009
- views: 1550
- author: submit68
Sada Shin Noh, sacred dancing at Sada shrine, Shimane
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 8:41
- Updated: 14 Sep 2012
UNESCO: Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity - 2011 URL: www.unesco.org Description: Sada Shin Noh comprises a series of purification dances as part of the ritual changing of the rush mats performed every year on 24 and 25 September at the Sada Shrine in Matsue City, Japan. Dancers hold the rush mats to purify them before offering them to the deities to sit upon. Diverse types of dance are performed on a stage specially constructed within the shrine, accompanied by singing, flute and drums. Sada Shin Noh is transmitted from generation to generation by the community. Country(ies): Japan © 2009 by Shimane Prefectural Board of Education Duration: 00:08:40 - Support: DVD (0041200003)
http://wn.com/Sada_Shin_Noh,_sacred_dancing_at_Sada_shrine,_Shimane
UNESCO: Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity - 2011 URL: www.unesco.org Description: Sada Shin Noh comprises a series of purification dances as part of the ritual changing of the rush mats performed every year on 24 and 25 September at the Sada Shrine in Matsue City, Japan. Dancers hold the rush mats to purify them before offering them to the deities to sit upon. Diverse types of dance are performed on a stage specially constructed within the shrine, accompanied by singing, flute and drums. Sada Shin Noh is transmitted from generation to generation by the community. Country(ies): Japan © 2009 by Shimane Prefectural Board of Education Duration: 00:08:40 - Support: DVD (0041200003)
- published: 22 Nov 2011
- views: 784
- author: unesco
Driving through the rural mountains in Shimane Japan
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 8:55
- Updated: 11 Feb 2013
I had a few fun lessons on December 10th at my smallest elementary school, which is located up in the mountains above Taisha. It was a nice day sunshine wise, so I turned on my camera and shot a little bit of footage driving back to my Jr High at about 12:30 in the afternoon. Enjoy! -Jason
http://wn.com/Driving_through_the_rural_mountains_in_Shimane_Japan
I had a few fun lessons on December 10th at my smallest elementary school, which is located up in the mountains above Taisha. It was a nice day sunshine wise, so I turned on my camera and shot a little bit of footage driving back to my Jr High at about 12:30 in the afternoon. Enjoy! -Jason
- published: 21 Dec 2008
- views: 2001
- author: myargonauts
Tokyo Apache vs Shimane Susanoo Magic 8th Jan 2011
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 9:01
- Updated: 27 Sep 2012
Hey Tokyo Basketball fans. Come check out the Tokyo Apache! A dynamite hoop team in the Big Mikan !
http://wn.com/Tokyo_Apache_vs_Shimane_Susanoo_Magic_8th_Jan_2011
Hey Tokyo Basketball fans. Come check out the Tokyo Apache! A dynamite hoop team in the Big Mikan !
- published: 09 Jan 2011
- views: 1689
- author: TS50ER
Matsue Dogyoretsu drum parade 2009 in shimane JAPAN (Blown bamboo flute while shooting)
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 10:40
- Updated: 18 Aug 2012
YouTube editor www.youtube.com This video was shot while blowing a bamboo flute. This drum parade is held annually on the third Sunday in October as part of the Matsue Festival, the largest festival of the Matsue Shrine. matsue dougyouretsu-drum parade oct.18.2009 yokobama-cho neighborhood association yokobama-cho neighborhood association participates in an odd year once in two years.
http://wn.com/Matsue_Dogyoretsu_drum_parade_2009_in_shimane_JAPAN_Blown_bamboo_flute_while_shooting
YouTube editor www.youtube.com This video was shot while blowing a bamboo flute. This drum parade is held annually on the third Sunday in October as part of the Matsue Festival, the largest festival of the Matsue Shrine. matsue dougyouretsu-drum parade oct.18.2009 yokobama-cho neighborhood association yokobama-cho neighborhood association participates in an odd year once in two years.
- published: 14 Feb 2011
- views: 411
- author: redjf4580
2012.11.16 地域決勝大会 1次ラウンド 福島ユナイテッド×Dezzolla Shimane 3/4
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 10:13
- Updated: 16 Nov 2012
2012年11月16日（金） 13：30Kickoff 第36回 全国地域サッカーリーグ決勝大会 1次ラウンドAグループ 福島ユナイテッドFC 1 － 0 Dezzolla Shimane EC 郡山西部サッカー場膠着状態の我慢比べは福島が均衡を破り、勝ち点3を獲得。
http://wn.com/20121116_地域決勝大会_1次ラウンド_福島ユナイテッド×Dezzolla_Shimane_3_4
2012年11月16日（金） 13：30Kickoff 第36回 全国地域サッカーリーグ決勝大会 1次ラウンドAグループ 福島ユナイテッドFC 1 － 0 Dezzolla Shimane EC 郡山西部サッカー場膠着状態の我慢比べは福島が均衡を破り、勝ち点3を獲得。
- published: 16 Nov 2012
- views: 489
- author: raisummer
2012.11.16 地域決勝大会 1次ラウンド 福島ユナイテッド×Dezzolla Shimane 4/4
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 2:31
- Updated: 16 Nov 2012
2012年11月16日（金） 13：30Kickoff 第36回 全国地域サッカーリーグ決勝大会 1次ラウンドAグループ 福島ユナイテッドFC 1 － 0 Dezzolla Shimane EC 郡山西部サッカー場二日目、福島は福井と対戦。Shimaneはアミティエと対戦。
http://wn.com/20121116_地域決勝大会_1次ラウンド_福島ユナイテッド×Dezzolla_Shimane_4_4
2012年11月16日（金） 13：30Kickoff 第36回 全国地域サッカーリーグ決勝大会 1次ラウンドAグループ 福島ユナイテッドFC 1 － 0 Dezzolla Shimane EC 郡山西部サッカー場二日目、福島は福井と対戦。Shimaneはアミティエと対戦。
- published: 16 Nov 2012
- views: 673
- author: raisummer
Jeremy Tyler v. Shimane 3-6-2011
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 1:13
- Updated: 22 May 2011
www.asiabasketballupdate.com 14 points on 6/17 shooting (2/6 FT) 11 rebounds 1 block 1 steal 5 fouls and 4 TO. The block at 0:39 and dunk at 0:45 (both against Ray Schafer from Univ. of Oregon) are two of his top highlights from the season.
http://wn.com/Jeremy_Tyler_v_Shimane_3-6-2011
www.asiabasketballupdate.com 14 points on 6/17 shooting (2/6 FT) 11 rebounds 1 block 1 steal 5 fouls and 4 TO. The block at 0:39 and dunk at 0:45 (both against Ray Schafer from Univ. of Oregon) are two of his top highlights from the season.
- published: 22 May 2011
- views: 1804
- author: hoopasia2011
JET Program Vlog supplement - Rural reststop in Shimane
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 5:17
- Updated: 03 Dec 2011
I shot this footage about 5 weeks ago, after the 3-day CHESS camp had finished. I was on my way home in the afternoon and driving down from Mt Sanbe, when I was once again struck by how beautiful Shimane is. Living in the inaka can be boring at times, but Shimane is surrounded by wonderful nature. The mountains, rivers, lakes, and the Japan Sea are all within a hour or less from where I live. So enjoy the silence and I'll have another vlog up soon. cheers! -jason
http://wn.com/JET_Program_Vlog_supplement_Rural_reststop_in_Shimane
I shot this footage about 5 weeks ago, after the 3-day CHESS camp had finished. I was on my way home in the afternoon and driving down from Mt Sanbe, when I was once again struck by how beautiful Shimane is. Living in the inaka can be boring at times, but Shimane is surrounded by wonderful nature. The mountains, rivers, lakes, and the Japan Sea are all within a hour or less from where I live. So enjoy the silence and I'll have another vlog up soon. cheers! -jason
- published: 13 Jul 2008
- views: 2328
- author: myargonauts
Driving in Japan - Matsue, Shimane - January 2009
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 9:54
- Updated: 12 Jan 2013
Another driving vlog - this time thru the capital of Shimane, Matsue city. I was in Matsue to see my school's volleyball team compete and on the way home I turned the camera on. Enjoy! -Jason
http://wn.com/Driving_in_Japan_Matsue,_Shimane_January_2009
Another driving vlog - this time thru the capital of Shimane, Matsue city. I was in Matsue to see my school's volleyball team compete and on the way home I turned the camera on. Enjoy! -Jason
- published: 26 Jan 2009
- views: 3401
- author: myargonauts
Castle Town Landscape (Matsue City Shimane)
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 2:21
- Updated: 15 Nov 2012
Castle Town Landscape (Matsue City Shimane), Matsue Castle, Horikawa Sightseeing Boat, Buke Yashiki (Samurai Residence), Lafcadio Hearns Former Residence and Memorial Museum, Meimei-an Teahouse
http://wn.com/Castle_Town_Landscape_Matsue_City_Shimane
Castle Town Landscape (Matsue City Shimane), Matsue Castle, Horikawa Sightseeing Boat, Buke Yashiki (Samurai Residence), Lafcadio Hearns Former Residence and Memorial Museum, Meimei-an Teahouse
- published: 01 Jul 2009
- views: 1446
- author: visitjapan
Hinomisaki Shrine in Shimane, Japan
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 4:02
- Updated: 05 Jan 2013
After we finished at the lighthouse, Eli, Robin and I set off for the other important landmark in this part of Taisha, Hinomisaki Shrine. I didn't add any music to this vid so you can enjoy the quiet and natural sounds - it's a really peaceful place to visit and we got lucky - it was a really nice day. For a little more info on the shrine: japanican.com for more info on Amaterasu, the Shinto deity that this shrine is dedicated to: en.wikipedia.org If you want to see more of the shrine, I'll be adding some nice photos I took to my Flickr page soon. Thanks for watching! -Jason
http://wn.com/Hinomisaki_Shrine_in_Shimane,_Japan
After we finished at the lighthouse, Eli, Robin and I set off for the other important landmark in this part of Taisha, Hinomisaki Shrine. I didn't add any music to this vid so you can enjoy the quiet and natural sounds - it's a really peaceful place to visit and we got lucky - it was a really nice day. For a little more info on the shrine: japanican.com for more info on Amaterasu, the Shinto deity that this shrine is dedicated to: en.wikipedia.org If you want to see more of the shrine, I'll be adding some nice photos I took to my Flickr page soon. Thanks for watching! -Jason
- published: 13 May 2009
- views: 3981
- author: myargonauts
photo: AP / Los Angeles Police Department
11 Feb 2013
A San Bernardino County sheriff's deputy searches a home for Christopher Dorner, a former police officer, on Sunday in Big Bear Lake, Calif. (Jae C. Hong, The Associated Press) ... "We will not tolerate anyone undermining the security of the community," Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said at a news conference. "We will not tolerate this reign of terror." ... "He has targeted those we entrust to protect the public." ... Copyright 2012 The Denver Post ... ....(size: 2.3Kb)
photo: AP / Lee Jin-man
12 Feb 2013
A magnitude 5.1 “artificial earthquake” was reported near a nuclear test site in North Korea on Tuesday morning, with South Korean Defence Ministry officials telling local media that the seismic activity was the result of a third nuclear test conducted by the reclusive state ... The reported test has, however, not yet been confirmed by North Korean State media ... The move is set to heighten regional tensions ... Keywords....(size: 3.4Kb)
photo: AP / Kevin Frayer
11 Feb 2013
ALLAHABAD, India (Reuters) - A stampede at a railway station in northern India killed at least 36 Hindu pilgrims on Sunday, the busiest day of the world's largest religious festival at which some 30 million had gathered to wash away their sins in the sacred Ganges river. Twenty-seven of the dead were women, mostly elderly and poor. An eight-year-old girl was also crushed to death ... Daily Press Eyewitness ... M ... ....(size: 5.2Kb)
photo: AP / Riccardo De Luca
12 Feb 2013
Pope Benedict XVI will not interfere in choosing his successor after his shock decision to resign at the end of the month, the pontiff's brother has said. Georg Ratzinger told the BBC the Pope would only "make himself available" if he were needed. Benedict said on Monday he would resign after nearly eight years as the head of the Catholic Church because he was too old to continue at the age of 85 ... But resignation is extremely rare....(size: 3.8Kb)
photo: AP / L'Osservatore Romano
11 Feb 2013
Pope Benedict XVI has announced that he will resign the papacy because of ill health, according to the Italian news agency ANSA. The decision will send shockwaves through the global Catholic community. It is extremely rare for a Pope to give up the papacy and is unheard of in modern times. The vast majority serve until they die, even when struck down by ill health....(size: 1.9Kb)
Jakarta Globe
12 Feb 2013
Tokyo. A replica of Michelangelo's Renaissance sculpture David that was erected suddenly last summer is unnerving residents of a Japanese town, with some calling for the naked masterpiece to be given underpants. Okuizumo town in western Shimane prefecture received five-meter (16-foot) replicas of David and of Greek treasure the Venus de Milo, as donations from a businessman who hails from the area ... Agence France-Presse ....(size: 2.2Kb)
Daily Yomiuri
12 Feb 2013
After initial reports that North Korea conducted a nuclear test Tuesday, family members of Japanese abductees taken to North Korea expressed anger over the reclusive nation's repeated defiance of the will of the international community ... The ministry began surveying radiation levels in the air at 10 locations, mainly along the Sea of Japan, including one of the Oki Islands in Shimane Prefecture and Sado Island in Niigata Prefectures ... ....(size: 3.4Kb)
The Register
08 Feb 2013
Okuizumo, in Shimane Prefecture, has enjoyed the 5-metre tall nude since last summer ... ....(size: 0.4Kb)
Sowetan Live
07 Feb 2013
Okuizumo town in western Shimane prefecture received the five-metre replicas of David and of the Greek treasure, the Venus de Milo, as donations from a businessman who hails from the area. The statues were put up in a large public park that also includes a full-size running track, a baseball stadium, tennis courts, a mountain bike course and a play area with apparatus for children ... ....(size: 1.9Kb)
Digital Spy
07 Feb 2013
Japanese residents from a local town have called for naked replica sculptures to be given underpants. Replicas of the 16ft Michelangelo masterpieces of David and Greek treasure the Venus de Milo were erected last summer in Okuizumom Western Shimane prefecture. [Michaelangelo's David] ... Although many locals have welcomed the unnerving sculpture, some residents appeared worried the large statues would frighten toddlers ... More. Odd. Previous ... ....(size: 7.6Kb)
Newsvine
06 Feb 2013
Taipei Times
06 Feb 2013
A replica of Michelangelo’s Renaissance sculpture David that was erected suddenly last summer is unnerving residents of a Japanese town, with some calling for the naked masterpiece to be given underpants. Okuizumo town in western Shimane Prefecture received 5m replicas of David and of Greek treasure the Venus de Milo as donations from a businessman who hails from the area ... ....(size: 1.7Kb)
Chosunilbo
06 Feb 2013
The Japanese government has set up a new office that specifically deals with Tokyo's colonial claim to Korea's Dokdo and the dispute with China over the Senkaku or Diaoyu Islands ... Tokyo has designated Feb ... Until now, it was observed only by Shimane Prefecture, which had administrative authority over the islets during the colonial occupation ... ....(size: 1.9Kb)
The Times of India
06 Feb 2013
GUWAHATI ... The arrested persons have been identified as Madhu Boro (35) alias Matsu Boro of Kokrajhar, Shiman Basumatary (24) of Chirang, Raju Boro alias Jagat Boro (24) of Sonapur, Rahul Basumatary (24) of Chirang, Pranjoy Musahary (20) of Chirang, Sachi Rajkumar (35) of Karimganj, Sobiram Basumatary (35) of Jalpaiguri in West Bengal and Sobiram's wife Mahima Rabha alias Phulmati ... ....(size: 1.9Kb)
The Daily Telegraph Australia
06 Feb 2013
A REPLICA of Michelangelo's David has prompted some in Japan to call for the naked masterpiece to be given underpants. Okuizumo town in western Shimane prefecture received five-metre replicas of David and of Greek treasure the Venus de Milo, as donations from a businessman who hails from the area ... "They are statues of unclothed humans, and such pieces of art work are very rare in our area ... ....(size: 2.2Kb)
New Straits/Business Times
06 Feb 2013
TOKYO. A replica of Michelangelo’s Renaissance sculpture David that was erected suddenly last summer is unnerving residents of a Japanese town, with some calling for the naked masterpiece to be given underpants. Okuizumo town in western Shimane prefecture received five-metre (16-foot) replicas of David and of Greek treasure the Venus de Milo, as donations from a businessman who hails from the area ... -- AFP. ....(size: 2.4Kb)
The Australian
06 Feb 2013
A REPLICA of Michelangelo's Renaissance sculpture David is unnerving residents of a Japanese town, with some calling for the naked masterpiece to be given underpants. Okuizumo town in western Shimane prefecture last year received five-metre replicas of David and of Greek treasure the Venus de Milo, as donations from a businessman who hails from the area ... “It is the first time we have had anything like this in our town ... AFP ... ....(size: 2.4Kb)
Daily Yomiuri
06 Feb 2013
I was a soldier in the U.S. Army when I first came to Japan about 40 years ago. By sheer luck I had avoided Vietnam, and was sent to serve out my military obligation at Camp Zama in Kanagawa Prefecture ... Over the years, I have collected and read just about all of the Hearn essays ... He landed in Yokohama in April, but autumn found him in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, on the opposite side of Honshu, where he was employed as a school teacher ... ....(size: 5.9Kb)
| Shimane Prefecture | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese transcription(s) | |||
| • Japanese | 島根県 | ||
| • Rōmaji | Shimane-ken | ||
|
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 |
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| Country | Japan | ||
| Region | Chūgoku | ||
| Island | Honshū | ||
| Capital | Matsue | ||
| Government | |||
| • Governor | Zenbee Mizoguchi | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 6,707.95 km2 (2,589.95 sq mi) | ||
| Area rank | 18th | ||
| Population (October 11, 2011) | |||
| • Total | 712,336 | ||
| • Rank | 46th | ||
| • Density | 106/km2 (270/sq mi) | ||
| ISO 3166 code | JP-32 | ||
| Districts | 5 | ||
| Municipalities | 19 | ||
| Flower | Moutan peony (Paeonia suffruticosa) | ||
| Tree | Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii) | ||
| Bird | Whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus) | ||
| Fish | Flying Fish | ||
| Website | www1.pref.shimane.lg.jp/contents/ kokusai/kokusai-e |
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Shimane Prefecture (島根県, Shimane-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region on Honshū island.[1] The capital is Matsue.[2] It is the second least populous prefecture in Japan, after its eastern neighbor Tottori. The prefecture has an area elongated from east to west facing the Chūgoku Mountain Range on the south side and to the Sea of Japan on the north side. It is divided into the Izumo Region in the East, the Iwami Region in the West and the Oki Region, a small group of islands off the northern coast. Most of the cities are near the shoreline of the Sea of Japan. Izumo Taisha in Izumo City is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan.
The Oki Islands in the Sea of Japan are also part of Shimane Prefecture, which also claims to have jurisdiction over the South Korea-controlled island of Liancourt Rocks (Takeshima).
Contents |
History[link]
Early history[link]
See also: Old provinces of Japan
The history of Shimane starts with the Japanese mythology. Shinto god Ōkuninushi was believed to be living in Izumo, an old province in Shimane. Izumo Shrine, which is in the city of Izumo, honors the god.[3] At that time, the current Shimane prefecture was divided in to three parts: Iwami, Izumo, and Oki.[4] That lasted until the abolition of the han system took place in 1871. During the Nara period, Kakinomoto no Hitomaro read a poem on Shimane's nature when he was sent as the Royal governor.[5]
Later on in the Kamakura period, Kamakura Shogunate forces emperors Gotoba and Emperor Godaigo to exile to Oki. Emperor Godaigo later gets away from Oki and begins rallying against the shogunate, which later succeeds.[6]
Middle Ages[link]
During the Muromachi period, Izumo and Oki were controlled by the Kyogoku clan. However, after the Ōnin War, the Amago clan expanded power based in Gassantoda Castle and Masuda clan dominated Iwami province. Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine was located between Amago clan territory and Masuda clan territory, so there were many battles between these lords for the silver of vast quantity. However, in 1566 Mori Motonari conquered Izumo, Iwami, and Oki.[6] After over 30 years of Mori control, in 1600 Horio Yoshiharu enters Izumo and Oki as the result of Battle of Sekigahara which Mori lost. Following the change, Horio Yoshiharu decides to move to build Matsue Castle instead of Gassan-Toda, and soon after Yoshiharu's death the castle is completed. Later in 1638, the grandson of Tokugawa Ieyasu, Matsudaira Naomasa enters the castle since the Horio clan had no heir, and his family ruled until the abolition of the han system. The Iwami area was split in to 3 clans: The mining district (direct control of the Shogunate), the Hamada clan and the Tsuwano clan. The Iwami Ginzan, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site produced silver and was one of the nation's largest silver mine by the early 17th century. Hamada clan was on the shogunate's side in the Meiji Restoration, and the castle was burned down. The Tsuwano clan, despite the Matsudaira (relative of the shogun) rule was on the emperor's side in the restoration.[7]
Modern times[link]
In 1871, abolition of the han system places the old Shimane and Hamada provinces in the current area of Shimane Prefecture. Later that year, Oki becomes part of Tottori. In 1876, Hamada Prefecture merges with Shimane and is named Shimane Prefecture. Also, Tottori Prefecture merges in the same year. However, five years later, in 1881, the current portion of Tottori Prefecture separates and the current border is formed.[7]
Geography[link]
Shimane prefecture is situated on the Sea of Japan side of the Chugoku region. Because of its mountainous landscape, rice farming is done mostly in the Izumo plain where the city of Izumo is located.[8] Another major landform is the Shimane peninsula. The peninsula is located across on the Sea of Japan from Izumo to Sakaiminato, which apparently is located in Tottori prefecture. Also, the peninsula created two sea water lakes Lake Shinji and Nakaumi. The island of Daikon is located in Nakaumi. Off from the island of Honshū, the island of Oki is in Shimane prefecture as well. The island itself is in the Daisen-Oki National Park.[8] Shimane also claims the use of Liancourt Rocks, which they are in dispute with South Korea.[9]
Most major cities are located either on the seaside, or along a river.[8] Following mergers across the prefecture, there are currently eight cities, five districts, ten towns, and one village. For the list of mergers, see List of mergers in Shimane Prefecture.
Cities[link]
Eight cities are located in Shimane Prefecture, the largest being Matsue, the capital, and the smallest being Gōtsu. The cities Masuda, Unnan, Yasugi, and Gōtsu had a slight population increase due to the mergers in the early 2000s.[10]
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Towns and villages[link]
The number of Towns and villages greatly decreased during the mergers. However, they hold about one-third of the prefecture's population.[10]
Mergers[link]
Main article: List of mergers in Shimane Prefecture
| April 1976 | January 2011 | January 2012 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Izumo Region | Matsue City（Old System） | Matsue City（New System） | Matsue City （1 August 2011 Merger with Higashiizumo Town） |
|
| Yatsuka District | Kashima Town | |||
| Shimane Town | ||||
| Mihonoseki Town | ||||
| Yakumo Village | ||||
| Tamayu Town | ||||
| Shinji Town | ||||
| Yatsuka Town | ||||
| Higashiizumo Town | ||||
| Yasugi City（Old System） | Yasugi City（New System） | Yasugi City | ||
| Nogi District | Hirose Town | |||
| Hakuta Town | ||||
| Nita District | Yokota Town | Okuizumo Town | ||
| Nita Town | ||||
| Izumo City（Old System） | Izumo City（New System） | Izumo City （1 October 2011 Merger with Hikawa Town） |
||
| Hirata City | ||||
| Hikawa District | Taisha Town | |||
| Koryo Town | ||||
| Taki Town | ||||
| Sada Town | ||||
| Hikawa Town | ||||
| Ōhara District | Daitō Town | Unnan City | ||
| Kamo Town | ||||
| Kisuki Town | ||||
| Iishi District | Mitoya Town | |||
| Kakeya Town | ||||
| Yoshida Village | ||||
| Tonbara Town | Iinan Town | |||
| Akagi Town | ||||
| Iwami Region | Ōda City（Old System） | Ōda City（New System） | Ōda City | |
| Nima District | Yunotsu Town | |||
| Nima Town | ||||
| Gōtsu City（Old System） | Gōtsu City（New System） | Gōtsu City | ||
| Ōchi District | Sakurae Town | |||
| Ōchi Town | Misato Town | |||
| Yamato Village | ||||
| Iwami Town | Ōnan Town | |||
| Mizuho Town | ||||
| Hasumi Village | ||||
| Kawamoto Town | ||||
| Hamada City（Old System） | Hamada City（New System） | Hamada City | ||
| Naka District | Asahi Town | |||
| Kanagi Town | ||||
| Misumi Town | ||||
| Yasaka Village | ||||
| Masuda City（Old System） | Masuda City（New System） | Masuda City | ||
| Mino District | Mito Town | |||
| Hikimi Town | ||||
| Kanoashi District | Tsuwano Town（Old System） | Tsuwano Town（New System） | Tsuwano Town | |
| Nichihara Town | ||||
| Muikaichi Town | Yoshika Town | |||
| Kakinoki Village | ||||
| Oki Region | Oki District | Saigō Town | Okinoshima Town | |
| Fuse Village | ||||
| Goka Village | ||||
| Tsuma Village | ||||
| Nishinoshima Town | ||||
| Ama Town | ||||
| Chibu Village | ||||
Climate[link]
The prefecture has a sub-tropical climate. Winter is cloudy with a little snow, and summer is humid. The average annual temperature is 14.6 degrees Celsius. It rains almost every day in the rainy season, from June to mid-July. The highest average monthly temperature occurs in August with 26.3 degrees Celsius. The average annual precipitation is 1799 millimeters, higher than Tokyo's 1467 mm and Obihiro with 920 mm.[10]
| Average Year （Month） |
Oki | Izumo (Coastal) | Izumo (Inland) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Okinoshima Saigo |
Okinoshima Saigo Cape |
Ama | Matsue Kashima |
Matsue | Hikawa | Izumo | Okuizumo Yokota |
Unnan Kakeya |
Iinan Akana |
||
| Average Temperature (℃) |
Warmest Month | 25.6 (Aug) |
25.8 (Aug) |
25.6 (Aug) |
26.3 (Aug) |
25.8 (Aug) |
24.0 (Aug) |
24.5 (Aug) |
23.4 (Aug) |
||
| Coldest Month | 3.9 (Feb) |
4.5 (Feb) |
4.4 (Feb) |
4.2 (Jan) |
4.5 (Feb) |
0.7 (Feb) |
2.3 (Feb) |
0.4 (Jan, Feb) |
|||
| Rainfall (mm) |
Heaviest Month | 211.6 (Sept) |
227.0 (July) |
218.0 (Sept) |
240.5 (July) |
236.2 (July) |
234.2 (July) |
257.1 (July) |
282.2 (July) |
||
| Driest Month | 110.4 (Oct) |
96.4 (Feb) |
104.7 (April) |
114.5 (April) |
96.3 (Feb) |
103.4 (April) |
120.7 (April) |
116.5 (Oct) |
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| Average Year （Month） |
Iwami (Coastal) | Iwami (Inland) | |||||||||
| Ōda | Hamada | Masuda | Masuda City Takatsu |
Kawamoto | Ōnan |
Hamada City Yasaka |
Tsuwano | Yoshika | Yoshika Muikaichi |
||
| Average Temperature (℃) |
Warmest Month | 26.5 (Aug) |
26.2 (Aug) |
26.8 (Aug) |
24.2 (Aug) |
23.9 (Aug) |
23.6 (Aug) |
25.7 (Aug) |
24.5 (Aug) |
||
| Coldest Month | 4.9 (Jan, Feb) |
5.8 (Feb) |
5.4 (Jan, Feb) |
2.7 (Jan) |
0.8 (Jan) |
1.5 (Jan) |
3.0 (Jan) |
1.9 (Jan) |
|||
| Rainfall (mm) |
Heaviest Month | 246.3 (July) |
257.7 (July) |
223.9 (June) |
260.2 (July) |
260.6 (July) |
340.0 (July) |
285.6 (July) |
337.4 (June) |
||
| Driest Month | 98.3 (Feb) |
90.9 (Feb) |
87.9 (Feb) |
112.5 (Feb) |
109.2 (Nov) |
130.4 (April) |
99.7 (Dec) |
76.8 (Dec) |
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Transportation[link]
Airports[link]
Three airports serve Shimane. The Izumo Airport located in Izumo is the largest airport in the prefecture in terms of passengers, which has regular flights to Haneda Airport, Osaka Airport, Fukuoka Airport, and Oki Airport. The Iwami Airport has two flights each day to Haneda and Osaka and 2 arrivals. Oki Airport has scheduled flights to Osaka and Izumo Airports.[11]
Rail[link]
JR West and Ichibata Electric Railway serves the prefecture in terms of rail transportation. The Sanin Main Line goes through the prefecture on the Sea of Japan side going into major cities such as Matsue and Izumo.[12] Izumoshi and Matsue stations are the major stops in the prefecture. The Kisuki line, which forks from Shinji Station on the Sanin Line, connects with the Geibi Line in Hiroshima Prefecture, cutting into the Chūgoku Mountains.[12] Ichibata Electric Railway serve the Shimane peninsula from Dentetsu-Izumoshi Station and Izumo Taisha-Mae Station to Matsue Shinjiko-Onsen Station.[13]
JR West has 3 Limited Express trains to Shimane, which are Super Matsukaze, Super Oki, and Yakumo.[14]
Roads[link]
General Roads[link]
- Japan National Route 9
- Japan National Route 54
- Japan National Route 180
- Japan National Route 184
- Japan National Route 186
- Japan National Route 187
- Japan National Route 191
- Japan National Route 261
- Japan National Route 314
- Japan National Route 375
- Japan National Route 431
- Japan National Route 432
- Japan National Route 485
- Japan National Route 488
Highways[link]
The four expressways in the prefecture connect major cities with other prefectures. The Matsue expressway connects Matsue with Unnan and Yonago in Tottori prefecture. Hamada Expressway forks from the Chugoku Expressway at Kita-Hiroshima and stretches to Hamada.[8]
Ferry/High Speed Boats[link]
Economy[link]
In Shimane, the largest employer is the retail industry, employing over 60,000 workers. The supermarket, Mishimaya, and the hardware store, Juntendo, are examples of companies based in Shimane. The manufacturing industry has the second number of employees with 49,000 workers. The retail industry has over 12,000 locations within the prefecture, the most of any industry.
29% of the total industry income in the Prefecture is from the service industry, which includes retailers. The manufacturing makes up 13% of the total industry income.
Companies based in Shimane[link]
Manufacturing[link]
Financial[link]
Others[link]
Major factories[link]
Demography[link]
One-third of the prefecture's population is concentrated in the Izumo-Matsue area. Otherwise, over two-thirds of the population is on the coastline. The reason is that the Chugoku mountains make the land inland harder to inhabit. The capital, Matsue, has the smallest population out of all the 47 prefectural capitals. Shimane has also the largest percentage of the elderly.[10] The province had an estimated 743 centenarians per million inhabitants in September 2010, the highest ratio in Japan, overtaking Okinawa Prefecture (667 centenarians per million).[15]
Population by age[link]
Total Population in age groups
2007 Estimated Population
Unit:Thousands
| Age | Population |
|---|---|
| 0 - 4 |     30 |
| 5 - 9 |   33 |
| 10 - 14 | 35 |
| 15 - 19 | 37 |
| 20 - 24 | 32 |
| 25 - 29 | 38 |
| 30 - 34 | 44 |
| 35 - 39 | 41 |
| 40 - 44 | 38 |
| 45 - 49 | 44 |
| 50 - 54 | 51 |
| 55 - 59 | 66 |
| 60 - 64 | 44 |
| 65 - 69 | 45 |
| 70 - 74 | 50 |
| 75 - 79 | 45 |
| 80 and over | 64 |
Population in gender
2007 Estimated population
Unit:Thousands
| Male | Age | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 15 |
0 - 4 |   15 |
| 17 |
5 - 9 |  16 |
| 18 |
10 - 14 |  17 |
| 19 |
15 - 19 | 18 |
| 16 |
20 - 24 | 16 |
| 19 |
25 - 29 |  19 |
| 22 |
30 - 34 | 22 |
| 20 |
35 - 39 | 20 |
| 19 |
40 - 44 | 19 |
| 22 |
45 - 49 | 22 |
| 26 |
50 - 54 | 25 |
| 34 |
55 - 59 | 32 |
| 22 |
60 - 64 | 23 |
| 20 |
65 - 69 | 24 |
| 22 |
70 - 74 | 28 |
| 19 |
75 - 79 | 26 |
| 20 |
80 and over |  44 |
- Source：Graph 10/Prefectures Age（In Age groups）, Gender divided population－Total Population
(Ministry of Internal Affairs Statistics Bureau)
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Comparison of Population Distribution between Shimane and Japanese National Average | Population Distribution by Age and Sex in Shimane | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
■Shimane
■Japan (average) |
■Male
■Female |
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|
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| 2010 Census, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications - Statistics Department | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Culture[link]
Cultural Assets[link]
- World Cultural Heritage
- National Treasures
- Izumo-taisha Main Shrine（Izumo City）
- Kamosu Shrine Main Shrine（Matsue City）
- Toiletry case with autumn field and deer design（Izumo-taisha）
- Armour Laced with white thread（Hinomisaki Shrine）
- Bronze bells from the Kamo-Iwakura site Unearthed bronze bell-shaped vessel（Unnan City）
- Kojindani Ruins Unearthed ruins（Izumo City）
- Important Traditional Building Preservation Area
- Ōmori （Ōda City）
- Yunotsu （Ōda City）
Languages（Dialects）[link]
- Unpaku dialect (Izumo dialect, Oki dialect, etc.）
- Iwami dialect
Universities in Shimane Prefecture[link]
- Shimane University, Matsue and Izumo (National university)[16]
- The University of Shimane, Hamada (Prefectural university)[17]
Tourism[link]
- Shimane Vogel Park
- Matsue Castle
- Adachi Museum of Art
- Aquas Aquarium
- Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine
- Izumo-taisha
- Shimane Art Museum
- Iwami Art Museum
- Mt. Sanbe
- Tamatsukuri Onsen
Prefectural symbols[link]
The prefectural flower is the mountain peony. On the island of Daikonjima, they were grown from at least the 18th century.[18]
See also[link]
Notes[link]
- ^ Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Shimane Province" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 859 at Google Books; "Chūgoku" at p. 127 at Google Books
- ^ Nussbaum, "Matsue" at p. 617 at Google Books
- ^ Izumo Shrine website
- ^ Nussbaum, "Provinces and prefectures" at p. 780 at Google Books
- ^ Shimane Prefecture introduction
- ^ a b 古川清行 Furukawa Kiyoyuki (2003). スーパー日本史 Super Nihon-shi. 講談社 Kōdansha. ISBN 406204594.
- ^ a b History of Shimane Prefecture
- ^ a b c d 新編 中学校社会科地図 Updated Social studies map for Junior High school. 帝国書院 Teikoku Shoin. 2007. ISBN 4-8071-4091-4.
- ^ Liancourt Rocks
- ^ a b c d 考える社会科地図 Kangaeru Shakaika Chizu. 四谷大塚出版 Yotsuya-Ōtsuka Shuppan. 2005. p. 113.
- ^ Flight schedule of Oki Airport
- ^ a b Route map for JR West
- ^ Route map of Ichibata Electric Railway
- ^ JR West website on limited express trains
- ^ Japan Times “Centenarians to Hit Record 44,000”. The Japan Times, Sept. 15, 2010. Okinawa Prefecture also had the largest loss of young and middle-aged population during the Pacific War.
- ^ Shimane University
- ^ University of Shimane
- ^ Symbols of Shimane Prefecture: From Shimane Prefecture website
References[link]
- Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric and Käthe Roth. (2005). Japan encyclopedia. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. 10-ISBN 0-674-01753-6; 13-ISBN 978-0-674-01753-5; OCLC 58053128
External links[link]
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Shimane prefecture |
- Official homepage of Shimane Prefecture
- Shimane JET Programme participants homepage
- National Archives of Japan ... Shimane map (1891)
- Adachi Museum of Art
- Sightseeing In Shimane
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Coordinates: 35°13′N 132°40′E / 35.217°N 132.667°E / 35.217; 132.667
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This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shimane_Prefecture
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This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
 Tyler with Tokyo Apache in 2010 |
|
| No. 3 – Golden State Warriors | |
|---|---|
| Center | |
| Personal information | |
| Born | (1991-06-21) June 21, 1991 (age 21) San Diego, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| High school | San Diego HS (San Diego, California) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
| Listed weight | 260 lb (118 kg) |
| Career information | |
| NBA Draft | 2011 / Round: 2 / Pick: 39th overall |
| Selected by the Charlotte Bobcats | |
| Pro career | 2009–present |
| Career history | |
| 2009–2010 | Maccabi Haifa (Israel) |
| 2010–2011 | Tokyo Apache (Japan) |
| 2011–present | Golden State Warriors |
| 2012 | →Dakota Wizards (D-League) |
| Stats at NBA.com | |
| Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
Jeremy Tyler (born June 21, 1991) is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Tyler is a 6'10" center from San Diego, California, United States. He was drafted with the thirty-ninth pick in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Bobcats. The Golden State Warriors then acquired Tyler by purchasing his draft rights.[1]
Contents |
High school[link]
Tyler attended San Diego High School, and played for the Cavers from 2006 to 2009. Tyler averaged 28.7 points per game during his junior season.[2] He decided to forgo his senior season to go play internationally for two years until he was eligible for the NBA Draft.
College career[link]
On October 12, 2008, Tyler committed to Louisville. He chose Louisville over UCLA and USC. Tyler later retracted his commitment to Louisville and instead signed with an Israeli professional basketball club.
Professional career[link]
Israel[link]
On April 22, 2009, Tyler announced his intentions to skip his senior year in high school to play professionally abroad. On August 7, 2009, he signed a $140,000 deal with Maccabi Haifa of the Israeli Super League.[3]
Tyler played just 10 games, averaging only 2.1 PPG in 7.6 MPG. On March 18, 2010, he officially quit the team and headed home to San Diego.[4]
Japan[link]
On July 29, 2010, Tyler signed a contract with the Tokyo Apache of Japan's professional basketball league[5] because he was not eligible to place his name into the NBA draft until 2011. In 33 games, he averaged 9.9 points on 51.7% shooting and 6.4 rebounds in 15.4 minutes per game.[6]
NBA[link]
Tyler was drafted 39th overall by the Charlotte Bobcats in the 2011 NBA Draft, but it was announced a few minutes later that the Bobcats traded his rights to the Golden State Warriors for cash considerations. On February 27, 2012, he was assigned to the Dakota Wizards.[7] He was recalled on March 6, 2012.[8] For most of his rookie year he received minimal playing time, but on March 21st he was named the Warriors' starting center in a game against the New Orleans Hornets and has since started every game. [9]
References[link]
External links[link]
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| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| Name | Tyler, Jeremy |
| Alternative names | |
| Short description | American basketball player |
| Date of birth | June 12, 1991 |
| Place of birth | San Diego, California, United States |
| Date of death | |
| Place of death | |
http://wn.com/Jeremy_Tyler
Related pages:
http://fr.wn.com/Jeremy Tyler
http://it.wn.com/Jeremy Tyler
http://es.wn.com/Jeremy Tyler
This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremy_Tyler
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
