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Kyoto Prefecture Banzai Japan Idol Group Visit there Website Kyoto Prefecture is Japan’s cultural center, including the former capital of Kyoto with its plethora of temples and shrines and its large population of practitioners of traditional crafts. As the location for the city of Kyoto, which was the imperial capital of Japan for a millennium, Kyoto Prefecture is steeped in history. It is one of just two urban prefectures (fu), based around the country’s important cities. The city of Kyoto lies in the southern part of the prefecture, and forms part of the heavily urbanized Kansai region center, together with Osaka and Kobe. The prefecture is divided roughly into two parts by the Tanba Mountains, with the north stretching toward the Sea of Japan coast. Kyoto Prefecture at a Glance Established in 1871 (formerly Yamashiro, Tanba, and Tango provinces) Capital: Kyoto Population: 2,578,000 (as of Oct. 2020) Area: 4,612 km2 The city of Kyoto is known for its many temples and shrines, several of which are included in the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto. Among the most famous, Kiyomizudera dates back for over a millennium and offers a panoramic view of the city from its wooden stage. The Zen temple of Kinkakuji awes visitors with its golden pavilion, and was the model for Ginkakuji, which became associated with the flourishing of Higashiyama culture in the fifteenth century. To the south, Fushimi Inari Shrine is popular for its tunnels of vermilion torii. Floats make a stately progress through the city in the centerpiece of the Gion Festival in July, which is one of Japan’s most famous local observances. In the south of the prefecture, the city of Uji has a notable temple in Byōdōin. Originally the residence of the powerful leader Fujiwara no Michinaga, it later became a temple, and its fame is such that it appears on the ¥10 coin. In the north of the prefecture, Amanohashidate, a narrow sandbar covered in pines, is considered to be one of Japan’s traditional Three Scenic Views. Kyoto has sophisticated versions of many traditional Japanese crafts. Techniques associated with production of kimonos are particularly highly regarded, such as nishijin-ori silk weaving and kyō yūzen dyeing. The city is also known for ceramics, dolls, lacquer ware, and fans. At the same time the prefecture is a center for high-tech industry, and the home of companies like Nintendo and Kyocera. The city of Uji is renowned for its matcha green tea. Mayumaro is the mascot for Kyoto Prefecture, taking its name and appearance from a silkworm cocoon (mayu), due to the use of silk in local kimonos. Famous Figures Dōgen (1200–53): Founder of the Sōtō school of Zen Buddhism. Itami Jūzō (1933–97): Director, known for works including Tanpopo. Wada Emi (1937–2021): Costume designer who won an Academy Award for her work on the Kurosawa Akira film Ran. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGJMwixogyk

Osaka Prefecture Banzai Japan Idol Group Visit there Website Osaka Prefecture, at the center of Japan’s number-two urban conglomeration, is famous for its lively main city, popular castle, and manzai comedy double acts. As the heavily urbanized heart of the Kansai region, Osaka Prefecture is a commercial and cultural center in the west of Japan. It is one of only two urban prefectures (fu); a referendum to reorganize it into a metropolis (to) like Tokyo was narrowly rejected in 2020. Most of the population lives on Osaka Plain. Kansai International Airport is located on reclaimed land in Osaka Bay, in the west of the prefecture. Osaka Prefecture at a Glance Established in 1871 (formerly Settsu, Kawachi, and Izumi provinces) Capital: Osaka Population: 8,838,000 (as of Oct. 2020) Area: 1,905 km2 Historically, the city of Osaka was Japan’s economic powerhouse. As the base for Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who succeeded in unifying Japan in the sixteenth century, it was also a political center for some years. The reconstructed Osaka Castle, originally built by Hideyoshi, attracts millions of visitors each year. The Minami district, especially its lively Dōtonbori street with its giant billboards and copious entertainment and shopping options, has come to symbolize the city today. Among Osaka’s popular food options are takoyaki (octopus pieces fried in batter) and okonomiyaki (a pancake-like dish that may be filled with meat or seafood and vegetables). In the Osaka Bay area of the city are leisure destinations like Universal Studios Japan and Osaka Aquarium. Nearby Sakai is home to the prefecture’s first UNESCO World Heritage site, the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group of great tombs, including what is thought to be the burial mound of Emperor Nintoku, traditionally held to have reigned during the fourth century. Major electronics companies like Sharp and Panasonic have their head offices in Osaka Prefecture, but the area is also known for its many small and medium-sized enterprises manufacturing machinery parts and other products. Culturally, Osaka is associated with the bunraku puppet theater tradition that flourished in the city during the Edo period (1603–1868), as well as the quick quips of manzai comedy double acts. The Osaka Prefecture mascot Mozuyan is based on the mozu, or bull-headed shrike, which is the prefecture’s official bird. The suffix yan is an Osaka variation on the standard Japanese janai, usually used to invite agreement. Famous Figures Kawabata Yasunari (1899–1972): Author of Yukiguni (trans. by Edward Seidensticker as Snow Country), and Japan’s first winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature. Tezuka Osamu (1928–89): Manga artist and animator who created Astro Boy and many other famous characters. Ōsaka Naomi (1997–): Tennis player, and the first Japanese player to win a Grand Slam singles title. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHOmBV4js_E

Hyōgo Prefecture Banzai Japan Idol Group Visit there Website Text Text Text Text https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHOmBV4js_E

Nara Prefecture Banzai Japan Idol Group Visit there Website The city of Nara in Nara Prefecture was the nation’s capital in the eighth century, and is known for Buddhist sites including the temple of Tōdaiji, famous for its bronze Daibutsu, or Great Buddha, as well as its wandering wild deer. Nara Prefecture in the Kansai region is landlocked and largely mountainous, apart from the Nara Basin in the north. Most people live in this flat northern area, which includes the prefectural capital of Nara and is humid in summer and extremely cold in winter. The Kii Mountains occupy the southern half of the prefecture, including Mount Hakkyō, which is the tallest peak in the Kansai region at 1,914 meters. Nara Prefecture at a Glance Established in 1887 (formerly Yamato province) Capital: Nara Population: 1,324,000 (as of Oct. 2020) Area: 3,691 km2 The city of Nara was the capital of Japan during most of the Nara period (710–94), when the country was greatly influenced by culture imported from China, including Buddhism. Among the major Buddhist sites in the city, the temple of Tōdaiji is famous for its bronze Daibutsu, or Great Buddha, and Hōryūji has some of the world’s oldest surviving wooden buildings. Nara is also known for its wandering wild deer. Further south, Mount Yoshino is Japan’s most celebrated cherry blossom spot. Capitalizing on its long history, Nara Prefecture is a leader in traditional crafts, such as the production of sumi ink and tea whisks. It is Japan’s number one prefecture for the manufacture of socks and baseball gloves, as well as the breeding of goldfish. Remnants of Yoshino sugi (Japanese cedar) trees are also made into disposable chopsticks, another leading local product. One of the more famous prefectural mascots, Nara’s Sento-kun resembles the Buddha with deer antlers, combining two well-known local elements. Famous Figures Takaichi Sanae (1961–): Liberal Democratic Party politician,who has served as minister of internal affairs and communications and minister of economic security. Kawase Naomi (1969–): Director known for films including Sweet Bean and The Mourning Forest, which won the Grand Prix at the 2007 Cannes International Film Festival. Murata Ryōta (1986–): Boxer who won the middleweight gold medal at the London Summer Olympics in 2012. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQEsdyXDoS4

Wakayama Prefecture Banzai Japan Idol Group Visit there Website Wakayama Prefecture, on the Pacific coast south of Japan’s ancient capitals of Nara and Kyoto, has attracted pilgrims for centuries. Its Mount Kōya temple complex is one of Japan’s most sacred sites. Located in the Kii Peninsula in Kansai, Wakayama Prefecture is mostly covered by mountains, apart from a small plain around the capital Wakayama. The cape Shionomisaki is the southernmost point in the island of Honshū, looking out over the Pacific Ocean. To the west is the Kii Channel, linking the Pacific to the Seto Inland Sea. At 133 meters, Nachi Waterfall is Japan’s highest waterfall with a single, uninterrupted drop. Wakayama Prefecture at a Glance Established in 1871 (formerly Kii province) Capital: Wakayama Population: 923,000 (as of Oct. 2020) Area: 4,725 km2 The area that is now Wakayama Prefecture has attracted pilgrims for centuries. Mount Kōya in the northeast is a center for Buddhism, where Kūkai, one of the early proselytizers of the religion, established the Shingon sect in the ninth century. Many temples offer overnight stays to visitors. Meanwhile, Kumano in the southeast is known for its three major Shintō shrines connected by walking trails. A major fruit producer due to its warm climate, Wakayama is Japan’s top prefecture for growing mandarins, ume apricots, and persimmons. It is also number one for hassaku citrus fruits and sanshō or Japanese pepper. The mosquito coil was invented in the small city of Arida, which remains a leading manufacturer of the product today. Wakayama’s Kii-chan character is a Kishū dog—the name of the province where the prefecture stands today was Kii or Kishū. The mascot design incorporates a “W” for Wakayama. Famous Figures Minakata Kumagusu (1867–1941): A polymath who made contributions in the fields of biology, folklore studies, and environmentalism. Matsushita Kōnosuke (1894–1989): The founder of Matsushita Electric Industrial Company, which became a household name across the world as Panasonic. Maehata Hideko (1914–95): The first Japanese woman to win an Olympic gold medal, which came in the 200-meter breaststroke at Berlin in 1936. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rjtcFddLxQ

Tottori Prefecture Banzai Japan Idol Group Visit there Website Tottori Prefecture is known for its sand dunes and as the home prefecture of the celebrated manga creator Mizuki Shigeru. Japan’s least populous prefecture, Tottori is in the Chūgoku region in the west of the island of Honshū. The country’s largest sand dunes can be found along its northern coast, beside the Sea of Japan. The Chūgoku Mountains stretch from east to west along the south of the prefecture, and much of the rest of its area is at a high altitude. Tottori Prefecture at a Glance Established in 1881 (formerly Inaba and Hōki provinces) Capital: Tottori Population: 553,000 (as of Oct. 2020) Area: 3,507 km2 Located within San’in Kaigan National Park, Tottori Prefecture’s 16-kilometer-long area of sand dunes in its capital of Tottori is the area’s best-known attraction. Visitors can climb a small hill for a view of the ocean. As the hometown of manga creator Mizuki Shigeru, the city of Sakaiminato has a museum dedicated to its famous son and many bronze statues of the yōkai (supernatural creatures) that appear in his works. Tottori is known for agricultural produce like rakkyō scallions and Nijisseiki nashi pears. It also has fine seafood, with notable catches of zuwaigani crab. In local crafts, there is inshū washi, a form of traditional Japanese paper. Toripy, the character for Tottori Prefecture, is a mixture of a bird (the kanji for “bird” appears in the prefecture’s name) and a Nijisseiki nashi pear, a famous local product. Famous Figures Mizuki Shigeru (1922–2015): Manga artist, best known for Ge Ge Ge no Kitarō, and other stories featuring supernatural yōkai. Otowa Nobuko (1924–1994): Actress, who appeared in many works directed by Shindō Kaneto, including the horror films Onibaba and Kuroneko. Ishiba Shigeru (1957–): Liberal Democratic Party politician, who has served as minister of defense and LDP secretary-general. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjRjUz_SvCQ

Shimane Prefecture Banzai Japan Idol Group Visit there Website Shimane Prefecture has long been associated with Japanese deities, and Izumo Taisha is one of Japan’s most sacred Shintō shrines. Located in the southwest of the island of Honshū, Shimane Prefecture is in the region of Chūgoku, with the Sea of Japan to its north. The main population centers lie on the Izumo Plain in the northeast. The prefecture includes the volcanic Oki Islands, much of which are a national park. Shimane Prefecture at a Glance Established in 1881 (formerly Iwami, Izumo, and Oki provinces) Capital: Matsue Population: 671,000 (as of Oct. 2020) Area: 6,708 km2   The Izumo region of Shimane Prefecture has long been associated with Japanese deities, and Izumo Taisha is one of Japan’s most sacred Shintō shrines. Ōkuninushi, the legendary creator of Japan, is enshrined there. The capital city Matsue is known for Matsue Castle, a national treasure with architecture dating back 400 years. In the same city, Adachi Museum of Art is renowned for its outstanding garden. The historic Iwami Ginzan silver mine is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Lake Shinji in the northeast of Shimane Prefecture is associated with shijimi clams, for which the prefecture is the nation’s top producer. It is also notable for sea fishing and leads Japan in catches of conger eels. In traditional crafts, the prefecture is known for its Unshū abacuses; Unshū is another name for the province of Izumo. Shimanekko, the character for Shimane Prefecture, melds the prefecture’s name with neko, or “cat.” In a reference to the area’s importance in Shintō, the mascot’s hat evokes shrine architecture, and it wears a shimenawa, or sacred rope, around its neck. Famous Figures Mori Ōgai (1862–1922): Writer known for works including “Maihime” (trans. by Richard Bowring as “The Dancing Girl”), who was also an army surgeon and bureaucrat. Mori Hanae (1926–2022): Fashion pioneer, who was the first Asian to become an official member of the prestigious La Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne in Paris in 1977. Takeuchi Mariya (1955–): Best-selling city pop singer known for her song “Plastic Love,” which became a global hit via YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tp25gweMJo

Okayama Prefecture Banzai Japan Idol Group Visit there Website Okayama Prefecture’s claims to fame include the venerated garden Kōrakuen, the well-preserved Bitchū Matsuyama Castle, and the popular folktale Momotarō. Okayama Prefecture is in the Chūgoku region in western Japan. It borders the Seto Inland Sea to the south and has numerous offshore islands. The inland is mostly mountainous, dominated by the Chūgoku range along the northern border with Tottori Prefecture, with large tracts of forested land. Okayama Prefecture at a Glance Established in 1871 (formerly Mimasaka, Bizen, and Bitchū provinces) Capital: Okayama Population: 1,888,000 (as of Oct. 2020) Area: 7,115 km2 Okayama is home to Kōrakuen, considered among Japan’s three most famous gardens, and Bitchū Matsuyama Castle, finished in 1683 and one of only a handful of fortresses retaining its original keep. Kurashiki in the south boasts a well-preserved historic district with elegant buildings and tree-lined canals. Large swaths of the prefecture fall within the borders of the sprawling Daisen-Oki and Setonaikai National Parks in the north and south, respectively. Okayama is home to one of Japan’s best-known folktales, the story of Momotarō, about a boy born from a peach who along with his animal companions defeats a group of menacing ogres. The prefecture has a robust agriculture sector, with farmers producing staple goods like rice and vegetables along with high-end items such as peaches, grapes, and wagyū-branded beef. Manufacturing is concentrated on the coast in cities like Okayama and Kurashiki, which have a number of large companies in core industries like petroleum, steel, and automobile production. The city of Kojima supports a thriving denim industry. Bizen ware pottery, lacquerware, and weaving remain important traditional industries in many areas. Okayama’s official mascots Momocchi and Uracchi are based on characters from the folktale Momotarō. Famous Figures Takehisa Yumeji (1884–1934): Painter and illustrator who was a leading member of the “Taishō Romanticism” art movement. Known particularly for his bijinga, depictions of beautiful women. Ōshima Nagisa (1932–2013): Film director and screenwriter known internationally for works like In the Realm of the Senses and Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence. Arimori Yūko (1966–): Marathoner and two-time Olympic medalist. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZnqFEYdvVA

Hiroshima Prefecture Banzai Japan Idol Group Visit there Website Hiroshima Prefecture is famed for its oysters, mikan, and sake, and is home to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial and Itsukushima Shintō Shrine. Hiroshima Prefecture is located at the southwestern end of the island of Honshū, in the Chūgoku region. It is largely mountainous, dominated by the Chūgoku range that runs along the northern border. The Seto Inland Sea forms the southern boundary of the prefecture and boasts numerous picturesque islands. Hiroshima Prefecture at a Glance Established in 1871 (formerly Bingo and Aki provinces) Capital: Hiroshima Population: 2,800,000 (as of Oct. 2020) Area: 8,479 km2 Hiroshima is home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial commemorating the August 1945 atomic bombing of the city and Itsukushima Shintō Shrine, traditionally held to be one of the three most beautiful spots in Japan. The mountains to the north offer abundant hiking and other outdoor activities, and in the south scenic spots dot the coastline and islands of the Inland Sea. Manufacturing is a pillar of Hiroshima’s economy, including heavy industries like shipbuilding and automotives, along with pioneering sectors such as electronics. Hiroshima’s central location also makes it a domestic and international transportation hub. The prefecture is a major producer of mikan mandarins and other citrus fruits, as well as wagyū beef, and its succulent oysters feature on menus at restaurants around Japan. A major rice grower, Hiroshima is also famous for its sake. Hiroshima Kiyomori is the prefecture’s official tourism PR character. He is based on the military leader Taira no Kiyomori, who had deep connections with Itsukushima and other sites around Hiroshima. Famous Figures Ibuse Masuji (1898–1993): Novelist, poet, and essayist. Author of the short story “Sanshōuo” (tr. by John Bester as “Salamander”) and the novel Kuroi ame (tr. by Bester as Black Rain) recounting the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Maruki Iri (1901–1995): Artist and hibakusha who with his wife Toshi (1912–2000) created “The Hiroshima Panels.” Oda Mikio (1905–1998): Athlete and the first Japanese Olympic gold medalist. Won the triple jump event at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHOmBV4js_E

Yamagata Prefecture Prefecture Banzai Japan Idol Group Visit there Website Snowy Yamagata Prefecture, in Japan’s Tōhoku region, is home to the Dewa Sanzan, three sacred mountains forming the core of one of the oldest religious traditions in the country. Yamagata Prefecture, on the Sea of Japan coast in the Tōhoku region, lies south of Akita, west of Miyagi, and north of Niigata and Fukushima. The ninth largest prefecture by area but just the thirty-fifth by population, it is a sparsely populated place featuring rugged mountains including the Dewa Sanzan, three peaks held to be sacred spots for practitioners of Shugendō, one of Japan’s oldest native religious traditions. Yamagata Prefecture at a Glance Established in 1876 (formerly part of Dewa province) Capital: Yamagata Population: 1,068,000 (as of Oct. 2020) Area: 9,323 km2 The inland city of Yamagata, the largest in the prefecture, has just short of 250,000 residents calling it home. Tsuruoka and Sakata, on the northern coast, and Yonezawa in the south follow the capital in the population rankings, but Yamagata Prefecture as a whole is largely rural. Fully 17% of the prefectural area falls inside of natural parks, and the eastern border of Yamagata runs along the Ōu Mountains, the longest range in Japan. In the far north of the prefecture is Mount Chōkai, its highest point at 2,236 meters in elevation. The prefectural center, meanwhile, is the site of the northern Echigo Mountains, including Mount Gassan (1,984 meters), Mount Yudono (1,504 meters), and Mount Haguro (414 meters). These are the Dewa Sanzan, the “three peaks of Dewa” where Shugendō retains a strong hold. These mountains are also cherished by the relatively newer arrival of Buddhism; the Yamadera (“mountain temple”) complex of several dozen structures, formally named Hōjusan Risshakuji, was founded in 860 by Jikaku Daishi (794–864), then the head of Japan’s Tendai school of Buddhism. An esoteric sect of the faith also produced the tradition of sokushinbutsu, in which monks committed themselves to mummification while still alive, seen most frequently in the temples of Yamagata. The prefecture’s economy depends heavily on modern industries like communications and electronics devices and chemical products, building on a mining tradition that led also to a strong metal-casting industry from medieval times onward. Yamagata remains known for its agriculture as well, though, in particular cherries (the prefecture grows around 70% of the national total) and Yonezawa wagyū beef, one of the top local appellations in Japan. The area became much more accessible from Japan’s main population centers in 1992, when the Yamagata Shinkansen was opened as far as the prefectural capital; in 1999 the line was extended as far as Shinjō in Yamagata’s north. This spur line parts from the main Tōhoku Shinkansen route at Fukushima Station to bring passengers across the spine of Honshū to the island’s west. Kitekero-kun, the Yamagata prefectural mascot, has a name that means “Please come on up!” in the local dialect of Japanese. Kitekero-kun has a face shaped like Yamagata and wears a hat decorated with the prefecture’s famed cherries. Famous Figures Ogata Taketora (1888–1956): Journalist and politician. Was the chief editor of the Tokyo Asahi Shimbun in the prewar and early wartime era, as well as vice president of the newspaper publisher; turned to politics thereafter, serving in the cabinets of Koiso Kuniaki (1944–45) and Higashikuni Naruhiko (1945). Was purged from politics under the Allied Occupation but returned to serve in the cabinet of Prime Minister Yoshida Shigeru in 1952–53. Inoue Hisashi (1934–2010): Writer. Established his fame as a playwright, launching his own theater troupe, the Komatsuza, in 1983, but was also an accomplished novelist, winning the Naoki Prize in 1972 for Tegusari shinjū(Handcuffed Double Suicide) and both the Yomiuri Prize for Literature and the Japan Science Fiction Grand Prize in 1981 for Kirikiri-jin (The People of Kirikiri). Katō Kōichi (1939–2016): Politician. Born in Aichi, Katō grew up in Yamagata and represented the prefecture in the Diet for most of the period from 1972 to 2012. In 2000, following the death of Prime Minister Obuchi Keizō, launched “Katō’s rebellion” against the caretaker prime minister, Mori Yoshirō, but was driven from the political sphere for a time after its failure. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYxK4SPZKOE