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

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

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

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

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

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

Shizuoka Prefecture Banzai Japan Idol Group Visit there Website Shizuoka Prefecture, on the Pacific coast in central Honshū, is home to some of Japan’s best-known scenery, with beautiful seas and the peak of Mount Fuji on offer. Shizuoka Prefecture is located on the Pacific coast in the Tōkai Region of central Honshū. Predominantly mountainous, the eastern part of the prefecture is dominated by Mount Fuji and the Izu Peninsula, which forms the easterly border of Suruga Bay, and the western half is marked by deep gorges, sandy beaches, and Lake Hamana. Shizuoka Prefecture at a Glance Established in 1876 (formerly Izu, Suruga, and Tōtōmi provinces) Capital: Shizuoka Population: 3,633,000 (as of Oct. 2020) Area: 7,777 km2 Easily reached from the Tokyo metropolitan area, Shizuoka is a popular tourist destination. The rugged Izu Peninsula offers abundant nature, picturesque ocean views, and several famous hot spring resorts, notably Atami, Itō, and Shuzenji. Mount Fuji is a major draw for people from around the world, and the surrounding area offers nature and historical sites, including the Fujinomiya Sengen Shrine, the traditional starting point for ascending the hallowed peak. The Ōigawa Railway has a small fleet of antique steam locomotives that take passengers through a steep valley bordered by tea plantations, and beaches in the southwest offer sand dunes and swells that attract surfers. Shizuoka is a leading producer of green tea, mikan mandarin oranges, and wasabi. It is also noted for eel, cultivated in Lake Hamana and elsewhere, and its forestry products. Metal, machinery, and chemicals, as well as foodstuffs, nutritional supplements, and medical equipment are important manufacturing sectors, as are musical instruments, centering on Hamamatsu. Shizuoka’s official mascot Fujippi is based on the prefecture’s famed mountain and blue seas. Famous Figures Shimizu no Jirochō (1820–93): Entrepreneur, gangster, and folk figure who wielded influence with members of the Meiji government. Toyoda Sakichi (1867–1930): Founder of Toyota Industries and other firms that now make up the Toyota Group. Inoue Yasushi (1907–91): Author known for historical fiction. Born in Hokkaidō, he spent his formative years in Shizuoka. Notable works include Ryōjū (trans. The Hunting Gun) and Tōgyū (trans. Bullfight). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgl0lPR-it4

Aichi Prefecture Banzai Japan Idol Group Visit there Website Aichi Prefecture, roughly in the center of Japan, is rich in history and a powerful modern industrial center, home to Toyota and many associated companies. Aichi Prefecture is situated along the Pacific Coast in the Tōkai Region, approximately in the middle of Japan. Much of the prefecture is taken up by the sprawling Nōbi Plain, the second largest in Japan, which is formed by the Kiso, Ibi, and Nagara Rivers and includes the capital of Nagoya. The Owari Hills extend to the east, and Aichi’s indented coastline follows the Chita Peninsula along Ise Bay in the west to Atsumi Peninsula in the east, with the two headlands forming Mikawa Bay. Aichi Prefecture at a Glance Established in 1872 (formerly Mikawa and Owari provinces) Capital: Nagoya Population: 7,542,000 (as of Oct. 2020) Area: 5,173 km2 Aichi is home to a number of important historic sites, including national treasure Inuyama Castle, one of Japan’s oldest wooden keeps. Near Inuyama is Meiji Mura, an outdoor architecture museum featuring buildings of Japanese and Western design, notably the entryway of the Imperial Hotel designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and the former residence of novelists Mori Ōgai and Natsume Sōseki, among other notable buildings. Nagoya has its own reconstructed castle, several famous art and history museums, and is the location of the important Atsuta Shrine, said to store the sacred sword Kusanagi, one of the three Imperial Regalia. Theme parks Legoland Japan, also in Nagoya, and Ghibli Park in Nagakute attract visitors from Japan and abroad. The auto industry focusing on Toyota Motor Corp., which has its headquarters and several production facilities in the prefecture, is a major contributor to Aichi’s economy. Nagoya and surrounding municipalities make up the Chūkyō Industrial Zone, one of Japan’s three major industrial regions, with manufacturers in fields like transportation equipment, electronics, and steel along with cutting-edge sectors such as aerospace and robotics having bases there. The prefecture is a major grower of staple vegetables like cabbage, tomatoes, and broccoli as well as flowers, in particular chrysanthemums and roses. Aichi’s mascot, Aichīta, first appeared to promote two events hosted concurrently in the prefecture in 2014: the Abilympics, a vocational skills competition for persons with disabilities, and the National Skills Competition. Famous Figures Oda Nobunaga (1534–82), Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537–98), and Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543–1616): The three warlords who unified Japan during the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. Toyoda Kiichirō (1894–1952): Founder of automaker Toyota Motor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMPwTa2bCTw

Mie Prefecture Banzai Japan Idol Group Visit there Website Ise Shrine in Mie Prefecture is Japan’s most important center for Shintō, and the prefecture is also known for its ninja and its pearl divers. Mie Prefecture in Tōkai is on the eastern side of the Kii Peninsula on Japan’s Pacific Ocean coast. Several of its cities, including the prefectural capital of Tsu, are located on the Ise Plain in the north of the prefecture. Mount Ōdaigahara in the southwest is known as one of the rainiest places in Japan. Mie Prefecture at a Glance Established in 1876 (formerly Ise Shima, Kii, and Iga provinces) Capital: Tsu Population: 1,770,000 (as of Oct. 2020) Area: 5,774 km2 Ise Shrine, including its main Inner and Outer Shrines, is the most important center for Shintō in Japan. The two main shrines are rebuilt entirely every 20 years, with the most recent reconstruction taking place in 2013. Pilgrims have journeyed to the area for centuries. Iga is famous for its longstanding association with ninja, and visitors to the city can enjoy the Ninja Museum of Igaryū, introducing some of the stealthy spies’ tricks and traps. Mie Prefecture has a robust manufacturing industry, specializing in items such as LCD panels and vending machines. It is known for its cultured pearl industry, initially developed by local businessman Mikimoto Kōkichi (1858–1954). In another marine connection, the prefecture’s traditional female ama freedivers plunge underwater in search of shellfish and other seafood. Famous Figures Matsuo Bashō (1644–94): Poet and travel writer, who was instrumental in the development of the haiku. Edogawa Ranpo (1894–1965): Writer of mystery fiction, known for his uncanny and grotesque themes. Yoshida Saori (1982–): Freestyle wrestler who won gold medals at three successive Olympics, and was the flagbearer for Japan in 2012.

Shiga Prefecture Banzai Japan Idol Group Visit there Website Shiga Prefecture is centered on Lake Biwa, which is Japan’s largest body of fresh water. Funazushi, an early, fermented form of sushi, is made with carp from the lake. Although it is one of a relatively small number of prefectures without a coastline, Shiga Prefecture in Kansai includes Lake Biwa, which is Japan’s largest body of fresh water. The lake lies entirely within Shiga’s borders and accounts for one sixth of its total area. The prefecture is located on a central plain surrounded by mountains. Shiga Prefecture at a Glance Established in 1872 (formerly Ōmi province) Capital: Ōtsu Population: 1,414,000 (as of Oct. 2020) Area: 4,017 km2 Hikone Castle in Shiga Prefecture, one of Japan’s best-preserved castles, was originally built in the early seventeenth century. The hilltop fortress looks out over Lake Biwa, and is a popular spot during cherry blossom season. The small city of Ōmihachiman has a rich history as a hub for transportation, and its picturesque canal area attracts tourists today. Western Shiga, on the border with Kyoto Prefecture, is home to the temple Enryakuji on the mountain Hieizan, the head temple for the Tendai sect of Japanese Buddhism. Secondary industries are an important part of Shiga Prefecture’s overall production, and it specializes in products including hairdressing appliances and scales. Funazushi, an early, fermented form of sushi, is made with funa carp from Lake Biwa, while the local Ōmi beef is a respected wagyū brand. Caffy, the mascot for Shiga Prefecture, is based on the catfish to be found in Lake Biwa. Famous Figures Uno Sōsuke (1922–98): Liberal Democratic Party politician who was one of Japan’s shortest-serving prime ministers, resigning after 68 days in office in June–August 1989. Kiryū Yoshihide (1995–): Athlete who was the first Japanese sprinter to run 100 meters in under 10 seconds. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxR9-DE_Q4U