Origin of Hyogo prefectural name
HYOGO – Military Storehouse 兵庫県 Not much is known about how and why the “Hyogo” name came about. There’s only speculation and a few theories. Theory 1: During the Taika…
Origin of Osaka prefectural name
OSAKA – Big Slope 大阪府 The name “Osaka” can be largely credited to Rennyo (蓮如 1415–1499), the 8th Chief Abbot (Monshu) of the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha Buddhist sect. He built…
Origin of Wakayama prefectural name
WAKAYAMA – Poetry Mountain 和歌山県 Most Japan aficionados would know that waka (和歌) is a famous type of Japanese poetry. So you might think Wakayama is a land of waka…
Origin of Mie prefectural name
MIE – Trifold 三重県 Most native Japanese can tell you what the literal meaning of Mie is. It’s “three layers.” But three layers of what?? That’s what most people don’t…
Origin of Nara prefectural name
NARA – Flat Slope 奈良県 The “Nara” place name has been around since ancient times and can be found in most all historical Japanese texts including the Kojiki, Nihon Shoki,…
Origin of Kyoto prefectural name
KYOTO – Imperial Capital 京都府 Before Kyoto came to be called “Kyoto,” it had a few different names. The most well-known former name is “Heiankyo” (平安京) meaning “peaceful, stable Imperial…
Origin of Shiga prefectural name
SHIGA – Nourished Felicitations 滋賀県 If there are multiple theories for the origin of the prefectural name, it means nobody knows for sure what the origin or the exact meaning…
Origin of Fukui prefectural name
FUKUI – Good Fortune Well 福井県 Fukui Prefecture was named after a water well named “Fuku-no-i” or “Good Fortune Well” (福の井) at Fukui Castle in central Fukui city. This well…
Origin of Ishikawa prefectural name
ISHIKAWA – Stone River 石川県 Ishikawa was named after Tedori River (手取川) whose ancient name was “Ishikawa.” The upper reaches of the river was known to have many rocks and…
Origin of Toyama prefectural name
TOYAMA – Bountiful Mountain 富山県 “Toyama” first appeared in writing as early as 1398. At the time, the kanji characters were 外山 meaning “Outer Mountain.” The document was a donation…