Yamaguchi Prefecture

Encyclopedia : Y : YA : YAM : Yamaguchi Prefecture

is located in the Chugoku region on Honshu island, Japan. The capital is the city of Yamaguchi located in the center of the prefecture. The largest city, by contrast, is Shimonoseki.

Contents

1 History
2 Geography

2.1 Cities
2.2 Towns and villages
2.3 Mergers

3 Economy
4 Demographics
5 Culture
6 Tourism
7 Prefectural symbols
8 Miscellaneous topics
9 External link

History

Yamaguchi Prefecture was formerly divided into Nagato and Suo provinces. It was part of the Mori clan domain during the Sengoku period.

After Commodore Matthew Perry's opening of Japan, clans from Nagato (also called Choshu) played a key role in the fall of the Tokugawa shogunate and the new imperial government.

Geography

Cities

Towns and villages

These are the towns and villages in each district.

Mergers

On April 21, 2003, the cities of Tokuyama and Shinnanyo and the towns of Kumage from Kumage District and Kano from Tsuno District merged to form the new city of Shunan. Tsuno District was dissolved as a result of this merger.
On October 1, 2004, the towns of Kuka, Oshima, Tachibana and Towa from Oshima District merged to form the new town of Suo-Oshima.
On October 4, 2004, the town of Yamato from Kumage District and the city of Hikari merged to form the new city of Hikari.
On November 1, 2004, the town of Kusunoki from Asa District merged into the city of Ube.
On February 13, 2005, the city of Shimonoseki and the towns of Hohoku, Kikugawa, Toyoura and Toyota from Toyoura District merged to form the new city of Shimonoseki. Toyoura District was dissolved as a result of this merger.
On February 21, 2005, the city of Yanai and the town of Obatake from Kuga District merged to form the new city of Yanai.
On March 6, 2005, the city of Hagi and the municipalities of Asahi, Fukue, Kawakami, Tamagawa, Mutsumi and Susa (all from Abu District) merged to form the new city of Hagi.
On March 22, 2005, the city of Nagato and the towns of Heki, Misumi and Yuya from Otsu District merged to form the new city of Nagato. Otsu District was dissolved as a result of this merger.
On March 22, 2005, the city of Onoda merged with the town of Sanyo from Asa District to form the new city of Sanyo-Onoda. Asa District was dissolved as a result of this merger.
On October 1, 2005, the towns of Tokuji from Saba District and Aio, Ajisu and Ogori (all from Yoshiki District) merged into the city of Yamaguchi(2nd generation) to form the new city of Yamaguchi (3rd generation). Saba District and Yoshiki District were both dissolved as a result of this merger.

On March 20, 2006, the towns of Yu, Kuga, Shuto, Nishiki, Mikawa and Miwa and the village of Hongo (all from Kuga District) merged with the city of Iwakuni to form the new city of Iwakuni.

Economy

Demographics

Culture

Tourism

One of the major attractions is the famous Kintai Bridge in the town of Iwakuni. This five arced wooden structure is considered a symbol of Western Honshū. The area on the banks of the Nishiki river close to the bridge is considered among the best places in Japan for Hanami (花見, lit. "flower viewing"), when groups of family and friends gather in early April to view Cherry Blossom.

Prefectural symbols

Miscellaneous topics

External link

[Official Yamaguchi Prefecture homepage]

Coordinates: [34°4′N 131°30′E]

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