Comparison of regions of Japan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Remove ads
The Comparison of regions of Japan highlights differences and similarities. The regions of Japan are a fusion of historical divisions and modern administrative needs".[1]
Geography and culture
The geography and administrative subdivisions of Japan have evolved and changed during the course of its history. Since the late-7th century, the regions of Japan have been grouped according to geographic position.[2]
In the Meiji period, the modern regional system was made by Imperial decree. Japan was divided into regions (chihō Archived 2017-03-24 at the Wayback Machine). A regional council (chihō gyōsei kyōgisai) was headed by the governor of the most powerful prefecture in the regional grouping. The council also included regional chiefs of central government ministries.[3] In this time, political development is marked by persistent loyalty to region and locality.[4]
Remove ads
Kansai region
The Kansai region is used as a basic framework for description and comparison.[5]
Kinai
Since the late-7th century, the Kinai region, also known as Go-Kinai, included the "Five Home Provinces" which surrounded the old capital city of Kyoto.[6] In 645, Kinai was created as part of the Taika Reform.[7] These lands are also called the Kansai region[8] or Kinki.[9]
Table: Kansai region
Remove ads
Kantō region
The Kantō region is used as a basic framework for description and comparison.[5]
Tōkaidō
Since the late-7th century, the Tōkaidō region or "Eastern Sea Circuit" was made up of 15 provinces on the Pacific Ocean from Sendai Bay to Kinai. Fuji-san, Tokyo, Yokohama, and other important or well-known places are in this region.[6] Tōkaidō also names a road which connects the provincial capitals of this region on the island of Honshū.[14]
Table: Kanto Region
Tōhoku region
The Tōhoku region is used as a basic framework for description and comparison.[5]
Tōsandō
Since the late-7th century, the Tōsandō region or "Eastern Mountain Circuit" was made up of 13 provinces.[6] Tōsandō also names a road which connects the provincial capitals of this region on the island of Honshū.[14] Tōsandō included Musashi Province after 711.
Table: Tōhoku region
Remove ads
Chūbu region
The Chūbu region is used as a basic framework for description and comparison.[5]
Hokurikudō
Since the late-7th century, the Hokurikudō region or the "Northern-land Circuit" was made up of 7 provinces on the Sea of Japan.[15] Hokurikudō also names a road which connects the provincial capitals of this region on the island of Honshū.[16]
Table: Chūbu region
Remove ads
Chūgoku region
The Chūgoku region is used as a basic framework for description and comparison.[5]
San'indō
Since the late-7th century, the San'indō region or "Mountain-shade Circuit" was made up of 8 provinces on the Sea of Japan.[6] San'indō also names a road which connects the provincial capitals of this region on the island of Honshū.[17]
San'yōdō
Since the late-7th century, the San'yōdō region or "Mountain-sun Circuit" was made up of provinces on south or 'sunny' side of the mountains.[6] San'indō also names a road which connects the 8 provincial capitals of this region on the island of Honshū.[17]
Table: Chūgoku region
Remove ads
Shikoku region
The Shikoku region is used as a basic framework for description and comparison.[5]
Nankaidō
Since the late-7th century, the Nankaidō region or the "South-sea Circuit" made up of 6 provinces (the island of Awaji, the 4 provinces of Shikoku, and Kishiu on Honshū).[6] Nankaidō also names a road which connects the provincial capitals of this region.[18]
Table: Shikoku region
Remove ads
Kyūshū region
The Kyūshū region is used as a basic framework for description and comparison.[5]
Since the late-7th century, the Saikaidō region or the "West-sea Circuit" was made up of the 9 provinces of the Kyūshū region.[6] Saikaidō also names a road which connected the provincial capitals of this region.
After 1878, the region included the Ryukyu Islands.
Table: Kyūshū region
Remove ads
Hokkaidō region
The Hokkaidō region is used as a basic framework for description and comparison.[5]
In the late 19th-century, the Hokkaidō region or "North Sea Circuit" was made up of the 10 provinces of Yezo. The Kurile Islands became an 11th northern province which was added in 1875.[6]
Table: Hokkaidō region
- Oshima, 1869-1882
- southern Oshima Subprefecture
- southern Hiyama Subprefecture
- Shiribeshi
- most of Shiribeshi Subprefecture (excluding Abuta District)
- northern Hiyama Subprefecture
- Iburi, 1869-1882
- entire Iburi Subprefecture
- Yamakoshi District, in Oshima Subprefecture
- Abuta District, in Shiribeshi Subprefecture
- Chitose and Eniwa cities, in Ishikari Subprefecture
- Shimukappu village, Kamikawa Subprefecture
- Ishikari, 1869-1882
- most of Ishikari Subprefecture (excluding Chitose and Eniwa cities)
- entire Sorachi Subprefecture
- southern Kamikawa Subprefecture (excluding Shimukappu village)
- Teshio, 1869-1882
- entire Rumoi Subprefecture
- northern Kamikawa Subprefecture
- Kitami, 1869-1882
- entire Sōya Subprefecture
- most of Abashiri Subprefecture (excluding part of Abashiri District)
- Hidaka, 1869-1882
- entire Hidaka Subprefecture
- Tokachi, 1869-1882
- entire Tokachi Subprefecture
- Kushiro, 1869-1882
- entire Kushiro Subprefecture
- part of Abashiri District, in Abashiri Subprefecture
- Nemuro, 1869-1882
- Nemuro Subprefecture
- Chishima, 1869-1882 (the islands of Kunashiri and Etorofu, later included Shikotan and the Kuril Islands)
Related pages
References
Wikiwand - on
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Remove ads