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Ibaraki Prefecture
From Virtual Japan
Ibaraki Prefecture (茨城県) is a Japanese prefecture in the Kanto region of Honshu. The capital of Ibaraki Prefecture is Mito.
Contents |
History
The Ibaraki Prefecture was renamed from its original status as Hitachi Province – which was a prominent Tokugawa era province – during the Meiji Restoration in 1871.
Region
The Ibaraki Prefecture region consists of the furthest Northeastern portion of Kanto, consisting of the space between Tochigi Prefecture and the Pacific Ocean. To the North is Fukushima Prefecture and to the South is Chiba Prefecture. It also shares borders on the southwest with Gunma Prefecture and slightly east of that, Saitama Prefecture. In the north parts of the prefecture, the geography is mostly mountainous, while the rest of the prefecture is known for its flat plains and lakes.
Cities
Ibaraki Prefecture consists of 32 separate cities, including:
- Bandō
- Itako
- Joso
- Kamisu
- Hitachi
- Hitachinaka
- Ushiku
- Yūki
- Hitachiōmiya
- Hitachiōta
- Hokota
- Kasama
- Chikusei
- Inashiki
- Ishioka
- Kashima
- Kasumigaura
- Takahagi
- Toride
- Kitaibaraki
- Koga
- Namegata
- Omitama
- Ryūgasaki
- Sakuragawa
- Mito
- Moriya
- Naka
- Shimotsuma
- Tsuchiura
- Tsukuba
- Tsukubamirai
Districts and Towns
In addition to its large number of cities, Ibaraki Prefecture is made of the following districts and their towns:
- Higashiibaraki District – Oarai, Shirosato
- Inashiki District – Ami, Kawachi, Miho
- Kitasouma District – Tone
- Kuji District – Daigo
- Naka District – Tokai
- Sashima District – Goka, Sakai
- Yuki District – Yachiyo
Income Sources
In Ibaraki Prefecture, most of the populous’s income comes from energy industries. This includes nuclear energy production, chemical and precision machinery industries, and the Hitachi Company, located in Hitachi.
Culture and Attractions
The prefecture of Ibaraki is home to a number of famous claims, including its naturally grown food items such as natto, Kyowa watermelons, and Nishiibaraki chestnuts.
In addition, Ibaraki Prefecture is known as the home of Aikido. Founded by Ueshiba Morihei who spent the latter years of his life in Iwama where his Aiki Shrine and dojo are still located.
Additionally, tourist attractions in Ibaraki Prefecture include the castles of Mito, Kasama, and Yuki, as well as the Shinto shrine in Kashima, Kairakuen Parka, and Mount Tsukuba.