Kagawa Prefecture
Encyclopedia
is a prefecture
of Japan located on Shikoku
island. The capital is Takamatsu
.
.
For a brief period between August 1876 and December 1888, Kagawa was made a part of Ehime Prefecture
.
was the battlefield
for one of the best-known struggles between the Heike
and the Genji
clans.
on the west and Tokushima Prefecture
on the south, with a coastline on the Seto Inland Sea facing Okayama Prefecture
and the Kansai
. The Sanuki Mountains
run along the southern border.
Kagawa is currently the smallest prefecture, by area, in Japan. Osaka Prefecture
held that title until Kansai International Airport
was reclaimed from the ocean in the early 1990s, pushing its land area slightly above Kagawa's. Kagawa is a relatively narrow prefecture located between the mountains of Shikoku and the sea.
:
is a famous local food in Kagawa Prefecture. In 2008 there were over 700 Udon restaurants in this prefecture.
Baseball
Basketball
Football (Soccer)
Volleyball
Ice Hockey
Based on its ancient name, Sanuki
, Kagawa is famous for its Sanuki udon
(wheat noodles). Recent years have seen a interest in Sanuki udon across Japan, and many Japanese now take day-trips to taste the many Sanuki udon restaurants in Kagawa.
by Koushun Takami
was set in the fictional town of Shiroiwa ('Castle Rock') in the Kagawa Prefecture. Okishima, the fictional island on which much of the novel takes place is placed in the Seto Inland Sea. The manga also places Shiroiwa in Kagawa Prefecture, while the film moves Shiroiwa to Kanagawa Prefecture
.
Prefectures of Japan
The prefectures of Japan are the country's 47 subnational jurisdictions: one "metropolis" , Tokyo; one "circuit" , Hokkaidō; two urban prefectures , Osaka and Kyoto; and 43 other prefectures . In Japanese, they are commonly referred to as...
of Japan located on Shikoku
Shikoku
is the smallest and least populous of the four main islands of Japan, located south of Honshū and east of the island of Kyūshū. Its ancient names include Iyo-no-futana-shima , Iyo-shima , and Futana-shima...
island. The capital is Takamatsu
Takamatsu, Kagawa
is a city located in central Kagawa Prefecture on the island of Shikoku in Japan, and is the seat of the prefectural government. It is designated a core city by the Japanese Government. It is a port city located on the Seto Inland Sea, and is the closest port to Honshu from Shikoku island...
.
History
Kagawa was formerly known as Sanuki ProvinceSanuki Province
was an old province of Japan on the island of Shikoku, with the same boundaries as modern Kagawa Prefecture. It was sometimes called .It faced the Inland Sea and bordered on Awa and Iyo Provinces. Across Naruto strait it bordered Awaji Province too. Administratively it was included as a part of...
.
For a brief period between August 1876 and December 1888, Kagawa was made a part of Ehime Prefecture
Ehime Prefecture
is a prefecture in northwestern Shikoku, Japan. The capital is Matsuyama.-History:Until the Meiji Restoration, Ehime prefecture was known as Iyo Province...
.
Battle of Yashima
Located in Kagawa's capital city, Takamatsu, the mountain of YashimaYashima
- People :*Norito Yashima, Japanese actor*Taro Yashima, Japanese-American author and illustrator*Mirai Yashima, character in Mobile Suit Gundam- Other :*Japanese battleship Yashima*Battle of Yashima*Operation Yashima...
was the battlefield
Battle of Yashima
The naval Battle of Yashima took place on 22 March 1185. Following a long string of defeats, the Taira clan retreated to Yashima, today's Takamatsu, just off the coast of Shikoku...
for one of the best-known struggles between the Heike
Heike
Heike may refer to:* Heike clan, a Japanese clan name* Heikegani, a species of crab named after the Heike clan* Heike * The Tale of the Heike, an epic account of the struggle between the Taira and Minamoto clans for control of Japan at the end of the 12th century in the Genpei War...
and the Genji
Genji
was a after Bunkyū and before Keiō. This period spanned only slightly more than a single year from February 1864 through April 1865. The reigning emperor was .-Change of era:...
clans.
Geography
Kagawa comprises the northeast corner of Shikoku, bordering Ehime PrefectureEhime Prefecture
is a prefecture in northwestern Shikoku, Japan. The capital is Matsuyama.-History:Until the Meiji Restoration, Ehime prefecture was known as Iyo Province...
on the west and Tokushima Prefecture
Tokushima Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on Shikoku island. The capital is the city of Tokushima.- Tokushima Prefecture and Myodo Prefecture :Long ago, Tokushima City belonged to a region known as Myōdō-gun...
on the south, with a coastline on the Seto Inland Sea facing Okayama Prefecture
Okayama Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Okayama.- History :During the Meiji Restoration, the area of Okayama Prefecture was known as Bitchū Province, Bizen Province and Mimasaka Province.- Geography :...
and the Kansai
Kansai
The or the lies in the southern-central region of Japan's main island Honshū. The region includes the prefectures of Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyōgo, and Shiga. Depending on who makes the distinction, Fukui, Tokushima and even Tottori Prefecture are also included...
. The Sanuki Mountains
Sanuki Mountains
The are a mountain range running along the southern border of Kagawa and the northern border of Tokushima prefectures on the island of Shikoku, Japan.The highest peak is at 1059.9m.-External links:...
run along the southern border.
Kagawa is currently the smallest prefecture, by area, in Japan. Osaka Prefecture
Osaka Prefecture
is a prefecture located in the Kansai region on Honshū, the main island of Japan. The capital is the city of Osaka. It is the center of Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto area.- History :...
held that title until Kansai International Airport
Kansai International Airport
is an international airport located on an artificial island in the middle of Osaka Bay, southwest of Ōsaka Station, located within three municipalities, including Izumisano , Sennan , and Tajiri , in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. The airport is off the Honshu shore. The airport serves as an...
was reclaimed from the ocean in the early 1990s, pushing its land area slightly above Kagawa's. Kagawa is a relatively narrow prefecture located between the mountains of Shikoku and the sea.
Cities
Eight cities are located in Kagawa Prefecture:
|
Mitoyo, Kagawa is a city located in Kagawa, Japan.As of 2005, the city has an estimated population of 71,178 and a density of 320 persons per km². The total area is 222.66 km².... Sakaide, Kagawa is a city located in Kagawa, Japan.As of 2008, the city has an estimated population of 56,365 and the density of 610 persons per km². The total area is 92.46 km².... Sanuki, Kagawa is a city located in Kagawa, Japan.As of March 31, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 53,865, with 20,237 households and the density of 339.01 persons per km²... |
Takamatsu, Kagawa is a city located in central Kagawa Prefecture on the island of Shikoku in Japan, and is the seat of the prefectural government. It is designated a core city by the Japanese Government. It is a port city located on the Seto Inland Sea, and is the closest port to Honshu from Shikoku island... (capital) Zentsuji, Kagawa is a city in Kagawa Prefecture, Japan.As of June 1, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 34,114 with 13,079 householdd and a population density of 855.42 persons per km². The total area is 39.88 km².... |
Towns
Towns and villages in each districtDistricts of Japan
The was most recently used as an administrative unit in Japan between 1878 and 1921 and is roughly equivalent to the county of the United States, ranking at the level below prefecture and above city, town or village. As of 2008, cities belong directly to prefectures and are independent from...
:
|
Miki, Kagawa is a town located in Kita District, Kagawa, Japan.As of 2003, the town has an estimated population of 29,015 and a density of 382.88 persons per km². The total area is 75.78 km².-External links:*...
Kotohira, Kagawa is a town located in Nakatado District, Kagawa, Japan. The town is best known as the site of Shikoku's largest shrine complex, the Kotohira Shrine .... Manno, Kagawa is a town located in Nakatado District, Kagawa, Japan.As of September 2011, the town has an estimated population of 19,933. The total area is 194.33 km².... Tadotsu, Kagawa is a town located in Nakatado District, Kagawa, Japan.As of 2003, the town has an estimated population of 23,683 and a density of 973.01 persons per km². The total area is 24.34 km².... |
Shodoshima, Kagawa is a town located in Shōzu District, Kagawa, Japan on Shodoshima, an island in the Seto Inland Sea. The town was formed on March 21, 2006 from the merger of the towns of Ikeda and Uchinomi, both from Shōzu District.... Tonosho, Kagawa is a town in Shōzu District, Kagawa, Japan. It is located on the island of Shōdoshima in the Inland Sea. Small islands on the Inland Sea, including Teshima, belong to its administrative area. As of 2008, the town has an estimated population of 15,676 and a density of 211 persons per km²... |
Foods
Sanuki udonSanuki udon
Sanuki udon is a noodle soup dish popular in the Kagawa Prefecture,in Japan. particularly for special occasions. The main ingredients are udon served al dente with tuna and kelp....
is a famous local food in Kagawa Prefecture. In 2008 there were over 700 Udon restaurants in this prefecture.
Universities
- Kagawa UniversityKagawa Universityis a national university in Takamatsu, Kagawa, Japan. The university was established in 1949 as a national university after the consolidation and reorganization of the Kagawa Normal School, the Kagawa Normal School for Youth and the Takamatsu College of Economics .- Faculties :Faculty of...
in Takamatsu - Kagawa Prefectural College of Health SciencesKagawa Prefectural College of Health Sciencesis a public university in Takamatsu, Kagawa, Japan. The predecessor of the school was founded in 1999, and it was chartered as a university in 2004.-External links:*...
- Shikoku Gakuin UniversityShikoku Gakuin Universityis a private university in Zentsūji, Kagawa, Japan. The predecessor of the school was founded in 1949.-External links:*...
in Zentsuji - Takamatsu UniversityTakamatsu Universityis a private university in Takamatsu, Kagawa, Japan, established in 1996. The operator of the school also runs Takamatsu Junior College.-External links:*...
- Tokushima Bunri UniversityTokushima Bunri Universityis a private university in Tokushima, Japan.- History :In 1895, Sai Murasaki founded a private vocational school. In 1966, "Tokushima Women's University" was founded...
in Sanuki
Sports
The sports teams listed below are based in Kagawa.Baseball
- Kagawa Olive GuynersKagawa Olive GuynersThe is a baseball team in the Shikoku Island League of Japan. Established in 2005, the Guyners play at Olive Stadium in the Kagawa Prefectural Baseball Complex in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture....
Basketball
- Takamatsu Five ArrowsTakamatsu Five ArrowsThe Takamatsu Five ArrowsThe Takamatsu Five ArrowsThe Takamatsu Five Arrows(高松ファイブアローズ） are a Japanese basketball team, playing in the Western Conference of the bj league. They are based in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture.The 2nd place of bj league 2006-2007.- Roster :*Season 2011-2012...
(TakamatsuTakamatsu, Kagawais a city located in central Kagawa Prefecture on the island of Shikoku in Japan, and is the seat of the prefectural government. It is designated a core city by the Japanese Government. It is a port city located on the Seto Inland Sea, and is the closest port to Honshu from Shikoku island...
)
Football (Soccer)
- Kamatamare SanukiKamatamare SanukiKamatamare Sanuki is a football club based in Takamatsu, the capital city of Kagawa Prefecture of Japan. They play in the Japan Football League. The first part of their name was coined by combining the Japanese word Kamatama and the Italian Mare . The second part is what Kagawa Prefecture used to...
(TakamatsuTakamatsu, Kagawais a city located in central Kagawa Prefecture on the island of Shikoku in Japan, and is the seat of the prefectural government. It is designated a core city by the Japanese Government. It is a port city located on the Seto Inland Sea, and is the closest port to Honshu from Shikoku island...
)
Volleyball
- Shikoku Eighty 8 QueenShikoku Eighty 8 QueenShikoku Eighty 8 Queen is a women's volleyball team based in Takamatsu, Kagawa, Shikoku District , Japan. It plays in V.Challenge League. The club was founded in 2005)...
Ice Hockey
- Surpass Kagawa Ice Fellows (see Japan Ice Hockey FederationJapan Ice Hockey FederationThe Japan Ice Hockey Federation is the governing body of ice hockey in Japan. Japan was the first Asian nation to join the International Ice Hockey Federation.-External links:* at IIHF.com...
)
Tourism
- Kotohira ShrineKotohira Shrineis a Shintō shrine in the town of Kotohira in Nakatado District of Kagawa Prefecture, Japan....
- Shodo Island (AKA "Shodoshima")
- Naoshima IslandNaoshima, Kagawais an island town administratively part of Kagawa District, Kagawa, Japan located in the Seto Inland Sea. As of 2003, the town has an estimated population of 3,583 and a density of 251.97 persons per km². The total area is 14.22 km²....
– Benesse Art Site Naoshima - Takamatsu CastleTakamatsu castleTakamatsu Castle may refer to:*Takamatsu Castle situated in Bitchu province, , besieged in 1582...
- Marugame CastleMarugame Castle, also known as Kameyama Castle and Horai Castle, is a hirayamashiro located in Marugame, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan.-History:...
- YashimaYashima- People :*Norito Yashima, Japanese actor*Taro Yashima, Japanese-American author and illustrator*Mirai Yashima, character in Mobile Suit Gundam- Other :*Japanese battleship Yashima*Battle of Yashima*Operation Yashima...
, the island on which the Battle of YashimaBattle of YashimaThe naval Battle of Yashima took place on 22 March 1185. Following a long string of defeats, the Taira clan retreated to Yashima, today's Takamatsu, just off the coast of Shikoku...
was fought - Ritsurin Garden
- Shikoku PilgrimageShikoku PilgrimageThe or is a multi-site pilgrimage of 88 temples associated with the Buddhist monk Kūkai on the island of Shikoku, Japan. A popular and distinctive feature of the island's cultural landscape, and with a long history, large numbers of pilgrims still undertake the journey for a variety of ascetic,...
– Zentsū-jiZentsū-jiThe is a temple of the Shingon sect in Zentsūji, Kagawa, Japan.It was established by Zentsū Saeki who was Kūkai's father in 813.The east academy and the west academy exist un Zentsu-ji precincts. The west academy is Kūkai's birthplace....
, Motoyama-jiMotoyama-jiThe is a temple of the Kōyasan Shingon-shū sect in Mitoyo, Kagawa, Japan.It was established by Emperor Heizei's instruction in 807. Hayagriva is a principal image now.Motoyama-ji's Main Hall completed in 1300 is a National Treasure of Japan....
, Ishite-jiIshite-jiis a Shingon temple in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, Japan. It is Temple 51 on the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage. Seven of its structures have been designated National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties.-History:...
, etc. - MegijimaMegijimais an island located in the Inland Sea of Japan, north of the city of Takamatsu, and is part of Kagawa Prefecture. It has an area of 2.66 km2, a coastline of 8.9 km, and a population of about 200....
(Onigashima) and OgijimaOgijimaOgijima is an island in the Seto Inland Sea, in southern Japan. It is next to Megijima , a few kilometers at sea north of Takamatsu, in Kagawa Prefecture. It is about two kilometers long and less than a kilometer wide.... - Goshikidai
Based on its ancient name, Sanuki
Sanuki Province
was an old province of Japan on the island of Shikoku, with the same boundaries as modern Kagawa Prefecture. It was sometimes called .It faced the Inland Sea and bordered on Awa and Iyo Provinces. Across Naruto strait it bordered Awaji Province too. Administratively it was included as a part of...
, Kagawa is famous for its Sanuki udon
Udon
is a type of thick wheat-flour noodle of Japanese cuisine.Udon is usually served hot as noodle soup in its simplest form as kake udon, in a mildly flavoured broth called kakejiru which is made of dashi, soy sauce , and mirin. It is usually topped with thinly chopped scallions...
(wheat noodles). Recent years have seen a interest in Sanuki udon across Japan, and many Japanese now take day-trips to taste the many Sanuki udon restaurants in Kagawa.
Railroad
- JR ShikokuShikoku Railway Company, commonly known as , is one of the constituent companies of Japan Railways Group . It operates intercity rail services in the four prefectures on the island of Shikoku in Japan. The company is headquartered in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture.- Lines :...
- Honshi-Bisan LineHonshi-Bisan LineThe is a Japanese railway line which connects Kurashiki in Okayama Prefecture with Utazu, Ayauta District, Kagawa Prefecture. It is owned and operated jointly by West Japan Railway Company and Shikoku Railway Company...
- Yosan LineYosan LineThe is a railway line on the island of Shikoku in Japan, operated by the Shikoku Railway Company . It runs along the Inland Sea coast, connecting the prefectural capitals of Takamatsu and Matsuyama , continuing on to Uwajima...
- Dosan LineDosan Lineis a railway line in Shikoku, Japan, operated by the Shikoku Railway Company . It runs between Tadotsu Station in Tadotsu, Kagawa and Kubokawa Station in Shimanto, Kōchi. The line links the city of Kōchi with northern Shikoku and the island of Honshū via the Seto-Ōhashi Line...
- Kotoku LineKotoku LineThe is a railway line owned and operated by Shikoku Railway Company . It connects the prefectural capitals of Takamatsu in Kagawa Prefecture and Tokushima in Tokushima Prefecture. The route hugs the northeastern coast of the island of Shikoku...
- Honshi-Bisan Line
- Kotoden (Takamatsu Kotohira Electric Railroad)
- Kotohira Line
- Shido Line
- Nagao Line
Departure from Takamatsu
- Tokyo StationTokyo Stationis a train station located in the Marunouchi business district of Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan, near the Imperial Palace grounds and the Ginza commercial district....
- Shinjuku of Tokyo
- Tokyo DisneylandTokyo Disneylandis a 115 acre theme park at the Tokyo Disney Resort located in Urayasu, Chiba, Japan, near Tokyo. Its main gate is directly adjacent to both Maihama Station and Tokyo Disneyland Station. It was the first Disney park to be built outside of the United States and opened on April 15, 1983...
- Hachioji
- YokohamaYokohamais the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture and the second largest city in Japan by population after Tokyo and most populous municipality of Japan. It lies on Tokyo Bay, south of Tokyo, in the Kantō region of the main island of Honshu...
- Nagoya
- Kyoto StationKyoto Stationis the most important transportation hub in Kyoto, Japan. It has Japan's second-largest train station building and is one of the country's largest buildings, incorporating a shopping mall, hotel, movie theater, Isetan department store, and several local government facilities under one 15-story roof...
- OsakaOsakais a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
- UmedaUmedaUmeda is the main commercial and central business district in Kita-ku, Osaka, Japan, best known as the city's main northern railway terminus .Umeda is a large traffic hub, as well as the principal office and hotel district...
- Nanba
- Umeda
- Kansai Int'l AirportKansai International Airportis an international airport located on an artificial island in the middle of Osaka Bay, southwest of Ōsaka Station, located within three municipalities, including Izumisano , Sennan , and Tajiri , in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. The airport is off the Honshu shore. The airport serves as an...
- KobeKobe, pronounced , is the fifth-largest city in Japan and is the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture on the southern side of the main island of Honshū, approximately west of Osaka...
- SannomiyaSannomiyais a district of Chūō-ku, Kobe, Japan. Today, it is the biggest downtown area in the city.Before the 1920s, Sannomiya was just an edge of the city. The major downtowns were Motomachi and Shinkaichi, which are west of Sannomiya...
- Maiko Bus Stop
- Sannomiya
- Tokushima
- KōchiKochi, Kochiis the capital city of Kōchi Prefecture on Shikoku island of Japan.Kōchi is the main city of the prefecture with over 40% of its population. As of May 31, 2008, the city had an estimated population of 340,515 and a density of...
- Matsuyama
- Yawatahama
- HiroshimaHiroshimais the capital of Hiroshima Prefecture, and the largest city in the Chūgoku region of western Honshu, the largest island of Japan. It became best known as the first city in history to be destroyed by a nuclear weapon when the United States Army Air Forces dropped an atomic bomb on it at 8:15 A.M...
- FukuokaFukuokaFukuoka most often refers to the capital city of Fukuoka Prefecture.It can also refer to:-Locations:* Fukuoka, Gifu, a town in Gifu Prefecture, Japan* Fukuoka, Toyama, a town in Toyama Prefecture, Japan...
- Kokura StationKokura Stationin Kokura Kita ward is the main railway station in Kitakyushu, Japan. It is part of the JR Kyushu network and the Sanyo Shinkansen stops here. It is the second largest station in Kyūshū with 120,000 users daily...
- Hakata StationHakata StationHakata Station , located in Hakata-ku, is the main railway terminal of the city of Fukuoka, Japan. It is the largest and busiest station on Kyūshū, and is a gateway to other cities in Kyūshū for travellers from Honshū. The Sanyō Shinkansen from Osaka ends at this station...
- Tenjin StationTenjin Stationis a subway station located in Chūō-ku, Fukuoka, Japan. Its station symbol are 5 green dots arranged in a circle, representing a plum blossom. The station is located directly under in Tenjin, Fukuoka...
- Kokura Station
National Highway
- Route 11 (Tokushima-Takamatsu-Marugame-Niihama-Maysuyama)
- Route 30
- Route 32 (Takamatsu-Kotohira-Kochi)
- Route 193
- Route 318
- Route 319
- Route 377
- Route 436
- Route 438
Port
- Port of TakamatsuPort of TakamatsuThe is a seaport in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan.-External links:*...
– Ferry route to Uno, TonoshōTonosho, Kagawais a town in Shōzu District, Kagawa, Japan. It is located on the island of Shōdoshima in the Inland Sea. Small islands on the Inland Sea, including Teshima, belong to its administrative area. As of 2008, the town has an estimated population of 15,676 and a density of 211 persons per km²...
(Shōdoshima IslandShodoshimais an island located in the Inland Sea of Japan. The name means literally "Island of Small Beans". There are two towns on the island: Tonoshō and Shōdoshima, comprising the district of Shōzu.The island is famous for its stages of Twenty-Four Eyes...
), Kobe, Naoshima - Port of Marugame
- Port of Tadotsu
- Port of Tonoshō – Ferry route to Okayama, Himeji, Kobe and Osaka.
Miscellaneous topics
The novel Battle RoyaleBattle Royale
thumb|260px|Cover of the 2009 expanded edition, ISBN 978-1-4215-2772-3 is a 1999 Japanese novel written by Koushun Takami. The story tells of schoolchildren who are forced to fight each other to the death....
by Koushun Takami
Koushun Takami
is the author of the novel Battle Royale, originally published in Japanese, and later translated into English by Yuji Oniki and published by Viz Media and, later, in an expanded edition by Haika Soru, a division of Viz Media....
was set in the fictional town of Shiroiwa ('Castle Rock') in the Kagawa Prefecture. Okishima, the fictional island on which much of the novel takes place is placed in the Seto Inland Sea. The manga also places Shiroiwa in Kagawa Prefecture, while the film moves Shiroiwa to Kanagawa Prefecture
Kanagawa Prefecture
is a prefecture located in the southern Kantō region of Japan. The capital is Yokohama. Kanagawa is part of the Greater Tokyo Area.-History:The prefecture has some archaeological sites going back to the Jōmon period...
.
External links
- Kagawa Prefecture English homepage Official Kagawa Prefecture Japanese homepage
- National Archives of Japan ... Kagawa map (1891)
- Notes from Shikoku in English