Gifu Prefecture
Gifu Prefecture
岐阜県 | |
---|---|
Japanese transcription(s) | |
• Japanese | 岐阜県 |
• Rōmaji | Gifu-ken |
US$72.8 billion (2019) | |
ISO 3166 code | JP-21 |
Website | www |
Symbols of Japan | |
Bird | Rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) |
Fish | Ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis) |
Flower | Chinese milk vetch (Astragalus sinicus) |
Tree | Japanese yew (Taxus cuspidata) |
Gifu Prefecture (岐阜県, Gifu-ken) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of Honshu.[2]: 246 [3]: 126 Gifu Prefecture has a population of 1,991,390 (as of 1 June 2019[update]) and has a geographic area of 10,621 square kilometres (4,101 sq mi). Gifu Prefecture borders Toyama Prefecture to the north; Ishikawa Prefecture to the northwest, Fukui Prefecture and Shiga Prefecture to the west, Mie Prefecture to the southwest, Aichi Prefecture to the south, and Nagano Prefecture to the east.
Gifu is the capital and largest city of Gifu Prefecture, with other major cities including Ōgaki, Kakamigahara, and Tajimi.[4]: 246
Gifu Prefecture is located in the center of Japan, one of only eight
History
The land area that makes up modern-day Gifu became part of the Yamato Court around the middle of the fourth century. Because it is in the middle of the island of Honshu, it has been the site of many decisive battles throughout Japan's history, the oldest major one being the Jinshin War in 672, which led to the establishment of Emperor Tenmu as the 40th emperor of Japan.
The area of Gifu Prefecture consists of the
Historically, the prefecture served as the center of swordmaking for the whole of Japan, with Seki being known for making the best swords in Japan. More recently, its strengths have been in fashion (primarily in the city of Gifu) and aerospace engineering (Kakamigahara).
On October 28, 1891, the present-day city of Motosu was the epicenter for the Mino–Owari earthquake, the second largest earthquake to ever hit Japan.[9] The earthquake, estimated at 8.0 (surface-wave magnitude), left a fault scarp that can still be seen today.
Geography
One of the few landlocked prefectures in Japan, Gifu shares borders with seven other prefectures: Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui, Shiga, Mie, Aichi, and Nagano. Japan's postal codes all start with a three-digit number, ranging from 001 to 999. Part of Gifu has the 500 prefix, reflecting its location in the center of Japan. The center of Japanese population is currently located in Seki City, Gifu Prefecture. The center of population is a hypothetical point at which a country is perfectly balanced assuming each person has a uniform weight. The spot was calculated using the 2005 census.
As of 31 March 2019,[update] 18 percent of the total land area of the prefecture was designated as
Regions
Gifu has five unofficial regions, which allows local municipalities to work together to promote the surrounding area. The five regions are Seinō,[11] Gifu,[12] Chūnō,[13] Tōnō[14] and Hida.[15] The borders of the regions are loosely defined, but they are usually delineated among major cities.
Topography
The northern
The mountainous Hida region contains the Hida Mountains, which are referred to as the "Northern Alps" in Japan. The Ryōhaku Mountains are also in the Hida region. Other major ranges include the Ibuki Mountains and the Yōrō Mountains.
Much of the Mino region is made up of the alluvial plain of the Kiso Three Rivers, which are the Kiso River, Nagara River and Ibi River. The sources of Kiso river is in Nagano prefecture, and those of the others are in Gifu prefecture. They eventually run through Aichi and Mie prefectures before emptying into Ise Bay. Other major rivers in the prefecture include the Miya, Takahara, Shō, Toki (Shōnai), Yahagi, and Itoshiro rivers.
Climate
Gifu's climate varies from humid subtropical climate in the south, eventually making the transition to humid continental climate in the north.
Because the Mino region is surrounded by low mountains, the temperature fluctuates through the year, from hot summers to cold winters. The eastern city of
Gifu City (Mino Region)
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Hida Takayama (Hida Region)
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Shōkawa, Takayama (Hida Region)
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Municipalities
All of the cities, towns, villages and districts of Gifu Prefecture are listed below.
Cities
Twenty-one cities are located in Gifu Prefecture:
- Gifu – (the capital city of the prefecture)
Towns and villages
These are the towns and villages in each district:
Mergers
Economy
Traditional industries such as paper-making and agriculture are found in Gifu, but its economy is dominated by the manufacturing sector including aerospace and automotive, with industrial complexes extending from the Nagoya area. A wealth of small component manufacturing is also found, such as precision machines, dye and mold making, and plastic forming.
Traditional industries
Gifu is famous for
The Mino region has long been known for its high-quality paper called is often brewed with clear water from the rivers.
Modern industries
Information technology (IT) is gaining a foothold in the prefecture with both
Tourism
Gifu has many popular tourist attractions, bringing visitors to all parts of the prefecture. The most popular places are Gifu, Gero, Shirakawa and Takayama. Gero is known for its relaxing hot springs, which attract visitors throughout the year. Shirakawa's historic villages are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Takayama is famous for retaining its original appearance and is often referred to as Little Kyoto.
In addition to international tourists, Gifu also plays host to many international events. The
Science
The Kamioka area of the city of
Demographics
The prefecture's population was 2,101,969, as of 1 September 2007,[update] with approximately 1.8 million people in the cities and the rest in towns and villages.[24] The percentage of male and female residents is 48.4% and 51.6%, respectively.[24] 14.4% of the population is no more than 14 years old, with 22.1% of the population being at least 65 years old.[24]
According to Japan's census, the country's center of population is located in Gifu Prefecture. In 2000, it was located in the former town of Mugi, which has since merged with Seki. In the most recent census in 2005, the center of population has moved slightly more to the east but is still located within Gifu.
Education
- Asahi University
- Chubu Gakuin University
- Chukyo Gakuin University
- Gifu City Women's College
- Gifu College of Nursing
- Gifu Keizai University
- Gifu Pharmaceutical University
- Gifu Shotoku Gakuen University
- Gifu University
- Gifu University of Medical Science
- Gifu Women's University
- Institute of Advanced Media Arts and Sciences
- Tokai Gakuin University
Transportation
Rail
- JR Central
- Tokaido Shinkansen – Gifu-Hashima Station
- Tokaido Line
- Takayama Line
- Chuo Line
- Taita Line
- Meitetsu
- Yoro Railway
- Nagaragawa Railway
- Tarumi Railway
- Akechi Railway
Road
Expressway and toll roads
- Meishin Expressway
- Chuo Expressway
- Tokai Hokuriku Expressway
- Tokai Loop Expressway
- Chubu Jukan Expressway
- Hakusan Forest Road
- Mount Ibuki Toll Road
- Nagaragawa Riversideway
National highways
Prefectural symbols
Gifu's symbol comes from the first character gi (岐) of its Japanese name, written in a stylized script, surrounded by a circle, which represents the peace and harmony of the prefectural citizen. It was chosen by contest in 1932.[25]
The prefectural logo (see right) expands from the red dot into the center to the outer two lines and, finally, the yellow plain. This symbol was chosen in 1991 for the development and expansion of the prefecture.[25]
The prefecture also has two plants (the
Notable people
- Chie Aoki, sculptor
- Chiune Sugihara, diplomat
- Junji Ito, manga artist
- Kaiu Shirai, manga artist
- Tsuyoshi Makino, author and social activist
- Teiji Takagi, mathematician
- Rie Matsubara, rhythmic gymnast
See also
- Solar Ark, a solar energy project located in Gifu Prefecture
Notes
- ^ "2020年度国民経済計算(2015年基準・2008SNA) : 経済社会総合研究所 - 内閣府". 内閣府ホームページ (in Japanese). Retrieved May 18, 2023.
- ^ Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Gifu-ken" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 246, p. 246, at Google Books
- ^ Nussbaum, "Chūbu" in p. 126, p. 126, at Google Books
- ^ Nussbaum, "Gifu" in p. 246, p. 246, at Google Books
- ^ Instant Gifu. Gifu International Center, 1995.
- ^ Nussbaum, "Provinces and prefectures" in p. 780, p. 780, at Google Books
- ^ Stone ledger in front of Kashimori Shrine. Erected by Kashimori Shrine.
- ^ Gifu tour guide – Outline of Gifu Prefecture Archived October 1, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Gifu Prefecture Tourist Federation. Accessed September 9, 2007.
- ^ Mino Earthquake Archived July 6, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. (in Japanese) Tokyo Science Museum. Accessed July 5, 2007.
- ^ 自然公園都道府県別面積総括 [General overview of area figures for Natural Parks by prefecture] (PDF) (in Japanese). Ministry of the Environment. March 31, 2019. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
- ^ Nishi Mino Portal Site. (in Japanese) Ginet. Accessed June 24, 2008.
- ^ Gifu Regional Promotion Office Archived September 27, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. (in Japanese) Gifu Prefecture. Accessed August 9, 2011.
- ^ Chūnō Promotion Office Archived September 27, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. (in Japanese) Gifu Prefecture. Accessed August 9, 2011.
- ^ Tōnō Promotional Office Archived September 27, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. (in Japanese) Gifu Prefecture. Accessed August 9, 2011.
- ^ Hida Promotional Office Archived September 27, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. (in Japanese) Gifu Prefecture. Accessed August 9, 2011.
- ^ Gifu Prefecture sees highest temperature ever recorded in Japan – 40.9 Archived August 18, 2016, at the Wayback Machine – Japan News Review Archived October 19, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "平年値(年・月ごとの値)". Japan Meteorological Agency. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
- ^ "観測史上1~10位の値(年間を通じての値)". Japan Meteorological Agency. Retrieved March 6, 2010.
- ^ "平年値(年・月ごとの値)". Japan Meteorological Agency. Retrieved March 6, 2010.
- ^ "観測史上1~10位の値(年間を通じての値)". Japan Meteorological Agency. Retrieved March 6, 2010.
- ^ "AllMetSat Takayama". All Met Sat. Retrieved February 11, 2012.
- ^ "平年値(年・月ごとの値)". Japan Meteorological Agency. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
- ^ Greg Goebel. "The Fire Balloons". Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved November 23, 2007.
- ^ a b c Statistics Division of Gifu Prefecture Archived October 14, 2007, at the Wayback Machine. (in Japanese) Gifu Prefecture. Accessed November 2, 2007.
- ^ a b c A Statistical Guide to Gifu Prefecture 2007 Archived March 25, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Gifu Prefecture. Accessed November 2, 2007.
References
- Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric and Käthe Roth (2005). Japan Encyclopedia. Cambridge, Massachusetts: OCLC 58053128.
External links
- Gifu (prefecture) travel guide from Wikivoyage
- Official website
- Gifu travel guide
- Go Gifu (blog about tourism in Gifu)
- Map of Gifu Prefecture in 1891. National Archives of Japan.