Fukushima Prefecture (福島県 Fukushima-ken) is located in the Tohoku region on Honshu island, Japan. The capital is the city of Fukushima.

History

Fukushima Prefecture was historically part of Mutsu Province. This region of Japan is also known as Michinoku and Ōshū.

Geography

Fukushima prefecture is the southernmost prefecture of Tohoku, and the closest to Tokyo. It is divided by mountain ranges into three regions called (from west to east) Aizu , Nakadori , and Hamadori . The coastal Hamadori region lies on the Pacific Ocean and is the flattest and most temperate region, while the Nakadori region is the agricultural heart of the prefecture and contains the capital Fukushima, and the mountainous Aizu region has many sccenic lakes and harsh winters.

Cities

• Aizuwakamatsu
• Fukushima (capital)
• Haramachi
• Iwaki
• Kitakata
• Koriyama
• Nihonmatsu
• Shirakawa
• Soma
• Sukagawa
• Tamura

Districts

Mergers

Tamura merger

On March 1, 2005 the towns of Funehiki, Ogoe, Takine, and Tokiwa and village of Miyakoji, all from Tamura District, merged to create the city of Tamura.

Aizuwakamatsu expansion

On November 1, 2004 the former village of Kitaaizu from the former Kitaaizu District (dissolved by this merger) merged into the (expanded) city of Aizuwakamatsu.

Economy

The coastal region traditionally specializes in fishing and seafood industries, and is notable for its electric and particularly nuclear power-generating industry, while the upland regions are more focused on agriculture. The capital region has a strong industry in software and electronics.

Demographics

Culture

Tourism

Prefectural symbols

An old tale of an ogress, Adachigahara was once said to have roamed the plain for which it was named. Adachigahara plain lies close to the city of Fukushima.

External links

• Official Fukushima Prefecture homepage