Wakayama Prefecture

is part of the Kii Peninsula in the Kinki region on Honshu island, Japan. The capital is the city of Wakayama.

History

Geography

Cities

9 cities are located on Wakayama Prefecture.

Towns and villages

These are the towns and villages in each district.

Mergers

(as of April 1, 2006)

On October 1, 2004, the village of Minabegawa and the town of Minabe {both from Hidaka District) merged to form the new town of Minabe.

On April 1, 2005, the town of Kushimoto from Nishimuro District merged with the town of Koza from Higashimuro District to form the town of Kushimoto (now part of Higashimuro District).

On April 1, 2005, the city of Kainan and the town of Shimotsu from Kaisou District merged to form the new city of Kainan.

On May 1, 2005, the towns of Kawabe, Nakatsu and Miyama from Hidaka District merged to form the new town of Hidakagawa.

On May 1, 2005, the city of Tanabe, the village of Ryujin from Hidaka District, the town of Nakahechi and the village of Oto from Nishimuro District and town of Hongu from Higashimuro District merged to form the new city of Tanabe.

On October 1, 2005, the village of Hanazono from Ito District merged into the town of Katsuragi.

On October 1, 2005, the city of Shingu and the town of Kumanogawa from Higashimuro District merged to form the new city of Shingu.

On November 11, 2005, the towns of Uchita, Kokawa, Naga, Momoyama and Kishigawa from Naga District merged to form the new city of Kinokawa.

On January 1, 2006, the towns of Kanaya, Kibi and Shimizu from Arida District merged to form the new town of Aridagawa.

On January 1, 2006, the towns of Misato and Nokami from Kaisou District merged to form the new town of Kimino.

On March 1, 2006, the city of Hashimoto and the town of Koyaguchi from Ito District merged to form the new city of Hashimoto.

On March 1, 2006, the towns of Hikigawa and Shirahama (both from Nishimuro District) merged to form the new town of Shirahama.

Non-merger creation

On April 1, 2006, the town of Iwade from Naga District gained city status. Naga District was dissolved.

Economy

Wakayama-Ken supplies most of Japan with its high production of mikans (Mandarin Oranges) in October of every year.

Demographics

Culture

Mount Koya (高野山; -san) in the Ito District is the headquarters of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism. It is home to one of the first Japanese style buddhist temples in Japan and remains a site of pilgrimage and an increasingly popular tourist destination as people flock to see its ancient temples set amidst the towering cedar trees at the top of the mountain.

The Kumano Shrines are located on the southern tip of the prefecture.

Tourism

Image:Wakayama Prefecture shadow picture.png|Prefecture outline Image:Onsen in Nachikatsuura, Japan.jpg|Onsen in Nachikatsuura Image:NachiNoTaki.jpg|Nachi waterfall Image:Waterfall Nachi02.jpg|Nachi waterfall Image:KonponDaido.jpg|Konpon Daido (Mount Koya) Image:Daimonzaka28-640.jpg|Daimonzaka Image:Daimonzaka10-640.jpg|Daimonzaka Image:WakayamaCastleM0940.jpg|Wakayama Castle

Prefectural symbols

Miscellaneous topics

External links

Kansai region | Wakayama Prefecture | Prefectures of Japan

Gourt Home::Gourt :: Wakayama Prefecture