Ibaraki Prefecture

prefecture of Japan

Ibaraki Prefecture (茨城県, Ibaraki-ken) is a prefecture in the Kantō region of Japan on the island of Honshu.[1] The capital is Mito.[2]

Ibaraki Prefecture
茨城県
Flag of Ibaraki Prefecture
Official seal of Ibaraki Prefecture
Ibaraki Prefecture in Japan
Ibaraki Prefecture in Japan
Country Japan
CapitalMito
Subdivisions
Government
 • GovernorKazuhiko Ōigawa
Area
 • Total6,097 km2 (2,354 sq mi)
Population
 (October 1, 2020)
 • Total2,867,009
 • Density470.2/km2 (1,218/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+09:00
Area code08000-4
ISO 3166 codeJP-08
WebsiteOfficial website

History

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In 1871, Ibaraki Prefecture was created from Hitachi Province.[3]

Geography

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Map of Ibaraki Prefecture

Ibaraki Prefecture is the northeastern part of Kantō. It is between Tochigi Prefecture and the Pacific Ocean. Fukushima Prefecture is its neighbor to the north and Chiba Prefecture is to the south. Saitama Prefecture is to the southwest. There are many mountains in the northern part of the prefecture. The rest of the prefecture is a flat plain with many lakes.

Cities

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There are thirty-two cities in Ibaraki Prefecture:

Towns and villages

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Towns and villages in each district:

Ibaraki
Ōarai
Shirosato
Ami
Kawachi
Miho
Tone
Daigo
Tōkai
Goka
Sakai
Yachiyo

National Parks

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National Parks are established in about 15% of the total land area of the prefecture.[4]

Shrines and Temples

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Kashima jinja are the chief Shinto shrines (ichinomiya) in the prefecture. [5]

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References

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  1. Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Ibaraki-ken" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 367; "Kantō" at p. 479.
  2. Nussbaum, "Mito" at p. 642.
  3. Nussbaum, "Provinces and prefectures" at p. 780.
  4. Japan Ministry of the Environment, "General overview of area figures for Natural Parks by prefecture"; retrieved 2012-3-14.
  5. "Nationwide List of Ichinomiya," p. 1 Archived 2013-05-17 at the Wayback Machine; retrieved 2012-3-14.