Chiba Prefecture: The Short Summary Of Chiba Prefecture
Chiba is located in the middle of the main island of Japan, so it is on
the eastern part of the island. And also it is next to
Tokyo. However most foreigners visiting Japan do not know anything about Chiba
prefecture even though they could have been visited Chiba once or more
because of the Narita International Airport. The Narita International Airport
is located on the middle of Chiba prefecture, therefore most foreigners
visiting Japan must have been. By the way, NRT is called 'New Tokyo International
Airport', it is only the name, Tokyo represents Japan itself, the word
Tokyo always used to be. It means that Chiba prefecture is the entrance
of Japan.
Chiba prefecture is on the east side of
Tokyo, so it is on the south east area of Kanto region. Its prefectural government
is Chiba city. The most part of the land is in the Boso peninsula, so it
means that the most the land of Chiba is surrounded by sea. The land has
few ups and down, the tallest mountain in Chiba is Atagoyama, its heights
is only 408. And its climate is mildest in Kanto region, so the floriculture
is flourishing in the southern part of Boso peninsula. Additionally, there
are many farm shops, with agriculture and tourism being united more and
more. Of course, fishing industry is also prosperous in Chiba. Every seasons,
millions of tourists visiting Chiba have much opportunity to eat much unique
and delicious food during their trips. Turbines, spiny lobsters and so
on from the sea, pears, loquats, strawberries and peanuts are famous for
its particular special.
The History
Now Chiba prefecture was originally united 3 classic administraive districts
in Japan, Awa, Kazusa and Shimousa.
According to one of Japan classic or myth 'Kogoshui', Ame-no-tomi-no-mikoto
took Inbe Clan in Awa to move east and caltivate hemps. At that time, they
got high quality hemp harvested there, then they called there 'Fusa' (old
word implies hemp), and it was divided into two districts, the southern
part was named Kazusa, and northern one was Shimousa. And Inbe from Awa
stayed the southern parts of Chiba prefecture where they named Awa. In
general, Japanese calls Chiba regoin Boso, it was made by the united the
Chinese letters of Fusa and Awa.
During Kamakura period (1185~1333), the Chiba Clan one of the powerful
bushos' families seized the power at Boso area. In Sengoku period, Satomi
Clan controlled Awa and had strongly influential power to Kazusa and Shimousa.
Since Ieyasu Tokugawa held the power to control Japan and founded the Edo
Bakufu (the Edo Shogunate) at Edo (Tokyo), the most parts of Boso were
directly controlled by Edo Bakufu (the Tokugawa Clan), and rest of it belonged
to the small lords who had hired by the Bakufu directly, because Boso was
very important area to keep the Bakufu stabily in the Edo Period (1603~1867).
After Meiji Restoration, the classical districts were rebuilt, and a new
administrative district 'Chiba' was created in June 15th of 1873.
Chiba was named after the land name where the seat of prefectural government
was built in Chiba-cho, Chiba-gun. But there are more stories about that,
one said that Chiba means thousands leafs, therefore it implies much harvest,
much green in the land and flourishing the land and the descendants. Now
the population of Chiba prefecture is over 6 million.
Every seasons flowers bloom in the mild climate. There are unique leasure
spots and some big shopping malls with much gift form the earth and seas.
Moreover, there are many cultural and historical spots remains, Katori-jingu
Shrine and the historical landscapes in Katori city, Narita-san Shinsho-ji
Temple in Narita city, Natonal Museum Of Japanese History in Sakura city,
and Nakayama Hokekyo-ji Temple and Mamasan Guhoji Temple in
Ichikawa city save the famous historical buildings and properties. Of course, the sea
is the most exciting spot of Chiba. The climate is easy to live, therefore
over 6 million people live in Chiba.
Why don't you visit Chiba? After you arrived at Narita International Airport,
please trip at Chiba.
参考
千葉県ホームページ
デジタル大辞林
ブリタニカ国際大百科事典
Visit A City In CHIBA Prefecture
- Ichikawa
- Funabashi
- Katori
- Narita
- Sakura
- Urayasu
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