About Japanese Place Names Database
Japanese Place Names Database is a free, English-language reference to the names of Japan's 47 modern prefectures and 66 historic provinces — what their kanji literally say, where the names actually came from, and how the old map lines up with the new one. It is built for English speakers who cannot read the Japanese-language sources these records come from.
What This Site Covers
- All 47 prefectures, grouped by the nine modern regions
- All 66 historic provinces of the ritsuryō system, grouped by the eight ancient circuits (gokishichidō)
- Kanji, readings, literal meanings, and the leading etymological explanations — including competing theories where scholars disagree
- Cross-links between each old province and the modern prefectures that replaced it
Our Mission
Place-name etymology in Japan is well documented — in Japanese. Much of it sits in library reference works and government records that never appear in English. This site exists to carry those records across the language line, and to say plainly when a name's origin is disputed rather than pretending to a single tidy answer.
Data Sources
Records are compiled from Japanese-language reference materials held by the National Diet Library of Japan and from statistical and administrative records published via e-Stat, the portal of official statistics of the Japanese government. No user-generated content is included.
On Disputed Etymologies
Many Japanese place names are far older than the characters now used to write them, and those characters were often chosen for sound rather than meaning. Where an accepted etymology exists, we give it. Where scholars disagree, we present the alternatives as alternatives. Where the origin is simply unknown, we say so.
Disclaimer
Japanese Place Names Database is an independent project and is not affiliated with any Japanese government agency or official organization. While we strive for accuracy, we make no warranties about the completeness or timeliness of the information provided. Corrections are welcome via our Contact page.