Miyagi Prefecture
宮城県
Japanese transcription(s)
 • Japanese宮城県
 • RōmajiMiyagi-ken
Panoramic view of the Sendai plain, spreading to the Sendai metropolitan area in Miyagi Prefecture
Panoramic view of the Sendai plain, spreading to the Sendai metropolitan area in Miyagi Prefecture
Flag of Miyagi Prefecture
Official logo of Miyagi Prefecture
Anthem: Kagayaku Kyōdo
Location of Miyagi Prefecture
Country Japan
RegionTōhoku
IslandHonshu
CapitalSendai
SubdivisionsDistricts: 10, Municipalities: 35
Government
 • GovernorYoshihiro Murai
Area
 • Total7,282.22 km2 (2,811.68 sq mi)
 • Rank16th
Population
 (October 1, 2020)
 • Total2,301,996
 • Rank15th
 • Density320/km2 (820/sq mi)
ISO 3166 codeJP-04
Websitewww.pref.miyagi.jp
Symbols of Japan
BirdWild goose
FlowerMiyagi bush clover (Lespedeza thunbergii)
TreeJapanese zelkova
(Zelkova serrata)

Miyagi Prefecture (宮城県, Miyagi-ken) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku region of Honshu.[1] Miyagi Prefecture has a population of 2,305,596 (1 June 2019) and has a geographic area of 7,282 km2 (2,812 sq mi). Miyagi Prefecture borders Iwate Prefecture to the north, Akita Prefecture to the northwest, Yamagata Prefecture to the west, and Fukushima Prefecture to the south.

Sendai is the capital and largest city of Miyagi Prefecture, and the largest city in the Tōhoku region, with other major cities including Ishinomaki, Ōsaki, and Tome.[2] Miyagi Prefecture is located on Japan's eastern Pacific coast and bounded to the west by the Ōu Mountains, the longest mountain range in Japan, with 24% of its total land area being designated as Natural Parks. Miyagi Prefecture is home to Matsushima Islands, a group of islands ranked as one of the Three Views of Japan, near the town of Matsushima.

History

See also: List of Historic Sites of Japan (Miyagi)

Miyagi Prefecture was formerly part of the province of Mutsu.[3]

2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami

Main article: 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami

On March 11, 2011, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and a subsequent major tsunami hit Miyagi Prefecture, causing major damage to the area.[4] The tsunami was estimated to be approximately 10 metres (33 ft) high in Miyagi Prefecture.[5]

On April 7, 2011, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the coast of Miyagi, Japan. Workers were then evacuated from the nearby troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear facility once again, as a tsunami warning was issued for the coastline. Residents were told to flee for inner land at that time.

In 2013, Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako visited the prefecture to see the progress made since the tsunami.[6]

Geography

Map of Miyagi Prefecture     Government Ordinance Designated City      City      Town      Village
Map of Miyagi Prefecture
     Government Ordinance Designated City      City      Town      Village

Miyagi Prefecture is in the central part of Tōhoku, facing the Pacific Ocean, and contains Tōhoku's largest city, Sendai. There are high mountains on the west and along the northeast coast, but the central plain around Sendai is fairly large.

Matsushima is known as one of the three most scenic views of Japan, with a bay full of 260 small islands covered in pine groves.

Oshika Peninsula projects from the northern coastline of the prefecture.

As of 31 March 2019, 24% of the total land area of the prefecture was designated as Natural Parks, namely the Sanriku Fukkō National Park; Kurikoma and Zaō Quasi-National Parks; and Abukuma Keikoku, Asahiyama, Funagata Renpō, Futakuchi Kyōkoku, Kenjōsan Mangokuura, Kesennuma, Matsushima, and Zaō Kōgen Prefectural Natural Parks.[7][8]

Cities

See also: List of cities in Miyagi Prefecture by population

Fourteen cities are located in Miyagi Prefecture:

Name Area (km2) Population Map
Rōmaji Kanji
Flag of Higashimatsushima, Miyagi.svg
Higashimatsushima
東松島市 101.36 39,098
Higashimatsushima in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Ishinomaki, Miyagi.svg
Ishinomaki
石巻市 554.55 140,151
Ishinomaki in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Iwanuma, Miyagi.svg
Iwanuma
岩沼市 60.45 44,068
Iwanuma in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Kakuda, Miyagi.svg
Kakuda
角田市 147.53 27,976
Kakuda in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Kesennuma Miyagi.svg
Kesennuma
気仙沼市 332.44 61,147
Kesennuma in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Kurihara, Miyagi.svg
Kurihara
栗原市 804.97 64,637
Kurihara in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Natori, Miyagi.svg
Natori
名取市 98.17 78,718
Natori in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Osaki, Miyagi.svg
Ōsaki
大崎市 796.76 127,330
Osaki in Miyagi Ja.svg
Flag of Sendai, Miyagi.svg
Sendai (capital)
仙台市 786.3 1,096,704
Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Shiogama, Miyagi.svg
Shiogama
塩竈市 17.37 52,203
Shiogama in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Shiroishi, Miyagi.svg
Shiroishi
白石市 286.48 32,758
Shiroishi in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Tagajō, Miyagi.svg
Tagajō
多賀城市 19.69 62,827
Tagajo in Miyagi Prefecture - Ja.svg
Flag of Tome, Miyagi.svg
Tome
登米市 536.12 76,037
Tome in Miyagi Prefecture - Ja.svg
Flag of Tomiya, Miyagi.svg
Tomiya
富谷市 49.18 51,651
Tomiya in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg

Towns and villages

These are the towns and villages in each district:

Name Area (km2) Population District Type Map
Rōmaji Kanji
Flag of Kami Miyagi.JPG
Kami
加美町 460.67 21,943 Kami District Town
Kami in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Kawasaki, Miyagi.svg
Kawasaki
川崎町 270.77 8,637 Shibata District Town
Kawasaki in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Marumori Miyagi.svg
Marumori
丸森町 273.3 13,092 Igu District Town
Marumori in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Matsushima, Miyagi.svg
Matsushima
松島町 53.56 13,804 Miyagi District Town
Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Minamisanriku, Miyagi.svg
Minamisanriku
南三陸町 163.4 12,516 Motoyoshi District Town
Minamisanriku in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Misato Miyagi.JPG
Misato
美里町 74.95 24,565 Tōda District Town
Misato in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Murata Miyagi.JPG
Murata
村田町 78.38 10,675 Shibata District Town
Murata in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Ogawara, Miyagi.svg
Ōgawara
大河原町 24.99 23,618 Shibata District Town
Ogawara in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Ohira, Miyagi.svg
Ōhira
大衡村 60.32 5,918 Kurokawa District Village
Ohira in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Onagawa, Miyagi.svg
Onagawa
女川町 65.35 6,319 Oshika District Town
Onagawa in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Osato Miyagi.JPG
Ōsato
大郷町 82.01 7,972 Kurokawa District Town
Osato in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Rifu Miyagi.JPG
Rifu
利府町 44.89 36,014 Miyagi District Town
Rifu in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Shibata Miyagi.JPG
Shibata
柴田町 54.03 37,617 Shibata District Town
Shibata in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Shichigahama, Miyagi.svg
Shichigahama
七ヶ浜町 13.19 18,447 Miyagi District Town
Shichigahama in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Shichikashuku, Miyagi.svg
Shichikashuku
七ヶ宿町 263.09 1,323 Katta District Town
Shichikashuku in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Shikama Miyagi.JPG
Shikama
色麻町 109.28 6,723 Kami District Town
Shikama in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Taiwa, Miyagi.svg
Taiwa
大和町 225.49 28,436 Kurokawa District Town
Taiwa in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Wakuya, Miyagi.svg
Wakuya
涌谷町 82.16 15,763 Tōda District Town
Wakuya in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Watari, Miyagi.svg
Watari
亘理町 73.6 33,459 Watari District Town
Watari in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Yamamoto, Miyagi.svg
Yamamoto
山元町 64.58 12,100 Watari District Town
Yamamoto in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Zaō, Miyagi.svg
Zaō
蔵王町 152.83 11,790 Katta District Town
Zao in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg

Mergers

Main article: List of mergers in Miyagi Prefecture

Economy

Although Miyagi has a good deal of fishing and agriculture, producing a great deal of rice and livestock, it is dominated by the manufacturing industries around Sendai, particularly electronics, appliances, and food processing.

As of March 2011, the prefecture produced 4.7% of Japan's rice, 23% of oysters, and 15.9% of sauries.[9]

In July 2011, the Japanese government decided to ban all shipments of beef cattle from northeast Miyagi Prefecture over fears of radioactive contamination.[10] This has since been rescinded.

Demographics

Miyagi prefecture population pyramid in 2020
Miyagi prefecture population pyramid in 2020

According to Japanese census data, Miyagi prefecture experienced its greatest period of growth from 1940 to 1950 and continued to exhibit growth up until the 21st century.[11] Nevertheless, like the majority of Japan, the population of Miyagi has begun to slowly decline. The prefectural capital of Sendai, however, has seen a moderate, but steady rise in population over the past twenty years.[12]

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1890 735,100—    
1920 962,000+30.9%
1930 1,143,000+18.8%
1940 1,271,000+11.2%
1950 1,663,000+30.8%
1960 1,743,000+4.8%
1970 1,819,000+4.4%
1980 2,082,000+14.5%
1990 2,249,000+8.0%
2000 2,365,320+5.2%
2010 2,348,165−0.7%
2020 2,301,996−2.0%

Education

University

Transportation

Sendai Station in August 2010
Sendai Station in August 2010

Rail

Roads

Expressways and toll roads

National highways

Ports

Sendai Airport

Airports

Sports

Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi.

The sports teams listed below are based in Miyagi Prefecture.

Also, the Sendai Hi-Land Raceway hosts motorsport road races.

Visitor attractions

Sendai was the castle town of the daimyō Date Masamune. The remains of Sendai Castle stand on a hill above the city.

Miyagi Prefecture boasts one of Japan's three greatest sights. Matsushima, the pine-clad islands, dot the waters off the coast of the prefecture.

The following are also noted as attractions:

Famous festivals and events

Suzume Dancing Event in Aoba Festival
Suzume Dancing Event in Aoba Festival
Aoba Festival of Sendai
Aoba Festival of Sendai
View of Traditional New Year's sale in Sendai
View of Traditional New Year's sale in Sendai

Popular culture

Miyagi Prefecture is one of the main settings of the manga and anime series Haikyū!!. The most well-known fictional schools located there are Karasuno High School, Aoba Johsai High School, Date Tech High and Shiratorizawa Academy, as well as Sendai City Gymnasium. Another anime series Wake Up, Girls! is also set in Miyagi Prefecture.

Notes

  1. ^ Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Miyagi prefecture" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 648, p. 648, at Google Books; "Tōhoku" in p. 970, p. 970, at Google Books.
  2. ^ Nussbaum, "Sendai" in p. 841, p. 841, at Google Books.
  3. ^ Nussbaum, "Provinces and prefectures" in p. 780, p. 780, at Google Books
  4. ^ "Japan earthquake: Tsunami hits north-east". BBC News. March 11, 2011. Archived from the original on March 12, 2011.
  5. ^ Williams, Martyn. "Report from Japan: Impact of Tsunami Devastates Nation's Northeast". voanews.com. Archived from the original on 9 January 2012. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
  6. ^ "Crown Prince Naruhito, Princess Masako visit tsunami victims in Miyagi". Japan Daily Press. Archived from the original on 2013-08-24. Retrieved 2013-08-22.
  7. ^ 自然公園都道府県別面積総括 [General overview of area figures for Natural Parks by prefecture] (PDF) (in Japanese). Ministry of the Environment. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  8. ^ 宮城県の自然公園 [Natural Parks in Miyagi Prefecture] (in Japanese). Miyagi Prefecture. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  9. ^ Schreiber, Mark, "Japan's food crisis goes beyond recent panic buying Archived 2011-04-20 at the Wayback Machine", Japan Times, 17 April 2011, p. 9.
  10. ^ "Japan suspends shipment of Miyagi beef over contamination - Home » Other Sections » Breaking News". www.philstar.com. Archived from the original on 8 September 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  11. ^ "Japan Prefectures Population from 1920 and Area". www.demographia.com. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  12. ^ "Sendai (City (-shi), Miyagi, Japan) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map and Location". www.citypopulation.de. Retrieved 2021-12-24.

References

Coordinates: 38°21′N 140°58′E / 38.350°N 140.967°E / 38.350; 140.967