JET in Fukushima: Location

JET in Fukushima

Location and Geography

Location of Fukushima Prefecture in Japan Fukushima Prefecture lies between 139 and 141 degrees east longitude and 37 to 38 degrees north latitude - the same latitude as southern Greece and San Francisco,California in the United States. The prefecture is located in the southern part of Japan's Tohoku region,on the main island of Honshu. It faces the Pacific Ocean to the east and shares borders with six other prefectures. Fukushima also lies within 200 kilometers of Japan's capital of Tokyo. Of all the prefectures in the Tohoku region,it is closest to the capital,linking Tokyo with Tohoku.

Geographical Features

Fukushima Prefecture was established in 1876, through the amalgamation of three earlier prefectures. At present, it is composed of 13 main cities, including Fukushima City(the capital), Koriyama, Iwaki and Aizu-Wakamatsu, as well as 46 townships and villages. Covering an area of 13,783 square kilometers, Fukushima Prefecture stretches 166 kilometers from east to west and 133 kilometers from north to south; this expanse makes it Japan's third largest prefecture. With a shape that resembles the country of Australia,the prefecture is divided from east to west into the three regions of Hama-dori (coastal region),Naka-dori (inland region) and Aizu by the Ou and Abukuma mountain ranges,which run from north to south. Each of the three areas possess a distinct climate, economy and culture.

　　　　Contact: kokusai@pref.fukushima.lg.jp