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Map of Japan with Chūgoku region highlighted in dark green
The Chūgoku region (中国地方, Chūgoku-chihō), also known as the San'in-San'yō region (山陰山陽地方, San'in san'yō-chihō), is one of Japan's traditional regions.[1] The Japanese conventions of geography and history divide the nation into eight regions, including the Chūgoku region.[2] These have been used since 1905 as basic units for description and comparison[3] and as cultural markers.
The regions of Japan are a fusion of historical divisions and modern administrative needs".[4] The significance of the region in Japan is geographical, cultural and administrative.[5]



History
In the late 7th century, the San'indō and San'yōdō were identified as two of the eight largest administrative areas of the Imperial system (ritsuryo seido).
Gokishichidō is an ancient system of names for parts of the country, including San'indō and San'yōdō.[6] Chūgoku covers a western part of the island of Honshū[7] in roughly the same area as the traditional San'indō and San'yōdō.
In the Meiji period, the modern regional system was made by Imperial decree. Japan was divided into regions ( 2017-03-24 at the Wayback Machine), including the Chūgoku region. A regional council (chihō gyōsei kyōgisai) was headed by the governor of the most powerful prefecture in the regional grouping. The council also included regional chiefs of central government ministries.[8]

Table: Chūgoku



Province

Province capital

Pre-modern regions

Prefecture

Prefecture capital

Regions today

Notes


Aki



San'yōdō

Hiroshima

Hiroshima

Chūgoku




Bingo[9]

Fuchu

San'yōdō

Hiroshima

Hiroshima

Chūgoku

created from Kibi in late-7th century


Bitchū[9]

Soja

San'yōdō

Okayama

Okayama

Chūgoku

created from Kibi in late-7th century


Bizen[9]

near Okayama

San'yōdō

Okayama

Okayama

Chūgoku

created from Kibi in late-7th century


Harima[9]

Himeji

San'yōdō

Hyōgo

Kobe

Chūgoku




Hōki[9]

near Kurayoshi

San'indō

Tottori

Tottori

Chūgoku




Inaba[9]

Tottori

San'indō

Tottori

Tottori

Chūgoku




Iwami[9]

Hamada

San'indō

Shimane

Shimane

Chūgoku




Izumo[9]

Matsue

San'indō

Shimane

Matsue

Chūgoku




Mimasaka,[9]

Tsuyama

San'yōdō

Okayama

Okayama

Chūgoku

created in 713 from Bizen


Nagato[9]

Shimonoseki

San'yōdō

Yamaguchi

Yamaguchi

Chūgoku




Oki[9]

Saigō

San'indō

Shimane

Shimane

Chūgoku




Suō

Hofu

San'yōdō

Yamaguchi

Yamaguchi

Chūgoku




Tajima[9]

Hidaka

San'indō

Hyōgo

Kobe

Chūgoku




Tamba,[9]

Kameoka

San'indō

Hyōgo; Kyoto

Kobe

Chūgoku

created from Ni in 713


Tango,[9]

Maizuru; Miyazu

San'indō

Kyoto

Kyoto

Chūgoku

created from Ni in 713


Over time, Chūgoku has developed its own regional dialects, customs and unique traditional culture.[10]

Related pages
Traditional regions in the context of modern prefectures. Kinai Tōkaidō Tōsandō Hokurikudō San'indō San'yōdō Nankaidō Saikaidō
Provinces of Japan
Prefectures of Japan
List of regions of Japan
List of islands of Japan
References

Other websites
Media related to Chūgoku region at Wikimedia Commons




Coordinates:


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