Japan Toponyms
2.) Mt. Fuji
Mt. Fuji has many translations, some of them include "wealth" "abundant" and "man of status". This is because the mountain is very significant and important to their culture. It is a sacred place of worship to many Japanese people. It is considered a spiritual and important place by many religions. |
3.) Itabishi
Itabishi is a city in Japan that translates to "plank bridge" This is because of a bridge it had 1,200 years ago. It is culturally important because of it's art museum and famous fireworks show. In the past it was the last place that samurais stopped before visiting the shogun, or the first place before going on a journey to the wilderness. |
5.) Tohoku
Tohoku means "Northeast" because it is located on the Northeast part of Japan. It is a region known for it's beautiful geography, it has many volcanoes and mountains. It gets lots of snow during the winter and is great for skiing. Also, Tohoku university was the first university in Japan to admit women and international students. |
7.) Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Arashiyama means "Storm Mountain" because there is often harsh winds and storms. The bamboo grove is the most famous in Japan, the bamboo forest is known to be one of the most photographed places in Japan. As well as the grove, there is also an abundance of temples and shrines nearby. |
9.) Jigokudani Monkey Park
Jigkudani means "Hell's Valley" because of the steam and boiling water that bubbles out of small crevices in the ground. And because it is surrounded by steep cliffs. The monkey park is a facility where people can go to see monkeys. The park is open to the public and there are no cages or fences in the park. |
10.) Kinkaku-ji
Kinkaku-ji means "Temple of the Golden Pavilion". It is a Buddhist temple in Kyoto. It is named because of its exquisite gold exterior. It was originally built to be a place of tranquility for a warlord. It has massive buildings and gardens, but also sophisticated detail weaved into the architecture. |
Toponyms Analysis - Written By Miku K.
Nature is a large part of Japan, as many of the places are named after the physical location and geographical characteristics of the region, such as Tokyo, Akita, Tohoku, Yamanashi, Arashiyama, and Jigokudani. Both Tokyo and Tohoku are based off of directions and relative locations, while the remaining four names describe characteristics of that area, some of which are mountains, valleys, weather, and crops that can be harvested there. A few places are also named after historical sites, like Itabashi, Kyoto, and Kinkaku-ji, which implies that history is valued for its significance in shaping the cultural landscape. All three names are from locations that date back hundreds of years and emphasize cultural practices, through the abundance of temples and places of worship found there. With Buddhism and Shinto being prevalent in Japan, this explains its appreciation and value for nature, and the need for calm spaces where mindfulness can be practiced.