Arami Prefecture

**Arami Prefecture** [空免近; あらみ·こん] is a coastal prefecture located in north-eastern Kanton in the Honzura region. It is home to the most significant fishing industry in northern Kanton, and is known for its rich and unique history and culture. As of 2022, the prefecture had a population of around 1.7 million.

Anzaki is the prefectural capital of Arami, with other major urban centres being Aoyama, Uehara, Yurahara and Watagari.

Like other northern prefectures such as Aoma, Arami has not been affected too considerably by urbanisation and its effects. A good portion of the population still resides in rural areas, and most of its towns and villages have not yet experienced mass emigration or a significant population decline. This is thought to be mostly due to the thriving fishing and marine industries which are still keeping many of the prefecture's smaller settlements economically viable, and to Arami's tourism industry, which has given the prefecture the reputation of the 'culture capital' of Honzura.

## History

From the 13th century until the mid 1800s, half of modern-day Arami was occupied by eastern Daimi Province, while its southern half was under Hasetsu Province. It was always considered a valuable centre of the northern fishing industry, as it continues to be today. The Hasetsu clan, who were at times vassals to the Daimi, ruled a fief in the northern part of modern Arami from Kōryō Castle. The most notable member of the Hasetsu clan was Hasetsu no Anzaki, later and better known as Daimi no Anzaki. He unified the noblemen of Hasetsu Province and became its sole ruler. Having gathered strength, he then married into the Daimi clan, effectively becoming one of their own, and securing Hasetsu Province as his own entitled domain. The modern-day city of Anzaki is named in his honour.

Arami Prefecture has also long been visited by Summui natives from modern-day Daizō Island. In fact, trade between the Hasetsu clan and the Summui Kingdom flourished for centuries.

On October 6, 1989, the Araminara earthquake struck Arami Prefecture and was measured as having a magnitude of 6.5.

On January 9, 2006, a heavy winter storm struck the city of Asazuke and other neighbouring settlements. At least 80 people died and more than 1,000 were injured. In December 2008, the Honarami tsunami and earthquake damaged homes and caused casualties in the maritime areas of Arami Prefecture, especially near Shōya Island.

## Geography

Arami Prefecture stretches along Kanton's north-eastern coastline, a fertile area which has historically supported both fishing and agriculture very well. With the exception of the Aramidatsu Mountains and the smaller Iyadō range, the prefecture exists on a coastal plain called the Shibon Plain which also stretches into eastern Mikei Prefecture. Arami is known for its beautiful seaside beaches and cliffs, the most famous section of its coastline being the Ogozuke Cliffs.

Shōya Island, located off the prefecture's north-east coast, is known for its scenic beauty and is a popular tourist destination.

The Sanbotsu National Park also encroaches upon Arami's south-western region, taking up parts of Kaguchi, Teishi, Azuine, and Shinatomo.

### Major rivers and lakes

* Miyamizu River
* Gangotsu River
* Asashimizu River
* Koyū River
* Hira River
* Tenki River
* Mizuiro River
* Lake Aratsu
* Lake Aoyama
* Lake Mudoma
* Lake Samusume
* Lake Ayamazake
* Lake Miyamizu
* Lake Shōya

### Major mountains

Arami Prefecture is home to two mountain ranges - the Aramidatsu and Yūdo Mountains in the south (an offshoot of the Taiyu Alps) and the smaller Iyadō range to the north. The largest peaks in the prefecture include:

* Mount Megamiyama (2,100m)
* Mount Ōbun (1,900m)
* Mount Fuyuki (1,750m)
* Mount Haogawa (1,700m)
* Mount Kitari (1,600m)
* Mount Uehara (1,450m)
* Mount Momo (1,200m)
* Mount Iyadō (1,050m)

Arami has two main bays: Anzaki Bay, servicing the capital city to the south, and Umure Bay in the north which is shared by Aoma Prefecture.

## Economy

The major industry in Arami Prefecture is fishing. Seafood and other marine products are its main output, and Anzaki Bay in particular is known for producing the Shinmizu variety of seaweed, which is thought to be the highest-quality in Kanton. Rice-related industries are also important to the prefectural economy; Arami is known throughout Kanton for its rice crackers and *tōgi*. In *izan* production, Arami comes only third after Saka and Seishū Prefectures.

Crude oil is produced in the prefecture, along with kerosene heaters for use in the cold northern winters. Ukinoya Mine, on Shōya Island, was an active gold mine until it was closed in 1989. Additionally, the city of Uehara is one of the top producers of silverware in the country.

Arami Prefecture also fosters a tourism industry fed by its many interesting and well-preserved sites, such as Anzaki Temple, Mount Megamiyama, the Emperor's Gardens and Kōryō Castle.

## Culture

Arami Prefecture is known for its many unique foods, including but not limited to:

* *Nikkisake* - a kind of hot sauce made with chili peppers and spices
* *Zaibari* - a chili paste, similar to the above
* *Toppi* - baked or fried rice crackers
* Uehara *nōzan*
* *Meshigai* - steamed shellfish on a bed of spiced rice
* *Zaibari* or *nikkisake* vegetable/fish curry
* *Menpan* - steamed bread

Arami's tourism industry centers majorly around skiing in the mountain ranges of Aramidatsu and Iyadō, along with the prefecture's *reijō* sites. Hot springs are plentiful in Arami and are ever popular with locals and visitors alike. Shōya Island off the east coast of Arami is accessible via ferry (taking one to two and a half hours) from Asazuke.

Various festivals and events are held regularly in Arami, such as the Rokku Aru Rock Festival, an annual concert held at the Mount Megamiyama Ski Resort. The three-day event features more than 200 Kantonese and international musicians. It is one of the largest outdoor music events in Kanton, with more than 100,000 people attending in 2011. Others include the Anzaki Snowfest and the Aoyama Harvest Festival. Every year in April, the largest *hinamachi* in the Honzura region is held in the Emperor's Gardens in Anzaki.

## Education

### Universities

* Arami University
* Omiya University - Anzaki campus
* Arami University of International and Information Studies
* Arami University of Health and Welfare
* Arami Institute of Technology
* Anzaki College of Nursing
* Minagi University of Applied Sciences
* Honzura University - Anzaki campus
* Aoyama Dental College