Uchi Prefecture

**Uchi Prefecture** [栾乏近; うち・こん] is the second-largest prefecture on the island of Daizō in the north of Kanton, a region known as Honnan. As of 2022, it has a population of around 950,000.

Sanhei is the capital and largest city of Uchi Prefecture, with other major cities including Megami, Hadakayama, Yūgo, and Saiyaka. Uchi is located between its two neighbouring prefectures Zōhai and Inaki.

Uchi's indigenous ethnic peoples are the Summui, who have lived in the archipelaego for over 2,000 years. In the native language of Sunpaku, the region is known as Fuzai. From the northern coast of Uchi juts the Harashi Peninsula, which is notable for its thriving agricultural and fishing industries, along with being a considerable producer of wind power. Uchi is also home to a number of sites of cultural significance, including the Royal Palace of the Summui Kingdom, the Great Temple of Sanhei, and Bushiru Falls.

## History

For much of its history Uchi Prefecture was known by the name Fuzai Oniru (meaning Fuzai District) and was one of the three great *oniru* controlled by the Summui Kingdom. This continued until the Invasion of Daizō in 1710, when the islands were unofficially annexed by Kanton. The region was made a prefecture by the Empire of Kanton in 1850, after nearly two hundred years of low-level rebellion and conflict between official Kantonese forces and the natives of the Summui region.

In 1699, the existence of the Fuzai district was threatened by the invasion of the Warana clan from Arami Prefecture. After the Zōhai capital Nasamazu was seiged in 1710, the Kingdom was obliged to form a vassal relationship with the Kantonese Imperial administration. Although the Imperial administration and the Warana held strong influence over the islands, the Summui Kingdom maintained a considerable degree of domestic political freedom for over two hundred years. However in 1850 the region of Fuzai was renamed as Uchi Prefecture [literally, 'blue land prefecture']. In 1915, residents of Uchi finally gained the right to vote for representatives to the Kantonese government.

## Geography

Uchi is known nationally for its cold weather and frequent instances of heavy snowfall during the winter months. The seasons in Uchi, as in its neighbouring prefectures, lack the clear destinction that they do in most of Kanton, with summer and spring often experiencing the same chilly, rainy weather that autumn and winter have. In the north of Kanton, the prefecture is often colloquially known as *Takaashi-kon*, literally meaning 'too-much-rain prefecture'.

### Rivers and lakes

* Hananake River
* Kiisui River
* Jiwa River
* Saisan River
* Sengata River
* Onzake River
* Hakusa River
* Hineri River
* Mizume River
* Settosu River
* Natsumizu River
* Kaisui River
* Mon River
* Amizu River
* Sakayami River
* Lake Tao
* Lake Kusazake
* Lake Ansui
* Lake Sumeri

### Major mountains

* Mount Seishū
* Mount Achiru
* Mount Usui
* Mount Arui
* Mount Midori
* Mount Hanakata

Uchi has a number of large plains and valleys throughout its landscape, formed by its numerous mountain ranges. Much of the flat land is dedicated to the expansion of urban spaces along with agricultural industry. Sanhei Plain, on which the city of the same name is built, is by far the largest expanse of well-drained, flat grassland in the prefecture. Uchi also has four National Parks or *dōho*: Uchizō, Aiwa, Ryōho, and Yamadaru.

## Climate

During the winter, Uchi often experiences very low temperatures and stormy weather which can often complicate travel. Maritime activity and air travel can be frequently disrupted on the southern and northern coasts; additionally, most rivers in the prefecture are prone to freezing. Unlike most of Kanton, the Honnan islands are not normally affected by the June-July rainy season and the relative lack of humidity and warm, sultry weather can make its climate attractive to domestic tourists who prefer the cold.

The generally high quality of powder snow and numerous mountains in Uchi make it a popular region for snow sports. Snowfall usually begins in earnest in November and ski resorts (such as those at Atama, Uara, and Hadakayama) usually operate between December and April. Uchi celebrates its iconic winter weather during the Sanhei Snow Festival, which can attract thousands of visitors each year. These Snow Festivals are held in each of the three Daizō prefectures each year in their respective capital cities.

## Economy

Although Uchi's economy focuses mainly on light industry and the tertiary sector, it is also known to have one of the richest seafood industries in the north of Kanton. Uchi's agricultural industry is also thriving compared to those of other northern prefectures. There is a vast amount of arable land, and the prefecture ranks highly in the national production of raw products such as wheat, soybeans, potatoes, beef, mutton, milk, and various root vegetables. Fishing is, of course, a huge part of the prefectural economy.

Tourism is an essential industry to Uchi, especially during the cool summertime when visitors are attacted to the region from hotter and more humid parts of Kanton and other Asian countries. During the winter, skiing and other winter sports bring other tourists, and increasingly international visitors, to the island.