Saka Prefecture

**Saka Prefecture** [临斎近; さか·こん] is a coastal prefecture located in the Honzura region of Kanton. As of 2022, it had an estimated population of around 900,000. It is one of the largest seafood and alcohol producers in Honzura.

Wakatsu, the capital, is the largest city in Saka Prefecture. Other major cities include Ryūzu, Yukuzō, and Taizen. Saka is located on the western coast of Kanton, to the north-west of the capital, and is part of the Honzuranō (Lower Honzura) region, which includes the neighbouring prefectures of Kõfu and Tsuba. Saka is full of iconic geographical landmarks, such as Lake Yo, one of the largest lakes in the Honzura region, and Mount Genpei, a peak of the Taiyū Alps. The prefecture is also home to Yamako Castle, one of the best-preserved and oldest fortifications in the north of Kanton, and is one of the nation's top three *izan* producers.

## History

Until the 15th century, the majority of the area of modern-day Saka Prefecture was named Sudai Province, with the southern tip of the region being part of Sadawa Province. By the mid-1400s, the land divisions had changed again, and half of this region was included in Yamako Province, the other half in Kantai. These two separate halves were only united to form Saka Prefecture in the early 19th century, under the land reforms of the Kigane administration.

From the end of the Yūjō period onwards, the two halves of modern-day Saka were ruled by two different clans; the Yamako in Yamako Province and the Kamado clan of southern Kantai, who were vassals of the Torima. Yamako Province was often seiged and attacked by both Sanzama and Kamado forces, who both hoped to seize the portion of land for themselves. For this reason, modern-day Saka is full of castles and fortifications, both ruined and intact, from centuries of warfare.

In the 13th century, the great *daihora* Teibi Temple was constructed by the Kantai provincial government; this temple is now located in northern Saka Prefecture, and still attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. It was also once a traditional pilgrimage destination for monks who were travelling on the Nishi no Nari; the ancient and famous *dōryō* runs south-to-north along the centre of Saka Prefecture.

The involvement of Yamako Province with fishing and maritime activities such as shipbuilding was inherited by Saka Prefecture. Nowadays, the prefecture is known as the home of shipbuilding in Kanton, and is one of the top seafood producers in the country. The production of *izan*, a traditional rice wine, along with beer, is also a large part of the regional identity.

## Geography

Saka Prefecture is located in the southern portion of the Honzura region closest to the capital, an area known as Honzuranō. The southern part of the prefecture is the location of the Tohara Delta, an incredibly fertile plain which produces the most rice out of any region in Honzura. The overall terrain of Saka is much less mountainous than other areas of the north, and a large percentage is used primarily for farming. The prefecture also has four different national parks located throughout: Sakanohonde, Koroba, Taiyū-Genpei, and Sakanokite.

Saka's south-east side is bordered by a section of the Taiyū Alps, known as the Taiyū-Genpei range. This is by far the largest mountain range in the prefecture; none of Saka's other mountains reach above 1,500 metres.

### Major rivers and lakes

* Meisu River
* Tohara River
* Koronori River
* Utsuguro River
* Gakuni River
* Sabo River
* Shirayuki River
* Yamahoku River
* Yamanate River
* Denba River
* Narado River
* Kanoke River
* Okumizu River
* Lake Yo
* Lake Iwami
* Lake Hyōri
* Lake Tsuzu
* Lake Ishi

### Major mountains

* The Sakanohonde Mountains
	+ Mount Asazata
	+ Mount Watano
	+ Mount Hayako
* The Koroba Mountains
	+ Mount Ironami
	+ Mount Azan
	+ Mount Ishihara
	+ Mount Namizawa
* The Taiyū-Genpei Mountains
	+ Mount Genpei
	+ Mount Hirano
	+ Mount Misada
	+ Mount Tenzen
* Mount Nakano
* Mount Kayohara

Other geographical landmarks include Nōyū Bay, Honnami Bay, the Nōri Peninsula, Cape Narami, and Nōzaki Forest.

### Climate

Saka Prefecture has the coldest climate out of all the Honzuranō prefectures due to its location on the western coast. Winters are often very snowy in the inland regions, and there is a long rainy season during the spring which contributes positively to the growing of rice but can often cause flooding in rural areas. Summers are mild, cool and dry.

## Economy

Saka's economy is based on energy production (particularly nuclear energy), chemical and metal manufacturing/processing industries, research institutes, and tourism. Agriculture, fishing, and livestock are also important sectors in the prefectural economy. Saka's vast areas of flat terrain makes it highly suitable for industrial development. This complements its proximity to the Eibun region, giving it a high reputation as an industrial base. The city of Yukuzō is considered one of the best university cities in the country, and has a large student population.

With extensive flat lands, abundant water, and suitable climate, Saka is among the prefectures with the highest agricultural production in Kanton. It plays an important role in supplying food to the Eibun metropolitan area. Its main products include melons, pears, peppers, various varieties of rice and tea, as well as flowers and ornamental plants. Fishing is also a large industry, and Saka is known for producing huge quantities of both freshwater and ocean seafood. The prefecture is famous for being one of the top three *izan* producers in the country; Saka rice wine is highly prized. There is even a popular phrase *tō no saka no izan, nō no saka ni* ('the purest *izan* comes from lower Saka').

## Culture

Saka is home to a number of regional dialects, the main two being the Nōhei vernacular in the north, which is also spoken in southern Heisai Prefecture, and the Sakaki vernacular, which is spoken throughout the rest of the prefecture. The latter is considered one of the three Honzuranō dialects, which all share a number of quirks and similarities not found in the speech used further north.

Saka is known for being the home of *tadabi*, a fermented soybean paste, and the beloved *izan* brand Genpei (named after the prefecture's tallest mountain) which is often called the best in the country. Saka beef, chestnuts, oysters, crab, octopus, apples and cherries are all recognised as being high-quality.

Saka is famous as the birthplace of martial arts master Moromi Daihei, also known as Yōsei. Daihei spent the early and latter parts of his life in the city of Taizen, and there is now a large gymnasium there which is named after him. The prefectural capital, Wakatsu, is known for its many shrines and temples, the Wakatsu Ceramics Museum, and the Wakatsu Museum of Art. The city is also home to Yamako Castle, which remains one of the prefecture's greatest historical attractions. The city of Yukuzō is known for its splendid *hinamachi* spots.

Saka Prefecture is also the birthplace of *birabinu* ('butterfly-wing cloth'), a high-quality, lightweight silk which is made with a traditional silk weaving technique. The south of the prefecture is also known for traditional pottery and glass-blowing.

## Local attractions

* Uriha Gardens
* Wakatsu Temple
* Yamako Castle
* Ryūzu Temple
* Tankai Bridge
* Kudai Castle
* Tarase Coast
* Teibi Temple
* Ippaya Temple
* Kansanzu Petal Park
* Umezake Forest
* Tadanami Kyūbunzai
* Yukuzō Hinaya
* Cape Narami

## Education

### Universities

* Saka University
* Wakatsu University
* Taishō University of the Arts - Taizen campus
* Yukuzō University
* Yukuzō Institute of Technology
* Saka Prefectural University of Health Sciences
* Saka International University
* Saka Christian College