Page 39 - FULL PLAYER EBOOK

nomenon known as “The Gods’ Crossing”. The lake Major Cities:
has a natural hot spring under the surface, so that C
when the top freezes in the winter, the lower waters Agano Niigata (capital) h a
are still warm and circulating. Local belief holds that Gosen Kita-ku p
t
the pressure ridges are formed by the gods crossing Itoigawa Higashi-ku e
the lake, travelling between the various buildings of r
Suwa Taisha. Joetsu Chuo-ku

-Suwa Grand Shrine- A Shinto shrine in Nagano pre- Kamo Konan-ku
fecture, Japan. Over 1200 years old, it is one of the Kashiwazaki Akiha-ku
oldest shrines in existence, and is mentioned in the Minamiuonuma Nishi-ku
Kojiki, an 8th century text. It consists of four build-
ing complexes: the Maemiya, the Honmiya, the Mitsuke Minami-ku
Harumiya, and the Akimiya. Murakami Nishikan-ku

-Matsumoto Castle- Known as the ‘Crow Castle’ be- Myoko
cause of its black exterior, it is one of Japan's premier
historic castles. Located in the city of Matsumoto, in Nagaoka
Nagano Prefecture, it is within easy reach of Tokyo Ojiya Tainai
by road or rail.
Sado Tokamachi
-Zenko-ji: Buddhist temple located in Nagano, Japan. Sanjo Tsubame
Built in the 7th century, it is a Buddhist temple locat-
ed in Nagano, Japan. Nagano City itself was built Shibata Uonuma
around the temple, being officially recognized in Economy:
1897. Zenko-ji is perhaps most famous for its in-
volvement in the battles between Uesugi Kenshin and The major industry in Niigata Prefecture is agricul-
Takeda Shingen in the 16th century, when it served ture. Rice is the principal product, and among the
as one of Kenshin's bases of operations. Currently, it prefectures of Japan, Niigata is second only to Hok-
is one of the last few remaining pilgrimage sites in kaido in rice output. The area around Uonuma is
Japan. known for producing the Koshihikari variety, widely
considered to be the highest-quality rice produced in
Cuisine: N/A Japan. Mining, specifically gold mining, and manu-

facturing also make up some of the area's economy.
Customs and Heritage:

-Niigata Port - Ferry route to Sado Island, Tsuruga,
Akita, Otaru, and Tomakomai.
NIIGATA
-Ryotsu Port: Popular ferry route
A prefecture of Japan located on the island of Hon-
shu on the Sea of Japan. The capital is the city of -Ogi Port: Popular ferry route
Niigata with which it shares the same name. -Naoetsu Port: Popular ferry route
"Literally meaning ‘new lagoon’, Niigata shares it's Cuisine:
name with its capital city.
-Hegi-soba: soba from the Uonuma and Ojiya
Total Area: 12,582.47 km2 (4,858.12 sq mi)
areas, which uses a special kind of seaweed.
Total Population: 1,228,861 -Kakinomoto: edible chrysanthemums.

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