Japan has 47 prefectures, and while not 100% true, they do each have some distinct specialties, qualities, and incidents that lead to stereotypes. Japan historian Nick Kapur (@nick_kapur) has put in the hard work of compiling what those prefectural stereotypes might be--at least according to Japanese people!
Kapur, as he explains in the below Tweet, organized a map of Japan and labeled each prefecture with the first Google search term that came up for each corresponding prefecture. Obviously, this is not a definite scientific finding, but a lot of it holds true and gives some insight into how people in Japan may view their neighbors.
I made a map of the very first thing Japanese people think of for every prefecture in Japan, at least according to Japanese Google autocomplete... pic.twitter.com/GoraUOjrFm
At first glance, especially for those not familiar with Japan, the results can be jarring. For instance, "Ghengis Khan Mutton" refers to a grilled lamb dish, especially popular in Hokkaido.
Nara prefecture, of course, is host to the 1,500 plus free-wandering deer that surround it's famous temple and Great Buddha.
Hiroshima is famous for their okonomiyaki (or Hiroshimayaki, as many Hiroshima residents will tell you their version is the one and only true one), which is layered and stuffed with delicious yakisoba noodles!
Fukuoka's "beautiful women" stereotype is derived from the term "Hakata Bijin", meaning "Beautiful women of Hakata"--Hakata being an old port town in Fukuoka. While Hakata's claim to fame is it's delicious ramen, for whatever reason it's grouped in the "three cities of beautiful women"--Kyoto, Akita, and Hakata.
"Alcoholism" as a stereotype for an entire prefecture may be a bit extreme, but in Japan if someone is asked where they are from and they answer "Kochi", it's not uncommon to be replied to with "Well you must drink a lot!"
And if you are wondering, yes, Tochigi has some very delicious strawberries!
Kapur has been kind enough to field inquiries about each prefecture, tossing out some fascinating facts. If you'd like to follow in more detail, be sure to check out the Twitter thread here.
Japan has 47 prefectures, and while not 100% true, they do each have some distinct specialties, qualities, and incidents that lead to stereotypes. Japan historian Nick Kapur (@nick_kapur) has put in the hard work of compiling what those prefectural stereotypes might be--at least according to Japanese people!
Kapur, as he explains in the below Tweet, organized a map of Japan and labeled each prefecture with the first Google search term that came up for each corresponding prefecture. Obviously, this is not a definite scientific finding, but a lot of it holds true and gives some insight into how people in Japan may view their neighbors.
At first glance, especially for those not familiar with Japan, the results can be jarring. For instance, "Ghengis Khan Mutton" refers to a grilled lamb dish, especially popular in Hokkaido.
"Bizarre crimes" is yet another one that jumps out, but Hyogo prefecture has had some fairly infamous criminal activity including crossbow murders and a 25-year long serial killer tragedy.
Nara prefecture, of course, is host to the 1,500 plus free-wandering deer that surround it's famous temple and Great Buddha.
Hiroshima is famous for their okonomiyaki (or Hiroshimayaki, as many Hiroshima residents will tell you their version is the one and only true one), which is layered and stuffed with delicious yakisoba noodles!
Fukuoka's "beautiful women" stereotype is derived from the term "Hakata Bijin", meaning "Beautiful women of Hakata"--Hakata being an old port town in Fukuoka. While Hakata's claim to fame is it's delicious ramen, for whatever reason it's grouped in the "three cities of beautiful women"--Kyoto, Akita, and Hakata.
Source: Pakutaso
"Alcoholism" as a stereotype for an entire prefecture may be a bit extreme, but in Japan if someone is asked where they are from and they answer "Kochi", it's not uncommon to be replied to with "Well you must drink a lot!"
And if you are wondering, yes, Tochigi has some very delicious strawberries!
Kapur has been kind enough to field inquiries about each prefecture, tossing out some fascinating facts. If you'd like to follow in more detail, be sure to check out the Twitter thread here.