Translation guide
In Japan, a prefecture (県, 府, 都, 道) is a major administrative division similar to a state or province. The most common word is 県 (ken), but there are specific terms for certain prefectures. This guide explains how to refer to prefectures naturally in Japanese.
The learner wants to say 'prefecture' as a general concept, e.g., 'I live in a prefecture near Tokyo.'
The standard word for 'prefecture' in most cases. Use this when referring to any of the 43 regular prefectures.
私は千葉県に住んでいます。
I live in Chiba Prefecture.
This prefecture is thriving in agriculture.
A collective term meaning 'prefectures' (literally 'Tokyo, Hokkaido, Osaka/Kyoto, and other prefectures'). Used in formal or statistical contexts when referring to all 47 prefectures.
population statistics by prefecture
The learner wants to refer to Tokyo as a prefecture-level entity.
The learner wants to refer to Hokkaido as a prefecture-level entity.
The learner wants to refer to Osaka or Kyoto as a prefecture-level entity.
The learner wants to state their home prefecture naturally.
The most natural way to say you are from a prefecture. Use the full prefecture name (e.g., 千葉県, 東京都).
I'm from Chiba Prefecture.
My hometown is Osaka Prefecture.
A more casual way to say you came from a prefecture.
I came from Hokkaido.
The learner wants to ask someone which prefecture they are from or referring to.
Standard way to ask 'Which prefecture?' when you expect the answer to be a regular 県. Can be used generally.
Which prefecture are you from?
More formal and inclusive, covering all types of prefectures. Suitable for surveys or polite conversation.
Saying 東京県 or 大阪県 is incorrect. Each has its own suffix: 東京都 (と), 大阪府 (ふ), 京都府 (ふ), 北海道 (どう). When in doubt, use the full name as it appears on maps.
Incorrect: Tokyo-ken. Correct: Tokyo-to.
When the context is clear, Japanese speakers often omit the prefecture suffix. For example, 'I'm from Chiba' can be just 千葉出身です (ちばしゅっしんです) without 県. However, in formal writing or when ambiguity is possible, include the suffix.
京都府には多くの寺があります。
There are many temples in Kyoto Prefecture.
Which prefecture do you reside in?