Translation guide
Japan is divided into 47 administrative regions called prefectures. This entry explains how to refer to them in Japanese, including the naming pattern, common suffixes, and usage in conversation.
What are prefectures called in Japanese?
Collective term for all 47 prefectures.
The learner wants to say or write the name of a specific prefecture in Japanese.
Most prefectures use the suffix 県 (けん). Attach it directly to the place name. This is the standard, neutral way to refer to a prefecture.
I live in Kanagawa Prefecture.
Hiroshima Prefecture is famous for oysters.
Two prefectures use 府 (ふ): 大阪府 (Osaka) and 京都府 (Kyoto). This is a historical designation with no difference in function.
Kyoto Prefecture has many tourists.
Only 東京都 (Tokyo) uses 都 (と). It functions as both a city and a prefecture.
Tokyo Metropolis is the capital of Japan.
Only 北海道 (Hokkaido) uses 道 (どう). It is a single prefecture covering the entire island.
Hokkaido is vast.
The learner wants to discuss the concept of prefectures, such as their number or system.
This is the collective term for all 47 prefectures, combining the four suffix types. Use it when referring to the prefectural system as a whole.
There are 47 prefectures in Japan.
In casual conversation, 県 (けん) is sometimes used loosely to mean 'prefecture' in general, even though it technically excludes 都, 道, 府. It's common when the specific type isn't important.
The learner wants to sound natural in informal conversation when the prefecture is clear from context.
In casual conversation, Japanese speakers often drop the suffix (県, 府, etc.) when the context makes it clear they are talking about the prefecture. This is especially common with well-known names.
I'm going to Chiba this weekend.
Osaka has great food, doesn't it?
県 (けん) is the most common suffix and can be used generically in casual contexts, but 都道府県 (とどうふけん) is the precise term for the entire system. Use 都道府県 in formal or statistical contexts.
Check the population by prefecture.
Avoid using the English word 'prefecture' in Japanese sentences. Instead, use the appropriate suffix (県, 府, 都, 道) attached to the place name, or use 都道府県 for the general concept.
Don't say: I live in Tokyo prefecture.
I came from the neighboring prefecture.
Say: I live in Tokyo.