If you're a new or incoming JET, please take some time to look through the Newcomer page as well as the Cities and Regions section!
So what do you want to know about Yamaguchi?
Japan
Capital: Tokyo
Area: 145,877 sq. miles
Population: 127,086,000 (2002 estimate)
Language: The official language is Japanese.
Religion(s): Fully 84% of the Japanese people follow a combination of Buddhism and Japan’s indigenous religion, Shinto; followers of other religions total 16% of the population.
Ethnic Group(s): Japanese - 99.4%; other (mostly Korean) - 0.6%
(source E-thologies.com)
Yamaguchi
Capital: Yamaguchi City
Population: Approximately 1,555,500
Location:
Located in westernmost part of the main island of Honshu, Yamaguchi shares a border with Shimane and Hiroshima prefectures in the east and is surrounded on the other three sides by the sea, The Japan Sea in the north and west and the Seto Inland Sea to the south. Yamaguchi and the island of Kyushu are connected by both a bridge and a tunnel from Shimonoseki.
Political Structure:
There are 14 cities, 37 towns and 5 villages in Yamaguchi.
Principal Cities:
Shimonoseki, Iwakuni, Tokuyama, Ube, Hagi
Topography and Climate:
Primarily mountainous or coastal terrain spanning just over 6106.79 km2 makes Yamaguchi a comfortable sized ken (23rd largest in Japan).
Yamaguchi has a reputation of being a very comfortable place to live in Japan. It has a mild climate that is tempered by the sea, and it is not very seismically active. In spite of being in a highly developed island nation, nature and agriculture abounds in the ken. Yamaguchi balances well between its multiple roles as a major industrial and technological region, an international and international crossroads, and a rural, agricultural, and natural haven.
Points of Interest:
Yamaguchi Ken is famous across Japan for Fugu (puffer fish) cuisine, The Kintaikyo bridge in Iwakuni, Hagiyaki pottery, Ouchi-nuri lacquerware & Ouchi family dolls. It is also the former seat of the powerful Ouchi feudal family, and the Meiji restoration movement.
WEATHER
August can be quite HOT in the 'Guch! Expect 33 degrees Celsius with a high level of humidity. Be prepared to perspire. To combat the weather, you can wear lightweight fabrics and short sleeves. The locals are fond of using sun parasols, hats, gloves and long sleeves to keep out of the sun. Another way to cope with the heat is to mop your brow with a handkerchief or towellette (easily and cheaply purchased in Japan). Or try wearing a hat and keeping to the shade when out of doors. Of course, you can try staying inside in the cool of an air conditioned room, if available.
September, October and November
Autumn is one of the most pleasant seasons in Japan. The high temperatures of summer are long gone and the local mountains show a glorious scene of changing colors. Neighboring Kyushu and Shikoku islands buffer Yamaguchi against seasonal typhoons.
December, January and February
Easy math: Riding your bike + no insulation = cold winter in Japan.
The temperatures are not extreme. The mercury rarely dips below freezing. If you will be riding your bicycle and taking public transportation to work, you will be exposed to the cold for extended periods. Most buildings (including all schools) are not insulated, nor do they have modern climate control systems. What does that mean for you? It means using space heaters, heated tables (the kotatsu) and wearing layers to work. Please note that Yamaguchi rarely receives snow accumulation. If you are a skiier, you can try some hills in Hiroshima or head up north to Nagano to hit the slopes.
March, April and May
Spring in Japan is like coming back from the dead! Temperatures rise upwards through the 15-27 degrees Celsius range. Spring is marked in Japan by the world famous cherry blossom season. They truly are a sight to behold and enjoy. With a little networking, you can enjoy the season under a canopy of foamy pink blossoms, sipping sake with raucous locals. Little rain and warm breezes mark the season.
June and July
This is Tsuru, the rainy season. This period lasts about 4 to 6 weeks. Locals carry umbrellas everyday. As the mercury rises, so does the humidity.
In general, seasons change abruptly like clockwork. The Japanese are conscious of how distinct their seasons are, as well as seasonal foods, clothing, and observances. The weather reports are generally reliable.
| Yamaguchi Weather Table |
Average Temp. (°C) |
Maximum Temp. (°C) |
Low Temp.(°C) |
Rainfall (mm) |
| Jan | 4.1 | 17.5 | -3.1 | 51 |
| Feb. | 5.5 | 18.8 | -3.8 | 32 |
| Mar | 9.7 | 19.3 | -0.5 | 127 |
| Apr | 14.2 | 26.7 | 0.6 | 195 |
| May | 19.2 | 29.9 | 7.5 | 356 |
| Jun | 22.8 | 31.0 | 14.1 | 260 |
| Jul. | 25.4 | 35.5 | 17.3 | 463 |
| Aug. | 26.9 | 34.6 | 18.6 | 235 |
| Sept. | 22.4 | 34.7 | 11.8 | 244 |
| Oct. | 16.1 | 27.9 | 3.6 | 220 |
| Nov. | 12.9 | 22.8 | 1.1 | 271 |
| Dec | 7.5 | 17.9 | -0.4 | 84 |