Below is the list of cities and towns in 🇯🇵 Japan whose name begins with the letter Y. You will also find some general information about each of them.
| Name | Japanese Name | Prefecture | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yabu | 養父市 | Hyogo | 24,000 |
| Yachimata | 八街市 | Chiba | 70,000 |
| Yachiyo | 八千代市 | Chiba | 198,000 |
| Yaita | 矢板市 | Tochigi | 33,000 |
| Yaizu | 焼津市 | Shizuoka | 140,000 |
| Yamada | 山田町 | Iwate | 16,000 |
| Yamagata | 山形市 | Yamagata | 250,000 |
| Yamaguchi | 山口市 | Yamaguchi | 192,000 |
| Yamato | 大和市 | Kanagawa | 238,000 |
| Yao | 八尾市 | Osaka | 266,000 |
| Yatsushiro | 八代市 | Kumamoto | 126,000 |
| Yokkaichi | 四日市市 | Mie | 307,000 |
| Yokohama | 横浜市 | Kanagawa | 3,740,000 |
| Yokosuka | 横須賀市 | Kanagawa | 393,000 |
| Yonago | 米子市 | Tottori | 147,000 |
| Yonezawa | 米沢市 | Yamagata | 84,000 |
| Yoshikawa | 吉川市 | Saitama | 71,000 |
| Yubari | 夕張市 | Hokkaido | 8,000 |
| Yugawara | 湯河原町 | Kanagawa | 24,000 |
| Yukuhashi | 行橋市 | Fukuoka | 69,000 |
Yabu (養父市)
Pronunciation: “yah-boo”
Yabu is a city located in the northern part of Hyogo Prefecture. The name “Yabu” means “foster father” in Japanese. The city is known for its beautiful natural scenery, including the Hachikita mountain range and the Maruyama River. Yabu is also famous for its ski resorts and hot springs, making it a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts.
Yachimata (八街市)
Pronunciation: “yah-chi-mah-tah”
Yachimata is a city in Chiba Prefecture, located on the Bōsō Peninsula. The name “Yachimata” means “eight streets” in Japanese, possibly referring to an old road junction. The city is known for its agriculture, particularly peanut production, and is often called the “Peanut City” of Japan.
Yachiyo (八千代市)
Pronunciation: “yah-chi-yo”
Yachiyo is a city in Chiba Prefecture, part of the Greater Tokyo Area. The name “Yachiyo” means “eight thousand generations” in Japanese, symbolizing longevity and prosperity. The city is known for its large-scale residential developments and is home to the Funabashi Ikea, one of the largest Ikea stores in Japan.
Yaita (矢板市)
Pronunciation: “yah-ee-tah”
Yaita is a city located in Tochigi Prefecture. The name “Yaita” means “arrow board” in Japanese, possibly referring to an archery target. The city is known for its beautiful nature, including the Takahara River and the Nasu Mountains. Yaita is also famous for its strawberry production.
Yaizu (焼津市)
Pronunciation “yah-ee-zu”
Yaizu is a city in Shizuoka Prefecture, located on the coast of Suruga Bay. The city is famous for its fishing industry, particularly bonito and tuna fishing. Yaizu Port is one of the largest fishing ports in Japan. The city is also known for its production of katsuobushi (dried, fermented, and smoked skipjack tuna).
Yamada (山田町)
Pronunciation: “yah-mah-dah”
Yamada is a town located in Iwate Prefecture, on the Sanriku Coast. The name “Yamada” means “mountain field” in Japanese. The town was severely affected by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami but has since been rebuilding. Yamada is known for its fishing industry and beautiful coastal scenery.
Yamagata (山形市)
**Pronunciation**: “yah-mah-gah-tah”
Yamagata is the capital city of Yamagata Prefecture, located in the Tohoku region. The name “Yamagata” means “mountain shape” in Japanese. The city is surrounded by mountains and is famous for its hot springs, fruit production (especially cherries), and traditional crafts such as Yamagata cast iron.
Yamaguchi (山口市)
Pronunciation: “yah-mah-goo-chi”
Yamaguchi is the capital city of Yamaguchi Prefecture, located in the Chugoku region. The name “Yamaguchi” means “mountain entrance” in Japanese. The city is known for its historical significance, as it was an important political center during the feudal period. Yamaguchi is home to several notable temples and is sometimes called “The Kyoto of the West.”
Yamato (大和市)
Pronunciation: “yah-mah-to”
Yamato is a city in Kanagawa Prefecture, part of the Greater Tokyo Area. The name “Yamato” is an ancient name for Japan and means “great harmony” in Japanese. The city is known for its proximity to the Atsugi Naval Air Facility and the large US military presence in the area.
Yao (八尾市)
Pronunciation: “yah-oh”
Yao is a city in Osaka Prefecture, part of the Keihanshin metropolitan area. The origin of the name “Yao” is unclear, but it may be related to the number eight (八, ya) in Japanese. The city is known for its manufacturing industry, particularly in the aerospace sector, and is home to several factories of major companies.
Yatsushiro (八代市)
Pronunciation: “yah-tsoo-shi-ro”
Yatsushiro is a city in Kumamoto Prefecture, located on the west coast of Kyushu island. The name “Yatsushiro” means “eight generations” in Japanese. The city is known for its traditional industries such as tatami mat production and shochu distilling. Yatsushiro is also famous for its summer fireworks festival, one of the largest in western Japan.
Yokkaichi (四日市市)
Pronunciation: “yok-kah-ee-chi”
Yokkaichi is a city in Mie Prefecture, facing Ise Bay. The name “Yokkaichi” means “fourth day market,” referring to its history as a market town where markets were held every fourth day. The city is known for its petrochemical complex and port, which played a significant role in Japan’s post-war economic growth.
Yokohama (横浜市)
Pronunciation: “yo-ko-hah-mah”
Yokohama is the second largest city in Japan by population and the capital of Kanagawa Prefecture. The name “Yokohama” means “horizontal beach” in Japanese. The city is known for its large port, which played a crucial role in Japan’s modernization. Yokohama is famous for its Chinatown, Minato Mirai 21 district, and as the birthplace of Japan’s first railway.
Yokosuka (横須賀市)
Pronunciation: “yo-ko-soo-kah”
Yokosuka is a city in Kanagawa Prefecture, located on Tokyo Bay. The name “Yokosuka” means “horizontal pass” in Japanese. The city is known for its important naval base, which hosts both the United States Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. Yokosuka is also famous as the birthplace of the popular Japanese navy curry.
Yonago (米子市)
Pronunciation: “yo-nah-go”
Yonago is a city in Tottori Prefecture, located on the Sea of Japan coast. The name “Yonago” means “rice child” in Japanese. The city is known as a transportation hub for the western part of Tottori Prefecture and is famous for its proximity to Mount Daisen, a popular destination for hiking and skiing.
Yonezawa (米沢市)
Pronunciation: “yo-neh-zah-wah”
Yonezawa is a city in Yamagata Prefecture, located in the Tohoku region. The name “Yonezawa” means “rice swamp” in Japanese. The city is famous for its high-quality beef (Yonezawa beef), one of the top three Wagyu brands in Japan. Yonezawa is also known for its silk production and historical significance as a castle town.
Yoshikawa (吉川市)
Pronunciation: “yo-shi-kah-wah”
Yoshikawa is a city in Saitama Prefecture, part of the Greater Tokyo Area. The name “Yoshikawa” means “lucky river” in Japanese. The city is primarily a bedroom community for Tokyo and is known for its waterways, including the Edo River and several canals.
Yubari (夕張市)
Pronunciation: “yoo-bah-ree”
Yubari is a city in Hokkaido, known for its history as a coal mining town. The name “Yubari” comes from the Ainu language and means “reddish-brown mineral water.” The city faced severe economic decline after its coal mines closed but has since become famous for its high-quality melons (Yubari King) and as the host of the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival.
Yugawara (湯河原町)
Pronunciation: “yoo-gah-wah-rah”
Yugawara is a town in Kanagawa Prefecture, located on Sagami Bay. The name “Yugawara” means “hot spring river plain” in Japanese. As the name suggests, the town is famous for its hot springs and has been a popular onsen resort for centuries. Yugawara is also known for its beautiful coastal and mountain scenery.
Yukuhashi (行橋市)
Pronunciation: “yoo-koo-hah-shi”
Yukuhashi is a city in Fukuoka Prefecture, located in the Kyushu region. The name “Yukuhashi” means “going bridge” in Japanese. The city is known for its agricultural production, particularly rice and vegetables. Yukuhashi is also famous for its Hiyoshi Shrine, which hosts a major festival called “Hiyoshi Matsuri” every year.
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