Cities and Towns in Japan that Start with Z

Below is the list of cities and towns in 🇯🇵 Japan whose name begins with the letter Z. You will also find some general information about each of them.

Name	Japanese Name	Prefecture	Population
Zama	座間市	Kanagawa	130,000
Zao	蔵王町	Miyagi	12,000
Zentsuji	善通寺市	Kagawa	32,000

Zama (座間市)

Pronunciation: “zah-mah”
Zama is a city located in central Kanagawa Prefecture, part of the Greater Tokyo Area. The name “Zama” is believed to come from an old Japanese word meaning “mountain pass” or “valley between mountains.” The city is known for hosting a major United States Army base, Camp Zama, which has been in operation since the end of World War II. Zama is also famous for its Zama Sunflower Festival, held annually in July, where visitors can enjoy vast fields of sunflowers in bloom.

Zao (蔵王町)

Pronunciation: “zah-oh”
Zao is a town located in Miyagi Prefecture, in the Tohoku region of northern Japan. The name “Zao” comes from Mount Zao, a complex volcano on the border between Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures. While the town itself is small, the area is famous for the Zao Onsen ski resort, one of Japan’s most popular winter sports destinations. In summer, visitors come to see the area’s unique “ice monsters” – trees covered in wind-blown snow and ice that create surreal, monster-like shapes. Zao is also known for its hot springs and local dairy products.

Zentsuji (善通寺市)

Pronunciation: “zen-tsoo-ji”
Zentsuji is a city located in Kagawa Prefecture on the island of Shikoku. The name “Zentsuji” means “temple of good passage” and refers to the famous Zentsu-ji temple, one of the 88 temples on the Shikoku Pilgrimage route. This temple is particularly significant as it’s known as the birthplace of Kobo Daishi (also known as Kukai), the founder of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. The city is centered around this important religious site and attracts many pilgrims and tourists. Zentsuji is also known for its udon noodles, a specialty of Kagawa Prefecture, and for its summer Wan Wan Festival, featuring parades with large barking dog floats.

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