Nagato

Nagato is a city located in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. Situated on the coast of the Sea of Japan in the western part of Honshu, it forms part of the Chūgoku region. The city encompasses coastal lowlands and inland hills, with a temperate climate characterized by hot summers and cool winters.

Historically, the name Nagato comes from Nagato Province, a former province that covered part of what is now Yamaguchi Prefecture. The modern municipality of Nagato was established in the Heisei era through mergers of several towns and villages, a common pattern in Japan's municipal consolidation program.

The local economy is based on fishing and agriculture, supported by small- and medium-sized enterprises and regional commerce. Tourism is modest and centers on coastal scenery and traditional culture.

The area features coastal landscapes, rivers, and rural communities; local festivals and cuisine reflect the region's maritime heritage.

Nagato is connected by national highways and is served by rail lines operated by JR West, with access to larger urban centers in Yamaguchi and neighboring prefectures.

The city has an aging population and has experienced population decline typical of rural areas in Japan.