Tagami

Tagami is a Japanese surname and a geographic toponym. In Japanese, the surname Tagami is typically written with the kanji 田上 and is of toponymic origin, with the characters meaning “rice field” and “above” or “up.” As a surname, Tagami is borne by individuals across various fields, including sports, academia, and the arts.

The name Tagami also designates several places in Japan. The most well-known use is as the name of a former town in Niigata Prefecture. Like many small municipalities in the Heisei era, Tagami underwent administrative reorganization, and its territory was incorporated into neighboring municipalities. The historic name remains in local geography and memory, attached to former streets, neighborhoods, and district names.

Beyond Niigata, Tagami appears as a locality name in other prefectures and can occur in fictional works as a place name or surname. In Japanese media and literature, Tagami may be used for characters or settings, reflecting its status as a concise, easily pronounced toponym.

See also: Tagami as a surname; 田上 as kanji; related toponyms in Japan.