Waki, town in Kuga district, Yamaguchi prefecture, Japan
Waki is a small town in Kuga district, Yamaguchi Prefecture, sitting at the mouth of the Oze River near the border with Hiroshima Prefecture. The town center, with its town hall and main streets, lies close to the river, while the surrounding area mixes low-lying land, hills, and small hamlets along side streams.
The area around Waki was already settled during the Kofun period, as burial mounds from that era confirm. It later became part of Iwakuni Domain, and the present-day municipality was officially created in 1973.
The name Waki means 'side' or 'flank' in Japanese, referring to the town's position beside the river. Local festivals tied to the seasons are still held here, drawing residents together in the spaces near the water.
Waki Station on the San'yo Main Line offers regular connections to Iwakuni and Hiroshima, making the town easy to reach by train. Major roads also pass through the area, so traveling by car is straightforward with access to nearby expressways.
Waki has been paired with Eniwa in Hokkaido since 1979, a bond rooted in the migration of families from Waki to the north during the late 1800s. The two towns still mark this connection through visits and shared commemorations.
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