In the year 2006 the cities Furukawa, Iwadeyama and Naruko from Tamatsukuri District and Kashimadai, Matsuyama and Sanbongi from Shida District and Tajiri from Tōda District merged into the city called Osaki-city (大崎市). It is located in the Miyagi prefecture, about 50km north of Sendai (仙台). The name Osaki-city was chosen because the district was under control of the Osaki family in the Middle Ages. Since the name Osaki remained in the daily life due to name of areas and brands such as Osaki cultivated soil, the name was considered as a perfect name for the region.

My personal experience is that seeing the newly founded Osaki-city as one big city is a bit confusing. Since most of the older cities are quite far apart, you actually have to use the old names in order to get directions. The old name is also still part of your address. It goes like: Miyagi-ken, Osaki-city, Furukawa, Nakazato, Alps electric dormitory (宮城県大崎市古川中里アルプス電気寮). So I wouldn’t actually see Osaki-city as one city, but as a district.

Furukawa (古川)

Sanbongi (三本木)

Naruko (鳴子)