The World of Naruto

Setting
Countries operate as separate political entities and are presumably all monarchies, ruled by daimyō who stand equally in rank with the Hidden Villages' heads. The Naruto world is similar to feudal Japan in many aspects; those countries maintain balance between themselves through nothing but power. Treaties are periodically signed, but they are generally not worth much more than the paper they are written on.

Geography
Land of Earth
The Land of Earth (土の国, Tsuchi no Kuni) has seen little attention in the series thus far. It is located north-west of the Land of Fire. Its government leader is the Earth Daimyō. The country is mostly comprised of desolate, rocky areas. The border of the Land of Earth runs along a rocky mountain range, blocking communication with other countries. The wind blowing from the north passes over these mountains, carrying small rocks from the Land of Earth to the surrounding countries. This famous natural phenomenon is called "Rock Rain" (岩雨, Gan'u).

Land of Fire
The Land of Fire (火の国, Hi no Kuni) is one of the largest and most powerful countries seen, and is the home of the main characters of the series. Its government leader is the Fire Daimyō. The Land of Fire was the first country to adopt a ninja village, Konohagakure, a custom other countries would soon adopt. The Land of Fire is appropriately oriented towards the element of fire, typically having very bright and warm weather. While not the physically largest country, it has the largest hidden village.

Land of Iron
The Land of Iron (鉄の国, Tetsu no Kuni) is an icy, snow-covered country. It is politically unusual in that it has remained neutral and never been involved in the ninja wars. In fact, the shinobi have a rule since long ago that they would not meddle with the land. Despite this, it is said to have an incredibly strong military which is manned by samurai, instead of ninja.

Land of Lightning
The Land of Lightning (雷の国, Kaminari no Kuni) is located on a peninsula north-east of the Land of Fire and is one of the Five Great Shinobi Countries. Its government leader is the Lightning Daimyō. In the centre of the country are vast mountain ranges, whose many thunderstorms are said to give the country its name. From these mountain ranges, many rivers flow to the sea, creating a very crooked coastline that displays an impressive oceanic beauty. There are many hot springs located within the country.

Land of Snow
The Land of Snow (雪の国, Yuki no Kuni) was the main focus of Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow. It is also briefly mentioned in Konoha Hiden and Gaara Hiden.Originally, the country was a small, but peaceful place. However, it was taken over by a tyrant, Dotō Kazahana, after he and his mercenaries killed his brother and predecessor, Sōsetsu Kazahana.

Land of Sound
The Land of Sound (音の国, Oto no Kuni) is a neighbouring country of the Land of Fire. It is a relatively new country in the political scene, though it has existed for some time under the name of the Land of Rice Fields (田の国, Ta no Kuni, English TV: Land of Rice Paddies). According to the anime, Orochimaru conquered the country and convinced its daimyō to let him establish his own ninja village.

Land of Water
The Land of Water (水の国, Mizu no Kuni) is composed of many islands, with each having its own unique traditions. The country's weather is typically cool and the islands are usually covered by mist. The islands themselves also feature many lakes. In some places, like the area where Haku grew up, it is very cold and snows quite a bit. The nation is oriented towards the element of water. Its government leader is the Water Daimyō.

Land of Wind
The Land of Wind (風の国, Kaze no Kuni) is one of the more prominent countries in the series. It is located to the south-west of the Land of Fire and borders the Land of Rivers and Amegakure. Its government leader is the Wind Daimyō. The country covers a vast realm, but is significantly composed of deserts and thus has little productivity. Because there is very little rainfall throughout the year, the people of the country live in villages built on one of the desert's many oases. Despite the country's extremely harsh environment, it has a large population. Although they have warred with each other in the past, the Land of Wind is now on good terms with the Land of Fire, with a great deal of trade going on between the two countries.

Land of the Sky
The Land of the Sky (空の国, Sora no Kuni) is a country featured in Naruto Shippūden the Movie: Bonds. It was formed by ninja from several countries that could mould their chakra into mist in order to fly. It is said that they fought in the Second Shinobi World War, and their hidden village was destroyed in the war by Konohagakure for challenging the Five Great Shinobi Countries, but the country itself survived. They apparently have quite the reputation as Tsunade was terrified that the descendants of the survivors, were attacking Konohagakure, which was devastated due to a powerful and unexpected air raid. Shinnō is a prominent member of this country.

Hidden Villages

Hidden Villages are parts of countries in which the country's ninja reside. Their heads stand equally with the landlords ruling the countries they are a part of. A Hidden Village maintains its economy by training its citizens to be ninja from a young age and using them as manpower in various missions others would be willing to pay for, from weeding a garden for a single payment to receiving a constant budget from the country it resides in for being soldiers in case the country is involved in a war.

Amegakure
Main article: Amegakure Amegakure (雨隠れの里, Amegakure no Sato, Literally meaning: Village Hidden by Rain) is a small but highly industrialised hidden village located in an unnamed country. As its name suggests, it rains almost constantly in Amegakure and the surrounding area. All the water seemingly ends in a large lake that surrounds the village.

Bamboo Village
Main article: Bamboo Village The Bamboo Village (竹ノ村, Take no Mura) is a small village of the Land of Hot Water. The village is near a bamboo forest and the houses of this village are built with bamboo.

Genjutsu Tree Village
Main article: Genjutsu Tree Village This unnamed village is hidden among special trees that produce a genjutsu-like effect, thus protecting the village from invaders. Naruto and Jiraiya came to the village to hone Naruto's genjutsu-repelling abilities. Villagers use Chilli Pepper Bombs to counter the genjutsu-like effects.

Getsugakure
Main article: Getsugakure Getsugakure (月隠れの里, Getsugakure no Sato, Literally meaning: Village Hidden under the Moon) is a hidden village in the Land of the Moon. Two shinobi from this village briefly appear during the Chūnin Exams.

Hachō Village
Main article: Hachō Village The Hachō Village (ハチョウ村, Hachō-mura) is a village lying on the outskirts of the border of the Land of Fire. They are on very friendly terms with the Tonika Village. When the village was attacked by Kabuto Yakushi in his attempt to gain access to The Hole, the villagers that were able to survive all fled to this village and the Hachō Village later sent officers to help guard the ruined village.

Hoshigakure
Main article: Hoshigakure Hoshigakure (星隠れの里, Hoshigakure no Sato, Literally meaning: Village Hidden Among Stars) was introduced during the Star Guard Mission. It is founded by the First Hoshikage two hundred years before the start of the series and is located in the Land of Bears. It is also one of the lesser-known shinobi villages in the Naruto universe.Hoshigakure was formed sometime after a strange meteorite, which the inhabitants called the "star", struck its location two hundred years earlier.

Howling Wolf Village
Main article: Howling Wolf Village The Howling Wolf Village (狼哭の里, Rōkoku no Sato) is a remote village situated on Howling Wolf Mountain. A variety of different medicinal plants grow in and around the village.

Inaho Village
Main article: Inaho Village Inaho Village (稲穂村, Inaho-mura, English TV: Rice Village) is located near the hills where Genmai was kidnapped.

Ishigakure
Main article: Ishigakure Ishigakure (石隠れの里, Ishigakure no Sato, Viz: Hidden Rock Village, Literally meaning: Village Hidden in Stones) is the hidden village of the country located between the Land of Earth and the Land of Wind.

Iwagakure
Main article: Iwagakure Iwagakure (岩隠れの里, Iwagakure no Sato, English TV: Hidden Stone Village, Literally meaning: Village Hidden by Rocks) is the hidden village of the Land of Earth. As the village of one of the Five Great Shinobi Countries, Iwagakure has a Kage as its leader known as the Tsuchikage, of which there have been four in its history. The rocky mountain ranges that surround the village provide a natural stronghold that it is very proud of.

Jōmae Village
Main article: Jōmae Village The Jōmae Village (錠前の里, Jōmae no Sato, Literally meaning: Lock Village) is an anime-only village located in the Land of Keys. This village's shinobi are experts in espionage in order to gain information for negotiations with larger, more powerful nations.

Kagerō Village
Main article: Kagerō Village Kagerō Village (陽炎の里, Kagerō no Sato, English TV: Heat Devil Village, Literally meaning: Heat Haze Village), was a small village located in the Land of Mountains.

Kirigakure
Main article: Kirigakure Kirigakure (霧隠れの里, Kirigakure no Sato, Literally meaning: Village Hidden by Mist) is the hidden village of the Land of Water. As the village of one of the Five Great Shinobi Countries, Kiri has a Kage as its leader known as the Mizukage, of which there have been six in its history. Befitting its name, the village is surrounded by a thick mist, with several mountains in the background, making it difficult to find by foreigners.

Kisaragi Village
Main article: Kisaragi Village Kisaragi Village (如月の里, Kisaragi no Sato) is a village south of Konohagakure. It was the subject of attacks by bandits in league with the Shirogane clan in their search for the spirit orbs.

Konohagakure
Main article: Konohagakure Konohagakure (木ノ葉隠れの里, Konohagakure no Sato, English TV: Village Hidden in the Leaves" or "Hidden Leaf Village, Literally meaning: Village Hidden by Tree Leaves) is the hidden village of the Land of Fire. As the village of one of the Five Great Shinobi Countries, Konohagakure has a Kage as its leader known as the Hokage, of which there have been seven in its history. Konoha resides deep within a forest at the base of a mountain known as the Hokage Rock, which has the faces of all those who have taken the office of Hokage engraved on it.

Kumogakure
Main article: Kumogakure Kumogakure (雲隠れの里, Kumogakure no Sato, English TV: Hidden Cloud Village, Literally meaning: Village Hidden by Clouds) is the hidden village of the Land of Lightning and was founded by the First Raikage. As the village of one of the Five Great Shinobi Countries, Kumogakure has a Kage as its leader known as the Raikage, of which there have been five in its history. The village is located in a range of tall mountains, and is literally hidden in the clouds.

Kusagakure
Main article: Kusagakure Kusagakure (草隠れの里, Kusagakure no Sato, Literally meaning: Village Hidden in the Grass) is located thus far in an unnamed country. Because it had genin participating in the Chūnin Exams organised by Konohagakure, it can be assumed the two villages are allied.

Mount Katsuragi
Main article: Mount Katsuragi Mount Katsuragi (葛城山, Katsuragizan) is a mountain which holds the Tsuchigumo clan's kinjutsu. Hotaru and Tonbee live on this mountain. To prevent any intruders from obtaining the kinjutsu, the mountain is surrounded by seemingly unbreakable barrier and protected by a large amount of traps.

Mount Myōboku
Main article: Mount Myōboku Mount Myōboku (妙木山, Myōbokuzan, Literally meaning: Mysterious/Exquisite Tree Mountain), also known as the "Mountain of Bewilderment" (迷いの山, Mayoi no Yama) and the "Land of Toads" (蝦蟇の国, Gama no Kuni), is one of the big three unexplored sage regions, a legendary place that is equally famous as the other two, Shikkotsu Forest and Ryūchi Cave. It's the land of toads, the place where all the toads that Naruto, Minato and Jiraiya have summoned live. It is home for huge and small toads alike. Mount Myōboku is a rich and beautiful land, whose ultimate authority seems to be the Great Toad Sage. Shima and Fukasaku are both elders and sages, and they seem to have an even higher authority than Gamabunta himself.

Nadeshiko Village
Main article: Nadeshiko Village The Nadeshiko Village (撫子の里, Nadeshiko no Sato) is located near the Land of Water. The families of this village are organised through matrilineality. Women from this village must venture outside to find men strong enough to defeat them, resulting in them being taken to the village to marry the kunoichi they defeated.

Otogakure
Main article: Otogakure Otogakure (音隠れの里, Otogakure no Sato, Literally meaning: Village Hidden by Sound) was the personal hidden village of Orochimaru, which was founded for the express purpose of collecting ninja for his experiments and his quest to learn all techniques.

Ryūchi Cave
Main article: Ryūchi Cave Ryūchi Cave (龍地洞, Ryūchidō, Literally meaning: Dragon Ground Cave) is one of the big three unexplored sage regions, a legendary place that is equally famous as the other two, Mount Myōboku and Shikkotsu Forest. It is the residence of the snakes — including the sacred White Snake Sage — and is also where Orochimaru uncovered the source of Jūgo's clan's abilities. Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi trained here to achieve Sage Mode, though only the latter was successful in this endeavour.

Shikkotsu Forest
Main article: Shikkotsu Forest Shikkotsu Forest (湿骨林, Shikkotsurin, English TV: Shikkotsu Woods, Literally meaning: Damp Bone Forest) is a legendary place and one of the three unexplored sage regions; the other two being: Mount Myōboku and Ryūchi Cave. It is the home of the slug Katsuyu, parts of which are summoned by Tsunade and her disciple Sakura Haruno.

Shimogakure
Main article: Shimogakure Shimogakure (霜隠れの里, Shimogakure no Sato, Literally meaning: Village Hidden in Frost) is the hidden village located in the Land of Frost.

Sugi Village
Main article: Sugi Village Sugi Village (杉の里, Sugi no Sato, Literally meaning: Cedar Village) is an anime-only ninja village, in an unspecified country.

Sunagakure
Main article: Sunagakure Sunagakure (砂隠れの里, Sunagakure no Sato, Literally meaning: Village Hidden by Sand) is the hidden village of the Land of Wind. As the village of one of the Five Great Shinobi Countries, Sunagakure has a Kage as its leader known as the Kazekage, of which there have been five in its history. Being surrounded by desert offers the village a natural deterrent against invasion, as few foreign powers would be willing to endure the sandstorms and water scarcity common to Suna.

Takigakure
Main article: Takigakure Takigakure (滝隠れの里, Takigakure no Sato, Literally meaning: Village Hidden by a Waterfall) is a village located in an unnamed country. In terms of the village's appearance, Takigakure seems to be based on mostly Southeast Asian aesthetics. Their current leader is Shibuki.

Takumi Village
Main article: Takumi Village Takumi Village (匠の里, Takumi no Sato, Literally meaning: Village of Artisans) is an anime-only village that resides in the Land of Rivers. It was founded approximately one hundred years ago by a man named Seimei. Takumi is known for its skills in making weaponry, many of which are sold to the ninja villages of the world.

Tanigakure
Main article: Tanigakure Tanigakure (谷隠れの里, Tanigakure no Sato, Literally meaning: Village Hidden in Valleys) is the hidden village of the Land of Rivers.

Tonika Village
Main article: Tonika Village The Tonika Village (トニカ村, Tonika-mura) is a village located on the outskirts of the border of the Land of Fire. It is also where The Hole is located. The village was destroyed during Kabuto Yakushi's invasion which was geared towards acquiring The Hole to conduct his experiments. During the invasion, the villagers fought bravely to defend their home, but Kabuto's reincarnated pawns were too powerful and overwhelming.

Tsuchigumo Village
Main article: Tsuchigumo Village The Tsuchigumo village is the village of the Tsuchigumo clan. It is led by the Tsuchigumo chief. This village is composed of the members of the Tsuchigumo clan who refused to follow En no Gyōja to Mount Katsuragi, and consequently denied the Tsuchigumo clan kinjutsu. They were made into pawns by the Magaki Group, who sought the kinjutsu.

Tsukigakure
Main article: Tsukigakure Tsukigakure (月隠れの里, Tsukigakure no Sato, Literally meaning: Village Hidden under the Moon, also known as "Hidden Moon Village") is a hidden village led by Tsukino, who succeeded her father after he died. They have a hereditary system and so positions are passed down to the next generation.

Uzushiogakure
Main article: Uzushiogakure Uzushiogakure (渦潮隠れの里, Uzushiogakure no Sato, English TV: Hidden Eddy Village, Literally meaning: Village Hidden by Whirling Tides) was the shinobi village of the Land of Whirlpools. Its ninja were renowned for their fūinjutsu to the point that it led to its destruction in war.[11] Those who survived the village's destruction scattered across the globe to seek refuge.

Yugakure
Main article: Yugakure Yugakure (湯隠れの里, Yugakure no Sato, Literally Meaning "Village Hidden in Hot Water") is the village that the Akatsuki member Hidan originated from. It lies in the Land of Hot Water.

Yukigakure
Main article: Yukigakure Yukigakure (雪隠れの里, Yukigakure no Sato, Literally meaning: Village Hidden Among Snow) is located in the Land of Snow. Its ninja apparently specialise in manipulating pre-existing ice, typically in the forms of various animals.

Yumegakure
Main article: Yumegakure Yumegakure (夢隠れの里, Yumegakure no Sato, Literally meaning: Village Hidden Among Dreams) is a small village located in a deep forest of a tiny country, near the border of the Land of Fire. It is led by Enzo Tenrō.