Akashima Village, in the prefecture of the same name, is the starting point of Norio's storyline. It has a full set of vendors, so it is a good resupply stop in western Toyotama.
The Mongols seize the visiting monks, and Jin has to rescue them. The Mongols then come back to attack the village.
Hochi dies during the attack, blocking a blow meant for Norio.
Izuhara
Izuhara is the southern region of Tsushima and the first one you explore in Act 1. It is where you rescue Lord Shimura from Castle Kaneda, meet most of your allies and learn the stealth tools that turn Jin into the Ghost.
Iijima Farmstead
Iijima Farmstead is a Mongol-held farm village in Umugi Prefecture. Rescue the hostages to free it and earn steel, and it counts toward The Unbreakable Gosaku.
Koshimizu Farmstead
Koshimizu Farmstead is a Mongol-held farm south of Benkei's Falls in Kushi. Freeing it gives one of the six keys to Gosaku's Armor in The Unbreakable Gosaku.
Aoi Village
Aoi Village is a village on the Tsutsu Plains that the Mongols occupy at the start of Act 2. Freeing it gives you the Key of Aoi, one of the keys for The Unbreakable Gosaku.