Motosu, Gifu

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**Motosu**
**本巣市**
Motosu's location in Gifu, Japan.
Location
Country	Japan
Region	Chūbu
Prefecture	Gifu
Physical characteristics
Area	374.57 km² (144.62 sq mi)
Population (as of May 1, 2007)
Total	34,742
Location	35°29′N, 136°41′E
Symbols
Tree	Persimmon
Flower	Usuzumi Cherry Blossom
Bird	Japanese Bush-warbler
Motosu Government Office
Mayor	Masayuki Naito
Address	〒501-1292 324 Monju, Motosu-shi, Gifu-ken
Phone number	0581-34-2511
Official website: City of Motosu

Motosu City Hall

Motosu (本巣市, Motosu-shi^?) is a city located in the South-West of Gifu Prefecture, Japan.

As of July 1, 2004, the city has an estimated population of 34,925 and a density of 93 persons per km². The total area is 374.57 km².

1 History
2 City symbols
3 City song
4 External links

[edit] History

On October 28, 1891, the Mino-Owari Earthquake, the largest earthquake to hit Japan, strikes. Its epicenter was located in Motosu.

The city was established on February 1, 2004, by the merger of Itonuki, Motosu, Neo, and Shinsei from Motosu District. The city's name came from Motosu District.

On April 29, 2006, Malera Gifu opened on Mitsuhashi, one of the main roads of Motosu. This shopping centre covers an area of 185,000 m², making it one of the largest shopping centres in Japan. It houses approximately 240 retail outlets, including a supermarket (Valor), restaurants, clothes retailers and a cinema (Toho Cinema).

[edit] City symbols

As found in many other cities in Japan, Motosu has a tree, flower, fish, and bird that is associated with the city. Motosu city's tree is the Persimmon tree, which are found growing naturally in the mountainous areas of Motosu. As persimmons are also cultivated in Motosu, it was chosen to represent the agricultural industry in the area.

The city flower is the Usuzumi Cherry Blossom found in the recently-merged Neo. This unique cherry blossom initially sprouts pale pink flowers, which become white in full bloom, and a light black colour when the flowers die. Neo is also home to one of the three largest cherry blossom trees in Japan, which is reported to be the oldest cherry blossom tree in Japan.

Ayu or sweetfish, has been chosen to be the representative fish of the city. Known as "the queen of clear streams", the fish is found in the Neo River that flows through Motosu. Highly regarded for its flavour in Japan, it is fished throughout Summer in the rivers.

The Motosu city bird is the Uguisu sparrow, found in shrub thickets throughout Motosu. The sparrow is known for its greenish brown colouring on its back, and white belly. Female birds can also be recognised by their dash pattern on their backs. It is also known as the bush warbler or "flower-viewing" bird, for its appearance near the many cherry blossom trees in the area.

[edit] City song

In order to commemorate the 3 year anniversary Motosu-city's amalgamation of Itonuki, Neo, Shinsei, and Motosu, the municipal government began working on a theme song that best represented their vision of the future. The lyrics of the theme song, "Habataite" are intended to convey the idea of nature and people living harmoniously together.

The music itself was written by the world-renowned Ocarina player Soujirou, who was commissioned by the local city government to write the theme song.