Nagahama, Shiga

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**Nagahama**
**長浜市**
Nagahama's location in Shiga, Japan.
Location
Country	Japan
Region	Kansai
Prefecture	Shiga
Physical characteristics
Area	149.57 km² (57.75 sq mi)
Population (as of 2006)
Total	84,410
Density	1,381.6 /km² (3,578 /sq mi)
Location	35°23′N, 136°17′E
Symbols
Flag
Nagahama Government Office
Mayor	Nobuya Kawashima
Address	〒526-8501 12-34 Takada-chō, Nagahama-shi, Shiga-ken
Phone number	0749-62-4111
Official website: City of Nagahama

Nagahama Castle

Nagahama (長浜市, Nagahama-shi^?) is a city located in Shiga Prefecture, Japan on the eastern shore of Lake Biwa. Prior to 1576 it had been known as Kunitomo. The name was changed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in tribute to Oda Nobunaga when Hideyoshi moved his center of administration from Odani to Kunitomo.

On February 13, 2006, the towns of Azai and Biwa from Higashiazai District merged with the city to create the current city of Nagahama, which will replace all municipal organizations - including the old city of Nagahama itself. The current city is now historically located within both Sakata and Higashiazai Districts.

1 The naming
2 New city of Nagahama
3 Former city of Nagahama
- 3.1 Municipal Timeline
- 3.2 Population Count (final)
4 Sightseeing
5 Sister cities
- 5.1 Within Japan
- 5.2 Outside Japan
6 External links

[edit] The naming

Nagahama used to be known as Imahama (今濱), but Toyotomi Hideyoshi renamed it Nagahama for Oda Nobunaga.

[edit] New city of Nagahama

On February 13, 2006, the towns of Azai and Biwa from Higashiazai District merged with the city to create the current city of Nagahama.

[edit] Former city of Nagahama

This section talks about the city of Nagahama as it existed until February 12, 2006.

[edit] Municipal Timeline

On April 1, 1943, the town of Nagahama from Sakata District merged with other 6 towns to gain city status. The current Nagahama City Hall was used as their city hall.

[edit] Population Count (final)

The last population count was held on December 1, 2005 and the city had the population of 63,057. The total area was 45.50km². As a result of the city's annexation of Azai and Biwa in 2006, the total population stands at 84,410 as of 2006.

[edit] Sightseeing

Kurokabe Square

Kaiyodo Figure Museum Kurokabe

Chikubu Island

Attractions to be found in the city include:

Nagahama Castle
Kurokabe Square (aka "Black Wall Square")
The Old Nagahama Station Museum, built in 1882 and the oldest preserved railroad station in Japan.
The Nagahama Roman Beer Brewery.
Nagahama Flintlock Gun Museum
Nagahama Hachimangu Shrine
Shanain Temple
Sojiji Temple
Jinshoji Temple
Chizen-in Temple
Hokoku Shrine
Tonda Traditional Bunraku Puppet Troupe