Tsuyama, Okayama

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Tsuyama
津山市
Location of Tsuyama
Tsuyama's location in Okayama, Japan.
Location
Country Japan
Region Chūgoku
Prefecture Okayama
Physical characteristics
Area 506.36 km² (195.51 sq mi)
Population (as of November 2007)
     Total 109,517
Location 35°3′N, 134°0′E
Symbols
Tree Camphor laurel
Flower Satsuki azalea, Sakura
Symbol of Tsuyama
Flag
Tsuyama Government Office
Mayor Hiroyuki Kuwayama
Address 708-8501
520 Yamakita, Tsuyama-shi, Okayama-ken
Phone number 0868-23-2111
Official website: Tsuyama City

Tsuyama (津山市 Tsuyama-shi?) is a city located in Okayama, Japan.

As of 2003, the city had an estimated population of 89,974 and the density of 484.43 persons per km². The total area was 185.73 km². The area increased in 2005 as the result of a merger with adjacent towns, which also boosted the city's population to more than 100,000.

The city was founded on February 11, 1929.

Tsuyama is known for the 17th-century Tsuyama Castle, whose grandeur was said to rival that of Himeji Castle in neighboring Hyōgo Prefecture. The castle was destroyed in 1874, and today only the stone foundations remain, save for a single turret that was reconstructed in 2005. The castle ruins remain Tsuyama's main tourist attraction along with Joto Street, a narrow street of old, traditional buildings that was once part of the pilgrimage route from Kyoto to Izumo, and Shurakuen Garden, a traditional Japanese garden constructed in 1657.

The 1938 Tsuyama massacre, in which 21-year-old Mutsuo Toi murdered 30 people in the course of one and a half hours, took place in a village near Tsuyama which became part of the city of Tsuyama in 2005. It was considered for several decades to be the world's largest massacre committed by a single criminal.

[edit] Festivals

  • Cherry Blossom Festival (early April) - This event is held in Kakuzan Park where around 5000 cherry blossom trees attract people from all over western Japan.
  • Gongo Festival (First Saturday and Sunday of August) - The Gongo, or Kappa, is a fictitious animal said to live in rivers. The festival is based around the legend that the Gongo can be seen in the Yoshii River in summer. Local people congregate on the banks of the river wearing traditional Japanese clothing and eat and drink at the many temporary stalls set up there. The festival culminates in a spectacular firework display on the Sunday evening.
  • Tsuyama Autumn Festival (Mid to late October) - Many people parade through the town pulling danjiri.

[edit] Sister Cities

[edit] External links

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Shadow picture of Okayama Prefecture Okayama Prefecture
Flag of Okayama Prefecture
Cities
Akaiwa | Asakuchi | Bizen | Ibara | Kasaoka | Kurashiki | Maniwa | Mimasaka | Niimi | Okayama (capital) | Setouchi | Soja | Takahashi | Tamano | Tsuyama
Districts
Aida | Asakuchi | Kaga | Katsuta | Kume | Maniwa | Oda | Tomata | Tsukubo | Wake
  See also: Towns and villages by district edit

Coordinates: 35°03′N, 134°00′E