Fujioka, Gunma
| Fujioka 藤岡市 | |
|---|---|
| City | |
 | |
  Fujioka | |
| Coordinates: 36°16′N 139°4′E / 36.267°N 139.067°ECoordinates: 36°16′N 139°4′E / 36.267°N 139.067°E | |
| Country | Japan |
| Region | Kantō |
| Prefecture | Gunma Prefecture |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Arai Toshiaki |
| Area | |
| • Total | 180.09 km2 (69.53 sq mi) |
| Population (May 1, 2008) | |
| • Total | 70,676 |
| • Density | 392.44/km2 (1,016.4/sq mi) |
| Time zone | Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) |
| Symbols | |
| - Tree |
Camphor laurel (Cinnamomum camphora) Sweet Osmanthus |
| - Flower | Wisteria, Scarlet sage |
| Address |
327 Nakakurisu, Fujioka 375-8601 |
| Phone number | 0274-22-1211 |
| Website | www.city.fujioka.gunma.jp |
Fujioka (藤岡市 Fujioka-shi) is a city in Gunma Prefecture, Japan. The city's name means, "Wisteria Hill" in English, and is composed of the two kanji characters for "wisteria" (fuji) and "hill" (oka). The city was founded on April 1, 1954.
As of May 1, 2008, the city has an estimated population of 70,676 and a population density of 392.44 persons per km². The total area is 180.09 km².
On January 1, 2006, the town of Onishi (from Tano District) was merged into Fujioka.
Surrounding municipalities
History
- 1889 - Fujioka Town, Kanna Village, Ono Village, Midori Village, Mikuri Village, Hirai Village, Onishi Town, Hino Village and Sanbagawa Village were created in Midorino District. Mihara Village is created in Minamikanra District.
- 1896 - Midorino District, Minamikanra District and Tago District were united and renamed Tano District.
- 1954 - Kanna Village, Ono Village, Midori Village and Mikuri Village were merged into Fujioka Town, becoming Fujioka City.
- 1955 - Hirai Village and Sanbagawa Village were merged into Fujioka City.
- 2006 - Onishi Village was merged into Fujioka City.
Geography
Mountains
- Nishi-Mikaboyama (西御荷鉾山)
- Higashi-Mikaboyama (東御荷鉾山)
- Amefuriyama (雨降山)
- Sakurayama (桜山)
- Takayama (高山)
- Koshinyama (庚申山)
Rivers
- Karasugawa
- Kaburagawa (鏑川)
- Ayugawa (鮎川)
- Nukuigawa (温井川)
- Kannagawa (神流川)
- Sannagawa (三名川)
- Sasagawa (笹川)
Lakes and marshes
- Kannako (神流湖)
- Sannako (三名湖)
- Ayugawako (鮎川湖)
- Takenuma (竹沼)
Education
There are three high schools, five junior high schools, and eleven elementary schools in Fujioka.
High schools
- Fujioka Kita (群馬県立藤岡北高等学校)
- Fujioka Kogyo (群馬県立藤岡工業高等学校)
- Fujioka Chuo (群馬県立藤岡中央高等学校)
Junior high schools
- Fujioka Kita (藤岡市立北中学校)
- Fujioka Higashi (藤岡市立東中学校)
- Fujioka Nishi (藤岡市立西中学校)
- Fujioka Ono (藤岡市立小野中学校)
- Fujioka Onishi (藤岡市立鬼石中学校)
Elementary schools
- Fujioka Dai-ichi (藤岡第一小学校)
- Fujioka Dai-ni (藤岡第二小学校)
- Kanna (神流小学校)
- Ono (小野小学校)
- Midori (美土里小学校)
- Mikuri Higashi (美九里東小学校)
- Mikuri Nishi (美九里西小学校)
- Hirai (平井小学校)
- Hino (日野小学校)
- Onishi Kita (鬼石北小学校)
- Onishi (鬼石小学校)
Transportation
Rail
The JR Hachiko Line has two stops in Fujioka.
Road
Expressways
Two expressways converge at the Fujioka Junction.
- Kanetsu Expressway
- Joshinetsu Expressway
- Fujioka Interchange (IC)
- Fujioka Parking Area (PA)
National highways
Prefectural roads
- Route 13, Maebashi - Nagatoro
- Route 23, Fujioka - Honjo
- Route 30, Terao - Fujioka
- Route 40, Fujioka - Daigo
- Route 71, Takasaki - Kannachichibu
Rest areas
- Fujioka
- Joshin Onishi
Annual events
- Fujioka Matsuri
The Fujioka Matsuri is a two-day summer festival which is typically held on a weekend in late July. The celebration, which takes place in central Fujioka, features food and entertainment stalls, a flea market, parade, and street dancing. There are many traditional events as well, such as taiko performances, mikoshi carrying, and the parading of Dashi floats through the streets.
- Fuji Matsuri
The Fuji Matsuri (Wisteria Festival) is a spring festival which takes place at Koshinyama Park every year in late April/early May, to celebrate the blooming of the wisteria flowers. Numerous vendor stalls sell various local products, food, and flowers. The wisteria flowers are illuminated after sunset.
Sister cities
Fujioka has sister cities in Hakui (Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan), Regina (Canada), Jiang Yin (China) and Bend (Oregon, United States).
An annual student exchange program between Fujioka and Regina takes place in August of each year. The host city alternates each year, and families in both cities serve as host families for the visiting students.
References
- "藤岡市・鬼石町合併協議会". 藤岡市ホームページ (in Japanese). June 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-16.
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fujioka, Gunma. |
- Official website (Japanese)
| ||||||||||||||
