Ichinoseki, Iwate
| Ichinoseki 一関市 | ||
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| City | ||
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  Ichinoseki | ||
| Coordinates: 38°55′N 141°8′E / 38.917°N 141.133°ECoordinates: 38°55′N 141°8′E / 38.917°N 141.133°E | ||
| Country | Japan | |
| Region | Tōhoku | |
| Prefecture | Iwate Prefecture | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor | Tōbei Asai | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 1,256.25 km2 (485.04 sq mi) | |
| Population (September 26, 2011) | ||
| • Total | 128,571 | |
| • Density | 100/km2 (270/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) | |
| Symbols | ||
| - Tree | Japanese beech | |
| - Flower | Rapeseed | |
| - Bird | Japanese Bush-warbler | |
| Address |
7-2 Takeyama-chō, Ichinoseki-shi, Iwate-ken 021-8501 | |
| Phone number | 0191-21-2111 | |
| Website | City of Ichinoseki | |
Ichinoseki (一関市 Ichinoseki-shi) is a city located in southern Iwate Prefecture, Japan, and situated on the Iwai River. After Morioka and Ōshū, it is the third largest city in the prefecture.
As of September 2011, the city has an estimated population of 128,571 and a population density of 100 persons per km². The total area is 1,256.25 km².
Description
Ichinoseki City is situated in the southernmost area of Iwate Prefecture in the Tōhoku (northeast) region of Japan. The city's name means essentially first gate in Japanese, and this likely represents its geographical position as a gateway to the substantially rural northeastern region.
In recent times the city has expanded in area by annexing and merging with adjacent towns. The current city of Ichinoseki became larger after 7 municipalities merged on September 20, 2005, and after the merger, the city is now equivalent to former Iwai District, and it is connected to Miyagi and Akita Prefectures. The population is nearly 120,000, with a household number of 42,335.
Demographics
Due to factories belonging to large Japanese companies such as Sony and NEC being located in the industrial parkland zone of Ichinoseki, the city has a sizable population of Brazilian workers. The agricultural makeup of the city outside the centre is populated mostly by farmers, leading to an influx of Chinese and Filipino women as wives. As a result, the City of Ichinoseki has a varied ethnic makeup, although the newcomers still remain a very small minority.
Attractions
Ichinoseki is in close proximity to the historically significant site of Hiraizumi, which lies adjacent to the mid-northern border of the city. Ichinoseki station is a convenient transit stop for excursions to Hiraizumi. Tsuriyama Park lies near the center of the original city of Ichinoseki. Atop Tsuriyama park a panorama of Ichinoseki is viewable. Geibikei is a dramatic river gorge which offers rides in traditional flat-bottomed boats, navigated by singing gondoliers. Alternatively, Genbikei Gorge is another popular river area with naturally carved cliffs. The Hondera Farm Village has been designated an Important Cultural Landscape.[1]
Municipal Timeline
- April 1, 1948 - The city of Ichinoseki (1st generation) was founded by merging with 2 towns and 2 villages.
- January 1, 1955 - The city of Ichinoseki (1st generation) absorbed the villages of Genbi, Hagisho, Maikawa, and Yasakae to form the new city of Ichinoseki (2nd generation)
- September 1, 1956 - Due to the city limit changes, the city absorbed parts of the town of Hiraizumi.
- May 1, 1964 - Due to the city limit changes, the city absorbed parts of the town of Hiraizumi for the second time.
- September 20, 2005 - the towns of Daitō, Higashiyama and Senmaya, the villages of Kawasaki and Murone (all from Higashiiwai District), and the town of Hanaizumi (from Nishiiwai District) were merged with the old city of Ichinoseki (2nd generation) to create the new and expanded city (3rd generation). This creation approximately doubled the old city's population and nearly tripled its size.
- September 26, 2011 - the town of Fujisawa (also from Higashiiwai District) was merged into Ichinoseki. Higashiiwai District was dissolved as a result of this merger.
Sister Cities/Friendship Cities
Within Japan
- Miharu (Tamura District, Fukushima Prefecture)
- Signed between the former city of Ichinoseki on August 8, 1987
- Kesennuma (Miyagi Prefecture)
- Signed between the former cities of Ichinoseki and Kesennuma on May 1, 1997
- Signed between the former city of Kesennuma and former town of Murone on May 8, 2003
- Tanabe (Wakayama Prefecture)
- Signed between the former village of Murone and the town of Hongu on August 8, 1987
- Yoshikawa (Saitama Prefecture)
- Signed by the former village of Murone on April 15, 1997
Railway
East Japan Railway Company
Tōhoku Shinkansen
Tōhoku Main Line
- Yushima Station (Iwate)
- Hanaizumi Station
- Shimizuhara Station
- Ichinoseki Station
- Yamanome Station
Ōfunato Line
- Ichinoseki Station
- Mataki Station
- Rikuchū-Kanzaki Station
- Iwanoshita Station
- Rikuchū-Matsukawa Station
- Geibikei Station
- Shibajuku Station
- Surisawa Station
- Senmaya Station
- Konashi Station
- Yagoshi Station
- Orikabe Station
- Niitsuki Station
Region
Education
Special schools
Elementary School
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Junior High School
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High school
- Ichinoseki Gakuin High School (一関学院高等学校)
- Ichinoseki Shuko High School (一関修紅高等学校) (also has a preschool and a university)
- Ichinoseki No. 1 High School (岩手県立一関第一高等学校)
- Ichinoseki No. 2 High School (岩手県立一関第二高等学校)
- Hanaizumi High School (岩手県立花泉高等学校)
- Daito High School (岩手県立大東高等学校)
- Senmaya High School (岩手県立千厩高等学校)
- Ichinoseki Tech High School (岩手県立一関工業高等学校)
Kosen
- Ichinoseki National College of Technology (一関工業高等専門学校)
Junior College
- Shuko Junior College (修紅短期大学)
Transportation
Ichinoseki is located on the JR East Tōhoku Shinkansen connecting Ichinoseki with Tokyo. It is also located on the Tōhoku Main Line, which connects Ichinoseki and the prefecture's capital, Morioka.
References
- ↑ "Database of Registered National Cultural Properties". Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 29 April 2011.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ichinoseki, Iwate. |
- Ichinoseki City official website (Japanese)
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