Chōfu, Tokyo

Chōfu
調布市
City

Flag

Location of Chōfu in Tokyo Metropolis
Chōfu

 

Coordinates: 35°39′2.21″N 139°32′26.5″E / 35.6506139°N 139.540694°ECoordinates: 35°39′2.21″N 139°32′26.5″E / 35.6506139°N 139.540694°E
Country Japan
Region Kantō
Prefecture Tokyo Metropolis
Government
 • Mayor Yoshiki Nagatomo (since July 2002)
Area
 • Total 21.53 km2 (8.31 sq mi)
Population (June 1, 2010)
 • Total 224,878
 • Density 10,440/km2 (27,000/sq mi)
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
- Tree Cinnamomum camphora
- Flower Lagerstroemia indica
- Bird Japanese White-eye
Phone number 042-481-7111
Address 2-35-1 Kojima-cho, Chōfu-shi, Tokyo-to 182-8511
Website Chōfu city official HP
Ajinomoto Stadium
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Jindai Botanical Garden

Chōfu (調布市 Chōfu-shi) is a city located in the western end of Tokyo Metropolis, Japan.

As of 2010, the city has an estimated population of 224,878 and a population density of 10,440 persons per km². The total area is 21.53 km2 (8.31 sq mi).

Tokyo Stadium (commonly known as Ajinomoto Stadium) in Chōfu hosts soccer games for two J. League teams: F.C. Tokyo and Tokyo Verdy.

Geography

Chōfu is approximately in the geographic center of Tokyo Metropolis, on the Musashino Terrace bordered by the floodplains of the Tama River.

Surrounding municipalities

History

The area of present-day Chōfu has been inhabited since Japanese Paleolithic times, and numerous remains from the Jōmon, Yayoi and Kofun periods have been discovered. During the Nara period, it became part of ancient Musashi Province. During the Sengoku period, the area was frequently contested between the Late Hōjō clan and Uesugi clan. During the Edo period, the area prospered as a post station on the Kōshū Kaidō and as a center for silkworm production.

The in post-Meiji Restoration cadastral reform of April 1, 1889, Chōfu Town and neighboring Jindai Village were established within Kanagawa Prefecture. The entire district was transferred to the control of Tokyo Metropolis on April 1, 1893. Jindai was elevated to town status on November 3, 1952, and merged with Chōfu Town on April 1, 1955, to form the present city of Chōfu.

Economy

Chōfu is primarily a regional commercial center, and a bedroom community for central Tokyo.

The headquarters of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency are also located in the city.

Transportation

Rail

Highways

Airports

Education

Local attractions

Every July, Chōfu hosts the Chōfu City Fireworks Festival, attended by as many as 300,000 people along the banks of the Tamagawa River. The tiny Fuda Station on the Keio Line is inundated on this one day with tens of thousands of visitors.

Chōfu has a large cultural centre that supports many groups encouraging the integration of foreigners into Japanese society, providing free Japanese, Shodo, Ikebana, Karate (and many other) lessons.

There is a park and memorial hall commemorating the life of novelist Mushanokōji Saneatsu, a former resident of Chōfu.

For the 1964 Summer Olympics, the city served as part of the route for the athletic 50-kilometer walk and marathon events.[1]

International relations

Twin towns — Sister cities

Chōfu is twinned with Kijimadaira, Nagano in Japan.

Notable people from Chōfu

References

  1. ↑ 1964 Summer Olympics official report. Volume 2. Part 1. pp. 74-5.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chofu, Tokyo.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Chofu.