Kawanishi, Hyōgo

Kawanishi
川西市
City

Flag

Location of Kawanishi in Hyōgo Prefecture
Kawanishi

Location in Japan

Coordinates: 34°50′N 135°25′E / 34.833°N 135.417°ECoordinates: 34°50′N 135°25′E / 34.833°N 135.417°E
Country Japan
Region Kansai
Prefecture Hyōgo Prefecture
Government
 • Mayor Tamio Oshio
Area
 • Total 53.44 km2 (20.63 sq mi)
Population (August 1, 2011)
 • Total 156,008
 • Density 2,920/km2 (7,600/sq mi)
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
Symbols
- Tree Sakura
- Flower Gentian
Address 12-1 Chūō-chō, Kawanishi-shi, Hyōgo-ken
666-8501
Phone number 072-740-1111
Website City of Kawanishi

Kawanishi (川西市 Kawanishi-shi) is a city in Hyōgo Prefecture (兵庫県) in the northwestern part of the Kansai region of Japan, about 5 km north of Osaka Itami Airport. It is bordered on the west by the Inagawa river.

As of August 1, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 156,008 and a population density of 2,920 persons per km². The total area is 53.44 km².

History

In the 6th century, the Shofukuji tomb (勝福寺古墳) was built.

In the 10th century, Minamoto no Mitsunaka (源満仲), samurai court official, and grandson of Emperor Seiwa (清和天皇) retired to Tada (多田) village, now part of Kawanishi. This area became the base of his descendants, Seiwa Genji (清和源氏), which established the Kamakura shogunate. A statue of him can be seen next to Kawanishi-Ikeda Station.

In the 11th century, the Tada silver-and-copper mine started. And in the 17th century it was at its peak.

In 1884, Mitsuya Cider was first made.

In 1913, Kawanishi-Noseguchi Station was opened.

Kawanishi was incorporated on August 1, 1954 out of the former Kawanishi Town (川西町), Tada Village (多田村) and Higashitani Village (東谷村).

Administration

Mayors

Police

Kawanishi Police Station

Neighboring cities

Economy

Kawanishi is home to many commuters who work in Kobe and Osaka, with express trains running from Osaka to Kawanishi to accommodate these travelers. Though primarily suburban, Kawanishi does have a significant agricultural sector, especially in the northern portions of the city. Major crops include peaches, chestnuts, figs, and charcoal.

Sights

Transportation

Railways

Kawanishi is serviced by the JR Takarazuka Line and the Hankyu Takarazuka Line. Hankyu's Kawanishi-Noseguchi Station is a transfer station to the Nose Railway, which runs primarily within Kawanishi.

Roads

Expressway access is facilitated by the Chūgoku Expressway and the Hanshin Expressway.

Expressways

Buses

People from Kawanishi

Sister cities

Related items

External links

Media related to Kawanishi, Hyōgo at Wikimedia Commons