Kōriyama

Kōriyama
郡山市
Core city

View of central Koriyama, from Tomihisayama Hill

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Location of Kōriyama in Fukushima Prefecture
Kōriyama

 

Coordinates: 37°24′16″N 140°21′35″E / 37.40444°N 140.35972°E / 37.40444; 140.35972Coordinates: 37°24′16″N 140°21′35″E / 37.40444°N 140.35972°E / 37.40444; 140.35972
Country Japan
Region Tōhoku
Prefecture Fukushima Prefecture
Government
 • - Mayor Masato Shinagawa
Area
 • Total 757.06 km2 (292.30 sq mi)
Population (February 2015)
 • Total 329,339
 • Density 435/km2 (1,130/sq mi)
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
- Tree Prunus serrulata (Japanese hill cherry)
- Flower Japanese iris
- Bird Common cuckoo
Phone number 024-924-2491
Address 1-23-7 Asahi, Koriyama, Fukushima 963-8024[1]
Website www.city.koriyama.fukushima.jp/international/index.html/
Kōriyama city hall

Kōriyama (郡山市, Kōriyama-shi) is a city in central Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. As of February 2015, the city has an estimated population of 329,339[2] and a population density of 435 persons per km². The total area was 757.06 km². Kōriyama is designated as a "core city" and functions as a commercial center for Fukushima Prefecture. Kōriyama is the second largest conurbation in the Tōhoku region.

Geography and climate

Kōriyama is located in the center of the Nakadōri region of Fukushima Prefecture in the Tōhoku region (37°24′N 140°23′E / 37.400°N 140.383°E / 37.400; 140.383). The Adatara Mountains are to the north, Lake Inawashiro is to the west, and the Abukuma highlands are to the east. The Abukuma River flows through downtown Kōriyama. The downtown area extends to the west of Kōriyama Station.

Neighboring municipalities

Climate

Kōriyama, Fukushima
Climate chart (explanation)
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
37
 
 
4
−3
 
 
38
 
 
5
−2
 
 
70
 
 
9
0
 
 
83
 
 
16
5
 
 
100
 
 
21
11
 
 
127
 
 
24
15
 
 
185
 
 
28
19
 
 
152
 
 
29
21
 
 
165
 
 
25
16
 
 
111
 
 
19
10
 
 
63
 
 
13
4
 
 
33
 
 
8
0
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency

History

Kōriyama originated as a regional governmental center in the Nara period, when the area was on the frontier of Yamato settlement of the Tohoku region. The surrounding area developed into shōen controlled by various samurai clans in the Heian and Kamakura periods. Nearby centers, such as Nihonmatsu developed into castle towns, Kōriyama remained as a commercial center and thrived as a post town because of its importance as a traffic focal point into the Edo period.

With the establishment of the municipalities system on April 1, 1889, the town of Kōriyama was established within Asaka District. In the early Meiji period, many dispossessed samurai were assigned undeveloped lands in the area to reclaim and as a result, the population grew and region developed into an agricultural center. The relative abundance of hydroelectric power also helped with the development of local industry.

Kōriyama was raised from town to city status on September 1, 1924 with the annexation of neighboring Odawara Village. Kuwano Village was likewise annexed on June 1, 1925. During the 1930s, Kōriyama was noted a center for military equipment production. It was thus a target for American bombers during World War II, and the city was subject to three large-scale air raids during the war.

From 1954-1955, Kōriyama expanded by annexing the town of Otsuki and portions of the villages of Tomita and Iwae, and in 1965 annexed the villages of Nishida and Nakata. In 1997, the city received core city designation, giving it increased autonomy from national and prefectural governments.

On March 11, 2011, earthquake caused only minor damage, and Kōriyama is located outside of the mandatory evacuation on created by the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster.

Economy

Kōriyama city is called the "commercial capital in Fukushima" and the economic bloc is the biggest in Fukushima Prefecture. There are many department stores and shops in the area around Kōriyama Station.

Principal companies headquartered in Koriyama
Banks headquartered in Koriyama

Transportation

Kōriyama is an important transportation hub, as it is located in the center of Fukushima Prefecture and is the nexus of several railway lines and expressways. Kōriyama Station is the central station for the city. However, Kōriyama does not have an airport.

Railway

JR Koriyama Station

Roads

Koriyama Junction

Media

Television

CATY

Radio

Newspaper

Education

Universities and colleges

Senior high schools

Public (prefectural)
Private

Junior high schools

Multi-level schools

Noted people

Mayors

Sources:[4]

Notable people

Twinnings

Japanese sister cities

International sister city

Local attractions

Festivals

References

  1. ↑ "A page for Koriyama city foreigners [City Hall & Branch Offices]". Koriyama City. Retrieved 2014-02-03.
  2. ↑ "Estimated population February 1, 2015" (in Japanese). Official Koriyama city website. Retrieved 3 Mar 2015.
  3. ↑ Home. Fukushima Korean School. August 5, 2002. Retrieved on October 13, 2015.
  4. ↑ 歴代の郡山市長の一覧 [List of previous mayors of Kōriyama] (in Japanese). Retrieved 28 November 2009.
  5. ↑ "Masashi Ohuchi Passes On". International Weightlifting Federation. 2011-06-07. Retrieved 2011-06-19.
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