Sakuragawa, Ibaraki

Sakuragawa 桜川市
City
Sakuragawa city hall
Flag Seal
Location of Sakuragawa in Ibaraki Prefecture
Sakuragawa
Coordinates: 36°19′38.3″N 140°5′26″E / 36.327306°N 140.09056°E / 36.327306; 140.09056Coordinates: 36°19′38.3″N 140°5′26″E / 36.327306°N 140.09056°E / 36.327306; 140.09056
Country	Japan
Region	Kantō
Prefecture	Ibaraki Prefecture
Area
• Total	180.06 km2 (69.52 sq mi)
Population (September 2015)
• Total	42,484
• Density	236/km2 (610/sq mi)
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
- Tree	Sakura
- Flower	Lilium auratum
- Bird	Japanese bush warbler
Phone number	0296-58-5126
Address	1023 Haneda, Sakuragawa-shi, Ibaraki-ken 309-1293
Website	Official website

Sakuragawa (桜川市, Sakuragawa-shi) is a city located in Yūki District, Ibaraki Prefecture, in the northern Kantō region of Japan. As of September 2015, the city had an estimated population of 42,484 and a population density of 236 persons per km². Its total area was 180.06  km².

Geography

Located in central-western Ibaraki Prefecture, Sakuragawa is bordered by Tochigi Prefecture to the north. The city is lined by mountains along its east side, named Tomiya, Amabiki, Kaba and Ashio, from north to south. Mt. Tsukuba dominates the southern side, although it is not located within the borders of the city. The eponymous Sakuragawa River has its source in the Iwase area of the city.

Surrounding municipalities

• Ibaraki Prefecture
  • Kasama
  • Ishioka
  • Tsukuba
  • Chikusei
• Tochigi Prefecture
  • Mashiko
  • Mooka
  • Motegi

History

The city of Sakuragawa was established on October 1, 2005, from the merger of the towns of Iwase (in the north), Makabe (in the south) with the village of Yamato (in the center). Iwase was formerly from Nishiibaraki District, while Makabe and Yamato were formerly from Makabe District.

Economy

The economy of Sakuragawa is primarily agricultural. Stone quarrying is also important.

Education

Sakuragawa has seven elementary schools, five middle schools and three high schools.

Transportation

Train

• JR East – Mito Line
  • Yamato - Iwase - Haguro

Highway

• Kita-Kantō Expressway Sakuragawa-Nishi IC
• Japan National Route 50

Local attractions

• Makabe old town with 104 buildings listed as Registered Tangible Cultural Properties
• Amibiki Kannon
• Makabe Doll Festival
• "Tsukuba Ring-Ring Road" – a bicycle road connecting Iwase to Tsukuba along a former railway line.

Noted people from Sakuragawa

• Tamon Hasegawa, politician

External links

Media related to Sakuragawa, Ibaraki at Wikimedia Commons

• Official website (in Japanese)