Iwaki, Fukushima

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Template:Japanese city Iwaki (いわき市, Iwaki-shi) is a city located in the southern part of the Hamadōri coastal region of Fukushima Prefecture, Japan.

A designated "core city", Iwaki is also one of the growing number of hiragana cities. Its area is 1,231.35 km²[1], making it the 10th largest city in Japan (2010). Its estimated population as of May 2011 is 337,288.[2]

The present "Iwaki City" started as the merger of 14 municipalities on October 1, 1966. The city was the third hiragana city, following Chino, Nagano and Mutsu, Aomori. The area was the largest in Japan at the time. The city works as an industrial hub of Tōhoku region, and is rich in sightseeing resources. As of 2005, about 7.6 millions sightseers visited the city a year.[3]

History

Iwaki City Hall
The forms いわき, 石城, 岩城, and 磐城 are all ways of writing "Iwaki," which means "rocky castle". Today, いわき is the most common written form.

Iwaki's origin dates back to 708 AD, during the Nara period. The Yamato government constructed a barrier in Iwaki against possible invasion by the Emishi, a Japanese people from the north.[4]

When the Taika Reform was established in AD 645, the central government formed "Iwaki district (磐城郡)" in the northern part of the present city and "Kikuta district (菊多郡)" in the southern part.[5]

In 653, the Iwaki district incorporated with a part of Taga Province and became Iwaki district(岩城評).[5]

In 718, Iwaki Province was formed, which was composed of five districts with Mutsu Province: Iwaki (岩城), Shineha, Namekata, Uta, Watari and Kikuta which was given from Hitachi Province. Shineha was the present Naraha. Namekata and Uta were the present Soma. Watari was the present Watari, Miyagi. The area of the present Iwaki City was composed of Kikuta and Iwaki (岩城 or 磐城).[5]

In the late 11th century, Iwaki clan (岩城氏) of Hitachi Province invaded Iwaki district (磐城郡) and divided it into four districts of Yoshima, Iwasaki, Iwaki, Naraha. The clan settled Iwaki district.

In 1189, Minamoto no Yoritomo appointed Iwaki Taro Kiyotaka (岩城太郎清隆) to jito of Yoshima.

In 1532, the Battle of Kidogawa.

In 1590, Toyotomi Hideyoshi came in Tohoku region and demanded sword hunt and kenchi.

In 1600, Iwaki Sdataka (岩城貞隆) didn't fight in Ieyasu's corner on the Battle of Sekigahara. As a result, the Iwaki clan was ousted and Torii Tadamasa was appointed as the lord of Iwakitaira han (磐城平藩, old Iwaki Province) by Tokugawa Ieyasu. Ieyasu put Tadamasa of his Fudai in fear of Date Masamune of Sendai han. The han has about 100 thousand goku.[5]

In 1603 Edo period, Torii Tadamasa started to construct Iwakidaira Castle in Taira.

Izumi han (1634) and Yunagaya (1670) hans were placed, following Kubota(1622) and Tanagura (1634) hans.

In 1684, Kubota han's territory was confiscated.

In 1860, Ando Nobumasa of Iwakitaira han was appointed as a Roju of Tokugawa shogunate. In 1862, he was wounded near the sakashitamon-gate in Edo Castle.

In the Boshin War, the hans in Iwaki lost and were controlled by the new government (新政府). In 1871, Abolition of the han system was practiced and the hans in Iwaki became ken(means old prefectures): Iwakitaira ken, Yunagaya ken and Izumi ken. These hans were incorporated to Iwamae (Iwasaki) Prefecture (磐前県) and to the current Fukushima Prefecture (1876).[5]

In 1896, Iwaki Bank and Taira Bank were established.

In 1897, Nihon Tetsudo filled in the inner moat of Iwakidaira Castle and made Taira Station. Jōban coalfield, which was the biggest coalfield in Honshū and the nearest from the Japanese capital Tokyo, was started to exploit it under the Fukoku kyōhei policy. After which Iwaki developed into an industrial city for the exploitation of the coalfield. The Jōban Line was made for the haulage of the coal. Iwaki's fishery, forestry and agricultural sectors also developed from this time.[4]

After WWII, the Jōban coalfield was closed. The same natural hot springs that were troublesome to the coal miners were put to good use and a hot springs resort was developed Spa Resort Hawaiians.

The present city was incorporated on October 1, 1966, with the merger of 14 municipalities (5 cities, 4 towns and 5 villages). The cities were Taira (平), Uchigō (内郷), Iwaki (磐城), Nakoso (勿来), and Jōban (常磐); the towns, Yotsukura, (四倉) Tōno (遠野), Ogawa (小川) and Hisanohama (久之浜); and the five villages were Yoshima (好間), Miwa (三和), Tabito (田人), Kawamae (川前) and Ōhisa (大久).[5] Taira was chosen as the location for City Hall and other administrative offices and continues to function as the centre of Iwaki. This stem from that Torii clan's castle town was Taira.

In April 1979, an "Iwaki Number" as an automobile number plate was introduced.

On April 1, 1999, the city was designated a "core city".

Geography and climate

The city is located at the southern end of Tōhoku Region and close to Ibaraki Prefecture, (37°01′N 140°32′E / 37.02°N 140.53°E / 37.02; 140.53). The city covers a total area of 1,231.35 km², making it the largest city in Fukushima Prefecture and the tenth largest in Japan. The city occupies around 8.9 percent of the total area of Fukushima Prefecture.

The eastern part of the city is made up of 60 kilometres of coastline which faces the Pacific Ocean and the western part goes through the Abukuma highlands and joins up with the central part of Fukushima Prefecture. The western part is a range of mountains and forests, occupies about 70 percent of the city. The rivers which flow to the east from the mountains have riverbeds with steep inclines which form the deep valleys of the Natsuigawa Gorge and the Shidokigawa Gorge. The flatter eastern part of the city is where most of the population is located. There are seven beaches on the coastline. Off the coast of Iwaki the Kuroshio Current(warm) and the Oyashio Current(cold) meet and make for an abundant fishing ground. The prevailing winds from the ocean are warm and wet.

Iwaki is situated in a temperate climate zone and has a moderate climate. The city's average temperature is 13.1°C (55.6°F) and its average annual precipitation is 1,383.0 mm. The highest recorded temperature in the city is 37.7°C (99.9°F), and the lowest recorded temperature is -10.7°C (12.7°F). The average year has 14.4 days with a high temperature over 25°C and only 3.1 days with a low temperature below 0°C, which is smaller compared to other Japanese cities. The city is rarely hit by typhoons, and experiences only 0.7 days with more than 10 cm of snowfall in the average year. The duration of bright sunshine is 2058.1 hours in average year.[6]

Natural environment

Towns

The central area of the city is Taira. In Taira, main urban function builds up; Iwaki City Hall (main government office), Iwaki City Lyceum, Iwaki Station, etc. Iwaki is a decentralized city and consists of several other urban areas including Onahama and Yumoto.

Yumoto is home to Iwaki Yumoto onsen, one of the oldest onsens in Japan. There are many ryokan hotels. It is also home to Spa Resort Hawaiians, a spa resort which draws 1.5 million visitors per year and was the subject of the 2006 movie Hula Girls.

Onahama is a port town where many factories, fisheries and port facilities are located. There is also an aquarium, some beaches and seaside restaurants.

Izumi is a residential town section. The other towns are Ueda, Nakoso, Uchigō, Yotsukura et al.

There are thirteen zones in the city.[7]

  • Taira
  • Onahama & Ena & Izumi
  • Nakoso & Nishiki & Ueda
  • Jōban & Yumoto
  • Uchigō
  • Yotsukura
  • Tōno
  • Ogawa
  • Yoshima
  • Miwa
  • Tabito
  • Kawamae
  • Hisanohama & Ōhisa

Demographics

As of October 1, 2007, the city had an estimated population of 350,119, giving a population density of 284.33 persons per km². Iwaki is the second most populous city in Tōhoku region, following Sendai, and the 59th most populous nationwide. The conurbation is the third biggest in the prefecture, following Kōriyama and Fukushima.

As of 2007, Iwaki City has 130,814 households. The average household has approximately 2.67 members. The number of males is 169,932 and the number of females is 180,187. The city has many people in their 50s and in their 40s compared to other age groups. The average age in Iwaki is 44.31.

Zone Population Households Area (km²) Population density (/km²)
Taira 99,901 38,685 109.88 909.18
Onahama 77,857 29,182 87.64 888.37
Nakoso 51,783 18,651 104.74 494.39
Jōban 35,904 13,550 48.23 744.43
Uchigō 28,214 11,462 31.62 892.28
Yotsukura 15,686 5,284 63.73 246.13
Tōno 6,404 1,913 104.53 61.26
Ogawa 7,567 2,481 112.49 67.26
Yoshima 13,597 5,319 26.69 509.44
Miwa 3,676 1,107 214.90 17.10
Tabito 2,117 713 158.07 13.39
Kawamae 1,448 509 116.44 12.43
Hisanohama, Ōhisa 5,965 1,958 52.38 113.87
Total 350,119 130,814 1,231.34 284.33

As of October 1, 2007 [8]

Economy

The main foundation of economy is industry and agriculture. The industrial production of Iwaki City is no.1 in Tōhoku region. Iwaki is rich in sightseeing resources and 7.64 million tourists visit a year. Within Fukushima prefecture, the industrial and sightseeing center is Iwaki, while the political center is Fukushima city.

Statistics (2006)[3]

  • Employed population: 174,048
  • Unemployed population: 121,802
  • Gross production: ¥1,293,782 billion
  • Number of tourists: 7,639,296

Major companies

Major companies with head offices in Iwaki

Major companies with factories in Iwaki

Banks

(As of 2007)

Fisheries

Fishery: 75,628t (2003)

Import and export

Onahama Port (2003)

Import: 5,133,727t
Export: 514,045t

Transportation

Surrounded by the ocean and mountains, Iwaki is related more closely to Mito than to Nakadōri (Kōriyama or Fukushima (Nakadōri)). Iwaki is 75 km from Kōriyama, 150 km from Sendai and 95 km from Mito. Most of the residents usually use cars to commute because Iwaki is large and the urban areas are dispersed. There are many trucks on the roads related to hauling the freight of Onahama Port in Iwaki.

The Jōban Line runs north and south in the city. The central station is Iwaki station (old Taira station). There are banks, business hotels and shops in front of the station. Many trains stop at the station in mid course between Sendai and Tokyo. East Ban'etsu Line links to Koriyama.

Railway

Central Station: Iwaki Station
¤This line carries passenger specially on the day of Onahama firework festival
Looking south from Iwaki Station

Roads

Iwaki JCT
Hiragata tunnel, Minami-Sōma tunnel, Hattachi tunnel, Kusehara tunnel

Bus operators

City buses

Highway buses

Ports

Airport

Fukushima Airport in Sukagawa is the nearest airport.

Culture

Festivals

Jangara Odori, held in August

Movies

Sport

Iwaki-Taira Velodrome is located within the city.

Public Institutions

Taira

  • Iwaki City Hall (main)
  • Iwaki Taira baseball ground
  • Iwaki athletic field
  • Iwaki civil pools
  • Iwaki gymnasium
  • Iwaki bicycle racetrack
  • Iwaki Lyceum "Alios"
  • Iwaki cultural center
  • Iwaki central library
  • Iwaki museum
  • Iwaki central park

Nakoso

  • Nakoso branch office
  • Iwaki Nakoso Lyceum

Uchigō

  • Uchigō branch office
  • Iwaki Uchigō Community Center

Onahama

  • Onahama branch office
  • Iwaki Onahama baseball ground
  • Onahama civil pools
  • Iwaki Onahama Lyceum
  • Aquamarine Fukushima

Jōban (Yumoto)

  • Jōban branch office
  • The 21st-century forest park
Iwaki Green Stadium (capacity of 30,000)
Iwaki Green Field (soccer, rugby, football)
  • Iwaki Jōban Lyceum
  • Iwaki Coal and Fossils Museum

Others

  • Hisanohama and Ōhisa branch office
  • Yotsukura branch office
  • Kawamae branch office
  • Ogawa branch office
  • Yoshima branch office
  • Miwa branch office
  • Toyoma branch office
  • Ena branch office
  • Chūōdai service center
  • Izumi branch office
  • Ueda branch office
  • Tabito branch office
  • Tōno branch office
  • Iwaki southern forest's sports park
  • Kurashi no Denshōgō
  • Kusano Shimpei Memorial
  • Iwaki Anmonites Center
Iwaki bicycle racetrack

Sightseeing

The Monument of Misora Hibari
Shiramizu Amidadō
  • Kurashi no Denshōgō, historical facility
  • Iwaki Taira Keirin, cycle racetrack
  • Kusano Simpei Memorial Hall

Media

Television (analogue)

Newspapers

  • Fukushima Mimpō (Fukushima, Mainichi)
    • Iwaki Mimpō
  • Fukushima Min-Yū (Fukushima, Yomiuri)

Radio

  • Sea Wave (cFM J-Wwave)

Education

Universities and Colleges

  • Fukushima National College of Technology
  • Iwaki Meisei University
  • Higashi Nihon International University / Iwaki Junior College

Senior high schools

Public (prefectural)

  • Iwaki High School (磐城高等学校)
  • Iwaki Sakuragaoka High School (磐城桜が丘高等学校)
  • Iwaki Kōyō High School (いわき光洋高等学校)
  • Iwaki Nōgyō High School (磐城農業高等学校)
  • Iwaki Sōgō High School (いわき総合高等学校)
  • Iwaki Kaisei High School (いわき海星高等学校)
  • Yumoto High School(湯本高等学校)
  • Taira Kōgyō High School (平工業高等学校)
  • Taira Shōgyō High School (平商業高等学校)
  • Nakoso High School (勿来高等学校)
  • Nakoso Kōgyō High School (勿来工業高等学校)
  • Onahama High School (小名浜高等学校)
  • Tōno High School (遠野高等学校)
  • Yoshima High School (好間高等学校)
  • Yotsukura High School (四倉高等学校)

Private

  • Iwaki Shūei High School (いわき秀英高等学校)
  • Shōhei High School (東日本国際大学附属昌平高等学校)
  • Iwaki First High School (磐城第一高等学校)
  • Iwaki Second High School (磐城第二高等学校)

Junior high schools

Public (municipal)

  • Taira First Junior High School (平第一中学校)
  • Taira Second Junior High School (平第二中学校)
  • Taira Third Junior High School (平第三中学校)
  • Fujima Junior High School (藤間中学校)
  • Toyoma Junior High School (豊間中学校)
  • Kusano Junior High School (草野中学校)
  • Akai Junior High School (赤井中学校)
  • Yumoto First Junior High School (湯本第一中学校)
  • Yumoto Second Junior High School (湯本第二中学校)
  • Yumoto Third Junior High School (湯本第三中学校)
  • Iwasaki Junior High School (磐崎中学校)
  • Onahama First Junior High School (小名浜第一中学校)
  • Onahama Second Junior High School (小名浜第二中学校)
  • Izumi Junior High School (泉中学校)
  • Ena Junior High School (江名中学校)
  • Uchigō First Junior High School (内郷第一中学校)
  • Uchigō Second Junior High School (内郷第二中学校)
  • Uchigō Third Junior High School (内郷第三中学校)
  • Ueda Junior High School (植田中学校)
  • Ueda Higashi Junior High School (植田東中学校)
  • Nishiki Junior High School (錦中学校)
  • Nakoso First Junior High School (勿来第一中学校)
  • Nakoso Second Junior High School (勿来第二中学校)
  • Kawabe Junior High School (川部中学校)
  • Katōno Junior High School (上遠野中学校)
  • Iritōno Junior High School (入遠野中学校)
  • Yotsukura Junior High School (四倉中学校)
  • Ōno Junior High School (大野中学校)
  • Ogawa Junior High School (小川中学校)
  • Tabito Junior High School (田人中学校)
  • Ishizumi Junior High School (石住中学校)
  • Kaidomari Junior High School (貝泊中学校)
  • Yoshima Junior High School (好間中学校)
  • Nagai Junior High School (永井中学校)
  • Miwa Junior High School (三和中学校)
  • Misaka Junior High School (三阪中学校)
  • Saiso Junior High School (差塩中学校)
  • Kawamae Junior High School (川前中学校)
  • Okeuri Junior High School (桶売中学校)
  • Kojirai Junior High School (小白井中学校)
  • Hisanohama Junior High School (久之浜中学校)
  • Tamagawa Junior High School (玉川中学校)
  • Chūōdai Kita Junior High School (中央台北中学校)
  • Chūōdai Minami Junior High School (中央台南中学校)

Private

  • Shōhei Junior High School (東日本国際大学附属昌平中学校)

People

Mayors

  • 1st Shōbē Akazu (赤津庄兵衛) 1966-
  • 2nd Yaichi Ōwada (大和田弥一) 1966-
  • 3rd Kanemitsu Tabata (田畑金光) 1974-
  • 4th Takeo Nakata (中田武雄) 1986-
  • 5th Mitsuhide Iwaki (岩城光英) 1990-
  • 6th Keisuke Shike (四家啓助) 1997
  • 7th Kazuo Kushida (櫛田一男) 2005-

Notable people

Twinnings

Japanese sister cities

International friendship and sister cities

  • Australia Townsville, Queensland, Australia (since August 21, 1991); a friendship city
  • China Fushun, Liaoning Province, China (since April 15, 1982); a sister city

Neighboring municipalities

References

  1. ^ "Iwaki profile" (in Japanese). Official Iwaki website. Retrieved 29 July 2011.
  2. ^ "Estimated population May 1, 2011" (in Japanese). Official Fukushima Prefecture website. Retrieved 29 July 2011.
  3. ^ a b Statistics of Iwaki[dead link]
  4. ^ a b Imamukashi kiko of Iwaki, Kofun period - Meiji Period[dead link]
  5. ^ a b c d e f Iwaki's history pdf [dead link]
  6. ^ Onahama climate from the Japan Meteorological Agency
  7. ^ Iwaki City map << Iwaki City data <<Introduction of Iwaki << English page << Iwaki city website
  8. ^ Demography of Iwaki City [dead link]
  9. ^ TYO1 means a company quoted to the first class of Tokyo Stock Exchange(TSE). Osaka Securities Exchange(OSE), Nagoya Stock Exchange(NSE) and New York Stock Exchange(NYSE) similarly follow suit.

External links

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