Izu, Shizuoka

Izu 伊豆市
—  City  —
Location of Izu in Shizuoka
Izu
Coordinates: 34°59′N 138°57′E
Country	Japan
Region	Chūbu (Tōkai)
Prefecture	Shizuoka
Area
• Total	363.97 km2 (140.53 sq mi)
Population (February 2009)
• Total	35,397
• Density	97.3/km2 (252/sq mi)
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City Symbols
- Tree	Quercus acutissima
- Flower	Wasabi
- Bird	Green Pheasant
Phone number	0558-72-1111
Address	410-2413
Website	Izu official website/

City hall

Shuzenji hot spring resort

Shuzenji train station

A panorama of the Izu city

Izu (伊豆市, Izu-shi) is a city located in central Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka, Japan. As of 2009, the city had an estimated population of 35,397 and the density of 97.3 persons per km². The total area as 363.97 km².

Geography

Izu is located in the north-central portion of Izu Peninsula, and includes most of the Amagi Mountains. The region is hilly and some 80% of the city area is covered by forest. The Kano River runs through the city, which has a short coastline to the west on Suruga Bay of the Pacific Ocean. The area has numerous hot springs. Warmed by the warm Kuroshio Current, the area enjoys a warm maritime climate with hot, humid summers and mild, cool winters.

Surrouding municipalities

• Numazu
• Izunokuni
• Itō
• Higashiizu
• Kawazu
• Nishiizu

History

During the Edo period, most of Izu Province was tenryō territory under direct control of the Tokugawa shogunate, although portions near modern Shuzenji were under the control of the Okubo clan of Ogino-Yamanaka Domain. During the cadastral reform of the early Meiji period in 1889, the area was reorganized into several villages under Kimisawa District, Shizuoka Prefecture. Kimisawa District merged with Tagata District in 1896. Shuzenji became a town in 1924, followed by Toi in 1938, Nakaizu in 1958, and Amagiyugashima in 1960. The city of Izu was founded on April 1, 2004 by the merger of Shuzenji, Toi, Nakaizu and Amagiyugashima.

Economy

The local economy of the city of Izu is centered on tourism (primarily hot spring resorts, farming/forestry and commercial fishing. Izu is noted for its production of wasabi and shiitake. During the Edo period, the area was also known for its production of gold and other ores; however, the last commercial mining operations were closed in the 1960s

Transportation

Highway

• Japan National Route 136
• Route 414 (Japan)

Railway

• Izuhakone Railway - Sunzu Line
  • Shuzenji - Makinokō

Local attractions

• Shuzenji Romney Railway
• Toi gold mine
• Jōren Falls

Sister City relations

• - Nelson, British Columbia, Canada, from August 18, 2005
• - Hope, British Columbia, Canada, from August 18, 2005
• - Minamiminowa, Nagano, Japan, from February 25, 1991

Noted people from Izu

• Naoko Ken - singer, actress
• Yurika Ochiai - seiyu
• Sōsuke Kaise - manga artist
• Honinbo Shuwa - professional go player

External links

• Izu official website in Japanese