Yamakita, Kanagawa

Yamakita 山北町
Town
Yamakita Town Hall
Flag Seal
Location of Yamakita in Kanagawa Prefecture
Yamakita
Coordinates: 35°21′N 139°4′E
Country	Japan
Region	Kantō
Prefecture	Kanagawa Prefecture
District	Ashigarakami
Area
• Total	224.70 km2 (86.76 sq mi)
Population  (June 1, 2012)
• Total	11,381
• Density	50.61/km2 (131.1/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
City symbols
• Tree	Japanese beech
• Flower	Kerria
• Bird	Copper pheasant
Phone number	046-75-1122
Address	1301-4 Yamakita, Yamakita-machi, Ashigarakami-gun, Kanagawa-ken 258-0195
Website	http://www.town.yamakita.kanagawa.jp/

Yamakita (山北町, Yamakita-machi) is a town located in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. As of June 2012, the town had an estimated population of 11,381, and a population density of 50.6 persons per km². The total area is 224.70 km² (86.76 sq mi).

Geography

Yamakita is located in the mountainous western portion of Kanagawa Prefecture, bordering Shizuoka and Yamanashi Prefectures. Much of the town is within the boundaries of the Tanzawa-Ōyama Quasi-National Park.

Surrounding municipalities

Kanagawa Prefecture

• Sagamihara
• Hadano
• Minamiashigara
• Nakai
• Matsuda, Kaisei
• Kiyokawa

Yamanashi Prefecture

• Dōshi, Yamanakako

Shizuoka Prefecture

• Oyama

History

During the Edo period the area around Yamakita was part of Odawara Domain, along with most of western Sagami Province. After the cadastral reforms of the early Meiji period, Kawa village was one of several villages established within Ashigarakami district, Kanagawa Prefecture on April 1, 1889. Kawa village was elevated to town status on April 1, 1933 and renamed Yamakita. It merged with neighboring Kyowa, Shimizu and Miho villages on February 1, 1955 and further expanded by annexing the Hirayama area of former Kitaashigara village on April 1, 1955.

Economy

The economy of Yamakita is based primarily on agriculture and forestry.

Transportation

Rail

• JR Central - Gotemba Line
  • Higashi-Yamakita - Yamakita - Yaga

Highway

• Tōmei Expressway (Ōi-Matsuda interchange)
• Japan National Route 246

Education

Elementary schools

• Kawamura Elementary School
• Miho Elementary School
• Kyowa Elementary School(Closed)
• Shimizu Elementary School(Closed)
• Kawamura Elementary School Annex(Closed)

Junior high schools

• Yamakita Junior High School
• Miho Junior High School(Closed)
• Shimizu Junior High School(Closed)

High schools

• Yamakita High School

Places of interest and events

Shasui Waterfalls

• Shasui Falls
• Nakagawa Cedar

Hot springs

• Nakagawa Hot Springs

Camping areas

• Yamakita Town Friendship Village
• Lake Tanzawa Campsite
• Lake Tanzawa Lodge
• West Tanzawa Nakagawa Lodge
• West Tanzawa Cottage Camp Ground

Parks

• Kawamura Castle ruins Historical Park
• Yamakita Railway Park

Festivals

• Yamakita Cherry Blossom Festival（end of March ~ beginning of April）
• Lake Tanzawa Fireworks Festival
• West Tanzawa Autumn Momiji Festival

Events

• Lake Tanzawa Fishing Festival
• Lake Tanzawa Canoe Marathon
• Lake Tanzawa Marathon
• Christmas in Lake Tanzawa

Sports

• Sakawa River Golf Club

Notable people from Yamakita

• Yoshimi Ozaki - marathon runner

External links

• Official Website (in Japanese)