Iida, Nagano
Encyclopedia
is a city
located in southern Nagano Prefecture
, Japan
.
Located on the Iida Line
, an old local train line that runs through the valley of the Tenryū River
in the southern Japan Alps, Iida lies 90 minutes northeast of the major city of Nagoya by automobile via the Chūō Expressway. The same expressway also provides access to Tokyo
, about four hours to the east.
An old castle town of strategic importance in the Edo Period
, Iida escaped the bombings that damaged many other Japanese cities during World War II; however, most of central Iida was destroyed by a massive fire that swept through the central section of the city two years after the end of the war, in 1947. Established as a city on April 1, 1937, Iida is now known for its streets lined with apple trees, which were part of a revitalization project initiated by its citizens after the fire.
Since 1979 the city of Iida has hosted the Iida Puppetry Festival, a major event that is the largest of its kind in Japan, with over 200 traditional and contemporary troupes from all over Japan and abroad participating in the annual four-day festival in early August. In 2008 the city hosted a nine-day version of the festival with expanded international participation to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the puppetry festival. Iida's connection to the traditional Japanese puppet theater commonly known as ningyō jōruri or Bunraku
goes back more than 300 years. Four traditional puppet troupes are located in or near Iida: the Imada Puppet Troupe
, Kuroda Puppet Troupe
, the Furuta Puppets, and the Waseda Puppets.
Beginning in July, there are many festivals at local shrines. One aspect of these festivals that surprises visitors is the quantity of fireworks. One of the biggest and most spectacuar displays of fireworks is the Tōrō-nagashi festival, in Tokimata, held around the 16th of August. The fireworks are shot off over as well as on the surface of the Tenryu River. Another important festival in Iida is Oneri Matsuri, which is held every seventh year (the last being 2004, the next in March, 2010), a massive four-day event, most famous for the shi-shi lion dance.
The nearest large metropolis to Iida is Nagoya, which is easily accessible by bus (about 2 hours). The larger cities of Matsumoto and Nagano in central and northern Nagano Prefecture are also accessible by bus and train. And there is also bus service to Shinjuku, Tokyo (about 4 hours).
Iida has adopted the apple as its symbol. One of the city's largest festivals is the Ringon Matsuri (Apple Festival), held every year in early August, and Iida's Ringo Namiki-dori (a street lined with apple trees) is tended by students of the city's Higashi Middle School. The area around Iida is well known for extensive peach, apple, and persimmon orchards, as well as the production of many other agricultural products, including Asian pears (nashi) and strawberries. A local specialty is hoshi-gaki, or dried persimmons.
Iida is also known for the production of mizuhiki
.
Cities of Japan
||A is a local administrative unit in Japan. Cities are ranked on the same level as and , with the difference that they are not a component of...
located in southern Nagano Prefecture
Nagano Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of the island of Honshū. The capital is the city of Nagano.- History :Nagano was formerly known as the province of Shinano...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
Located on the Iida Line
Iida Line
The is a Japanese railway line between Toyohashi Station in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture and Tatsuno Station in Tatsuno, Nagano Prefecture, operated by Central Japan Railway Company . The line links eastern Aichi Prefecture and southern Nagano Prefecture through northwestern Shizuoka Prefecture. It...
, an old local train line that runs through the valley of the Tenryū River
Tenryu River
The is a river arising from Lake Suwa in Okaya, Nagano Prefecture, grazing Aichi Prefecture and flowing through western Shizuoka Prefecture in central Honshū, Japan. With a length of , it is Japan's ninth longest river.-Geography:...
in the southern Japan Alps, Iida lies 90 minutes northeast of the major city of Nagoya by automobile via the Chūō Expressway. The same expressway also provides access to Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, about four hours to the east.
An old castle town of strategic importance in the Edo Period
Edo period
The , or , is a division of Japanese history which was ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family, running from 1603 to 1868. The political entity of this period was the Tokugawa shogunate....
, Iida escaped the bombings that damaged many other Japanese cities during World War II; however, most of central Iida was destroyed by a massive fire that swept through the central section of the city two years after the end of the war, in 1947. Established as a city on April 1, 1937, Iida is now known for its streets lined with apple trees, which were part of a revitalization project initiated by its citizens after the fire.
Since 1979 the city of Iida has hosted the Iida Puppetry Festival, a major event that is the largest of its kind in Japan, with over 200 traditional and contemporary troupes from all over Japan and abroad participating in the annual four-day festival in early August. In 2008 the city hosted a nine-day version of the festival with expanded international participation to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the puppetry festival. Iida's connection to the traditional Japanese puppet theater commonly known as ningyō jōruri or Bunraku
Bunraku
, also known as Ningyō jōruri , is a form of traditional Japanese puppet theater, founded in Osaka in 1684.Three kinds of performers take part in a bunraku performance:* Ningyōtsukai or Ningyōzukai—puppeteers* Tayū—the chanters* Shamisen players...
goes back more than 300 years. Four traditional puppet troupes are located in or near Iida: the Imada Puppet Troupe
Imada Puppet Troupe
is a traditional Japanese puppet troupe in the style that is commonly known as Ningyō Jōruri or Bunraku, based in Iida, Nagano.-History:The Troupe traces its origins to 1704, when a group of villagers purchased puppets to use in Shinto religious rites during the local shrine festival...
, Kuroda Puppet Troupe
Kuroda Puppet Troupe
The Kuroda Puppet Troupe is a traditional Japanese puppet troupe in the style commonly known as ningyō jōruri or bunraku based in the city of Iida in Nagano Prefecture...
, the Furuta Puppets, and the Waseda Puppets.
Beginning in July, there are many festivals at local shrines. One aspect of these festivals that surprises visitors is the quantity of fireworks. One of the biggest and most spectacuar displays of fireworks is the Tōrō-nagashi festival, in Tokimata, held around the 16th of August. The fireworks are shot off over as well as on the surface of the Tenryu River. Another important festival in Iida is Oneri Matsuri, which is held every seventh year (the last being 2004, the next in March, 2010), a massive four-day event, most famous for the shi-shi lion dance.
The nearest large metropolis to Iida is Nagoya, which is easily accessible by bus (about 2 hours). The larger cities of Matsumoto and Nagano in central and northern Nagano Prefecture are also accessible by bus and train. And there is also bus service to Shinjuku, Tokyo (about 4 hours).
Iida has adopted the apple as its symbol. One of the city's largest festivals is the Ringon Matsuri (Apple Festival), held every year in early August, and Iida's Ringo Namiki-dori (a street lined with apple trees) is tended by students of the city's Higashi Middle School. The area around Iida is well known for extensive peach, apple, and persimmon orchards, as well as the production of many other agricultural products, including Asian pears (nashi) and strawberries. A local specialty is hoshi-gaki, or dried persimmons.
Iida is also known for the production of mizuhiki
Mizuhiki
Mizuhiki is an ancient Japanese art form that uses a special cord. The cord is created from rice paper, that is tightly wound, starched to give it stiffness, and then colored. The ways of coloring include brightly colored Mylar , thin strands of silk, or simply painted. The art form was used to tie...
.
Surrounding municipalities
- Nagano Prefecture
- Kamiina DistrictKamiina District, NaganoKamiina is a district located in Nagano, Japan.As of May, 2008, the district has an estimated Population of 86,453 and a Density of 168 persons/km²...
: IijimaIijima, Naganois a town located in Kamiina District, Nagano, Japan. It is bordered by Nakagawa to the east, Komagane to the north, Ōkuwa to the west, and Matsukawa and Iida to the south.... - Shimoina DistrictShimoina District, Naganois a district located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.As of May, 2008, the district has an estimated Population of 65,359 and a Density of 51.4 persons/km²...
: Matsukawa, TakamoriTakamori, Naganois a town located in Shimoina District, Nagano, Japan.As of 2003, the town has an estimated population of 12,838 and a density of 283.65 persons per km². The total area is 45.26 km².-External links:*...
, AchiAchi, Naganois a village located in Shimoina District, Nagano, Japan.Achi was the birthplace of the photographer and illustrator Motoichi Kumagai, who worked as a teacher in the village and photographed its life; the village has a permanent gallery of Kumagai's work, Kumagai Motoichi Shashin Dōgakan.On March...
, SeinaijiSeinaiji, Naganowas a village located in Shimoina District, Nagano, Japan.As of 2003, the village had an estimated population of 748 and a density of 16.94 persons per km². The total area was 44.16 km²....
, ShimojoShimojo, Naganois a village located in Shimoina District, Nagano, Japan.Considered to be a "miracle village," the village of Shimojō has defied the declining birthrate noted in Japan as well increasing capital revenue by increasing worker efficiency. In 2003-2005, the village birthrate, "was 2.12...against the...
, YasuokaYasuoka, Naganois a village located in Shimoina District, Nagano, Japan.As of 2003, the village has an estimated population of 2,153 and a density of 33.36 persons per km². The total area is 64.54 km².- External links :*...
, TenryūTenryu, Naganois a village located in Shimoina District, Nagano, Japan.As of 2006, the village has an estimated population of 1,987 and a density of 18.14 persons per km². The total area is 109.53 km².-External links:*...
, TakagiTakagi, Naganois a village located in Shimoina District, Nagano, Japan.As of 2003, the village has an estimated population of 7,039 and a density of 105.66 persons per km². The total area is 66.62 km².-External links:*...
, ToyookaToyooka, Naganois a village located in Shimoina District, Nagano, Japan.As of 2003, the village has an estimated population of 7,108 and a density of 92.49 persons per km². The total area is 76.85 km².- External links :*...
, ŌshikaOshika, Naganois a village located in Shimoina District, Nagano, Japan.As of 2003, the village has an estimated population of 1,432 and a density of 5.77 people per km²... - Kiso DistrictKiso District, Naganois a district located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.As of November 1, 2005, the district has an estimated population of 34,759. The total area is 1,546.26 km².Historically, the district was once known as Nishichikuma District until May 1, 1968....
: NagisoNagiso, Naganois a town located in Kiso District, Nagano, Japan.As of 2003, the town has an estimated population of 5,458 and a density of 25.27 persons per km². The total area is ....
, ŌkuwaOkuwa, Naganois a village located in Kiso District, Nagano, Japan.As of 2003, the village has an estimated population of 4,559 and a density of 19.45 persons per km². The total area is 234.45 km².-External links:*...
- Kamiina District
- Shizuoka PrefectureShizuoka Prefectureis a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region on Honshu island. The capital is the city of Shizuoka.- History :Shizuoka prefecture was formed from the former Tōtōmi, Suruga and Izu provinces.The area was the home of the first Tokugawa Shogun...
- ShizuokaShizuoka, Shizuokais the capital city of Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, and the prefecture's second-largest city in terms of both population and area. It became one of Japan's 19 "designated cities" in 2005.-Geography:...
: Aoi-kuAoi-ku, Shizuokais one of three wards of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan, located in the northern part of the city. Aoi-ku borders Suruga-ku in the south and Shimizu-ku to the southeast; the west faces Shimada, Fujieda and Kawanehon and its northern tip extends into the border between Nagano Prefecture and Yamanashi... - HamamatsuHamamatsu, Shizuokais a city located in western Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. On July 1, 2005, the city merged with 11 surrounding cities and towns. It became a city designated by government ordinance on April 1, 2007.- History :...
- Haibara DistrictHaibara District, ShizuokaHaibara is a district located in Shizuoka, Japan.As of 2004, the district has an estimated population of 95,091 and a density of 126.88 persons per km²...
: KawanehonKawanehon, Shizuokais a town located in Haibara District, Shizuoka, Japan. As of February 2010, the town has an estimated population of 8,253 and a density of 16.8persons per km². The total area was 496.72 km².-Geography:...
- Shizuoka
Municipal Timeline
- The city (April 1, 1937-September 30, 1956) historically belonged to the Shimoina DistrictShimoina District, Naganois a district located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.As of May, 2008, the district has an estimated Population of 65,359 and a Density of 51.4 persons/km²...
. - September 30, 1956-The current and the 2nd city of Iida was founded by merging with surrounding municipalities including the 1st city of Iida itself.
- June 1, 1993-The town of KamisatoKamisato, Naganowas a town located in Shimoina District, Nagano, Japan.On June 1, 1993, Kamisato was merged into the city of Iida....
from Shimoina DistrictShimoina District, Naganois a district located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.As of May, 2008, the district has an estimated Population of 65,359 and a Density of 51.4 persons/km²...
merged into the expanded city of Iida. - October 1, 2005-The 2nd city (9/30/1956-9/30/2005) absorbed KamiKami, Naganowas a village located in Shimoina District, Nagano, Japan.On October 1, 2005, Kami, along with the village of Minamishinano, was merged into the city of Iida....
and MinamishinanoMinamishinano, Naganowas a village located in Shimoina District, Nagano, Japan.On October 1, 2005, Minamishinano, along with the village of Kami, was merged into the city of Iida....
and the current Iida (10/1/2005-) was born without forming the new municipal organization. - April 6, 2006-The city teamed up with the BungotakadaBungotakada, Oitais a city located in Ōita Prefecture, Japan.As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 18,239 and the density of 146.42 persons per km². The total area is 124.57 km²....
(Ōita PrefectureOita Prefectureis a prefecture of Japan on Kyūshū Island. The prefectural capital is the city of Ōita.- History :Around the 6th century Kyushu consisted of four regions: Tsukushi-no-kuni 筑紫国, Hi-no-kuni 肥国, and Toyo no kuni...
) based tourism company.