Tsuchiura, Ibaraki
Encyclopedia
is a city
located in Ibaraki
prefecture
, in Japan
. It is situated along the west
ern shore
s of Lake Kasumigaura
, the second largest lake in Japan. Tokyo
city
lies about 60 km to the south
, and Tsukuba science city
borders Tsuchiura to the west.
of 144,399 and a density
of 1,268.66 persons per km². The total area
of the city is 113.82 km². About 2000 residents are non-Japanese, including a large proportion of Brazilians, Koreans and Chinese.
, essentially a mayor-council government
. The mayor is elected through a citywide election and the city council are elected from their respective districts. The mayor’s office is made up of the Mayor
, Kiyoshi Nakagawa (中川 清), Deputy Mayor
, Hiroyuki Takigasaki (瀧ヶ崎 ひろゆき), and Treasurer
, Hideaki Goto (五頭 英明). And the 46-member city council is headed by Chairperson, Akira Orimoto (折本 明). Tsuchiura’s political system is similar to other cities in Japan, as the Local Autonomy Law
makes all municipalities uniform in terms of power and organization.
Pre-Jōmon period
Yayoi period
Kofun period
Nara period
Heian period
Kamakura period
Muromachi period
Edo period
Meiji period
Shōwa period
Heisei period
of the East Japan Railway Company
.
There are three stations in the city, Arakawaoki Station
, Tsuchiura Station
and Kandatsu Station
running roughly from south to north. The city also has a major expressway
running through it, the Jōban Expressway
, which is operated by the East Nippon Expressway Company
. Furthermore, many national highways
criss-cross through Tsuchiura, such as Route 6
. There is also an excellent local public bus system
centered around Tsuchiura Station. In addition, operating to and from the station are many highway buses
connecting the city to other cities and Narita International Airport
.
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 Ibaraki
Ibaraki Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan, located in the Kantō region on the main island of Honshu. The capital is Mito.-History:Ibaraki Prefecture was previously known as Hitachi Province...
prefecture
Prefecture
A prefecture is an administrative jurisdiction or subdivision in any of various countries and within some international church structures, and in antiquity a Roman district governed by an appointed prefect.-Antiquity:...
, in 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...
. It is situated along the west
West
West is a noun, adjective, or adverb indicating direction or geography.West is one of the four cardinal directions or compass points. It is the opposite of east and is perpendicular to north and south.By convention, the left side of a map is west....
ern shore
Shore
A shore or shoreline is the fringe of land at the edge of a large body of water, such as an ocean, sea, or lake. In Physical Oceanography a shore is the wider fringe that is geologically modified by the action of the body of water past and present, while the beach is at the edge of the shore,...
s of Lake Kasumigaura
Lake Kasumigaura
is the second-largest lake in Japan, located 60 km to the north-east of Tōkyō. Lake Kasumigaura is actually the name given to a group of contiguous lakes, which includes the main lake, Nishiura , and two smaller lakes, Kitaura is the second-largest lake in Japan, located 60 km to the...
, the second largest lake in Japan. 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...
city
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...
lies about 60 km to the south
South
South is a noun, adjective, or adverb indicating direction or geography.South is one of the four cardinal directions or compass points. It is the opposite of north and is perpendicular to east and west.By convention, the bottom side of a map is south....
, and Tsukuba science city
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...
borders Tsuchiura to the west.
Demographics
As of January 1, 2010, the city has an estimated populationPopulation
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
of 144,399 and a density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
of 1,268.66 persons per km². The total area
Area
Area is a quantity that expresses the extent of a two-dimensional surface or shape in the plane. Area can be understood as the amount of material with a given thickness that would be necessary to fashion a model of the shape, or the amount of paint necessary to cover the surface with a single coat...
of the city is 113.82 km². About 2000 residents are non-Japanese, including a large proportion of Brazilians, Koreans and Chinese.
Government
The city is managed together by the mayor’s office and the city councilCity council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
, essentially a mayor-council government
Mayor-council government
The mayor–council government system, sometimes called the mayor–commission government system, is one of the two most common forms of local government for municipalities...
. The mayor is elected through a citywide election and the city council are elected from their respective districts. The mayor’s office is made up of the Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
, Kiyoshi Nakagawa (中川 清), Deputy Mayor
Deputy Mayor
Deputy mayor is an elective or appointive office of the second-ranking official in many local governments. Many elected deputy mayors are members of the city council who are given the title and serve as acting mayor in the mayor's absence...
, Hiroyuki Takigasaki (瀧ヶ崎 ひろゆき), and Treasurer
Treasurer
A treasurer is the person responsible for running the treasury of an organization. The adjective for a treasurer is normally "tresorial". The adjective "treasurial" normally means pertaining to a treasury, rather than the treasurer.-Government:...
, Hideaki Goto (五頭 英明). And the 46-member city council is headed by Chairperson, Akira Orimoto (折本 明). Tsuchiura’s political system is similar to other cities in Japan, as the Local Autonomy Law
Local Autonomy Law
The Local Autonomy Law of Japan was passed as Law No. 67 on April 17, 1947, an Act of Devolution that established most of Japan's contemporary local government structures, including prefectures, municipalities and other entities....
makes all municipalities uniform in terms of power and organization.
Pre-Jōmon periodJapanese PaleolithicThe began around 50,000 to 30,000 BC, when the earliest stone tool implements have been found, and continued to around 14,000 BC, at the end of the last ice age, which corresponds to the beginning of the Mesolithic Jōmon period...
and Jōmon periodJomon periodThe is the time in Japanese prehistory from about 14,000 BC to 300 BC.The term jōmon means "cord-patterned" in Japanese. This refers to the pottery style characteristic of the Jōmon culture, and which has markings made using sticks with cords wrapped around them...
- Hunter-gatherers inhabited the coastal area of the Pacific Ocean (now Lake Kasumigaura) forming large shell middens, examples of which can be seen at the Kamitakatsu Archeological Site.
Yayoi periodYayoi periodThe is an Iron Age era in the history of Japan traditionally dated 300 BC to 300 AD. It is named after the neighbourhood of Tokyo where archaeologists first uncovered artifacts and features from that era. Distinguishing characteristics of the Yayoi period include the appearance of new...
- Locals begin wet-rice cultivationRiceRice is the seed of the monocot plants Oryza sativa or Oryza glaberrima . As a cereal grain, it is the most important staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the West Indies...
and develop iron and bronze technology.
Kofun periodKofun periodThe is an era in the history of Japan from around 250 to 538. It follows the Yayoi period. The word kofun is Japanese for the type of burial mounds dating from this era. The Kofun and the subsequent Asuka periods are sometimes referred to collectively as the Yamato period...
- Burial moundsTumulusA tumulus is a mound of earth and stones raised over a grave or graves. Tumuli are also known as barrows, burial mounds, Hügelgrab or kurgans, and can be found throughout much of the world. A tumulus composed largely or entirely of stones is usually referred to as a cairn...
were used for burying important individuals. The site at Mushazuka held ancient treasures, such as accessories, swords and stone pillows (石枕）.The human bones found at this site have revealed the ancient ‘’Mizura’’ hairstyle.
Nara periodNara periodThe of the history of Japan covers the years from AD 710 to 794. Empress Gemmei established the capital of Heijō-kyō . Except for 5 years , when the capital was briefly moved again, it remained the capital of Japanese civilization until Emperor Kammu established a new capital, Nagaoka-kyō, in 784...
- During this period Japan came to be controlled by the central government under the Taihō Code. At that time Hitachi provinceHitachi Provincewas an old province of Japan in the area of Ibaraki Prefecture. It was sometimes called . Hitachi Province bordered on Iwashiro, Iwaki, Shimousa, and Shimotsuke Provinces....
(now Ibaraki prefecture) was divided into 11 districts. The Tsuchiura area covered parts of four districts.
Heian periodHeian periodThe is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. The period is named after the capital city of Heian-kyō, or modern Kyōto. It is the period in Japanese history when Buddhism, Taoism and other Chinese influences were at their height...
- The SamuraiSamuraiis the term for the military nobility of pre-industrial Japan. According to translator William Scott Wilson: "In Chinese, the character 侍 was originally a verb meaning to wait upon or accompany a person in the upper ranks of society, and this is also true of the original term in Japanese, saburau...
class begins its rise to power. In 939939Year 939 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Edmund I of England succeeds to the throne of England.* The Arabs lose Madrid to the Kingdom of Leon....
, Taira no MasakadoTaira no Masakadowas a samurai in the Heian period of Japan, who led one of the largest insurgent forces in the period against the central government of Kyoto.-History:...
leads an uprising against the central government by attacking the provincial capital at IshiokaIshioka, Ibarakiis a city located in Ibaraki, Japan.As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 52,755 and the density of 885.15 persons per km². The total area is 59.60 km².The city was founded on February 11, 1954....
, a few kilometers to the north of Tsuchiura.
Kamakura periodKamakura periodThe is a period of Japanese history that marks the governance by the Kamakura Shogunate, officially established in 1192 in Kamakura by the first shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo....
- Under the rule of the samurai Daimyo (lord)Daimyois a generic term referring to the powerful territorial lords in pre-modern Japan who ruled most of the country from their vast, hereditary land holdings...
, Haruhisa Oda, Buddhism flourished in Tsuchiura. Evidence of this can still be seen today at the Hannyaji Temple, with its large copper bell (one of the 3 ancient copper bells from Hitachi province). It is also during this time that the name ‘’Tsuchiura’’ appeared in historical text possessed by the Tō-ji TempleTo-jiis a Buddhist temple of the Shingon sect in Kyoto, Japan. Its name means East Temple, and it once had a partner, Sai-ji . They stood alongside the Rashomon, the gate to the Heian capital. It is formally known as which indicates that it previously functioned as a temple providing protection for the...
in KyōtoKyotois a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan. It has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area.-History:...
.
Muromachi periodMuromachi periodThe is a division of Japanese history running from approximately 1336 to 1573. The period marks the governance of the Muromachi or Ashikaga shogunate, which was officially established in 1338 by the first Muromachi shogun, Ashikaga Takauji, two years after the brief Kemmu restoration of imperial...
- This was a time of intense warfare in Japan, and the katanaKatanaA Japanese sword, or , is one of the traditional bladed weapons of Japan. There are several types of Japanese swords, according to size, field of application and method of manufacture.-Description:...
was a sign of power, position and prosperity. Examples of these can be seen at the Tsuchiura City Museum. Architecture from this period can also be seen at the Daisho-ji temple.
Edo periodEdo periodThe , 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....
- Under the Tokugawa ShogunateTokugawa shogunateThe Tokugawa shogunate, also known as the and the , was a feudal regime of Japan established by Tokugawa Ieyasu and ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family. This period is known as the Edo period and gets its name from the capital city, Edo, which is now called Tokyo, after the name was...
Japan experienced peaceful times. Daimyo Tsuchiya encouraged commerce in Tsuchiura and in 1604 the trade road between MitoMito, Ibarakiis the capital of Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan and has a central location, moderately offset towards the coast in that prefecture. As of 2005, the city has an estimated population of 263,748 and a total area is 217.45 km², giving a population density of 1,212.91 persons per km²...
and TōkyōTokyo, ; 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...
was completed. In addition, a channel connecting Lake KasumigauraLake Kasumigaurais the second-largest lake in Japan, located 60 km to the north-east of Tōkyō. Lake Kasumigaura is actually the name given to a group of contiguous lakes, which includes the main lake, Nishiura , and two smaller lakes, Kitaura is the second-largest lake in Japan, located 60 km to the...
to Edo bayTokyo Bayis a bay in the southern Kantō region of Japan. Its old name was .-Geography:Tokyo Bay is surrounded by the Bōsō Peninsula to the east and the Miura Peninsula to the west. In a narrow sense, Tokyo Bay is the area north of the straight line formed by the on the Miura Peninsula on one end and on...
was also completed around this time. This made Tsuchiura an important transportation hub and consequently the city developed rapidly.
Meiji periodMeiji RestorationThe , also known as the Meiji Ishin, Revolution, Reform or Renewal, was a chain of events that restored imperial rule to Japan in 1868...
- During the restoration provinces and fiefdoms were changed into prefectures. In 1871, Ibaraki prefecture was established and in 1895 railroad service was started in Tsuchiura. The Gothic architecture of the old junior high school from this period can be seen at the Daiichi high school.
Shōwa periodShowa periodThe , or Shōwa era, is the period of Japanese history corresponding to the reign of the Shōwa Emperor, Hirohito, from December 25, 1926 through January 7, 1989.The Shōwa period was longer than the reign of any previous Japanese emperor...
- Tsuchiura became a city when the towns of Manabe and Tsuchiura merged on November 3, 1940.
- The city suffered damages during an air raid on June 10, 1945 in World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. - On September 1, 1951 Tsuchiura absorbed parts of the village of AsahiAsahi, IbarakiAsahi was a village located in Kashima District, Ibaraki, Japan.On October 11, 2005 Asahi was merged with the town of Hokota, and the village of Taiyō, all from Kashima District, to become the new city of Hokota....
(on the shores of Arakawa) and merged with the village of Towa. - The city merged with the village of Kamiotsu on November 1, 1954.
Heisei periodHeiseiis the current era name in Japan. The Heisei era started on 8 January 1989, the first day after the death of the reigning Emperor, Hirohito. His son, Akihito, succeeded to the throne...
- Tsuchiura absorbed the village of NiihariNiihari, IbarakiNiihari is a village located in Niihari District, Ibaraki, Japan.As of May 1, 2005, the village had an estimated population of 9,404. The total area was 31.99 km².On February 20, 2006 Niihari was merged into the city of Tsuchiura....
, from Niihari DistrictNiihari District, IbarakiNiihari was a district located in Ibaraki, Japan. The district was dissolved on March 27, 2006.The district has only one village before dissolution.* Tamari-Timeline :...
, on February 20, 2006.
Transportation
Tsuchiura is serviced by the Jōban LineJoban Line
The is a railway line in Japan operated by East Japan Railway Company . It begins at Nippori Station in Taitō, Tokyo and follows the Pacific coasts of Chiba, Ibaraki, and Fukushima Prefectures before the line officially ends at Iwanuma Station in Iwanuma, Miyagi...
of the East Japan Railway Company
East Japan Railway Company
is the largest passenger railway company in the world and one of the seven Japan Railways Group companies. The company name is officially abbreviated as JR East in English, and as in Japanese. The company's headquarters are in Yoyogi, Shibuya, Tokyo....
.
There are three stations in the city, Arakawaoki Station
Arakawaoki Station
is a JR East railway station located in Tsuchiura, Ibaraki, Japan. On March 23, 2008, Masahiro Kanagawa killed one and injured 7 others around the station.-Station layout:There are 2-side platforms, 2-ways.-Adjacent stations:-References:...
, Tsuchiura Station
Tsuchiura Station
is an East Japan Railway Company railway station located in Tsuchiura, Ibaraki, Japan.-Station layout:The station consists of one side platform and one island platform serving three tracks.-History:* 4 November 1895: Tsuchiura Station opens....
and Kandatsu Station
Kandatsu Station
is a train station located in Tsuchiura, Ibaraki in Japan.-Platforms:-Adjacent stations:...
running roughly from south to north. The city also has a major expressway
Expressways of Japan
The expressways of Japan make up a large network of freeway-standard toll roads.- History :Following World War II, Japan's economic revival led to a massive increase in personal automobile use...
running through it, the Jōban Expressway
Joban Expressway
The , abbreviated , is a national expressway in Japan. It is owned and operated by East Nippon Expressway Company.-Naming:Jōban is a kanji acronym consisting of two characters...
, which is operated by the East Nippon Expressway Company
East Nippon Expressway Company
The , abbreviated as , is one of the main operators of expressways and toll roads in Japan. It is headquartered in Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda, Tokyo.The company was established on October 1, 2005 as a result of the privatization of Japan Highway Public Corporation. The company manages roadways mainly in...
. Furthermore, many national highways
National highways of Japan
Japan has a nationwide system of distinct from the expressways. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and other government agencies administer the national highways. Beginning in 1952, Japan classified these as Class 1 or Class 2. Class 1 highways had one- or two-digit numbers, while...
criss-cross through Tsuchiura, such as Route 6
Route 6 (Japan)
National Route 6 is a Japanese highway which goes from Tokyo via Mito and Hitachi in Ibaraki Prefecture towards Sendai. The route traces the old Mito Kaidō from Tokyo to Mito...
. There is also an excellent local public bus system
Transit bus
A transit bus , also known as a commuter bus, city bus, or public bus, is a bus used for short-distance public transport purposes...
centered around Tsuchiura Station. In addition, operating to and from the station are many highway buses
Coach (vehicle)
A coach is a large motor vehicle, a type of bus, used for conveying passengers on excursions and on longer distance express coach scheduled transport between cities - or even between countries...
connecting the city to other cities and Narita International Airport
Narita International Airport
is an international airport serving the Greater Tokyo Area of Japan. It is located east of Tokyo Station and east-southeast of Narita Station in the city of Narita, and the adjacent town of Shibayama....
.
External links
- Tsuchiura official website in English
- Tsuchiura official website
- Google Maps 140 12E,36 04N
- Yokaren Museum - Tsuchiura
- Information about Tsuchiura Castle
- Guide from local English-language publication Alien Times
- World 66 Travel Guide
- Japan National Tourist Organization guide
- MSN Weather for Tsuchiura
- Meteorological Data
- Wi-Fi Spots around Tsuchiura