Ichikawa (市川市, Ichikawa-shi) is a city in western Chiba Prefecture, Japan. As of 31 August 2021[update], the city had an estimated population of 491,716 in 251,142 households and a population density of 8559 persons per km2.[1] The total area of the city is 57.45 square kilometres (22.18 sq mi). The city has a concentration of the wide-area traffic network that connects the center of Tokyo with many areas of Chiba Prefecture. Major rail routes and roads pass through the city.
Ichikawa is located in the northwestern part of Chiba prefecture, about 20 kilometers from the prefectural capital at Chiba and within 10 to 20 kilometers from the center of Tokyo. The western border of the city is separated from Edogawa Ward of Tokyo by the Edogawa River. The southern part of the city is an alluvial plain about two meters above sea level, and the northern part is part of the gentle Shimosa Plateau rising about 20 meters above sea level. The highest point is 30.1 meters in Satomi Park. Parts of the city are on reclaimed land at sea level.
Ichikawa has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Ichikawa is 15.4 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1404 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 27.0 °C, and lowest in January, at around 4.9 °C.[2]
Demographics
Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Ichikawa has increased fifteen-fold over the past century.
In more recent history, the area was also the site of some minor battles during the Boshin War of the Meiji Restoration and was promoted as a possible site for the new Diet of Japan by Katsu Kaishu, who envisioned a structure to be built on the Edogawa River similar to the Houses of Parliament in London along the River Thames. Ichikawa Town was organized in 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. On November 3, 1934 Ichikawa merged with the neighboring towns of Yawata, Nakayama and village of Kokubun to form the city of Ichikawa. The city expanded by annexing the village of Okashiwa on November 3, 1949, the town of Gyotoku on March 31, 1955 and town of Minami-Gyotoku on October 1, 1956.
Government
Ichikawa has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 42 members. Ichikawa contributes six members to the Chiba Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is divided between the Chiba 5th district and the Chiba 6th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
Economy
Ichikawa during the Meiji period was considered a desirable location for politicians, industrialists and many cultural figures, and had the highest assessed land prices in Chiba Prefecture. Many modern writers and poets have either lived in Ichikawa, or had written works set in Ichikawa, including Soseki Natsume, Shiki Masaoka, Akiko Yosano, Yukio Mishima, Nagai Kafu, Hisashi Inoue and Koda Rohan. The area around Ichikawa Station and Motoyawata Station later developed into a commercial area with many high-rise condominiums, commercial facilities, and companies. The area around Motoyawata Station is also an administrative center where many city facilities such as the city hall are located.
The Gyotoku district in the south is an area which once had salt pans in the Edo Period, but was transformed in modern times into new town developments with good access to Tokyo via the Tokyo MetroTozai Line. The bay area along the Keiyo Line and Japan National Route 357 (Metropolitan Expressway Bayshore Line / Higashi Kanto Expressway) is an industrial area as part of the Tokyo-Chiba industrial zone, and is a distribution base where factories and warehouses of various companies are lined up.
Ichikawa has 39 public elementary schools and three private elementary schools. The city has 27 public middle schools and five private combined middle/high schools, including Ichikawa Gakuen. The city also has seven public high schools and two private high schools.
Nakayama Hokekyō-ji: A Buddhist temple with several national important cultural assets, including a gate and a Hokke-dō Hall from the Sengoku period and a Five-story Pagoda built in 1622.
Katsushika Hachiman Shrine: A Shinto shrine built in the Heian period.
Osu Disaster Prevention Park: Usually used as a recreation and relaxation site, this park is designated as a temporary evacuation and rescue site in times of disaster.
Satomi Park: One of Ichikawa's main parks, Satomi Park stands on the hilly part of Konōdai, with the Edo River running below. It is famous for its cherry trees.
Wild Bird Observatory: This facility is equipped with observation telescopes, and it has an exhibition room which is open to visitors.
Zoological & Botanical Garden: This garden houses 70 species of animals, mainly small animals such as lesser pandas and orangutans. Nearby is the Natural Museum, Nature Park (Rose Garden), Youth Nature House (Planetarium), and privately managed athletic facilities.
Teramachi-dori: Formerly called "Narita-michi" ("Narita Road"), this street was once used by pilgrims on their way to Narita-san Temple.
Higashiyama Kaii Memorial Hall: Designed based on Germany, where Higashiyama studied, this two-story building is European in appearance with an octagonal tower.
Lifelong Learning Center: Nicknamed "Media Park Ichikawa," this center supports learning for everyone from infants to seniors. The center's main attraction is the Central Library, along with the Audio Visual and Children's Hall.
Clean Spa Ichikawa: Powered by heat from garbage incineration, this facility provides a swimming pool, warm bath, and gymnastic equipment.
^"A Sight-seeing Guide to Ichikawa City's International Exchanges" (PDF). city.ichikawa.lg.jp. Ichikawa. November 2018. Retrieved 2020-04-08.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ichikawa, Chiba.
Official Website (in Japanese)
January 21, 2023
ichikawa, chiba, ichikawa, 市川市, ichikawa, city, western, chiba, prefecture, japan, august, 2021, update, city, estimated, population, households, population, density, 8559, persons, total, area, city, square, kilometres, city, concentration, wide, area, traffi. Ichikawa 市川市 Ichikawa shi is a city in western Chiba Prefecture Japan As of 31 August 2021 update the city had an estimated population of 491 716 in 251 142 households and a population density of 8559 persons per km2 1 The total area of the city is 57 45 square kilometres 22 18 sq mi The city has a concentration of the wide area traffic network that connects the center of Tokyo with many areas of Chiba Prefecture Major rail routes and roads pass through the city Ichikawa 市川市CityMoto Yawata Hokekyō jiIchikawa Fireworks High rise apartments in YawataKeisei Electric Railway head officeShimōsa Kokubun ji Satomi ParkFlagSealLocation of Ichikawa in Chiba PrefectureIchikawa Coordinates 35 43 18 9 N 139 55 51 8 E 35 721917 N 139 931056 E 35 721917 139 931056 Coordinates 35 43 18 9 N 139 55 51 8 E 35 721917 N 139 931056 E 35 721917 139 931056CountryJapanRegionKantōPrefectureChibaFirst official recorded100 AD official Town settledApril 1 1889City settledNovember 3 1934Government MayorKo Tanaka since April 2022 Area Total57 45 km2 22 18 sq mi Population August 31 2021 Total491 716 Density8 600 km2 22 000 sq mi Time zoneUTC 9 Japan Standard Time TreePinus thunbergii FlowerRose BirdCettia diphonePhone number047 334 1111Address1 1 1 Yawata Ichikawa shi Chiba ken 272 8501WebsiteOfficial websiteIchikawa City Hall Contents 1 Geography 1 1 Surrounding municipalities 1 2 Climate 2 Demographics 3 History 4 Government 5 Economy 6 Transportation 6 1 Railway 6 2 Highway 7 Education 7 1 Universities 7 1 1 Primary and secondary schools 8 Twin towns 9 Local attractions 10 Noted people from Ichikawa 11 References 12 External linksGeography EditIchikawa is located in the northwestern part of Chiba prefecture about 20 kilometers from the prefectural capital at Chiba and within 10 to 20 kilometers from the center of Tokyo The western border of the city is separated from Edogawa Ward of Tokyo by the Edogawa River The southern part of the city is an alluvial plain about two meters above sea level and the northern part is part of the gentle Shimosa Plateau rising about 20 meters above sea level The highest point is 30 1 meters in Satomi Park Parts of the city are on reclaimed land at sea level Surrounding municipalities Edit Chiba Prefecture Urayasu Funabashi Matsudo KamagayaTokyo Metropolis EdogawaClimate Edit Ichikawa has a humid subtropical climate Koppen Cfa characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall The average annual temperature in Ichikawa is 15 4 C The average annual rainfall is 1404 mm with September as the wettest month The temperatures are highest on average in August at around 27 0 C and lowest in January at around 4 9 C 2 Demographics EditPer Japanese census data 3 the population of Ichikawa has increased fifteen fold over the past century Historical populationYearPop 192031 676 193052 972 67 2 194075 257 42 1 1950120 565 60 2 1960157 301 30 5 1970261 055 66 0 1980364 244 39 5 1990436 596 19 9 2000448 642 2 8 2010473 919 5 6 2020496 676 4 8 History EditThe area around present day Ichikawa has been inhabited since the Japanese Paleolithic period Archaeologists have found stone tools dating to some 30 000 years ago Numerous shell middens from the Jōmon period and hundreds of burial tumuli from the Kofun period have been found in numerous locations around Ichikawa During the Nara period Ichikawa was the provincial capital of Shimōsa Province and is mentioned in the Man yōshu During the Heian period this area was the center of the rebellion by Taira Masakado During the Sengoku period it was the site of a major battles Battle of Kōnodai between the Satomi clan and the Later Hōjō clan In more recent history the area was also the site of some minor battles during the Boshin War of the Meiji Restoration and was promoted as a possible site for the new Diet of Japan by Katsu Kaishu who envisioned a structure to be built on the Edogawa River similar to the Houses of Parliament in London along the River Thames Ichikawa Town was organized in 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system On November 3 1934 Ichikawa merged with the neighboring towns of Yawata Nakayama and village of Kokubun to form the city of Ichikawa The city expanded by annexing the village of Okashiwa on November 3 1949 the town of Gyotoku on March 31 1955 and town of Minami Gyotoku on October 1 1956 Government EditIchikawa has a mayor council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 42 members Ichikawa contributes six members to the Chiba Prefectural Assembly In terms of national politics the city is divided between the Chiba 5th district and the Chiba 6th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan Economy EditIchikawa during the Meiji period was considered a desirable location for politicians industrialists and many cultural figures and had the highest assessed land prices in Chiba Prefecture Many modern writers and poets have either lived in Ichikawa or had written works set in Ichikawa including Soseki Natsume Shiki Masaoka Akiko Yosano Yukio Mishima Nagai Kafu Hisashi Inoue and Koda Rohan The area around Ichikawa Station and Motoyawata Station later developed into a commercial area with many high rise condominiums commercial facilities and companies The area around Motoyawata Station is also an administrative center where many city facilities such as the city hall are located The Gyotoku district in the south is an area which once had salt pans in the Edo Period but was transformed in modern times into new town developments with good access to Tokyo via the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line The bay area along the Keiyo Line and Japan National Route 357 Metropolitan Expressway Bayshore Line Higashi Kanto Expressway is an industrial area as part of the Tokyo Chiba industrial zone and is a distribution base where factories and warehouses of various companies are lined up Transportation EditRailway Edit JR East Sōbu Line Rapid Ichikawa JR East Chuō Sōbu Line Ichikawa Motoyawata JR East Musashino Line Ichikawa Ōno JR East Keiyō Line Ichikawa Shiohama Futamata Shimmachi Keisei Electric Railway Keisei Main Line Kōnodai Ichikawa Mama Sugano Keisei Yawata Onigoe Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation Shinjuku Line Moto Yawata Tokyo Metro Tōzai Line Minami Gyōtoku Gyōtoku Myōden Hokusō Railway Hokusō Line Kita Kokubun lt Akiyama Higashi Matsudo Matsuhidai gt ŌmachiHighway Edit Higashi Kantō Expressway Keiyō Road Bayshore Route National Route 14 National Route 298 National Route 357 National Route 464Education EditUniversities Edit Chiba University of Commerce Wayo Women s University Tokyo Medical and Dental University Ichikawa campus Showagakuin Junior College Tokyo Management CollegePrimary and secondary schools Edit Ichikawa has 39 public elementary schools and three private elementary schools The city has 27 public middle schools and five private combined middle high schools including Ichikawa Gakuen The city also has seven public high schools and two private high schools Twin towns EditSee also List of twin towns and sister cities in Japan Ichikawa is twinned with 4 Gardena United States 1962 Issy les Moulineaux France 2012 Leshan China 1981 Medan Indonesia 1989 Rosenheim Germany 2004 Local attractions EditNakayama Hokekyō ji A Buddhist temple with several national important cultural assets including a gate and a Hokke dō Hall from the Sengoku period and a Five story Pagoda built in 1622 Katsushika Hachiman Shrine A Shinto shrine built in the Heian period Osu Disaster Prevention Park Usually used as a recreation and relaxation site this park is designated as a temporary evacuation and rescue site in times of disaster Satomi Park One of Ichikawa s main parks Satomi Park stands on the hilly part of Konōdai with the Edo River running below It is famous for its cherry trees Wild Bird Observatory This facility is equipped with observation telescopes and it has an exhibition room which is open to visitors Zoological amp Botanical Garden This garden houses 70 species of animals mainly small animals such as lesser pandas and orangutans Nearby is the Natural Museum Nature Park Rose Garden Youth Nature House Planetarium and privately managed athletic facilities Teramachi dori Formerly called Narita michi Narita Road this street was once used by pilgrims on their way to Narita san Temple Guhō ji and the nearby Mama Well of Kamei in mentioned in Takahashi Mushimaro s poem in the Man yōshu Higashiyama Kaii Memorial Hall Designed based on Germany where Higashiyama studied this two story building is European in appearance with an octagonal tower Lifelong Learning Center Nicknamed Media Park Ichikawa this center supports learning for everyone from infants to seniors The center s main attraction is the Central Library along with the Audio Visual and Children s Hall Clean Spa Ichikawa Powered by heat from garbage incineration this facility provides a swimming pool warm bath and gymnastic equipment Noted people from Ichikawa EditMasa Takanashi professional wrestler Sakaigawa Namiemon Meiji period sumo wrestler Wakashima Gonshirō Meiji period sumo wrestler Kōji Nakano novelist Kuniko Inoguchi Cabinet minister Michio Hoshino photographer Kazuki Kosakai comedian Yuko Andō newscaster Koji Ishikawa illustrator Taiji musician yukihiro musician musician Kazuo Takahashi mixed martial artist Shigeki Maruyama professional golfer Oginishiki Yasutoshi sumo wrestler Tomo Sakurai Voice actress Tōki Susumu sumo wrestler Ryoji Aikawa professional baseball player Ryoji Aikawa professional soccer player Kazushige Nosawa professional wrestler G G Sato professional baseball player Moe Oshikiri fashion model Yuki Abe professional soccer player Atsuko Maeda singer actress former member of AKB48 Norimitsu Onishi Journalist Tatsuhisa Suzuki Voice actor Peter Takeo Okada Roman Catholic Archbishop of Tokyo Yoko Narahashi film producer and casting director Tao Okamoto actress and model Yoshino Takamori Voice actressReferences Edit Ichikawa city official statistics in Japanese Japan Ichikawa climate data Ichikawa population statistics A Sight seeing Guide to Ichikawa City s International Exchanges PDF city ichikawa lg jp Ichikawa November 2018 Retrieved 2020 04 08 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ichikawa Chiba Official Website in Japanese Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ichikawa Chiba amp oldid 1129992469, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
