Fujimino, Saitama

Fujimino (ふじみ野市, Fujimino-shi) is a city located in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 February 2016, the city had an estimated population of 111,218, and a population density of 7600 persons per km². Its total area is 14.64 square kilometres (5.65 sq mi).

Fujimino

ふじみ野市
City
Fujimino City Hall
Flag
Seal
Location of Fujimino in Saitama Prefecture
Fujimino
Location of Fujimino in Saitama Prefecture
Coordinates: 35°52′46.3″N 139°31′11.2″E
CountryJapan
RegionKantō
PrefectureSaitama Prefecture
Government
 • MayorHiroshi Takahata (since November 2009)
Area
 • Total14.64 km2 (5.65 sq mi)
Population
 (February 2016)
 • Total111,218
 • Density7,600/km2 (20,000/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
Phone number049-261-2611
Address1-1-1 Kamifukuoka, Fujimino-shi, Saitama-ken 356-8501
Websitehttp://www.city.fujimino.saitama.jp/

Geography

Fujimino is located in southern Saitama, on the northern edge of the Musashino Terrace, and is approximately 30 kilometers from downtown Tokyo.

Surrounding municipalities

History

Earthenware pottery fragments from the Kamifukuoka Shell Mound dating to the Early Jōmon period, were discovered beneath the Dainihon Print Company in Fujimino, indicating a long period of settlement. The city also has an important early Kofun period archaeological site, the Gongenyama Tumuli Cluster, from the late 3rd century. During the Edo period, the port of Fukuoka was an important river port on a branch of the Arakawa River and was under the control of Kawagoe Domain. The modern village of Fukuoka was created within Iruma District, Saitama with the establishment of the municipalities system on April 1, 1889. The first public housing estates (Uenodai and Kasumigaoka) in Japan were built in Fukuoka after the Second World War. The village was raised to town status in 1960 and to city status on April 10, 1972, changing its name to Kamifukuoka to avoid confusion with the more famous city of Fukuoka in Kyushu. The modern city of Fujimino was established on October 1, 2005, from the merger of the city of Kamifukuoka, and the neighboring town of Ōi (from Iruma District).

Economy

Due to this location, Fujimino is primarily a bedroom community with over 25% of its population commuting to the Tokyo metropolis for work. There are a number of industrial parks in the city.

Education

Fujimino has 13 elementary schools, six middle schools, and one high school. Bunkyo University also has a campus in Fujimino.

Public facilities

There are two libraries, two public swimming pools (summer season only), and a number of public halls and community centres.

Transportation

Railway

Highway

Local attractions
  • Jizoin Temple, famous for a weeping cherry tree which is more than 300 years old.
  • Benten-no-mori Park, which has a small temple noted for cherry blossoms in spring, and kudzu in autumn.
  • Shingashi River, used for transporting goods in the Edo period, with a warehouse from the 1870s now called the Fukuokagashi Riverside Heritage Hall.
  • Green Park, on the bank of the Shingashi River, noted as a location where Tokugawa Ieyasu used to go falconing.
Chūō Park during the cherry blossom season
  • Chūō Park.

Festivals

There are two major festivals in Fujimino: the Kamifukuoka Tanabata Festival and the Oi Festival.

Kamifukuoka Tanabata Festival

This is a lively festival held on the first Saturday and Sunday of August every year since more than 50 years ago. It includes a bamboo decoration contest, Awa Odori dancing, Bon Odori dancing, and traditional taiko drumming.

Oi Festival

Oi Festival is held in the middle of July every year and features historic mikoshi portable shrines and a parade of floats, with Yosakoi dancing by dancers with naruko clappers in their hands.

Noted people from Fujimino
gollark: Well, do you know what a cryometaapion is?
gollark: [REDACTED] cryometaapions, mostly?
gollark: Fear it, yes.
gollark: I might have to deploy GTech™ artistic engines™ against the problem of lemon image attainment.
gollark: Also, the monospace was quite cool. But this new background image is nicer.

References
  1. Confusingly, Fujimino Station is located in the neighbouring city of Fujimi
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