Hitachinaka, Ibaraki
Hitachinaka (ひたちなか市, Hitachinaka-shi) is a city located in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 June 2019, the city had an estimated population of 155,187, and a population density of 1,552 persons per km². Its total area is 99.96 square kilometres (38.59 sq mi). It is a "hiragana city", the place name is written with the hiragana syllabary, and not the traditional kanji.
Hitachinaka ひたちなか市 | |
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Hitachiōnaka city hall | |
Flag Seal | |
Location of Hitachinaka in Ibaraki Prefecture | |
Hitachinaka | |
Coordinates: 36°23′48.1″N 140°32′4.8″E | |
Country | Japan |
Region | Kantō |
Prefecture | Ibaraki Prefecture |
Area | |
• Total | 99.96 km2 (38.59 sq mi) |
Population (June 1, 2019) | |
• Total | 155,187 |
• Density | 1,600/km2 (4,000/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time) |
- Tree | Ginkgo biloba |
- Flower | Hamagiku (Chrysanthemum nipponicum) |
- Bird | Japanese bush warbler |
Phone number | 029-273-0111 |
Address | 2-10-1 Higashiishikawa, Hitachinaka-shi, Ibaraki-ken 312-8501 |
Website | http://www.city.hitachinaka.lg.jp/ |
Geography
Hitachinaka is located in central Ibaraki Prefecture, bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the east.
History
The towns of Hiraiso and Minato, as well as the village of Katsuta were created within Naka District with the establishment of the municipalities system on April 1, 1889. Minato was renamed Nakaminato in 1938. Katsuta was elevated to town status in 1940. During World War II, the area was subject to air raids and to shelling by Allied warships due to its numerous factories producing war-related materials. On March 31, 1954, the towns of Nakaminato and Hiraiso merged, forming the city of Nakaminato. Katsuta was raised to city status on November 1 of the same year. The two cities merged on November 1, 1994, to form the city of Hitachinaka.
Economy
Hitachinaka developed primarily as a company town for Hitachi group factories, and Hitachi remains the primary employer. Secondary industries include commercial fishing, agriculture and seasonal tourism.
Education
Hitachinaka has 20 elementary schools, nine middle schools, and five high schools. There is also one technical institute and one special education school.
Transportation
Railway
- JR East – Jōban Line
- JR East – Suigun Line
- Hitachinaka Seaside Railway – Minato Line
- Katsuta – Kōkimae – Kaneage – Nakane – Takadano-tekkyō – Nakaminato – Tonoyama – Hiraiso – Isozaki – Ajigaura
Local attractions
- Hitachi Seaside Park
- Hitachinaka City Stadium
- Hitachinaka Baseball Stadium
- Ajigaura Swimming Beach
- Hiraiso Swimming Beach
- Torazuka kofun
Annual events
Sister cities
Notable people
- Natsuo Yamaguchi, politician
- Kentaro Shiga, professional wrestler
- Ōuchiyama Heikichi, sumo wrestler
References
- "姉妹都市締結の沿革". city.hitachinaka.lg.jp. Hitachinaka. Retrieved 2020-04-12.
External links
- Official Website (in Japanese)