Itako, Ibaraki
Itako (潮来市, Itako-shi) is a city located in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. As of September 2015, the city had an estimated population of 29,047, and a population density of 407 persons per km2. Its total area is 71.40 square kilometres (27.57 sq mi). It is known for its annual iris festival (Itako Ayame Matsuri). Much of the city is within the borders of the Suigo-Tsukuba Quasi-National Park.
Itako 潮来市 | |
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Maekawa Iris Park | |
Flag Seal | |
Location of Itako in Ibaraki Prefecture | |
Itako | |
Coordinates: 35°56′49.7″N 140°33′19.3″E | |
Country | Japan |
Region | Kantō |
Prefecture | Ibaraki Prefecture |
Area | |
• Total | 71.40 km2 (27.57 sq mi) |
Population (September 2015) | |
• Total | 29,047 |
• Density | 407/km2 (1,050/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time) |
Symbols | |
• Tree | Populus |
• Flower | Iris |
• Bird | Great reed warbler |
Phone number | 0299-23-1111 |
Address | 626 Tsuji, Itako-shi, Ibaraki-ken 311-2493 |
Website | http://www.city.itako.lg.jp/ |
Geography
Itako is located in southern Ibaraki Prefecture, bordered by Chiba Prefecture to the south, and sandwiched between Lake Kasumigaura to the west and Lake Kitaura to the east. The Tone River also flows through the city, which has been noted since the Edo period for its network of canals. The city is approximately 80 kilometers north of Tokyo.
Surrounding municipalities
History
The town of Itako was established within Namegata District with the creation of the municipalities system on April 1, 1889. New Itako-town was established in the merger old Itako-town and neighboring villages of Tsuwa, Nobutaka and Ouhara on February 11, 1955. The city of Itako was formed on April 1, 2001, from the merger of the former town of Itako, absorbing the town of Ushibori (both from Namegata District).[1]
Economy
Education
Itako has six elementary schools, four middle schools, and one high school.
Local attractions
- Suigo Itako Iris Gardens
- Junikyo Bridges
- Kongenyama park
- Nihonmatsu-dera Buddhist temple
- Inariyama Park
- Chōshō-ji Buddhist temple
- Suigo Hokusai Park
- Road Station Itako
- Suigo Dragonfly Park
Notable people from Itako
- Kenji Koyano – professional football player
- Keita Sugimoto – professional football player
- Tatsuya Kawahara – professional football player
- Mitsuo Yanagimachi – movie director
References
- "Archived copy" 潮来市の沿革. Itako official website (in Japanese). Itako City. Archived from the original on October 31, 2011. Retrieved October 30, 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)