Kasumigaura, Ibaraki

Kasumigaura (かすみがうら市, Kasumigaura-shi) is a city located in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. As of September 2015, the city had an estimated population of 41,715, and a population density of 266 persons per km². Its total area is 156.60 square kilometres (60.46 sq mi). The city takes its name from the nearby lake, Lake Kasumigaura. The city has the distinction of having the longest name in Japan (in terms of the number of characters used), together with Ichikikushikino, Kagoshima Prefecture and Tsukubamirai. Much of the city is within the borders of the Suigō-Tsukuba Quasi-National Park.

Kasumigaura かすみがうら市
City
Kasumigaura city hall
Flag Emblem
Location of Kasumigaura in Ibaraki Prefecture
Kasumigaura
Coordinates: 36°9′6.3″N 140°14′13.6″E
Country	Japan
Region	Kantō
Prefecture	Ibaraki Prefecture
Government
• Mayor	Toru Tsuboi (since July 2014)
Area
• Total	156.60 km^2 (60.46 sq mi)
Population  (September 2015)
• Total	41,715
• Density	266/km^2 (690/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
- Tree	Japanese Chestnut
- Flower	Hydrangea
- Bird	Japanese bush warbler
Phone number	0299-59-2111
Address	461 Kamitsuchida, Kasumigaura-shi, Ibaraki-ken 315-8512
Website	http://www.city.kasumigaura.lg.jp/

Geography

Kasumigaura is located in central Ibaraki Prefecture, on a peninsula bordered by Lake Kasumigaura on two sides to the southeast and southwest. It is approximately 60 kilometers to the northeast of Tokyo.

Surrounding municipalities

• Ibaraki Prefecture
  • Ishioka
  • Tsuchiura
  • Namegata

History

The village of Dejima was established within Niihari District on February 11, 1955 through the merger of the villages of Shimootsu, Minami, Ushiwata, Saga, Anshoku and Shishiko. It was elevated to town status on April 1, 1997 and was renamed Kasumigaura.

The town of Kasumigaura merged with the neighboring town of Chiyoda on March 28, 2005, becoming the city of Kasumigaura.

Economy

Kasumigaura has primarily an agricultural economy, with lotus root, and various fruits as the major cash crops. Aquaculture on Lake Kasumigaura also plays a role.

Education

Kasumigaura has 14 elementary schools, three middle schools, and one high school.

Transportation

Railway

• Kasumigaura is not served by any passenger railway service. The nearest train station is Kandatsu on the JR East Jōban Line in neighboring Tsuchiura.

Highway

• Jōban Expressway – Chiyoda-Ishioka Interchange
• National Route 6
• National Route 354

Local attractions

Notable people from Kasumigaura

• Katsuhiko Saka – professional baseball player

External links

• Official website (in Japanese)