Kawanishi, Hyōgo
Kawanishi (川西市, Kawanishi-shi) is a city in Hyōgo Prefecture (兵庫県) in the northwestern part of the Kansai region of Japan, about 5 km north of Osaka Itami Airport. It is bordered on the west by the Inagawa river.
Kawanishi 川西市 | |
---|---|
Flag Emblem | |
Location of Kawanishi in Hyōgo Prefecture | |
Kawanishi Location in Japan | |
Coordinates: 34°50′N 135°25′E | |
Country | Japan |
Region | Kansai |
Prefecture | Hyōgo Prefecture |
Government | |
• Mayor | Tamio Oshio |
Area | |
• Total | 53.44 km2 (20.63 sq mi) |
Population (August 31, 2016) | |
• Total | 159,723 |
• Density | 2,948.83/km2 (7,637.4/sq mi) |
Symbols | |
• Tree | Sakura |
• Flower | Gentian |
Time zone | UTC+9 (JST) |
City hall address | 12-1 Chūō-chō, Kawanishi-shi, Hyōgo-ken 666-8501 |
Website | www |
As of August 31, 2016, the city has an estimated population of 159,723 and a population density of 2,948.83 persons per km². The total area is 53.44 km².
History
In the 6th century, the Shofukuji tomb (勝福寺古墳) was built.
In the 10th century, Minamoto no Mitsunaka (源満仲), samurai court official, and grandson of Emperor Seiwa (清和天皇) retired to Tada (多田) village, now part of Kawanishi. This area became the base of his descendants, Seiwa Genji (清和源氏), which established the Kamakura shogunate. A statue of him can be seen next to Kawanishi-Ikeda Station.
In the 11th century, the Tada silver-and-copper mine started. And in the 17th century it was at its peak.
In 1884, Mitsuya Cider was first made.
In 1913, Kawanishi-Noseguchi Station was opened.
Kawanishi was incorporated on August 1, 1954 out of the former Kawanishi Town (川西町), Tada Village (多田村) and Higashitani Village (東谷村).
Administration
Mayors
- Shinzaburo Ogasawara (小笠原新三郎) (1954-1966)
- Ryutaro Ito (伊藤龍太郎) (1966-1990)
- Masao Tsuji (辻正男) (Aug 1990-Oct 1990)
- Susumu Shibao (柴生進) (Oct 1990-2006)
- Tamio Ohshio (大塩民生) (2006- )
Police
Kawanishi Police Station
Neighboring municipalities
- Hyōgo Prefecture
- Osaka Prefecture
Economy
Kawanishi is home to many commuters who work in Kobe and Osaka, with express trains running from Osaka to Kawanishi to accommodate these travelers. Though primarily suburban, Kawanishi does have a significant agricultural sector, especially in the northern portions of the city. Major crops include peaches, chestnuts, figs, and charcoal.
Sights
- Tada Shrine (多田神社)
- Manganji Temple (満願寺)
- Kuzu Shrine (九頭神社)
- Inagawa Keikoku Prefectural Natural Park
- Hitokura Dam and Lake Chimyo
- Kyodokan Museum (Folk Museum of Kawanishi)
- Yamashita Castle (山下城)
- Shinden Castle (新田城)
- Shofukuji Tomb
Transportation
Railways
Kawanishi is serviced by the JR Takarazuka Line and the Hankyu Takarazuka Line. Hankyu's Kawanishi-Noseguchi Station is a transfer station to the Nose Railway, which runs primarily within Kawanishi.
- JR Takarazuka Line
- Hankyu Takarazuka Line
- Nose Railway
- Myoken Line
- Kawanishi-Noseguchi Station - Kinunobebashi Station - Takiyama Station - Uguisunomori Station - Tsuzumigataki Station - Tada Station (Hyōgo) - Hirano Station (Hyōgo) - Ichinotorii Station - Uneno Station - Yamashita Station (Hyōgo) - Sasabe Station
- Nissei Line
- Myoken Line
Highway
- National highways
- Expressways
Shin-Meishin Expressway Kawanishi Interchange Chūgoku Expressway Hanshin Expressway Ikeda Route
- Main prefectural roads
- Osaka Prefecture Route 12
- Osaka Prefecture Route 13
- Osaka Prefecture Route 68
Buses
- Hankyu Bus
- Itami City Bus
People from Kawanishi
Sister cities
Bowling Green, Kentucky, United States - 1992 Sawara, Chiba, Japan - 1990
Related items
- Mitsuya Cider - First bottled in Kawanishi.
- Tada Shrine - Tada shrine is by the Inagawa river in Kawanishi.
External links
Media related to Kawanishi, Hyōgo at Wikimedia Commons - Kawanishi City official website (in Japanese)
- Kawanishi City official website (in English)