Ryūgasaki, Ibaraki
Ryūgasaki (龍ケ崎市, Ryūgasaki-shi) is a city located in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. As of September 2015, the city had an estimated population of 78,666, and a population density of 1000 persons per km². Its total area is 78.55 square kilometres (30.33 sq mi).
Ryūgasaki 龍ケ崎市 | |
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![]() Ryūgasaki city hall | |
![]() Flag ![]() Seal | |
![]() Location of Ryūgasaki in Ibaraki Prefecture | |
![]() ![]() Ryūgasaki | |
Coordinates: 35°54′41.6″N 140°10′56.3″E | |
Country | Japan |
Region | Kantō |
Prefecture | Ibaraki Prefecture |
Area | |
• Total | 78.55 km2 (30.33 sq mi) |
Population (September 2015) | |
• Total | 78,666 |
• Density | 1,000/km2 (3,000/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time) |
- Tree | Pinus |
- Flower | Platycodon grandiflorus |
- Bird | Swan |
Phone number | 0297-64-1111 |
Address | 3710 Banchi, Ryūgasaki-shi, Ibaraki-ken 301-8611 |
Website | http://www.city.ryugasaki.ibaraki.jp/ |
Geography
Ryūgasaki is located in southern Ibaraki Prefecture, in the low-lying flatlands south of Lake Kasumigaura.
Surrounding municipalities
History
The name "Ryūgasaki" can be traced back to 1182 when the samurai clan ruling the territory adopted "Ryūgasaki" as their family name. Though originally part of the Sendai Domain, the region joined Miyazaku Prefecture in 1869 before merging with Ibaraki Prefecture in 1875. The town of Ryūgasaki was created with the establishment of the municipalities system on April 1, 1889.
The city was formed on March 20, 1954, when the aforementioned town merged with: Nareshiba, Ōmiya, Yabara, Nagato, Kawarashiro and Kitamonma. In February 1955, the city grew to its present size when a proportion of Takasu merged with the city.[1]
In 1974, the city adopted the Swan, the Pinus, and Platycodon grandiflorus as its city symbols for bird, tree and flower respectively.[2]
The current mayor is Kazuo Nakayama, who assumed the position on January 18, 2010. Nakayama is the seventeenth and eighteenth mayor of Ryūgasaki having been re-elected to hold the position again from January 18, 2014.[3]
Economy
New Central Airlines, a commuter airline, is headquartered in the city, on the grounds of Ryūgasaki Airfield, although no commercial flights are scheduled from the city.[4][5]
Education
Ryūgasaki has 12 elementary schools, six middle schools, and four high schools. The Ryutsu Keizai University is also located within the city.
Transportation
Railway
- JR East - Jōban Line
- Sanuki
- Kantō Railway - Ryūgasaki Line
Highway
Airport
- Ryūgasaki Airfield – however, no scheduled commercial services
Local attractions
Noted people from Ryūgasaki
- Isao Okano – judoka, Olympic gold medalist
- Nana Suzuki – model
- Kisenosato Yutaka - the 72nd yokozuna in sumo
- Akiyo Noguchi - professional rock climber, seven-time IFSC Climbing World Cup champion
References
- 平成25年 統計りゅうがさき [2013 Statistics, Ryūgasaki] (PDF) (in Japanese). Japan: Ryūgasaki City. p. 2. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
- 市民憲章、市章、市の花・木・鳥 [Townspeople's charter, city symbol, the city's flower, tree and bird] (PDF) (in Japanese). Japan: Ryūgasaki City. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
- 平成25年 統計りゅうがさき [2013 Statistics, Ryugasaki] (PDF) (in Japanese). Japan: Ryūgasaki City. p. 59. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
- "The Kawada Group." Kawada Industries. Retrieved on February 21, 2010.
- "路線外運行." New Central Airlines. Retrieved on February 21, 2010. "お問い合わせは 〒301-0806 茨城県竜ヶ崎市半田町3177 竜ヶ崎飛行場内"
External links
Media related to Ryūgasaki, Ibaraki at Wikimedia Commons- Official Website (in Japanese)