Ichikawa, Chiba

Ichikawa
市川市
City

Ichikawa City Office

Flag
Seal

Location of Ichikawa in Chiba Prefecture
Ichikawa

 

Coordinates: 35°43′18.9″N 139°55′51.8″E / 35.721917°N 139.931056°E / 35.721917; 139.931056Coordinates: 35°43′18.9″N 139°55′51.8″E / 35.721917°N 139.931056°E / 35.721917; 139.931056
Country Japan
Region Kantō
Prefecture Chiba Prefecture
Government
 • - Mayor Hiroshi Okubo (since December 2009)
Area
 • Total 57.45 km2 (22.18 sq mi)
Population (February 2016)
 • Total 481,790
 • Density 8,390/km2 (21,700/sq mi)
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
- Tree Pinus thunbergii
- Flower Rose
- Bird Cettia diphone
Phone number 047-334-1111
Address 1-1-1 Yawata, Ichikawa-shi, Chiba-ken 272-8501
Website Official website

Ichikawa (市川市 Ichikawa-shi) is a city located in northwestern Chiba Prefecture, Japan, approximately 20 kilometers from the center of Tokyo. The city was founded on November 3, 1934.

As of February 1, 2016, the city had an estimated population of 481,790 and a population density of 8,390 persons per km². The total area is 57.45 km2 (22.18 sq mi).

Ichikawa is also the home of the chief of the ground staff of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and the Colton Plaza shopping mall. Its close proximity to Tokyo makes it a convenient location for commuters; it is connected to Tokyo by the JR Chuo-Sobu Line, the Toei Shinjuku Line, the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line, the Toei Asakusa Line, and the Keisei Line.

Geography

Ichikawa is located on the alluvial plain of the Edogawa River on the northern end of Tokyo Bay, with Tokyo Metropolis forming its western border. Much of the city is near sea level in altitude.

Surrounding municipalities

Chiba Prefecture

Tokyo Metropolis

History

The area around present-day Ichikawa has been inhabited since the Japanese Paleolithic period. Archaeologists have found stone tools dating to some 30,000 years ago. Numerous shell middens from the Jōmon period, and hundreds of burial tumuli from the Kofun period have been found in numerous locations around Ichikawa. During the Nara period, Ichikawa was the provincial capital of Shimōsa Province and is mentioned in the Man'yōshū. During the Heian period, this area was the center of the rebellion by Taira Masakado. During the Sengoku period, it was the site of a major battles (Battle of Kōnodai) between the Satomi clan and the Late Hōjō clan.

In more recent history, the area was also the site of some minor battles during the Boshin War of the Meiji Restoration and was promoted as a possible site for the new Diet of Japan by Katsu Kaishu, who envisioned a structure to be built on the Edogawa River similar to the Houses of Parliament in London along the Thames. Ichikawa Town was organized in 1889. On November 3, 1934 it merged with the neighboring towns of Yawata, Nakayama and village of Kokubun to form the city of Ichikawa. The city expanded by annexing the village of Okashiwa on November 3, 1949, the town of Gyotoku on March 31, 1955 and town of Minami-Gyotoku on October 1, 1956.

Transportation

Railway

Highway

Education

Universities

Primary and secondary schools

Twin towns – Sister cities

Local attractions

Noted people from Ichikawa

References

  1. ↑ http://www.pemkomedan.go.id/news_detail.php?id=106 MEDAN MENJALIN HUBUNGAN KOTA KEMBAR KEEMPAT Retrieved September 10, 2013 Archived 23 April 2007
  2. ↑ Medan City
  3. ↑ Gardena
  4. ↑ LESHAN CITY 楽山市
  5. ↑ Rosenheim
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