Ichinoseki, Iwate

Ichinoseki
一関市
City

Ichinoseki Skyline

Flag

Seal

Location of Ichinoseki in Iwate Prefecture
Ichinoseki

 

Coordinates: 38°55′5″N 141°07′35.7″E / 38.91806°N 141.126583°E / 38.91806; 141.126583Coordinates: 38°55′5″N 141°07′35.7″E / 38.91806°N 141.126583°E / 38.91806; 141.126583
Country Japan
Region Tōhoku
Prefecture Iwate
Area
  Total 1,256.42 km2 (485.11 sq mi)
Population (September 1, 2015)
  Total 123,490
  Density 95.9/km2 (248/sq mi)
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
Symbols  
• Tree Japanese beech
• Flower Canola
• Bird Japanese bush-warbler
Phone number 0191-21-2111
Address

7-2 Takeyama-chō, Ichinoseki-shi, Iwate-ken

021-8501
Website Official website
Ichinoseki City Office

Ichinoseki (一関市 Ichinoseki-shi) is a city located in Iwate Prefecture, in the Tohoku region of northern Japan. As of September 1, 2015, the city had a population of 120,490 and a population density of 95.9 persons per km2. It is currently the second largest city by population in the prefecture, after Morioka. The total area was 1,256.42 square kilometres (485.11 sq mi).

Geography

Ichinoseki is located inland in the south of Iwate Prefecture, a little over two hours north of Tokyo by the Tohoku Shinkansen. A large volume of extremely stable granite rock runs beneath the city, and is the center of the site deemed suitable for potential construction of the International Linear Collider (ILC).[1]

Neighboring municipalities

Demographics

Due to factories belonging to large Japanese companies such as Sony and NEC being located in the industrial parkland zone of Ichinoseki, the city has a sizable population of Brazilian workers. The agricultural makeup of the city outside the centre is mostly composed of farmers, leading to an influx of Chinese and Filipino immigrants due to marriage. As a result, Ichinoseki has a varied ethnic makeup, although the newcomers still remain a small minority.

History

The area of present-day Ichinoseki was part of ancient Mutsu Province, and has been settled since at least the Japanese Paleolithic period. The area was inhabited by the Emishi people, and came under the control of the Yamato dynasty during the early Heian period. During the Heian period, it was controlled by the Abe clan, followed by the Northern Fujiwara clan of Hiraizumi. During the Sengoku period, the area was dominated by various samurai clans before coming under the control of the Date clan during the Edo period, who ruled Sendai Domain under the Tokugawa shogunate.

The town of Ichinoseki was established within Nishiiwai District, Iwate on April 1, 1889 with the establishment of the municipality system.

Education

Special school

Elementary schools

  • Nagai Elementary School (一関市立永井小学校)
  • Hanaizumi Elementary School (一関市立花泉小学校)
  • 一関市立日形小学校
  • Yushima Elementary School (一関市立油島小学校)
  • 一関市立涌津小学校
  • 一関市立内野小学校
  • 一関市立大原小学校
  • 一関市立興田小学校
  • 一関市立猿沢小学校
  • 一関市立渋民小学校
  • 一関市立摺沢小学校
  • 一関市立曽慶小学校
  • Iwashimizu Elementary School (一関市立磐清水小学校)
  • Okutama Elementary School (一関市立奥玉小学校)

Junior high schools

High schools

Kosen

Junior college

Transportation

Railway

Highway

Local attractions

Geibikei Gorge, Ichinoseki-city, Iwate Prefecture
Geibikei Gorge, Ichinoseki

Ichinoseki is in close proximity to the historically significant site of Hiraizumi, which lies adjacent to the mid-northern border of the city. Ichinoseki station is a convenient transit hub for excursions to Hiraizumi, with access to Tōhoku Shinkansen and local rail lines.

Geibikei is a dramatic river gorge which offers rides in traditional flat-bottomed boats, navigated by singing "gondoliers".

Alternatively, Genbikei is another popular river area with naturally carved cliffs.

The Honedera Village Estate has been designated an Important Cultural Landscape.[2] A brochure can be seen here. http://www.ichitabi.jp/guidebook/pdf/guidebook_04_03_en.pdf

Ichinoseki's general tourist brochure can be seen here. http://www.ichitabi.jp/guidebook/pdf/guidebook_01_01_en.pdf

Sister Cities/Friendship Cities

Sister City

Friendship Cities

Noted people from Ichinoseki

References

  1. http://www.city.ichinoseki.iwate.jp/ilc/en/index.html Ichinoseki City's ILC website
  2. "Database of Registered National Cultural Properties". Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 29 April 2011.
  3. "International Exchange". List of Affiliation Partners within Prefectures. Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR). Retrieved 21 November 2015.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Ichinoseki.

Media related to Ichinoseki, Iwate at Wikimedia Commons

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