Toki, Gifu

Toki
土岐市
City

Flag

Location of Toki in Gifu Prefecture
Toki

Location in Japan

Coordinates: 35°21′N 137°11′E / 35.350°N 137.183°E / 35.350; 137.183Coordinates: 35°21′N 137°11′E / 35.350°N 137.183°E / 35.350; 137.183
Country Japan
Region Chūbu
Prefecture Gifu Prefecture
Government
  Mayor Nobuhiko Ōno
Area
  Total 116.16 km2 (44.85 sq mi)
Population (July 2011[1])
  Total 60,163
  Density 520/km2 (1,300/sq mi)
Symbols
  Tree Japanese Fringetree
  Flower Balloon flower
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City hall address 2101 Tokiguchi, Tokitsu-chō, Toki-shi, Gifu-ken
509-5192
Website www.city.toki.lg.jp/wcore/english/index.html
View of Toki city
Huge Mino ware mizusashi (water jar) at Toki-shi Station

Toki (土岐市 Toki-shi) is a city located in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. The city is located on the Honshū island, to the southeast of Gifu City, the prefectural capital. The Toki River runs through the downtown area. Toki is known as one of the largest producers of Japanese pottery, generally referred to as Mino ware.

History

The history of pottery making in Toki area appears to have started more than 1,300 years ago. The production of Mino ware dates to the 16th century during the Azuchi-Momoyama period. Oribe ware developed as a style of Mino ware.

The city was incorporated on February 1, 1955, with the area formerly divided among 5 towns (Tokitsu, Oroshi, Tsumagi, Dachi and Izumi) and 3 villages (Tsurusato, Sogi and Hida).

In January 2004, a referendum was called to decide whether Toki should merge with its neighboring municipalities, the cities and town of Tajimi, Mizunami and Kasahara. A proposition, which would have allowed them to consummate the merger, failed to obtain majority support.

In Spring 2005, Toki was in the national news in Japan when an outlet mall was opened on the outskirts of the city. Malls are a relatively rare thing outside the major cities of Japan, and the city was brought to a standstill after a nationwide advertising campaign attracted people from all over Japan.

The city is home to the Large Helical Device, a stellarator investigating plasma physics with an eye towards fusion power generation.

Demographics

As of July 2011, the city has an estimate population of 60,163, with 20,896 households and a population density of 520 persons per km². The total area is 116.16 km².

Government

Mayor

The current Mayor of Toki is Yasunari Katō. Previous Mayors include:

Representative body

Toki has an eighteen-member city council, which serves as the legislative body of the city.

Transportation

Railroad

Sister cities

References

  1. 岐阜県の人口・世帯数人口動態統計調査結果. Gifu prefectural website (in Japanese). Gifu Prefecture. Retrieved September 11, 2011.
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